How To Set Up A Free Blog Page
Because building a web log has gotten and then much easier in recent years, here are my picks for the x best free blogging sites you should use to create your first site and lay the foundation for what'south to come in your blogging journey.
Blogging has a long and rich history. Since 1993, people have been creating blogs that interest them, generate income or help promote their main businesses.
Since you're here on my blog, I'grand guessing y'all're interested in starting a weblog of your own.
Y'all may take a calling deep to blog near a personal passion. Or, you lot may want to start a niche blog as a side hustle to make money blogging outside of your 24-hour interval job. Whether you desire to create a blog for family unit pictures, for monetization, or to let the world know about your passions—chances are, you don't want to spend a lot of money to become things started.
While there are a lot of blogging platforms available today, not all of them are costless. A free blogging site, however, allows you to experiment without creating a financial strain. It's an excellent style to get creative and find your voice without spending much of anything aside from your own fourth dimension up front.
If you lot want to utilize a free blogging site to power your blog, I've compiled my list of the 10 all-time gratis blogging sites you can get started with correct away.
10 Best Free Blogging Sites to Build Your Blog for Free in 2022
- WordPress (Self-Hosted)
- Wix
- WordPress.com
- Weebly
- Medium
- Blogger
- Ghost
- Tumblr
- Joomla
- Yola
Disclosure: Please annotation that some of the links below are chapter links and at no additional cost to y'all, I'll earn a commission. When you purchase one of the products I recommend using my one of my affiliate links, the company compensates me, which helps me run this blog and continue my content free of charge to you. Know that I too just recommend products I personally stand up behind.
One time you've done your research and are set to build a profitable blog—head over to my ultimate guide to starting a weblog.
Desire to Commencement Your Blog (the Right Way)?
Check out my ultimate guide: How to Start a Blog (on the Side).
1. WordPress (Self-Hosted)
My #1 recommendation amongst the all-time free blogging sites is: Self-Hosted WordPress. WordPress currently powers 34% of websites on the cyberspace.
Cocky-Hosted WordPress, also known as WordPress.org, is an open-source platform to build a web log on—and it'south 100% free to apply, because the creators of WordPress believe in democratizing publishing and the freedoms that come with open source.
In other words, the people who created and manage WordPress believe that people should have access to a platform where they can publish the things that matter to them—in the way they choose to do information technology. That's the ability of purpose behind this free blogging site.
Who is a Cocky-Hosted WordPress Blog for?
One of the top reasons I recommend self-hosted WordPress as the absolute best free blogging site to utilise, is that information technology'south an all around great choice for a wide range of bloggers (and different weblog budgets also).
Whether you're an absolute beginner learning what a blog is today—or running a half-dozen-figure website, WordPress gives yous the all-time tools to make an incredible site capable of structuring a assisting web log business plan around information technology. Most importantly, a WordPress-powered weblog tin grow with you lot every bit y'all develop your mode, branding and content over time.
As WordPress.org explains, "Many finish users of WordPress are non-technically minded. They don't know what AJAX is, nor do they intendance about which version of PHP they are using. The average WordPress user simply wants to be able to write without problems or interruption."
On the other hand, they go on to say that with the many themes, plugins and access to coding (if yous want), those bloggers who are more than technically minded besides have the liberty to brand their own websites however they desire.
Whether you lot're brand new or a seasoned blogger, WordPress is more probable your best choice of gratuitous blogging sites—hands down.
Full general Information About Self-Hosted WordPress
WordPress.org (likewise known as self-hosted WordPress) is an open-source content direction system (CMS) created in 2003 with the goal of giving the world a truly gratis blogging platform. Open-source means software that's offered freely and tin exist modified by others. CMS is a software or program that lets you lot create and manage your digital content.
WordPress is completely complimentary to use, but y'all will need to sign up for a paid monthly web hosting plan and buy a domain name in order to apply it (i.due east. self-hosting).
We'll get into more than item virtually web hosting below, but it's of import to note that it's extremely affordable to run a self-hosted WordPress weblog—retrieve $2 to $10/mo.
What is WordPress Hosting?
Hosting refers to a company that stores your website so it can be viewed on the internet. Without it, your blog isn't actually live and readable to others.
In guild for your content to be stored and distributed properly, y'all need what's chosen a server. A spider web server is continued to the Cyberspace and it receives requests (people wanting to read your weblog content) and responds by displaying the pages of your website.
A home estimator is not ready for properly hosting your own website (without some serious modifications and expenses). That's why you need the best web hosting program from a reliable company to make certain your blog is connected to the Net.
My personal recommendation for affordable & reliable web hosting is Bluehost. I've used them for years and am very happy with their services.
Even if you cull their least expensive plan (around $ii.95/mo), y'all'll have a lot of great features like a free SSL certificate that makes your website ultra secure, unmetered bandwidth and a free domain name—along with their keen 24/7 technical support to reply any questions you've got.
They're likewise i of three hosting companies specifically recommended past WordPress themselves (like these managed WordPress hosting plans), and they offering an easy 1-click installation for installing WordPress every bit the free blogging site to power your blog behind the scenes.
Examples of Websites Created on Self-Hosted WordPress
Jane Goodall Constitute
The Pioneer Woman
The Making Life
A Look Inside Self-Hosted WordPress (Gratuitous Blogging Site)
If y'all log into your WordPress business relationship and select "Add a New Post" this is the screen you volition see.
There are a few plugins added onto this free blog example, including Elementor and Yoast SEO.
In WordPress' editor, you lot tin add media, change text, add a contact form and many other things.
If you desire to add together a new page yous volition get to a screen that looks pretty much identical to the add together new blog post screen.
Here you can add different things or you can use the Elementor plugin to utilize a elevate-and-drop interface for easier viewing.
The free version of Elementor gives you a series of "widgets" on the left-hand column that you can use to customize your site.
Pros of Cocky-Hosted WordPress as a Free Blogging Site
Customization and Flexibility
One of the most appealing features nearly cocky-hosted WordPress every bit a free blogging site, is that it is highly customizable. At that place are over a thousand themes to choose from and over 55,000 plugins. Many of the themes and plugins are free to employ, merely there are premium ones that add even more functionality too.
With WordPress.org, you're pretty much gratuitous to do anything you lot want with your weblog, even starting a podcast and embedding episodes from your show with piece of cake-to-utilise widgets and plugins—just be sure you choose the correct podcast hosting platform.
Easiest Blogging Site to Monetize on 💸
If you're planning on monetizing your web log, WordPress.org is a good avenue. You're allowed to monetize your weblog any manner you cull. Zero restrictions.
If you lot also want to use your blog every bit an eCommerce site, you can utilize a plugin like WooCommerce (i of the best eCommerce website builders on the market) to accept payments, display products and manage inventory.
It's a Free Blogging Site That Grows With Yous
Unlike many of the other costless blogging sites, WordPress can actually abound with you. If you find that you really like blogging and y'all desire to take information technology to the next level, WordPress tin accept you at that place.
Cons of Self-Hosted WordPress as a Free Blogging Site
Hosting Isn't Complimentary
The WordPress blogging platform is gratis, simply you'll nonetheless take to pay for self-hosting. You'll also demand to pay for a domain name with WordPress.org. This may exist a deterrent for yous, specially if yous're looking for something that is completely free.
But, chances are every bit your web log grows you're probably going to want to find a platform that offers a lot more flexibility than the other free options. Instead of upgrading with a plan like Wix or Weebly, you can discover a fairly inexpensive hosting plan and develop a blog that's exactly what y'all desire.
Higher Learning Curve
WordPress is a skillful choice, even for newbies, just it does have a higher learning curve than some of our other gratis blogging sites like Wix or Weebly. The interface isn't quite as piece of cake to navigate as the other "what you see is what yous get" (WYSIWYG) website builders on this list—without the right theme and folio architect.
If you lot do want to utilize a drag-and-drib page builder to create your blog, I'd highly recommend Elementor. Here'southward what information technology looks like behind the scenes:
Elementor has an astonishing complimentary version that you tin utilize and it allows you to view what your site will wait like before you hitting publish.
Plus, when this folio builder is paired with their Elementor's (free) WordPress theme, information technology's a lightning fast combination that'll become your web log off the basis quickly—and set up well for the months and years to come.
Maintenance
One last potential drawback to using self-hosted WordPress every bit your free blogging platform, is that you're responsible for managing and maintaining everything on your weblog. That includes things ensuring security plugins are safety, backups are happening regularly and updates are going alive.
Some of these things may be provided for yous through your web hosting plan, specially if y'all're using a summit hosting company similar Dreamhost or Bluehost—but regardless, it does take a trivial bit more time to maintain than some of the other free blogging sites we're covering hither.
ii. Wix
Wix first entered the scene as a complimentary blogging platform in 2006. Since and so, it has provided a website platform to a remarkable 150 meg people. It is also used in 190 countries around the world.
Wix is a website builder with a elevate and drop interface. Information technology'south a (WYSIWYG) software so you lot know exactly what your blog will look like before you hitting the "publish" push.
They have several paid plans, but they also offer a gratis option.
Who Would Like Wix
Wix is a good choice for someone who wants a really piece of cake way to start their web log for free. If you want to start a blog without having to accept care of things similar security, backups, hosting so on, Wix is a skillful pick. Wix takes care of all that for you, fifty-fifty on their gratis platform plans.
The complimentary version of Wix would non work for someone who is looking to monetize their weblog or create a more customized await.
General Information nearly Wix
Wix was created by iii founders who wanted a "platform that empowered anyone to create their own website with no coding or design skills needed." Hence their continued focus on providing a free blogging site option to new bloggers around the world.
In other words, they wanted to create a actually easy manner for people to create a blog or website.
With the costless version of Wix you go:
- Upward to 500MG storage
- Up to 500MB bandwidth
- Client Support
Examples of Wix Websites
If you want to start a food blog and continue it ultra simple, here'southward a proficient example of how to pull it off on this gratuitous blogging site:
And here'south an example of a more portfolio-driven site:
These are examples that Wix highlights as what yous can create with their free blogging site tools.
They're visually very stunning, but they were probable created using Wix'due south more premium plans.
A Look Inside Wix
Wix is a true drag-and-drop builder. That means you have features from the left side column and drop them straight on to the folio. You can then dispense text, images, videos, apps, and more just past moving them around.
Then nice matter most Wix is you can really change any chemical element on your pages.
One of the drawbacks of Wix as an editor though, is it does not offer the aforementioned flexibility with blogging features equally information technology does on your more static pages.
The blogging interface is adequately basic with Wix. There are a limited number of settings for images and text making this far less appealing for a complimentary blog site.
Pros of Wix as a Free Blogging Site
Very Easy to Use
It can't be denied that Wix is really like shooting fish in a barrel to use. With drag-and-drop for the website and the power to see exactly what yous're getting, it's super simple for beginners.
Completely Free (if You Stay on the Right Plan)
The costless version of Wix is completely costless. No need to sign upwards for hosting or a domain name.
Cons of Wix as a Free Blogging Site
Wix Branding and Advertising
Like WordPress.com, if you use a gratuitous Wix site, your site volition have Wix branding on it (which is a standard feature of all free blogging sites).
Wix'south name will be in your URL, and in that location will be Wix advertizement on your site.
Little to No Monetization
Because Wix uses their ain advertising, they practice non allow you to run your own ads on the gratuitous version. In that location's also no eCommerce selection for Wix's costless blogging sites.
Limited Blogging Functions
While Wix has very responsive website features that brand it easy and intuitive to use, its blogging platform isn't as strong. It's still easy to employ, but it's far more restrictive than the regular website pages you can create on Wix.
Bonus: If y'all're interested in food blogging as a potential niche to swoop deep into, and so check out my own real-world arroyo to food blogging with my girlfriend'south vegan food blog, Vegan Anj.
No Site Migration
If you start your web log and decide that Wix isn't where yous'd like to stay, it'southward extremely hard to migrate away from their free blogging site. They have no easy option for site migration, and then you'll have to be more than tech-savvy to transfer your content.
Tin can't Change Templates
Wix has a nice selection of cute templates, only you lot're more than or less stuck with i once you've called it—a fairly common occurrence with free blogging sites like this. This is a big downfall if you have a dissimilar vision for your blog in the future, but nix that can't be overcome by working with their support team.
3. WordPress.com
Fifty-fifty if y'all're new to blogging, you've probably heard of WordPress.
What you may not know all the same—is that there are two unlike types of WordPress. There'due south WordPress.org (Self-Hosted) and WordPress.com. Both of this actually offer options to serve every bit 1 of the best gratuitous blogging sites.
I reviewed (self-hosted) WordPress.org first as our #1 selection here amongst the best free blogging sites, merely now permit'due south talk near it's counterpart—WordPress.com
WordPress.com has paid plans, but they also offer a limited complimentary version as well.
Who Would Like WordPress.com
The free version of WordPress.com would work well for someone who wants to test out a blog, but isn't besides concerned with monetizing it or having access to a lot of features—at to the lowest degree for at present. While this is common among the free blogging sites on the market place today, it's a pretty substantial drawback in my opinion.
For those who want a simple hobby blog, or for those who just want to see if they bask blogging, WordPress.com is an easy option for a sturdy, free blog site.
Some other nice benefit of WordPress.com is you do accept room to grow with this platform. You can purchase more expensive plans for added benefits. You can also migrate your site easily from WordPress.com to WordPress.org if you would like more flexibility in the futurity.
General Information About WordPress.com
WordPress.com launched in 2005 as a way to "bring the WordPress experience to an fifty-fifty larger audience," and has continued to offer their truly free blogging sites as a gateway for new content creators to enter the world of blogging on a budget.
WordPress.com describes themselves as, "a hosted version of the open-source software. Here, you can start a blog or build a website in seconds without any technical knowledge."
Instead of paying for cocky-hosting, the hosting plan is part of the WordPress.com experience. This is truthful even with the costless version of WordPress.com.
The free version of WordPress.com includes:
- Jetpack Essential Features
- 3G Storage
- Dozens of free themes
Examples of Websites Created on WordPress.com
Here's a expect at some of the themes available for WordPress.com:
A Look Inside WordPress.com
WordPress.com's interface has some similarities to the cocky-hosted WordPress.org version, but it's non identical and doesn't come up with as much functionality.
Once you create a weblog on WordPress.com you'll be taken to this page. Yous tin can choose options like "stats," "design" and "tools."
WordPress.com does give y'all access to the admin dashboard that'south used in self-hosted WordPress, simply information technology can exist a bit more confusing using both dashboards if you lot're not already familiar with WordPress.
Pros of WordPress.com as a Free Blogging Site
Completely Free
If you lot use the free version of WordPress.com, you can run a blog completely free. Y'all don't even need to worry nearly paying for a domain name equally your free blogging site volition be hosted at a URL like yourblog.wordpress.com.
Maintenance Complimentary
With WordPress.com, you don't have to worry most things like site security, updates, or hosting. These things are taken care of for you through WordPress—even on their free platform.
WordPress.com also offers alive chat community support and a forum where you can enquire questions.
Cons of WordPress.com as a Gratuitous Blogging Site
WordPress Branding
When you lot employ a free WordPress.com account, your spider web address will include WordPress (like yourblog.wordpress.com), which is adequately common amongst free blogging sites.
While yous don't have to pay for a domain name, it doesn't look clean and professional to have the WordPress branding. Information technology's as well harder for people to call back your web address than if it was simply yourdomainname.com.
Limitations with Customization
WordPress.com does offer a diverseness of free themes and plugins that you can use with your web log. But, information technology doesn't offer nearly every bit many as the paid versions of WordPress.com. Neither the gratis or paid version of WordPress.com offers every bit much admission to plugins and themes as WordPress.org.
Footling to No Monetization
WordPress.com is not a proficient choice if you're planning to monetize your web log. The free version of WordPress.com may let you to restrictively use affiliate links, simply you will not exist able to advertise in any other way.
Their ads are displayed on your site and you accept no command over them nor practise you lot make revenue from them.
There'due south likewise no eCommerce option with the free blogging site version of WordPress.com.
More Difficult to Use Than Other Website Builders
WordPress.com is not an extremely difficult interface, but it isn't every bit easy to employ equally Wix and Weebly.
The ability to switch between the WordPress.com interface and the WordPress.org admin does give you more flexibility with this gratuitous blogging site, but it makes things more than complicated for new bloggers.
4. Weebly
Weebly is another extremely popular option amongst the all-time free blogging sites today—largely considering it's easy to use and built particularly with eCommerce in mind.
Like Wix from higher up, this gratuitous blogging site as well has a drag-and-drop feature, and is centered around a WYSIWYG page builder. It's very user-friendly to a brand new blogger that wants to examination things out using a free platform to become familiar with blogging.
Weebly starts out as a free weblog site, but also offers premium plans to unlock more features, get your own blog proper noun and allow more readers to your site.
Who Would Like Weebly?
Weebly is another good choice for a blogger who wants a really easy (free) website builder to work with.
It also has an eCommerce pick and then you lot tin can use it to start a pocket-size business and sell physical or digital items right from your blog.
The free version of Weebly would not be a recommended selection as a long term weblog that you intend on monetizing.
Full general Information Almost Weebly
Weebly was established every bit a gratuitous blogging site back in 2006, the same year every bit Wix. Their Free Plan Includes:
- Free SSL Security
- 500MB Storage
- SEO
- Lead Capture and Contact Forms
- Community Forum
- Chat and Email Support
Examples of Weebly Sites
The Whiskey Ball:
Detailed Engagements:
These examples are featured on Weebly's website, but they're more than likely created with premium plans (rather than just their free blogging site features).
A Look Inside Weebly
If yous choose Weebly's complimentary plan, you'll go this initial option:
For our complimentary blogging sites roundup here, I've decided to choose a website with an online store to fully explore what Weebly has to offering. If you lot want to run only a content-driven weblog, cull "I just need a website."
Then you can choose from a number of free themes.
Once yous selection a theme you lot can go to the editor.
The sidebar dash is very to ease, but it is not equally intuitive or easy to use equally the Wix interface. Plus, you lot also have a lot more customization options with Wix.
If you want to add a blog post, it's actually elementary. Plus, at that place's more flexibility with Weebly on this side of things, than with Wix. The aforementioned elevate-and-drop options yous take for your website are bachelor with your blog posts.
Because Weebly is focused on eCommerce, yous can also add products and categories.
Pros of Weebly as a Free Blogging Site
Completely Gratuitous
Weebly'southward free version is completely costless. No domain or hosting costs. A great way to get started if y'all want to test things out on a free blogging site with no strings attached.
Easy to Use
Weebly is really easy to use and offers the same quick set up upward to create posts through their free blogging platform. You lot can brand attractive and interesting web log posts using Weebly'southward free plan. The Weebly blog option has more than features and customization power than Wix's blogging platform.
Change Themes Easily
With Weebly, you tin can modify your themes equally often as you like. You're not locked into a theme forever, which is a nice option if y'all'd like to change things up after you lot get your blog off the ground.
eCommerce Options
At that place is an selection to sell items right from your blog with Weebly. If you'd like to use this as a way to monetize your site, it is possible with Weebly.
Cons of Weebly as a Free Blogging Site
Weebly Branding
As with WordPress.com and Wix.com, you lot'll take to bargain with the Weebly branding for the free version. That means your URL will have the Weebly branding and they will run Weebly ads on your site.
Different the other two options, Weebly does let you lot to put in a custom domain name with the gratis version of Weebly. You still have Weebly ads, but you volition exist able to utilize your ain domain name.
Not as Easy as Wix to Learn
Weebly has a more customizable blogging feature, but the platform, in general, is not every bit easy or intuitive equally Wix.
Limited Customization
Compared to my top pick amongst costless blogging sites (WordPress.org), Weebly has far fewer ways to customize your free weblog site. With simply a handful of themes and apps, it doesn't compare to WordPress.com or WordPress.org.
5. Medium
Medium is unlike the other names on this list of free blogging sites, because it'due south not actually a true website builder.
In fact, while Medium is a complimentary blogging site, it functions slightly more like a community of writers meets social media platform.
That being said, Medium is completely gratuitous to share your blog content on, and you tin get started right abroad.
Who Would Like Medium
Medium is a practiced choice for writers looking for exposure through a free blogging site that also has a big built-in community component. Information technology would work well for a hobby web log, or to first finding your voice every bit a author.
Another reason people use Medium is to give new life to the content they produced elsewhere. Since Medium has a built-in audience, some people choose to republish blog posts that they have already posted on their primary blog—to help drive traffic dorsum to their blogs.
General Information About Medium
Medium was originally created not every bit a gratuitous blogging site, simply rather to be a social media outlet for people who wanted to write longer posts than the ones you could find on Facebook or Twitter.
When Medium launched in 2022, CEO Ev Williams posted a web log mail service named, "Welcome to Medium." In it, he explained the purpose of the platform.
"Medium is a new identify on the Cyberspace where people share web log mail service ideas and stories that are longer than 140 characters and not just for friends. Information technology'south designed for little stories that brand your day meliorate and manifestos that modify the world…"
"On Medium, you lot can contribute often or just once in a blue moon, without the commitment of a blog. And either way, you're publishing into a thriving, pulsing network — non a standalone website, which you alone are responsible for keeping alive."
So the principal appeal of Medium is that information technology gives you a built-in audience—similar to when y'all post content on YouTube, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Example of a Blog Post Created on Medium
Here'due south a postal service I wrote for my Medium blog a few years ago, where I sometimes republish content to attract more readers:
At that place's no need to show you multiple blog posts on Medium, because apart from different pictures or videos, the blog layouts are essentially all the same.
A Await Inside Medium
When you start your Medium account you lot'll be asked to pick topics you're interested in.
This has more to do with the type of articles that volition testify upward on your feed and less nearly your own blog.
When y'all start writing a blog post, this is what your initial screen will look like.
These are your editing options. Here's what it looks similar once you write a headline and add a top image.
Yous can embed videos direct into your blog posts on Medium.
You can also embed social media posts like this ane from my Twitter account.
Apart from those features, in that location'south very little you can practice to change the look of your blog mail or customize it.
And you tin search the Unsplash media gallery to add together pictures related to your weblog postal service.
Pros of Medium as a Free Blogging Site
Easy to Acquire and Publish
Medium might just be the easiest gratis blogging site to apply out of all the options on this list. Just sign upwardly and first writing. No need to set up a website or await for hosting. Everything is ready for yous to get started immediately.
The blogging interface is also extremely easy and takes no time at all to understand.
Completely Gratuitous to Use
Medium is completely free to utilise. No hidden fees or upgrades needed, making information technology a truly free blog site.
Congenital-in Audience
When you publish on Medium, y'all're writing to an audience that already exists. You lot don't necessarily have to compete with SEO masters on Google in club to acquire how to find your target audience on Medium, especially since there are hundreds of dedicated Medium publications that can feature your content (if you exercise some smart blogger outreach to impress them with your writing).
Cons of Medium as a Free Blogging Site
Most No Customization
Apart from adding images, videos, or embedding social media posts, every post on Medium looks the same. Information technology's like posting on Facebook—your text and images are different—but every post has basically the same layout and design.
With Medium, at that place are no themes, apps, or plugins to customize your posts, which does brand information technology one of the most simple free blogging platforms on the marketplace today.
No (Real) Monetization
Medium is not a platform y'all tin can utilise to monetize your blog. There's no option for ads or eCommerce. Information technology's explicitly confronting the rules to, "advertise or promote third-party products, services, or brands through Medium posts, publications, or letters," but you can still promote your blog content with tactics similar blogger outreach.
You can use affiliate links, simply you're not immune to create content, "primarily to drive traffic to, or increase the search rankings of, an external site, product, or service… Scraping and reposting content from other sources for the primary purpose of generating revenue or other personal gains." One feasible way to earn some income from Medium though, is to write an eBook that you can sell to your near engaged audition (done carefully on an external site, of form).
You Don't Have a Blog of Your Ain
With Medium as your complimentary blog site, you don't have to take care of the upkeep of a blog which could be a plus for some. On the other manus, you ultimately take no control over the content that you publish.
Yous do, "own the rights to the content you lot create and post on Medium." But your content tin also exist removed for "any reason."
Permit me be clear. With Medium, y'all're publishing on someone else's website. That means they accept control over the way things are presented.
They can also alter the fashion they do things at Medium without consulting yous or considering your interests… and hell, they can even go out of business ane day, taking your free blog site correct along with it.
That's i of the biggest reasons why hosting your own blog (where you lot're in control) is the smartest way to beginning a blog.
half dozen. Blogger
Blogger is some other solid (nonetheless slightly outdated) option for free blogging sites designed for those who want a complimentary blog to test the waters on.
Purchased by Google back in 2003, with this free blogging site—instead of actually owning your own site, y'all're more-or-less renting it from Google.
Who Would Like Blogger
Blogger can be a decent option if you're looking for a free place to start your hobby web log. However, with many more time to come-proof, modern free blogging sites bachelor on the market today, I wouldn't personally recommend going with Blogger.
Full general Information About Blogger
Blogger was originally created by Pyra Labs in 1999 to exist a free blogging site for the masses (dorsum in the very early days of blogging), but was later purchased by Google in 2003 as the platform grew significantly.
At one time, it was a very popular way to beginning a blog on a upkeep. Today, not so much anymore.
While there are multiple options for customization with Blogger, it doesn't have the composure of more modern blogging sites.
Examples of Websites Created on Blogger
A Expect Inside Blogger
Here'south an case of some of the themes bachelor with Blogger, as a costless blogging site:
Your blog post editor has a number of customization options, which actually come up close to what you lot'll get from a amend blogging site like WordPress.
There are a scattering of fonts y'all can choose from, and you tin load pictures and videos. You can also add HTML code for greater customization.
The website editor tin can be a bit clunky and difficult to navigate, though…
You also have to "preview" your blog before you can see the changes you lot've made.
Pros of Blogger every bit a Gratuitous Blogging Site
Gratis to Employ
Yous can create a blog with Blogger and you'll have no fees. No hosting fees. Yous can choose to pay for a domain name which will eliminate the branding from blogspot in your URL.
Monetization Choices
Probably ane of the best things well-nigh Blogger every bit a free blog site, is the power to run AdSense ads on your folio. You have a lot more than freedom to monetize your site with Blogger than many of the other free blogging sites we've discussed.
Cons of Blogger as a Free Blogging Site
No Ownership of Your Site
Unfortunately, with Blogger yous don't actually own your site. That means Google can choose to shut down your site if they want to.
Not every bit Piece of cake to Use as Other Options
While Blogger is adequately unproblematic to run, it does have a higher learning bend than many of the other options. It also has a smaller payoff in one case yous practise learn how to run it.
Express Customization
In that location are several dissimilar things you can change with Blogger, but ultimately information technology'due south non loaded down with customization options.
Outdated Interface
Not a lot of people are using Blogger equally a complimentary blogging site these days, considering it isn't up-to-date with other options like nosotros've broken downward here already. The interface is not as user-friendly or modern every bit other blogging platforms.
7. Ghost
Ghost was founded in 2022 from a Kickstarter project, with the intention of offering a free blogging site to professional writers. It has some similarities to WordPress, and similar WordPress, information technology has a hosted and cocky-hosted version.
The self-hosted version is free, but (like with WordPress) does require a domain name and hosting.
Who Would Like Ghost
Ghost would work well for people who are looking for a uncomplicated, costless web log site that's specifically geared towards blogging. While WordPress began as a blogging platform, information technology has evolved into much more than that.
Ghost is still solely focused on blogging—non on full general website production or eCommerce.
John O'Nolan, founder of Ghost has shared, "If you want a simple website with eCommerce that you lot utilize to run your business, requite Squarespace a endeavour. If you want to participate in a social network with sharing and re-posting and lots of cats, maybe Tumblr would be a better fit for you. On the other hand, if you're looking to develop your own fully-fledged website or awarding with every imaginable bong and whistle, WordPress might be ideal."
He continues, "If you want to have a elementary but powerful independent publication, something that'south focused on the writing experience and giving you lot the freedom to be in complete command of your content, so you might find Ghost interesting."
General Information Nearly Ghost
Ghost exists as a complimentary blogging site, primarily because John O'Nolan wanted to create something similar WordPress that was solely for writers, while being more minimalistic and easier to navigate.
Ghost is a not-turn a profit that is still in its infancy and all the same gaining its footing every bit a gratuitous blogging platform. While I certainly wouldn't recommend Ghost over WordPress equally a gratis blogging site at this point, I would keep an eye out for what they're doing.
It as well seems that they're planning on changing the direction of their platform in the upcoming months.
Here's an excerpt from Ghost'due south 2022 within look:
"Nosotros spent a very long time trying to compete on convenience and simplicity. This was our biggest mistake and the hardest lesson to larn – because user feedback told united states that this was what was about of import… Just it concluded up being still not simple enough for the average user, and not powerful or flexible enough for the professional person user — the worst of both worlds.
And then the biggest takeaway subsequently v years is that we have been moving, and will continue to motility up market, toward professional users who value ability and flexibility over ease of signup. This is where nosotros can win compared to the contest. This is where Ghost comes into its own."
The hosted version of Ghost has its lowest plan priced at $29 a calendar month, so it obviously doesn't have a free option.
Ghost is an open-source CMS though, then in that location is a free self-hosted version bachelor. Signing upwards for that is less straight-frontwards than going with WordPress.org as your free blog site of choice, though.
Hosting Options for Ghost
Not all hosting companies support Ghost as a blogging platform, merely here'southward a listing of swell hosts that practice:
- A2 Hosting
- Cloudways
- Digital Ocean
- HostPapa
An Instance of a Ghost Theme
A Wait Inside Ghost
One cool thing that Ghost offers is an actual way of checking it out before you swoop in. It's called play-with-ghost.com
With it, y'all can option a theme, insert the admin info they provide, and actually mess around with the software for free.
Once you've selected a theme, information technology takes you lot to a testing area where yous can choose dissimilar options and play around with the features.
The blogging features are very make clean and simple.
Here's a wait at some of the elements you lot can add to your blog postal service:
An instance of what you can create as a blog postal service:
Information technology's a adequately simple layout without an abundance of options. It does, notwithstanding, have a feature called "markdown" which converts content into HTML code.
Like this:
To this:
Pros of Ghost as a Gratuitous Blogging Site
Simple and Piece of cake to Use
For those who want a make clean space to sit and write—Ghost offers just that.
It'due south easy to navigate and isn't weighed downward by a lot of extras. It'south minimalistic setup makes it easy for bloggers to sit downward and write.
In that location's Room to Grow
Ghost is a newer institution so it volition be interesting to run across how they develop over the next few years. They may change the blogging sphere in interesting ways—like using javascript instead of PHP to run their blogging site.
Cons of Ghost as a Gratis Blogging Site
Not the Most Customizable Choice
It's pro is also somewhat its con, as founder John O'Nolan has noted. In their effort to create simplicity, they have missed some other grouping of people who want more flexibility and customization.
Hosting and Domain Name Fees
As with WordPress.org, Ghost offers no completely free blogging site pick, because you'll even so be responsible for your monthly hosting programme and getting a domain proper noun.
Harder to Detect Hosting Plans
Considering Ghost chose to use javascript (node.js) to ability their costless blogging platform, it's more difficult to find a hosting visitor that supports it from a technical standpoint—aside from their ain hosting plans, of class.
8. Tumblr
Tumblr is an alternative complimentary blogging site that currently hosts 476 one thousand thousand dissimilar blogs, and it was but recently purchased past Automattic (the company behind WordPress). Like Medium though, Tumblr is a mix betwixt a blog and a social media aqueduct.
Who Would Like Tumblr
Tumblr is geared towards a younger generation and trends well with 18-29 year olds. It's a fun and interesting way to share your content. Tumblr describes itself as a place where you tin can find but about anything, making it a fascinating alloy of costless blogging site and built-in community.
Information technology'south a dandy pick for people who want to produce relatively quick or short content and don't want to be bogged down by website production or the extra work involved with running your ain site.
Tumblr would not be an ideal choice for someone interested in owning their own blog/website. It would also be an unlikely option for someone starting a business organization, although you could use Tumblr to funnel traffic to an outside shop like Etsy or eBay.
General Information About Tumblr
Tumblr was created as a free blog platform in 2007 past David Karp. Sometimes Tumblr is referred to as micro-blogging, which is what Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are. But, Tumblr is more middle of the road between Twitter and WordPress. It'southward multi-media and a footling unlike than nearly other forms of blogging sites out there.
In an interview with TechCrunch, David Karp describes the reason he created Tumblr. "All blogs took the same form… I wanted something much more complimentary-course, much less verbose."
He went on to explain that some people desire to create an online identity without learning the procedure of website edifice. He said, "Information technology's a delivery, you need to sit downwards for an 60 minutes and hammer out a mail." He believes that WordPress is the all-time tool for people who enjoyed writing and wanted to put in the extra time, merely it was the wrong tool for those who didn't.
Tumblr describes their platform this way: "Nosotros made information technology really, actually simple for people to make a weblog and put whatever they desire on information technology. Stories, photos, GIFs, Telly shows, links, quips, dumb jokes, smart jokes, Spotify tracks, mp3s, videos, way, art, deep stuff. Tumblr is 476 million different blogs, filled with literally whatsoever."
Another compelling office of Tumblr is you can follow people on it. You tin build a following through the platform and like Instagram, those people volition see your new posts on their dashboard. People can also reblog your content so it gets shared and shared again.
Changes for Tumblr
As of August of 2022, Automattic, the owner of WordPress, purchased Tumblr. It'due south still unclear what changes might come from this acquisition, merely executives from both entities said they're looking for ways for WordPress.com and Tumblr to share services and functionality.
Tumblr has lost popularity since its original launch, partly due to its more contempo ban of developed material, but Automattic may exhale new life into this free blogging site.
Examples of Weblog Posts Created on Tumblr
Here's a fun ane from NPR:
And here'south another example of creative Tumblr content:
A Look Inside Tumblr
Tumblr allows you to include things like gifs, audio, and quotes.
It functions as a social media platform besides only it's very playful in nature.
Here's what it looks like when you first log in to your account.
You can likewise add videos, images, and tags.
Pros of Tumblr as a Free Blogging Site
Fun, Creative and Interesting Community
If y'all want to produce fun and interesting content without being weighed down by website construction, Tumblr is a vibrant place to express your creativity—and 1 of the almost widely used free blogging sites in the earth.
Free to Employ
Like Medium, yous don't have to pay to post on Tumblr. You lot're gratis to do what you desire on the platform without extra fees—information technology's a truly 100% complimentary blogging site.
Ability to Monetize
Surprisingly, Tumblr offers a variety of ways to monetize your blog including ads and chapter links.
Cons of Tumblr as a Gratuitous Blogging Site
You Don't Own your Site or Your Content
When you use Tumblr you lot have no command over changes made to the platform, which is one of the biggest drawbacks of using this as a free blog site. And while y'all own the "subscriber content" you create, Tumblr too has sure rights to it. Their privacy policy explains,
"When y'all provide Subscriber Content to Tumblr through the Services, you grant Tumblr a not-sectional, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable right and license to use, host, store, cache, reproduce, publish, display (publicly or otherwise), perform (publicly or otherwise), distribute, transmit, modify, adapt (including, without limitation, in order to accommodate it to the requirements of whatsoever networks, devices, services, or media through which the Services are available), and create derivative works of, such Subscriber Content."
On Tumblr, when people reblog your content, they also accept the right to modify it. This may not exist the worst thing, but if yous want your original content to remain untouched, Tumblr probably isn't your all-time pick.
Limited Customization
While Tumblr allows you lot to be very creative with the multimedia content that y'all share, peculiarly amid gratuitous blogging sites, the outlet itself is very standard. You don't have the flexibility to extend your features or add together custom themes.
9. Joomla (Self-Hosted)
Like to WordPress, Joomla is also an open-source CMS. And similar with running a self-hosted WordPress site, you'll exist required to purchase your domain name and hosting plan in guild to fully utilize this otherwise free blogging site.
Joomla is the second most popular CMS in the globe (behind WordPress) and powers around 58 million websites.
Who Would Like Joomla
Joomla requires a bit more technical knowledge than WordPress and most of our other tiptop gratis web log sites hither today, so it wouldn't be platonic for someone looking for a very easy (not-technical) platform.
It besides has a more than advanced user system, and then that means if y'all do have the technical knowledge, in that location'south more you lot can do right out of the box.
Another selling point well-nigh Joomla is it has multilingual support built into information technology without adding any additional plugins.
General Data About Joomla
Joomla was originally called Mambo. Mambo was adult in 2000 by an Australian company called Miro. Somewhen, the source code was "forked" into what's now called Joomla.
Joomla was officially launched in 2005, and has had several major updates since.
If you want to increment the capability of Joomla, you can add an extension.
Joomla has five types of extensions:
one. Components
Components are similar mini-applications. Most accept ii parts to them, an administrative side and a site side.
2. Modules
This extension is used for folio rendering. A footer or a login would be examples of modules.
3. Plugins
Plugins in Joomla refer to a function that triggers an result. This could be something like adding a form to your site, adding shortcuts, or adding an extra authentication method.
iv. Templates
A template is the style the website looks. It changes the way the component and the modules will be viewed.
five. Languages
Extra languages are already built into the core Joomla package, merely more can be added with an extension.
Hosting with Bluehost
Joomla likewise requires you lot to self-host your website, which technically pushes information technology a little away from beingness a completely free blogging site. I highly recommend using Bluehost for your Joomla hosting as well. Bluehost currently hosts over 85,000 Joomla sites, and information technology gives you a i-click installation option immediately after signing upwardly—simply you can check out my compilation of 25 honest Bluehost reviews and make that decision for yourself.
Examples of Websites Created on Joomla
Harvard'due south Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:
The Hill (a politics news website):
Pros of Joomla as a Free Blogging Site
Groovy Multilingual Options
Joomla is a nifty choice for people searching for a way to translate their website into many different languages.
Customization and Flexibility
Joomla allows you to practise many things with your website and blog. You're not locked into a detail theme or minimal set of features. This level of flexibility gives you the power to grow your blog.
Adept for Monetization
With Joomla, you tin can monetize your site however y'all like, even as a free blogging platform which is an attractive feature. You can include ads, utilize chapter links, and sell products equally you see fit.
Joomla has eCommerce extensions like Eshop and J2Store that you tin can employ to gear up shopping carts and add products.
Cons of Joomla as a Free Blogging Site
Requires Moderate Level Tech Skills
If you're brand new to site edifice and blogging, Joomla would probably not be the best choice for you. Someone who has some running knowledge of coding would do improve with this free blogging site.
Price for Domain and Hosting
The Joomla CMS is costless to employ, but you will still take to pay for your domain proper name and hosting.
Some Compatibility Problems
Some of the plugins with Joomla have compatibility issues. These could be resolved by someone with more than all-encompassing coding experience, but is not a reasonable avenue for people with limited coding cognition.
This frustration is compounded past the fact that many of the plugins are not gratis, so you're paying for a plugin that is incompatible with other plugins you've installed.
Site and Security Maintenance
Once again, with whatever CMS, the onus is on you to make sure that your site is secure and properly maintained. If you're looking for a very piece of cake way to maintain your site, yous may adopt something like Wix or Weebly who exercise the background work for y'all—even on some of their well-nigh basic free blog site plans.
ten. Yola
Yola is a complimentary blogging site that'due south fairly easy to apply, with a drag-and-drop feature. It's WYSIWYG, straightforward and it doesn't have long to learn & apply.
Who Would Similar Yola
I personally wouldn't consider Yola'due south free version as the best gratuitous blogging site to go with. While it does requite you access to some nice responsive templates, the free version is very express and doesn't quite stack upward against the other gratuitous blogging sites we've compared in this listing.
The power to use your Yola site as an eCommerce infinite is probably i of its more alluring features. Unfortunately, this is not available with the gratuitous plan.
Most importantly, you lot can't create a blog straight on the Yola site. You tin but create a blog by integrating an already existing Tumblr blog.
With these things in listen, I would just recommend the free version of Yola'due south a way to play around with website building or to determine whether you're interested in paying for a higher premium programme.
General Information About Yola
Yola began as a gratis blogging site in Southward Africa during 2007. The visitor is located in Cape Town and currently has over 12 million users.
Yola has around 80 templates — one minor issue with their templates is they are not categorized in any way. So you'll have to determine if you think the template works for the site you're trying to create.
The Sitebuilder is available in six languages including English language, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Their goal is, "Making information technology piece of cake for y'all to get your business online."
With a gratis program you get:
- 3 Pages
- 1GB bandwidth
- 1GB storage
- Yola subdomain
An Instance of a Website Created on Yola
Transportation Children'due south Center:
A Expect Inside Yola
Yola allows you to choose a template to starting time with designing your blog. You can even choose a blank template if you'd like to start from scratch.
Here's what the editor looks like with the chosen template. In social club to go started, you can remove the standard pictures and exchange them for your images.
There are a lot of things y'all tin can customize on Yola including font, colour, alignment etc.
You can elevate-and-drop widgets into place, but they practise accept to land in a predetermined area.
This can be a picayune restrictive if you have a different vision of what your blog should look like in your mind.
Pros of Yola every bit a Costless Blogging Site
Fairly Unproblematic to Use
Yola has a low learning curve and information technology doesn't accept a lot of fourth dimension to start putting together a website.
Free to Start
You lot can get-go using Yola right away without paying for anything, merely volition take to upgrade to remove Yola branding, add multiple pages to your site or sell products online.
Customization and HTML
Yola does offer quite a few customization choices for a gratuitous blogging site and you can add coding for additional features. They exercise explain that your coding may conflict with their Site builder at times, so that's something to be aware of.
Cons of Yola as a Free Blogging Site
Yola Branding
With the free plan, y'all will have a prominent Yola ad on the footer of your page.
Merely 3 Pages
If you're using the costless plan with Yola, you are only able to accept iii pages total.
No In-Business firm Blogging Options
Mayhap the biggest problem with Yola is you cannot run a blog straight from the editor. You would instead have to create a blog on Tumblr and integrate information technology into your Yola site.
Take to Upgrade to Add a Store
Yola does have quite a few bonny eCommerce features, peculiarly for a complimentary blog site, just you'll accept to upgrade to use them. You tin can't add a store with the free bundle.
Which Free Blogging Site is Best For You?
Which costless blogging site matches what you're looking for is ultimately upwards to yous.
If you're looking for an extremely simple way to first a blog and aren't concerned about making a profit with your site, something similar Wix as a complimentary blogging site might be your speed, at least from a starting bespeak.
If yous want something fun and a little unusual with a built-in community, y'all may want to choose Tumblr.
For the elevation one-size-fits-all reply to which of these blogging sites are best though… I wouldonly recommend self-hosted WordPress equally the style for you lot to start your blog today—specially if yous eventually want to touch the lives of lots of readers or build a business around your weblog.
In short, if your blogging goals include eventually generating revenue from your site and having a cohesive blog strategy that attracts readers, cocky-hosted WordPress is still the best style to go.
WordPress gives you lot the greatest potential to abound equally a costless blogging site (without forcing you lot to drift your site presently after y'all get started). On WordPress.org you tin can start a simple hobby web log or build a profitable business. And for those who want something like shooting fish in a barrel to start, you don't need any tech experience at all.
A self-hosted blog on WordPress has by far the greatest potential for bloggers who want to build a real business organization—and you can keep your blogging costs down to effectually $5.00/mo with the right cheap hosting plan, too.
One time you've done your research and are fix to build a profitable blog—head over to my ultimate guide to starting a blog.
Want to Start Your Blog (the Correct Manner)?
Check out my ultimate guide How to Starting time a Weblog (on the Side).
How To Set Up A Free Blog Page,
Source: https://www.ryrob.com/free-blogging-sites/
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