This is a post to answer a comment posted earlier today regarding the differences between Blogger and WordPress. I use both WordPress and Blogger extensively, but there are definite advantages and disadvantages to both depending upon how you plan to use them. Here’s a basic snapshot of what I feel are the major pros and cons of each as well as which I feel is the better platform.

Blogger Pros

• Provides free hosting.
• Easy to learn and use for those who are non-techie.
• Simple platform that makes it easy to add basic widgets and sidebar items.
• Perfect for blogging, and can be customized fairly simply without having to know much in the way of coding.
• Gives you the ability to create 10 static pages beyond the posts page.
• Gives you the ability to easily organize posts and incorporate features such as Twitter, Facebook, and Google Adsense with very little effort.
• Allows you to create a personal blog by invitation only for close family and friends.

Blogger Cons

• Does not allow you to display a home page with static information or a sticky post (although you can add a text widget above the posts section).
• Does not allow you to create different page templates.
• Does not allow you to hide or show widgets/gadgets on specific pages.
• Makes it much more difficult to edit the code because it’s one huge xml file.

WordPress Pros

• A free platform, and easy to use even on purchased domains.
• Templates are stored and easy to change.
• You don’t have to host images in a separate location but they are all stored within the template folder.
• Allows you the ability to create separate page templates for the same theme.
• Gives you the ability to have a home page with static information rather than your blog posts being shown on the home page.
• Allows you to separate pages by post categories.
• Allows you to show/hide widget/gadgets on specific pages using a simple plugin.
• The code is split into several different files making editing much simpler.
• Thousands of plugins freely available for use that improve functionality, speed, SEO, marketing, media presentation, etc.
• Has all of the features necessary to easily create a full website with a blog rather than just a blog by itself.

WordPress Cons

• There is more of a learning curve with WordPress.
• Works best on your own purchased domain as far as customization rather than just the free hosting.

That’s my simple assessment of the two platforms. Again, I love and use them both. This current site is WordPress, and I also have a Blogger site called Blogger Scrapbook which provides tips and tricks for Blogger. Please leave a comment if you have other details you’d like to share on either of these platforms or questions.

© 2010, Sarah Roberts – Reflecting the Designer. All rights reserved.