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We're looking at the top 15 blogging platforms to monetize your passion in 2024. We look at platforms like WordPress.org and its great customization capabilities, Webflow's design freedom, to Medium's ease of use. Find the best fit for your blogging needs, taking monetization, customization, cost, and ease of use into account.
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Is writing your passion? Have you ever envisioned yourself earning a living by sharing your thoughts on subjects you're deeply passionate about? Well, you've arrived at the perfect starting point. This article is designed to guide you in choosing the most suitable blogging platform to turn your passion into profit. Let’s delve into some compelling creator statistics to set the scene.
Across the globe, there are nearly two billion websites, of which over 600 million are dedicated to blogging. Every year, these platforms see the publication of more than three billion blog posts. Considering the immense time and effort invested, it's natural to wonder if bloggers actually reap any financial rewards.
One of the first questions that came to my mind was whether people are truly making money from blogging. The answer is a resounding yes. However, it's crucial to understand from the outset that blogging is not a shortcut to wealth; those routes are fraught with pitfalls.
According to recent statistics from Indeed, the average earnings for U.S. bloggers hover around $50,000 per year, which might not seem impressive in today's economic environment, particularly if you're based in places like Africa.
Your potential earnings as a blogger will primarily depend on the size of your audience and the traffic your posts attract. The bigger these numbers, the higher your income can be, with some bloggers even surpassing the $160,000 mark annually.
To learn how to achieve such figures, be sure to check out our article on Types of Blogs that Make Money.
It's important to note, however, that reaching such high earnings is fairly unusual, especially for those who are new to blogging. This highlights the importance of choosing a blogging platform that not only meets your needs but also maximizes your potential for success.
A blogging platform acts as either a service or software that supports bloggers in publishing and managing their content efficiently. This content might take the form of traditional text-based posts or might lean more heavily towards visual media. Many blogging platforms offer tools that empower users to design and create their own websites, often with the option to use custom domain names. This level of customization not only enhances personal branding but also opens up diverse avenues for monetization.
On the other hand, some blogging platforms opt to keep bloggers within their built-in ecosystem. Although this model restricts personalization features, it provides the advantage of tapping into the platform's established audience, which can be crucial for bloggers who are just starting out and looking to build an initial following.
Given our focus on identifying the top blogging platforms for generating income, the primary factor to consider is monetization. A platform that complicates the monetization process may not be the ideal choice if you're aiming to launch and grow an online business. There are a plethora of methods to monetize a blog, which include:
It's important to note, however, that not all monetization strategies will work with every blogging platform. If you have a particular approach in mind, it’s important to select a platform that supports or even specializes in that monetization model.
Do you see yourself building your blogging site from the ground up?
Is it important for you to have backend access or to control who sees your content?
If you want complete autonomy over your site and its contents, opting for free blogging platforms may not be the best choice for you.
When total control is a priority, platforms that give you complete customization capabilities are essential. These allow you to shape your blog’s design, functionality, and accessibility to your exact specifications.
Looking at the cost structure of blogging platforms is critical, especially if you're on a budget.
Here’s what to consider:
Your chosen blogging platform might bundle these services and features into a single fee or offer them as optional add-ons. It’s important to choose a platform that is affordable at the start but also scalable, accommodating the growth of your blog over time.
Selecting a platform that aligns with your technical skills and blogging needs cannot be overstated. Here’s how to determine the ease of use of a platform based on your requirements:
Ultimately, the perceived ease of use depends on what you need your platform to do and how comfortable you are with the available tools.
Having discussed key considerations for selecting an ideal blogging platform, we’re now poised to dive into our curated list. Here are the top 15 blogging platforms that stand out for their potential to help you generate income:
Let's explore each platform and see how they can serve your monetization goals…
Best For: Those seeking a versatile, comprehensive blogging platform that can adapt to various business needs.
Pricing: WordPress.org is free as it's open-source, but operating a blog involves additional costs for domain name registration and web hosting.
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Do not confuse WordPress.com with WordPress.org; the former is a self-hosted platform that offers significant flexibility. It grants access to thousands of free and premium themes and a vast array of plugins that enhance functionality and aid in blog monetization. Tools like Google Analytics, Rank Math, and Yoast SEO are invaluable for optimizing your site and content for search engines.
Starting with WordPress.org is fairly straightforward: purchase or acquire a free domain name, choose a hosting plan (with costs typically ranging from $3 to $10 per month for basic plans), and set up your site. While free hosting options exist, investing in a paid hosting service can provide better performance and more features.
A major benefit of using WordPress.org is owning all your content, which gives you complete control over what you publish— a significant advantage not available on all platforms.
Best For: Beginners looking for an easy entry into blogging with limited monetization options.
Pricing: Medium is entirely free to use.
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Medium offers a straightforward, no-cost introduction to blogging. Users simply need to create an account, pick a topic, write their post, and publish it, adhering to Medium's platform’s content guidelines. Its ease of use has made it a popular choice globally.
However, when it comes to monetization, Medium may not be the best option. The Medium Partner Program allows writers to earn money based on how much their content is read, but the payout is generally minimal. The majority of writers on Medium earn less than $100 a month, with reliance on Medium's algorithm for visibility within its enclosed ecosystem being a notable drawback.
Although Medium is not ideal for long-term monetization strategies, it is an excellent platform for testing content ideas and gaining initial exposure. However, the Partner Program’s availability varies by location, which could influence your ability to earn from the platform.
Best For: Beginners who are not yet ready to commit to a self-hosted blog setup.
Pricing: WordPress.com offers a free version, but for more advanced features, you'll need to choose a paid plan ranging from $4 to $45 per month.
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Starting with WordPress.com is straightforward and free, unlike the self-hosted WordPress.org. It doesn't require purchasing a domain or installing software—simply create an account and you’ll get a WordPress-branded domain (e.g., yourusername.wordpress.com). This can be upgraded to a custom domain at any time, which is beneficial for branding.
The free plan offers several templates and themes, although it's important to note that WordPress will run its ads on these sites without revenue sharing with the site owner. For features like monetization, Google Analytics integration, and prioritized customer support, upgrading to a paid plan is necessary. Keep in mind, even on a paid plan, the access to plugins remains limited compared to WordPress.org., potentially impacting the flexibility and scalability of your site in terms of monetization.
Best For: Users seeking professional-quality templates for a sleek blog design.
Pricing: Squarespace plans range from $12 to $40 per month when billed annually.
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Squarespace is well-regarded for its robust and intuitive design capabilities, particularly its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor that simplifies site construction. It's an excellent platform for bloggers who want to create a stylish, professional-looking site effortlessly.
Despite being potentially more costly, Squarespace provides significant value through its functionality. The basic plan at $12 per month covers most needs for personal blogs, but accessing advanced features such as a professional email address, comprehensive analytics, and extensive customization options via CSS and JavaScript requires opting for a higher-tier plan. Theoretically, Squarespace can handle websites with up to 1,000 pages, catering well beyond the demands of most bloggers.
Best For: Creators seeking a minimalist, focused blogging environment.
Pricing: Starts at $9 per month (billed annually) for up to 500 members, with prices increasing based on audience size and functionality needs.
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Ghost is excellent for creating straightforward, content-focused websites. It's often seen as a more streamlined alternative to WordPress.org, featuring a dedicated dashboard and a selection of plugins geared specifically towards bloggers, publishers, and writers. These plugins range from marketing automation tools to payment gateways for managing subscriptions.
While Ghost may not support ecommerce directly, its focus on blogging makes it a strong choice for writers. If the available themes do not meet your aesthetic needs, Ghost offers the flexibility to create and upload your own designs.
Ghost also comes in two versions:
Best For: Users looking to drive traffic using robust built-in marketing and SEO tools.
Pricing: Wix offers a free plan; however, for enhanced functionality, paid plans range from $18 to $56 per month.
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Wix is a popular choice among over 200 million users worldwide, thanks to its intuitive drag-and-drop interface that simplifies website creation—similar to platforms like Squarespace. The platform is designed to be accessible to users who want to quickly establish a visually appealing site and start publishing content without needing technical expertise.
While Wix's free plan offers basic functionality enabling users to design and publish their website, those seeking advanced features like detailed analytics or ecommerce capabilities will need to opt for a paid plan.
For users who need to fine-tune elements such as page loading speeds, Wix might pose limitations since it does not allow access to the site’s underlying code. This platform manages all technical aspects, providing a hassle-free experience at the expense of customization and control.
Best For: Designers and bloggers who seek unparalleled design control through a visual interface.
Pricing: Starts free, with premium plans ranging from $12 to $36 per month.
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Webflow stands out as an excellent choice for users who prioritize design flexibility and advanced site functionality. It offers greater customization options than simpler platforms like Wix or Squarespace, both of which also feature drag-and-drop editors but with less control.
While Webflow’s advanced features cater well to professional designers and those with a good grasp of design principles, the platform, like WordPress.org, does require a more significant investment of time and effort to master. Moreover, the costs for more comprehensive plans can be high, especially for sites attracting substantial traffic.
For those prepared to delve into its complexities, Webflow provides a superior toolkit for crafting visually striking and functionally sophisticated blogs.
Best For: Beginners seeking more functionality than Medium offers, with easy access to monetization.
Pricing: Blogger is free to use, but optional purchases like custom domains and add-ons can enhance your blog.
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Blogger provides a user-friendly platform that is somewhat akin to Medium but offers additional features, particularly in monetization. Unlike Medium, Blogger does not have an internal audience; thus, attracting traffic relies on external sources like search engines and social media.
Monetization on Blogger is facilitated through Google AdSense, allowing bloggers to earn revenue from their sites more straightforwardly than on Medium. While starting a blog on Blogger comes with a domain ending in blogspot.com, purchasing a custom domain is recommended for a more professional presence.
Although integration with Google Analytics and certain third-party applications is seamless due to Google’s ownership, this also means Google holds ultimate control over the content published, which could impact long-term content stability and revenue.
Best For: Those seeking a blogging platform like Medium but with enhanced monetization options.
Pricing: Free to sign up.
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HubPages offers a user experience comparable to Medium, where users can quickly start a mini-blog after signing up with an email address. What distinguishes HubPages is its favorable revenue-sharing model. Writers keep 60% of the ad revenue generated from their content, with payments made through PayPal once they surpass a $50 threshold.
Additionally, HubPages provides the opportunity to earn through affiliate marketing, which diversifies potential income streams beyond what platforms like Medium and Blogger offer. This model allows for greater potential earnings from various sources, making it a versatile platform for bloggers looking to maximize their monetization opportunities.
Best For: Users seeking straightforward, drag-and-drop site editing.
Pricing: Weebly provides a free basic service, with premium plans ranging from $6 to $26 per month.
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Weebly is celebrated for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it exceptionally easy to build and manage a website. However, while it simplifies the website creation process, it does offer less functionality and customization options than more sophisticated platforms.
A notable advantage of Weebly is the ability to change themes without impacting existing content—a significant benefit not found in some platforms like Wix. This feature is particularly valuable for users who may want to refresh their site’s design over time without starting from scratch.
Additionally, Weebly’s App Center hosts a variety of themes and templates and supports the integration of e-commerce features, enhancing the platform’s versatility and making it suitable for a range of blogging and business needs.
Best For: B2B blogging and professional content sharing.
Pricing: LinkedIn allows free account creation and content publishing.
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LinkedIn, predominantly known as a professional networking site, also serves as a powerful platform for B2B blogging and thought leadership. With over 810 million users across more than 200 countries, LinkedIn provides an expansive audience ready to engage with quality content.
While the platform excels at audience reach and content distribution, it does come with limitations. Users cannot establish a personal domain, and options for monetizing content directly on LinkedIn are limited. The primary method of earning through LinkedIn is indirect, such as by offering services to create content for businesses or promote products within posts.
Despite these restrictions, LinkedIn remains an excellent choice for professionals looking to establish authority in their industry and leverage a large network for content dissemination.
Best For: Leveraging an existing X (Twitter) following for monetization.
Pricing: Free to join and use.
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X (Twitter), typically recognized for its brief, punchy posts, offers unique monetization opportunities through its Super Follow feature. This allows creators to earn revenue by placing exclusive content behind a subscription model directly on X (Twitter), akin to a membership site.
To successfully monetize on X (Twitter), a substantial, active following is crucial. You must be at least 18 years old, have at least 10,000 followers, and have been actively posting (at least 25 tweets in the last 30 days) to be eligible for Super Follows. This tool lets creators set their own subscription prices and choose what content to make exclusive.
However, monetizing via X (Twitter) is quite niche and largely depends on already having a strong follower base. Those with fewer followers or less engagement are less likely to see significant earnings from Super Follows. Additionally, the feature's availability is limited to the US and subject to approval, which is not guaranteed.
In essence, X (Twitter) can be a potential blogging platform for monetization but is best suited for those who already thrive within its ecosystem.
Best For: Writers who need a straightforward, no-frills platform for quick content publication.
Pricing: There is a free version available; premium features start at $6 per month when billed annually.
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Write.as is a minimalist blogging platform designed primarily for writers looking to publish content quickly and efficiently, whether anonymously or under their own name. This platform is ideal for those who value simplicity and speed over extensive customization.
While the free plan is sufficient for basic blogging, upgrading to a premium tier is necessary for those who require advanced features such as newsletters, photo hosting, and custom themes. A significant advantage of Write.as is its ad-free interface on the free version, which provides a cleaner and more focused user experience compared to other platforms like Wix and WordPress.com that often place ads on their free services.
For writers aiming to build a brand and engage more deeply with their audience, the paid plans of Write.as offer the necessary tools to expand their blog's functionality and reach.
Best For: Creatives looking to monetize their Tumblr blog and reach the site's diverse audience.
Pricing: Starting a Tumblr blog is completely free.
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Tumblr serves as both a social media platform and a blogging tool, ideal for those who wish to share various types of content such as short blogs, long-form articles, photos, and videos. It facilitates community engagement through features like "reblogging," allowing users to share and comment on each other's content.
The platform is well-integrated with other social networks, making it easy to cross-post to Facebook and Twitter. Users can start with a default Tumblr domain or purchase a custom domain to personalize their blog further. Templates are available, and those with HTML knowledge can customize their blog's appearance more extensively.
Monetization on Tumblr includes:
Post+ allows for subscription-based content ranging from $1.99 to $9.99 per month, with Tumblr taking a 5% commission. However, it's important to note that Post+ is available only in ten countries:
Additionally, Post+ cannot be used on group blogs, password-protected blogs, or blogs flagged as adult/explicit, which could limit its applicability for some users.
Best For: Bloggers focusing on marketing and audience management who need robust tools to expand their reach.
Pricing: HubSpot offers a free plan that includes blogging capabilities and CMS Hub Starter. For advanced features such as premium web hosting and a drag-and-drop editor, pricing starts at $23 per month.
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CMS Hub by HubSpot is designed for bloggers who are serious about leveraging marketing to grow their audience. It integrates seamlessly with HubSpot’s suite of marketing tools, making it easier for bloggers to manage their content and audience from one platform. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want to combine their content management with powerful marketing strategies.
The platform offers a variety of tools to help users enhance their blogging experience, from customizable templates to comprehensive CRM functionalities for detailed audience insights. However, as your needs expand, moving to a paid plan is necessary to maintain growth and gain access to more sophisticated features. This platform is best suited for those who are prepared for a steeper learning curve and are committed to investing in their blog's growth through advanced marketing tools.
While I have a personal preference for Webflow for its robust design capabilities and advanced functionalities, when considering the best blogging platform for beginners looking to make money, WordPress.org stands out as the top recommendation. Its unparalleled flexibility and extensive range of third-party apps make it a standout choice for those starting their blogging journey. WordPress.org is not only accessible for hobby bloggers but also powerful enough to support small business owners and online stores, making it a versatile platform for various types of users.
Additionally, its scalability ensures that as your blog grows, WordPress.org can adapt to your evolving needs. This feature is particularly beneficial for new affiliate marketers who are aiming to build and monetize a robust blog from the ground up. For anyone starting out in the blogging world with an eye towards monetization, WordPress.org offers a solid foundation combined with the potential for extensive customization and growth.
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