WordPress & Blogger & TypePad, oh my!
So, you have decided to embark into the addictive world of blogging and have been researching the options for where to host your blog site.
After asking about and doing some Google searches you distill your list of options down to (most probably):
Blogger, WordPress, ActiveRain, TypePad and Posterous
Which is the best format for REALTORS?
Well, that depends on your goals and level of technical acumen. I will cover my point of view of the pros and cons for each, but I really hope to use this post as fuel for informative comments that a new blogger can take as sage advice and questions that experienced bloggers can answer.
Blogger:
The service that brought blogging to the everyman. This service (now serviced by Google) was revolutionary for early adopters in 1999 who wanted a quick and easy service to start their blog.
- Pros: FREE, super to easy to use at any experience level
- Cons: Not great for branding, limited templates, widgets can be hard to use, support may be difficult
WordPress:
The most popular blog format today, WordPress is open source CMS blogging software.
- Pros: FREE, lots of template options, widgets and applications are added daily, flexiblity in hosting options (you can start at www.wordpress.com and convert to a self hosted domain with www.wordpress.org later)
- Cons: longer learning curve
ActiveRain:
A free social network and marketing platform for real estate professionals. This network helps agents to create business relationships both within the industry and with the consumer.
- Pros: FREE, super easy to learn to use with WSIWYG editing, great feedback from peers
- Cons: barely customizable, not easily imported to other blog options, limited interaction with general public
TypePad:
Based on Moveable Type, but intended to be minimal in technology experience needed.
- Pros: Easy to use interface, built in photo album, ability to add scripts, highly customizable if you have the skills.
- Cons: NOT free: starts at $8.95 per month, few integrated widgets
Posterous:
Boasts integrated and automatic posting to other social media tools such as Flickr, Twitter, and Facebook, a built-in Google Analytics package, and custom themes.
- Pros: FREE, great for photo blogging or mobile blogging, very easy to use, can push content to a large number of sites including WordPress.
- Cons: No disqus commenting, limited themes.
There are so many other venues out there that I haven’t covered because I wanted to focus on the ones I hear most discussed, but I am looking forward to hearing your opinion of the options I reviewed as well as others.
photo by Mike Licht on Flickr
