Wordpress v Blogger

[Dollybean]

Hope this is in the correct place. :redface: Have been reading up on both brands of blog, and the consensus on the forum seems to be in favour of Wordpress. However, the vast majority of our contributors/customers use Blogger so I presume we should go down this route, or doesn't this matter?

I'm more inclined towards Wordpress from what I've read, but as I won't be running the thing (and the person who will be is a Blogger), a bit of clarification is needed. We already have an established website so should one distinguish the blog design from the ecommerce side, or look at a custom theme to tie the two together (thinking out loud as I have no experience of blogs). TIA

 

[Faevilangel]

I would go with Wordpress.org (not .com) as you rightly said, a blog for an existing site should use a similar theme to the main site. With WP and blogger hosted options you're limited to what you can do with the blog and they can shut down the service at any time where as wordpress.org will be yours, it's hosted by you with no restrictions on what you can do.

 

[Rebecca May]

customed blog using Wordpress.org is definitely the best option and it's very intuitive, not that difficult to learn even if you are a Blogger... Choose a theme that has the option for an SEO pack as well (most paid ones do), so that you can optimised your posts as you go along. Good luck!

 

[papverpoppies]

I have my blog on wordpress org, and find it easy to use.

Pops ~xx~

 

[Posilan]

I echo the advice for Wordpress.org - you have full control and it's a very flexible and capable platform.

IMO I would avoid Wordpress.com and Blogger as you are always tied to their platform and cannot transfer to another host/service easily if service goes bad or need additions their software is not capable of.

Steve

 

[Dollybean]

Thanks everyone - those reasons definitely make me more inclined towards using WP and we'd be looking at getting the theme professionally designed.

I don't blog (read a few) and won't be running it, so do the 2 different blogs jog along nicely together as regardings linking/posting?

My main concern is since our contributors/customers all use Blogger (it's an industry thing), will using WP have any impact on how a contributor would be able to share to a WP blog from a Blogger blog? Also can customers with a BB follow a WP blog and have that showing on their BB for others to look at?

Hope that all makes sense as that will really be the deciding factor.

 

[Posilan]

My main concern is since our contributors/customers all use Blogger (it's an industry thing), will using WP have any impact on how a contributor would be able to share to a WP blog from a Blogger blog? Also can customers with a BB follow a WP blog and have that showing on their BB for others to look at?

Hope that all makes sense as that will really be the deciding factor.

I'm not too familiar with Blogger, but quick research seems to show this can be done using the free "Google Friend Connect" widget plug in.

Steve

 

[Dollybean]

Thanks Steve - I figured there would be various widgets/add ons but it's all a bit beyond me at this stage. I think WP is the way to go so thanks everyone for your input.

 

[ADNattan]

Blogger's a steaming pile. Stick to Wordpress!

 

[Dollybean]

I've managed to get the self-hosted version of WP set up, but as soon as I start looking at how to develop the blog, I glaze over. If time was my friend, I could sit here for weeks armed with my Wordpress for Dummies bible redface and by trial and error I'm sure I could set it up correctly and get something that mirrors the existing website up and running with all the required widgets and twiddly bits.

However, time is not my friend (when are there ever enough hours in the day lol) so I would rather pay to get this done properly by someone who knows what they're doing . I'm sure there are a few of you who do this type of work and I'd rather put the feelers out here first, so could you contact me by PM if interested - TIA.

 

[ukbf0001]

If you are looking for a bespoke theme I can do you a theme whether in Word press - Blogger or both.

 

[britmandev]

WP, I'm not a techie and even I know that.

 

[Graham Walker]

Another vote for WordPress, it's much more flexible and feature rich.

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

We use Wordpress all the time, excellent for SEO, watch the security though. Make sure you go through a checklist for tightening security.

 

[rosstailor]

I would suggest word press as it is easy to use and have features.

 

[Kanzi Marketing]

We use Wordpress all the time, excellent for SEO, watch the security though. Make sure you go through a checklist for tightening security.

I use wordpress for my website (which includes a blog) through my host ipage. I'm a little concerned that you mentioned security though. What should I be doing to secure it? I have a difficult username and password - what else should I do?

Your advice would be much appreciated - a year or so ago I had my wordpress cooking blog hacked and never recovered from it. Admittedly I was using a simple username and password, but perhaps there were other things I was doing wrong as well.

 

[That Guy]

Wordpress gets my vote, full control that way

 

[francsutherland]

I use WordPress as well, it is really simple to use and add plugins and widgets
If you want a really easy way of making custom themes I have used Artisteer. Really simple and straightforward.
I hear WordPress is good for SEO, but I can't confirm that. Hopefully in time!

 

[LewisIngram]

Good morning guys,

I prefer Wordpress. It's very easy to use. Also a lot of free plugins are available.

Cheers,
Lewis

 

[sunder0786]

Which side of the blogging table are you on? Do you prefer Wordpress or Blogger? Which is better in your opinion?

I'm a Wordpress fan myself, but when I started I had all Blogger blogs. Both have their pros and cons. I'll present both their strengths and weaknesses here, and let you decide