Passionate about writing? Dream of earning a living by creating content on your favorite topics?
You’re at the right spot! This article will guide you in selecting the best blogging platform to make money by your passion!
Let’s start with some statistics.
Out of the nearly two billion websites globally, over 600 million are dedicated to blogs. Every year, brands and individuals publish more than three billion blog posts.
With such immense efforts, these creators must be reaping the rewards. So, is it possible to make money through blogging?
Absolutely! But remember, it’s not a shortcut to wealth (and you shouldn’t pursue those anyway). As per Indeed, US bloggers make slightly above $31,000 annually, which may not seem substantial.
Your blogging income hinges on your audience size and generated traffic. Greater numbers mean higher earnings; some bloggers earn $100,000 annually. Discover their strategies in our article on Profitable Blog Types.
Nevertheless, hitting six figures is uncommon, especially for beginners. Success won’t come if you fail to choose the best blogging platform to make money.
What Is A Blogging Platform?
A blogging platform is a versatile tool for creators, offering various content formats from traditional text to visual media.
Some platforms enable users to craft personalized websites with unique domain names for increased customization and monetization opportunities. Conversely, others confine bloggers to the platform’s ecosystem, providing access to a built-in audience but limiting customization.
These platforms act as virtual hubs for individuals to share their insights, stories, and expertise globally, promoting community interaction and knowledge exchange.
Moreover, they often include features like analytics, SEO tools, and social media integration to elevate the blogging experience and expand reach.
What To Look For When Choosing A Blogging Platform?
Monetization
When discussing the best blogging platform to for profitability, the primary focus naturally shifts to monetization. If a platform poses challenges in this area, it may not be the optimal choice for launching an online venture.
Various monetization avenues exist for blogs, including offering subscription access, selling online courses, affiliate marketing, and ad space.
However, not all methods are universally applicable across all platforms. Therefore, having a defined monetization strategy is key to selecting the best blogging platform to make money that complements your goals effectively.
Customization
Are you looking to create your blog site from scratch?
Do you need backend access?
Are you interested in setting restrictions on content access?
If you seek full autonomy over your site and content, free blogging platforms may not be the most suitable choice.
Cost
Some blogging platforms are entirely free. To begin, simply sign up and start blogging.
On the flip side, other platforms entail expenses like –
- Platform fees
- Web hosting
- Blog themes
- Plug-ins
- Email marketing
- software and
Your chosen platform might bundle these services for a single fee or offer them as optional extras.
In any case, it’s wise to select a cost-effective platform initially that also allows for future scalability. When considering the long-term growth of your blog, investing in a reliable platform that can accommodate increasing traffic and evolving needs is critical.
It’s essential to weigh the cost implications against each platform’s potential benefits to make an informed decision.
Ease Of Use
This is subject to interpretation and depends on your particular use case.
If you require a fundamental content management system for creating, formatting, and publishing blog posts, there are various intuitive free blogging platforms accessible that do not require technical expertise.
Conversely, if you necessitate customization and integration of specific features to improve monetization, these platforms might not be deemed “user-friendly” due to the absence of essential functionalities.
Best Blogging PlatformTo Make Money
We’ve identified vital factors for selecting the ideal blogging platform to suit your needs.
Now, let’s explore our selection of the top 14 blogging platforms for monetization.
1. WordPress.Org
Distinguishing itself from WordPress.com (separately listed), WordPress.org stands out as a self-hosted blogging platform offering extensive flexibility. It boasts a vast array of free themes, with the option to elevate your site with premium or custom themes.
Furthermore, the platform supports the integration of numerous plugins, programs, and features to enhance your blogging monetization efforts. For effective monetization, leveraging search engine optimization tools such as Google Analytics, Rank Math, and Yoast is highly recommended. WordPress.org simplifies the setup process, requiring only the purchase of a domain name (or opting for a free one) and selecting a hosting plan. While free blog hosting services exist, the performance and functionality benefits of a paid hosting platform are often worth the investment, typically starting at $3 – $10 per month. Once set up, selecting a theme and creating content becomes a straightforward task. A significant advantage that made WordPress.org one of the best blogging platform to make money is the ownership of all published content, granting full control over your published works – a feature not universal among blogging platforms.
- Best For: A versatile blogging platform that can adjust to your business requirements.
- Pricing:org is freely available as open-source software, yet selecting a domain name and hosting provider may involve some expenses.
Pros:
- Getting started is fast and (comparatively) affordable
- providing numerous customization possibilities
- You have complete autonomy in deciding how to generate income
Cons:
- Getting accustomed to the interface may take some time (ordinary for any blogging platform).
- You are responsible for keeping your site updated and backed up (both tasks are pretty straightforward).
2. Medium
Medium is often touted as the swiftest, simplest, and most cost-efficient way to embark on your blogging journey. Registration is entirely free – just create an account, choose a topic, draft your post, and hit publish.
Within the boundaries of Medium’s rules, you have the liberty to write about practically anything. Its intuitive interface has propelled it to become one of the most widely-used blogging platforms worldwide.
However, when it comes to the best blogging platform to make money, Medium may not rank as the top contender.
Although the Medium Partner Program provides some compensation based on reader engagement, the visibility of your content heavily relies on Medium’s algorithm as it’s not independently hosted.
While a notable portion of writers do earn through Medium, most make less than $100 per month. But is Medium exclusively beneficial for a select few? Not necessarily. It serves as a valuable tool to experiment with your content, earn some supplementary income, and pinpoint what resonates best with your audience.
Nonetheless, we advise against depending on it as your primary income source. Furthermore, it’s crucial to acknowledge that eligibility for the Medium Partner Program varies by country, potentially restricting access based on your location.
- Best For: An uncomplicated guide to starting a blog with restricted opportunities for earning income on the web.
- Pricing: Medium is a 100% free blogging platform.
Pros:
- It’s free to begin.
- Starting is fast and simple; no technical skills are needed.
- A fantastic method to preview your content before creating your own blog.
Cons:
- Relying heavily on Medium’s website audience and algorithm
- Not owning your domain name,
- Being unable to run your own ads can limit your control and independence.
3. WordPress.Com
Starting with WordPress.com is entirely free, unlike its more advanced counterpart, WordPress.org.
No need to purchase a domain or set up WordPress – simply create an account and receive a WordPress domain name (yourusername.wordpress.com). You can acquire a domain later once you’ve finalized your blog name.
The free WordPress plan offers a range of templates and themes, but keep in mind that WordPress will display its ads on your site without compensation.
For advanced features like monetization, Google Analytics, and swift customer support, a paid plan is advisable. Even with a paid WordPress.com plan, access to all the plugins available on WordPress.org is not granted.
- Best For: Beginners who don’t want to invest in a self-hosted blog.
- Pricing: Free version offered; upgrade to paid plan ($4 – $45/month) for essential features.
Pros:
- The setup process is straightforward.
- The free product tier provides ample functionality for beginners looking to avoid costs associated with a self-hosted WordPress blog.
- WordPress handles all mundane tasks such as updates, backups, and optimizing page speeds for you.
Cons:
- Without access to third-party themes, you miss out on the vast array of plugins from WordPress.org.
- Limiting your opportunities to generate income.
- Opting for a free plan on WordPress.com results in their ads being displayed on your site, potentially affecting your branding and user experience.
4. SquareSpace
SquareSpace is renowned as a top platform for building blogs. Its user-friendly editor offers a seamless drag-and-drop feature for easy navigation.
With numerous templates to choose from, creating a polished site is just a few clicks away.
SquareSpace can handle websites with up to 1,000 pages, catering to even the most prolific bloggers. The main downside is the subscription requirement.
While the $12-a-month plan is sufficient for personal blogs, advanced features like professional email services, robust analytics, and full customization through CSS and JavaScript necessitate an upgrade to a higher tier.
- Best For: Accessing professional-quality templates.
- Pricing: From $12 – $40 per month when paid annually.
Pros:
- Access a wide array of high-quality professional templates
- Enjoy automatic updates for peace of mind regarding security
- Compatible with numerous SEO and marketing tools
Cons:
- The templates are stricter compared to those on WordPress.org.
- The cost is relatively high.
5. Ghost
No e-commerce features are available here, but Ghost is excellent for building a stylish content site.
It’s akin to a simplified WordPress.org, complete with its dashboard and range of plugins offering various tools from marketing automation to payment gateways for subscription sites.
Unlike WordPress, Ghost’s plugins cater to bloggers, publishers, and writers. Moreover, if you’re not a fan of the pre-built themes, you have the option to create and upload your own.
Another point of similarity with WordPress is the existence of two distinct versions of Ghost: Open-Source, a free platform for self-hosted blogs like WordPress.org, and Pro, a paid-hosted blogging platform similar to WordPress.com.
- Best For: Creating a sleek and minimalist blog platform.
- Pricing: Prices vary with audience size and needed features, starting at $9/month (billed annually) for up to 500 members.
Pros:
- The minimalist interface is user-friendly.
- Empowering you to manage your content effortlessly.
- Designed with a focus on blogging.
Cons:
- Limited support for features like integrating an online store with your blog
- Offers fewer themes and customization choices compared to other blogging platforms
- Not a free platform, making it not the most budget-friendly option
6. Wix
With over 200 million users globally, Wix stands as a massive and highly reputable blogging platform. Its popularity primarily arises from the user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder, a feature shared with platforms like SquareSpace.
While the platform provides a free blogging option with basic functions for website design and content publishing, opting for advanced features such as analytics or an e-commerce store necessitates a paid subscription.
So, is Wix the ideal choice for your blogging needs?
Well, if you aim to manage critical web performance aspects like loading speeds, you’ll require the capability to make adjustments behind the scenes — yet, Wix maintains control over all the code, server, and other backend operations.
- Best For: Attracting visitors from search engines and various channels using integrated marketing and SEO resources.
- Pricing: Wix provides a complimentary plan, while upgraded plans offering enhanced features range from $18 to $56 per month.
Pros:
- Boasting an extensive collection of professional-grade designs and templates.
- Providing access to marketing and SEO tools.
- Effortless setup.
Cons:
- Limited control of the back end.
- Wix ads on the free plan yield no revenue.
- Changing the theme results in content loss.
7. Blogger
Blogger falls on the simpler side of blogging platforms. It can be likened to Medium but with distinctions:
- Earnings come from Google AdSense.
- Unlike Medium, you don’t have an “internal audience”; traffic must be driven through search engines, social media, and other channels.
- Customize your site with free templates.
By default, a Blogger account will have blogspot.com in the domain name.
You have the option to purchase your own domain for a more professional look.
Being Google-owned, Blogger is compatible with Google Analytics and other third-party tools.
On the downside, Google has ownership over all content published on the platform, raising the risk of sudden revenue loss if your posts are deleted.
- Best For: Ideal for novices seeking greater functionality than what Medium provides.
- Pricing: Blogger provides free membership, but like other blogging platforms, personalization can be improved with a custom domain and add-ons.
Pros:
- Joining is free.
- Just sign up with a Google account to begin.
- You can monetize through Google AdSense.
Cons:
- Templates and third-party tools on Blogger are less extensive than other blogging platforms.
- Limited customization options.
- Google owns Blogger, which includes ownership of any content published on the platform.
8. HubPages
HubPages is a blog platform akin to Medium. Upon signing up with your email, you receive a mini-blog to promptly share your content.
HubPages stands out due to its revenue-sharing approach. Authors retain 60% of the ad earnings from their mini-blogs, receiving payments through PayPal upon reaching the $50 threshold.
Additionally, you can boost your earnings with affiliate marketing, offering more diversified income compared to platforms like Medium and Blogger, which rely on a single revenue source.
- Best For: Individuals seeking a blogging platform similar to Medium but with enhanced monetization features.
- Pricing: Joining HubPages is completely free of charge.
Pros:
- Signing up is free, fast, and simple.
- Numerous opportunities to earn money.
- Switching themes won’t result in losing all your content.
Cons:
- Provides access to an internal audience akin to Medium.
- HubPages manages your blog, enabling them to remove content violating the platform’s terms of service.
9. Weebly
Weebly provides user-friendly drag-and-drop editing similar to Wix, making it incredibly easy to navigate.
However, its functionality has some limitations compared to more advanced platforms like SquareSpace, Wix, or WordPress.org. One significant advantage is the ability to switch themes while retaining all content, a feature lacking in Wix and other platforms.
Additionally, Weebly boasts an App Center offering various themes, templates, and the option to add e-commerce capabilities.
- Best For: Simple drag-and-drop editing
- Pricing: Weebly offers a free product tier, while paid plans with increased functionality range from $6 – $26 per month.
Pros:
- Explore a variety of themes through the Weebly App Center.
- Tailor your site’s look effortlessly using the intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
- Switching themes won’t erase your content.
Cons:
- Depending solely on Weebly’s support team when your site crashes due to the absence of personal restore functionality.
- There is limited room for creativity and customization compared to other platforms.
10. LinkedIn
LinkedIn, known for its B2B focus, also provides a blogging feature for thought leaders to share insights.
The advantages are clear: it connects you with a broad audience of 810 million users in 200+ countries.
While sharing on LinkedIn expands your reach quickly.
There are constraints to blogging, for instance, you can’t have a custom domain and there’s no direct way to earn from your content like displaying ads or earning per view as on Medium.
Essentially, your options are charging for content creation or promotions on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn goes beyond connecting professionals; it provides a vibrant platform for content creators. Through LinkedIn’s blogging feature, thought leaders and experts can share their insights globally.
Leveraging this social media powerhouse, bloggers can reach over 810 million users across 200+ countries.
- Best For: B2B blogging.
- Pricing: LinkedIn is free to join and start publishing.
Pros:
- Getting started is fast and free.
- Connect with the platform’s active audience easily
- Boost your content reach on LinkedIn.
Cons:
- Creating a personal domain on LinkedIn is not possible.
- The platform’s functionality primarily focuses on content publication and sharing,
- Offering little opportunity for revenue generation.
11. Write.As
Write.as is a lesser-known platform tailored for writers who seek a dedicated space for their content.
You have the option to write and share anonymously or use your name. Opting to establish a brand and generate income through blogging in the long run suggests using your own name.
While a free plan is available, accessing features like newsletters, photo hosting, and custom themes requires upgrading to one of the premium tiers.
Notably, the free version spares you from dealing with intrusive ads on your content, unlike Wix and WordPress.com.
- Best For: An uncomplicated blogging platform enables quick content publishing.
- Pricing: While a free account is available, upgrading to a paid plan (starting at $6 per month with annual billing) is required for features such as custom themes, newsletters, and photo hosting.
Pros:
- Tailored for bloggers
- Seamless setup
- Provides a free plan without cluttering your blog site with ads
Cons:
- Functionality is somewhat restricted compared to other blogging platforms such as Wix and Squarespace.
- Limited selection of themes and fonts.
12. Tumblr
Tumblr functions as a blogging-centered social media platform where users can share various content types like short blogs, long articles, photos, and videos.
The feature to “reblog” content from others adds to its appeal.
Moreover, its seamless integration with other social networks facilitates content sharing across platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Users have the flexibility to use Tumblr’s domain or purchase their own, and customize the appearance through templates or HTML editing, similar to a self-hosted blog.
The abundance of monetization options on Tumblr makes it particularly appealing to those considering a blogging career.
Options for monetizing on Tumblr include selling display ads, promoting and selling your work, incorporating affiliate links in posts, utilizing ad networks like Google AdSense, and creating a paywalled membership site with Tumblr Post+. Among these choices, Post+ stands out as particularly intriguing.
Tumblr subscriptions cost between $1.99 and $9.99 per month, with the platform retaining a 5% fee.
- Best For: Creatives who want to monetize their Tumblr blog and tap into the site’s audience.
- Pricing: Starting a Tumblr blog is absolutely free.
Pros:
- Tumblr is both free and user-friendly to get started.
- Numerous monetization opportunities are available,
- You can share content on the platform, from short posts and images to long-form articles and videos.
Cons:
- There aren’t many options for designing a unique blog
Conclusion
So, which Is The Best Blogging Platform To Make Money?
Considering all factors, we believe that WordPress.org is the premier choice for monetizing a blog.
Its exceptional flexibility, attributed to a vast selection of third-party apps, sets it apart.
Moreover, its remarkable scalability makes it suitable for hobbyist bloggers, small enterprises, and e-commerce ventures. This versatility makes it our top recommendation for aspiring affiliate marketers aiming to establish and profit from their exceptional blogs.
