Wow, blast from the past, much? Can you believe this was originally written way back in 2013? Feels like a lifetime ago, right? I stumbled upon this old post on my dusty Blogger site (yes, I still have it!), and figured it was time for a little revamp.
So, join me on a trip down memory lane as we revisit my thoughts on blogging tools from those bygone days. Of course, some things have changed since then (RIP Google Plus – you were… interesting?), and I’ll be sure to sprinkle in some updated commentary and maybe even a few “I can’t believe I wrote that” moments.
Ready for a retro review with a 2024 twist? Let’s dive in!
Okay, so back in the day, I noticed a bunch of you were curious about what I was writing and the whole blogging setup I had going on. And honestly, my journey to finding the right platform was a bit of a winding road. To help you avoid my past struggles (and maybe for a bit of nostalgia), I’m going to break down my experiences with three popular options: Blogger, WordPress.com, and self-hosted WordPress. Yep, I’ve dabbled in them all!
Now, keep in mind, this all started back in 2010 (actually, 2009 if you count those ancient posts lost to the internet void). So, picture a younger, more naive me trying to navigate the blogging world…
1) Blogger/Blogspot – My First Love (Kind Of)
Ah, Blogger. The gateway drug to blogging, am I right? It’s where many of us got our start, including yours truly. But starting way back in 2009 meant things were a bit different. WordPress seemed like some mystical, complicated beast, and I was just a young web designer with a static site trying to figure things out.
My early attempts? Let’s just say they’re better left forgotten. I wiped that first blog after a few months (no regrets, it was mostly bad jokes and Facebook reposts anyway). Then I tried embedding a blog using an RSS reader – talk about a headache!
But I eventually circled back to Blogger in 2011. It was a simpler time, okay? I used it for about 8-9 months while also messing around with free hosting (don’t even ask) and HTML5. But eventually, I moved on to bigger and better things…
The speed of Blogger-based websites is decent (not the fastest, but usable for beginners and casual bloggers).
Advantages: Ease of use (interface), integration with Google and Google Plus (now even more significant than before… well, it was significant!), simple blog configuration and design with an intuitive interface.
Disadvantages: Limited selection of themes; you need to be familiar with HTML and know how to “hack” Blogger to add new themes. “Hacking” is also required for specific widgets and modules.
Rating: 7/10 (maybe a bit generous in retrospect…)
2) WordPress.com – A Brief Encounter (with Lingering Effects)
After my Blogger escapades, I briefly flirted with WordPress.com. It seemed like the next logical step, right? But honestly, our relationship was short-lived. Back in 2010, the free version felt a bit too limited for my liking. The theme selection was meh, and I quickly bumped up against content restrictions. It just wasn’t giving what it needed to give.
Fast forward to 2024, and things have definitely changed. Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, seems to be pushing their paid plans hard. Which, you know, makes sense from a business perspective. But it does make me appreciate the flexibility of self-hosted WordPress even more (more on that later).
Funny enough, I actually have an old WordPress.com account with a blog backup from a few years ago. It might even be from this very site or one of my older domains… who knows? It’s like a digital time capsule just waiting to be opened. Maybe one day I’ll brave the depths of my account and see what treasures (or embarrassing posts) I can unearth.
But for now, let’s just say WordPress.com and I are keeping a safe distance. It’s not you, it’s me… and Automattic’s pricing strategy. 😉
Rating: 4.5/10 (It gets a slight bump for nostalgia, but the Matt Mullenweg/WP Engine situation has me a bit wary.)
3) Self-Hosted WordPress – My Ride or Die (Seriously)
And finally, we arrive at the main event: self-hosted WordPress. Ah, this is where the magic happens. It all started back in 2010 when I was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed blogger, armed with tutorials and a can-do attitude. I built my first static website with WordPress, copying and pasting from other blogs (hey, we all start somewhere!).
After a brief detour back to Blogger (told you it was a winding road!), I quickly realized that self-hosted WordPress was my true calling. And let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride ever since.
But the journey didn’t stop there. From 2016 onwards, WordPress became my go-to platform for pretty much every website I created. We’re talking 95% of my projects! And with the addition of WooCommerce, I even ventured into the world of e-commerce. It’s been my trusty sidekick ever since, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Along the way, I even started developing my own WordPress plugins. You can find some of my creations on my GitHub account , ranging from small utility plugins to more complex project-specific ones. Some are private, but others are public for anyone to use. Because sharing is caring, right?
So, why am I so head over heels for self-hosted WordPress? Well, let me count the ways…
- Freedom! I can install it on any hosting that meets the requirements. No limitations, no restrictions. Just pure, unadulterated WordPress goodness.
- Customization Galore: Custom themes? No problem! Modifying existing ones? Even better! With self-hosted WordPress, the design possibilities are endless.
- Expand to Infinity (and Beyond): The plugin ecosystem is massive. Need a specific functionality? There’s probably a plugin for that. And if not, you can always create your own (like yours truly!).
- Content King: I’m in control of my content, and I don’t have to worry about arbitrary limits. My hosting might have its limits, but that’s a different story.
- Multisite Madness: Need to manage multiple websites from a single installation? WordPress Multisite has got you covered. It’s like having your own little blogging empire.
Okay, okay, I’ll admit it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Self-hosted WordPress can be a bit intimidating for beginners. But trust me, it’s worth the learning curve. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll never look back.
So there you have it. My love letter to self-hosted WordPress. It’s been a long and fulfilling relationship, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Rating: 9/10 (Still going strong!)
Overall Summary
After revisiting these blogging platforms from a 2024 perspective, my recommendations have evolved a bit:
- Beginners: If you need a basic site with a blog, the blogging landscape has changed! While Blogger is still an option, alternatives like Wix, Weebly, and others offer simpler setup and better support (though not all are free). It’s worth exploring these options before diving into the sometimes murky waters of Blogger.
- Intermediate users: For now, I’d recommend steering clear of WordPress.com until the WP Engine situation is fully resolved. Instead, explore website builders like Squarespace, Odoo, or other visual design solutions. Even Elementor offers hosting, great design tools, and excellent support for a reasonable price.
- Advanced users: Embrace the power and flexibility of self-hosted WordPress! It remains the gold standard for customization and control, with a vast ecosystem of plugins and themes to help you build any website you can imagine.
Remember, the best platform for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons and choose the one that aligns best with your goals and technical abilities.
I hope this retro review has provided you with valuable insights into the evolution of blogging tools and helped you make an informed decision about which platform is right for you.