The Blogging Platform
This is a term which is confusing to many who are new to the world of blogging, and to a few who consider themselves knowledgeable as well.
The blogging platform is, simply stated, the software which is used to create the blog. Some well known blogging platforms include Wordpress, Blogger, TypePad, and Movable Type.
Many bloggers do not have to worry about the type of blogging platform they are using, simply because the blogging website they use frees them from that concern, usually by offering a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) method of blogging. They type what they want to say, hit a button, and the website takes care of the rest.
However, for a professional blogger, or someone who manages a corporate blog, who would want more control over what occurs with their blog, choosing which blogging platform to use could be one of the most important decisions that they can make as a blogger.
Selecting the right platform can make blogging a breeze, and the wrong platform can make blogging a chore.
The program that you use to blog with is such a powerful part of your blogging experience, it is well worth putting in the time to find a platform that provides your ideal balance between a user-friendly interface and a flexible framework that allows you to make your blog look and feel unique.
Finding the right platform isn't always going to be easy, but with a little bit of foresight, thought, and a little bit of research, you will be on your way to finding the perfect blogging platform.
Deciding what your priorities are in terms of ease of use versus customization is probably the most important cosideration.
Most highly customizable blogging platforms, like Moveable Type, are a bit more difficult to use than very automated platforms such as Wordpress. If you are new to blogs and blogging, as well as to internet technology, you might want to sacrifice the ability to create a custom background design or to integrate a unique font into your template in order to find a program that will be easy for you to use.
On the other hand, if you are a veteran web designer with knowledge of HTML or javascript, you will probably find the built-in limitations of a user-friendly blogging platform to be somewhat frustrating.
Just as it is hard to find true one-size-fits-all things in other disciplines, there is probably no such thing as a blogging platform that is objectively "the best platform", simplly because every blogger has unique needs. The blogging movement is very much about individuality, so it intuitively makes plenty of sense that there would be many different platforms available that are designed to meet the needs of different kinds of individuals undertaking different kinds of projects.
This diversity is a good thing, because it means that you will almost certainly be able to find a program that suits your particular level of technical aptitude.
Unfortunately, the very positive fact that no two bloggers need the same thing from a blogging platform can make your personal search for the right platform a bit tricky. When you are reading reviews of different platforms, try to keep your own priorities in mind and do your best to take into account the position that the reviewer is coming from.
For example, if you are just starting out, a negative review written by an accomplished software designer who complains that a popular platform is too limited may be telling you that the platform in question is ideal for a beginning blogger such as yourself. There is no such thing as the perfect platform for everybody, so instead of looking for the "best" platform, look for the best platform for your specific criteria.
Once you have found the right blogging platform for YOU, you may be interested in learning how to make money online by blogging for cash. The popular ebook, Blogging to the Bank, by Rob Benwell can show you what you need to know.
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