Best Place To Start A Blog? Top 21 Platform Recommendations

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Starting a blog is like setting off on a new adventure. You’re eager to share your thoughts and stories, but the road ahead can be overwhelming, especially in business blogging. With so many platforms promising the best features and easiest setups, how do you choose? This article will guide you through the maze, comparing the top blogging platforms to find the best place to start a blog.

Consider using Feather's solution, notion to blog, as your first step. It’s a streamlined tool to help you easily navigate your options and compare blogging platforms.

What Is a Blog?

Blogs are not just online diaries anymore. They're a dynamic part of the digital content ecosystem. The word "blog" blends "web" and "log," hinting at its origins as a simple personal journal. Today, they serve as platforms for individuals and businesses to share:

Insights

Opinions

Updates on various subjects

From hobbyists to professional bloggers, many people have turned blogging into a full-time profession.

Blogs as Knowledge Hubs

As the digital world has evolved, so have blogs. They've become crucial sources of:

Information

Advice

Opinion

While traditional journalism still exists, people increasingly turn to trusted blogs for answers and how-to guides. Blogs offer a personal touch, connecting readers with the author's unique voice and perspective.

The Ever-Changing Blogosphere

Blogs are constantly evolving both in terms of how they're created and what they're used for. They can be a vehicle for creativity and marketing, helping businesses reach audiences in new ways. With the rise of mobile apps, blogging on the go has become more accessible. According to GrowthBadger, there are over 600 million blogs online—chances are, you've encountered a few.

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Why Start a Blog? What Are the Benefits?

Document What Happens to You

Blogging began as a way to document personal experiences, and it still beautifully serves that purpose. It’s a great way to save your thoughts and photos in a single place. Whether you’re chronicling a trip or just capturing day-to-day life, a blog is a valuable keepsake.

Have a Creative Outlet

Blogging is a creative pursuit that involves writing, editing, and some design work. A blog can be the perfect outlet if you’re looking for a low-cost way to express yourself. You can let your imagination run wild and create something that’s uniquely yours.

Your thoughts and experiences are uniquely yours, and a blog allows you to share them with others. You can start conversations, build connections, and find people who share your interests. It’s a great way to make your voice heard.

Connect With People

Blogging is a fantastic way to connect with others. You can meet other bloggers, content creators, and people interested in your niche. The blogging community is active on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit, and it’s a great way to expand your network.

Get Better at Writing and Digital Marketing

Blogging is a craft that requires practice. Writing daily or weekly can improve your skills, and the behind-the-scenes work of running a blog can teach you about web management and social media marketing. It’s a great way to gain experience and build valuable skills.

Build Your Brand and Credibility

A blog can help you build your brand and establish yourself as an expert. Your content can show how knowledgeable or experienced you are, and it can help you gain credibility. It’s a great way to showcase your expertise and build your reputation.

Bring In Sales or an Income

Blogging can be a way to bring in sales or generate income. Whether promoting an existing business or starting a new one, a blog can be valuable. According to Indeed, bloggers make an average of $37,073 a year, and with the right strategy, you can increase that number.

Try Feather Today!

Run your blog and newsletter with Feather today! Create a new account and send emails from Notion, or go from notion to blog in minutes!

How Do I Start a Blog?

Starting a blog begins with defining your topic or niche. While writing about everything under the sun is tempting, narrowing your focus will help you build credibility and attract a loyal audience. You can cover more than one subject, but ensure your main focus is consistent and specific enough to draw readers in and keep them engaged.

Do Competitor Research

Once you’ve chosen your niche, research your competitors. Are there already key players in your space? Is your niche crowded, or are only a few people writing about it? This research helps you identify how to create better or different content from what’s out there.

Define Your Audience

Who are you writing for? Knowing your audience helps you create valuable, relevant content. Consider your ideal reader’s age, location, occupation, media consumption habits, other blogs they read, leisure activities, joint problems, and areas where they want to become experts.

Plan Your First Blog Post

With your niche and audience in mind, plan your first blog post. Research is crucial here, too. Type your topic into a search engine to see what’s already there. You can write something better if the existing articles don’t adequately cover the topic.

Name Your Blog

Your blog needs a name that makes sense for your niche or brand, is memorable, and is easy to type. Check the web and social media to ensure no one else uses your desired name. If it’s taken, you can create a new one or contact the current owner to see if they’re still using it.

Create Branding Elements for Your Blog

Besides a name, you need a font and color palette for your blog. You can do this yourself or hire a graphic designer. You can design a custom logo with a free platform like Canva or work with a designer if you want a custom logo.

Claim a Domain Name

Once you’ve settled on a blog name, choose a domain name. Check if it’s available by typing it into your browser or using a domain registrar’s tool. You’ll need to pay for the right to use it if it is available.

Choose a Hosting Site

Choosing a web host is essential for creating your blog. Without a host, you can’t build a website. Some platforms offer free hosting but will add their brand name to your domain. You’ll need to pay for hosting and buy the domain name to remove it.

Build Your Website

You can build your website from scratch or use a template. A no-code blog builder like Feather lets you design a beautiful site without web development experience.

Upload and Publish Your First Article

Once your site is ready, upload your first article. For a secure backup, create content in a cloud-based editor like Google Docs. Preview your post to ensure it displays correctly before publishing.

Promote Your Blog

After publishing, share your content on social media. You can use your existing channels or create new ones for your blog.

Track Your Analytics

Track metrics like views, visitors, and clicks after publishing. Your hosting platform may have a built-in analytics dashboard, but Google Analytics is a free, comprehensive tool for tracking traffic and demographics.

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Best Place To Start a Blog? Top 21 Platform Recommendations

1. Feather: Seamless Blogging Through Notion

Feather is an SEO-friendly platform that lets you publish blog content and newsletters through Notion, requiring no coding or design skills. Companies can write blog content on Notion and automatically publish it to their Feather blog.

Feather allows setting up a subfolder blog for better SEO. It also offers:

Custom CSS options

Email collection

Team collaboration

Feather allows companies to manage CRM and website blogs through Notion and send newsletters directly from Notion.

Run your blog and newsletter with Feather today! Create a new account and send emails from Notion, or go from notion to blog in minutes!

2. Medium: Ideal for Writers Seeking Exposure

Medium is perfect for writers wanting to connect with a large, built-in audience. Its clean, minimalist interface lets writers focus on creating high-quality content without distractions. Medium’s recommendation engine helps writers reach readers based on interests and habits.

The platform also allows:

Joining or creating publications

Fostering niche communities and collaboration

While it may not offer the same level of customization as other platforms, its emphasis on quality writing and engagement is ideal for exposure.

3. LinkedIn: Establish Thought Leadership

LinkedIn is excellent for professionals and businesses looking to increase brand awareness. With over 1 billion members, it provides access to a vast audience of potential readers. Publishing on LinkedIn allows showcasing expertise directly on profiles, making it ideal for thought leadership.

The platform’s content distribution ensures posts appear in relevant feeds, expanding reach organically. LinkedIn’s analytics provide insights for engagement and performance, making it great for business development.

4. Blogger: Accessible and Beginner-Friendly

Blogger is one of the older platforms, butit is still worth checking out. No sign-up fees or costs make it accessible for beginners and tight budgets. Blogger offers a user-friendly interface and customizable templates for visually appealing blogs.

As Google owns Blogger, it seamlessly integrates with Google services, enabling performance tracking and monetization. Its simplicity and integration make it great for beginners seeking a reliable platform.

5. WordPress: Versatile and User-Friendly

WordPress (.org, not .com) is among the best platforms due to its versatility and extensive customization. It offers a wide range of themes and plugins for tailored blogs. WordPress’s intuitive interface and content management system make it accessible for beginners, while advanced features cater to experienced bloggers. Its open-source nature ensures continuous updates and improvements, making it excellent for online visibility and audience engagement.

6. Wix: Intuitive Design with Marketing Tools

Wix offers a full suite of intuitive design features and marketing tools for unique, professional blogs. The platform provides:

Over 900 customizable templates

Advanced design options

SEO tools

Monetization capabilities

Wix also enables scheduling posts, collaborating with writers, blogging via mobile app, and analyzing insights. With reliable hosting and fast loading times, Wix is great for bloggers of all levels.

7. HubSpot: Full Suite of Marketing Tools

HubSpot is a leading platform with a user-friendly interface for easy blog creation. It provides:

Pre-designed templates

A rich text editor

Stock images for a streamlined process

HubSpot offers a full suite of marketing automation and CRM tools for lead generation and engagement. With comprehensive features and integration, HubSpot empowers businesses to manage blogging efforts effectively.

8. Contently: Perfect for Enterprise Content Needs

Contently is a content marketing platform built for enterprises with limited content capabilities. It offers a comprehensive solution, connecting businesses with talented writers and tools for managing content creation. Contently streamlines collaboration and provides access to a network of vetted freelance writers. Its user-friendly interface and robust features make it perfect for creating scale-quality content.

9. Ghost: Minimalist Design for Content Creation

Ghost’s minimalist design allows writers to focus solely on creating content without distractions. Built with Node.js and React, it ensures a fast experience for writers and readers. Ghost offers a user-friendly interface with a distraction-free writing environment for efficient post-drafting and publishing. The platform provides features for newsletter subscriptions and paid memberships to monetize content effectively.

10. Substack: Monetize Content Through Subscriptions

Substack offers a subscription-based model for monetizing content directly from readers. Writers can build a loyal following and earn income through subscriptions, fostering a direct audience relationship. Its clean interface keeps the focus on writing, with a built-in newsletter and community features for engagement. Substack gives writers ownership of content and subscriber lists, ensuring creative freedom and control.

11. Tumblr: Pop-Culture and Informal Blogging

Tumblr is best for sharing:

Pop-culture content

Memes

GIFs

Freeform writing

Its reblogging and tagging features help content go viral. While the user base isn’t as large as before, those active on Tumblr are devoted and engaged. Tumblr caters more to visual storytelling and informal writing style, making it ideal for expressive creators. The platform offers monetization avenues through:

Reader tips

Affiliate links

Ad partnerships

12. Drupal: Powerful for Enterprise Blogging

Drupal is an open-source CMS with a WYSIWYG editor, making it optimal for enterprises. Its open-source nature allows for blogs tailored to specific needs. The WYSIWYG editor provides a means to visualize and edit content exactly as readers will see it. Drupal offers a flexible toolset for technical teams to develop freely and content teams to use easily.

13. Jekyll: Customization for Expert Coders

Jekyll isn't a CMS but an open-source static site generator built on Ruby programming. Expert coders can customize their Jekyll blog extensively. Jekyll sites are faster because they pre-generate static HTML files, eliminating on-the-fly database queries. This rapid loading time improves user experience and search engine rankings, bolstering visibility and impact.

14. Pixpa: Showcasing Work for Creative Bloggers

Pixpa is ideal for creative bloggers wanting to showcase their work. The platform offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of customization templates. Pixpa’s integrated blogging feature provides a convenient platform for managing blogs. It offers:

Essential features for content organization

SEO optimization

Social sharing, along with e-commerce integration and built-in apps

15. Craft CMS: Designed for Developers

Craft CMS is designed for:

Developers

Designers

Professionals

Craft CMS offers control over appearance and functionality with:

Personalized content modeling

Powerful templating

Code editing options

It also provides an image editor, collaboration tools, and localization features. Users can manage multiple blogs from a single install and integrate performance analytics.

16. Joomla: Community-Centric Blogs

Joomla is an open-source CMS with advanced content and user management features for community-centric blogs. It offers rich functionality and thousands of extensions. Joomla allows:

Custom post types

User management

Multilingual content

EasyBlog, a popular extension, enhances the blogging experience with drag-and-drop editing and social media integration.

17. Hostinger Website Builder: User-Friendly for All Levels

Hostinger Website Builder is a drag-and-drop builder for blogs and other purposes. It’s excellent for first-time website owners and established bloggers. The platform’s standout feature is the AI builder, generating a website by answering three questions. Users can also choose from pre-made templates and customize their blog layout. It offers built-in SEO and eCommerce features, with scalability options for growth.

18. Drupal: Flexible for Complex Needs

Drupal is a flexible open-source CMS for advanced users and enterprises with complex needs. It has hundreds of out-of-the-box features and modules for content management. Drupal supports:

Various content types

Templates

User permissions

Its multilingual capabilities and modules allow creating and managing prominent, complex blogs.

19. Hashnode: Built for Developer Bloggers

Hashnode is the best free platform for modern developers to share knowledge and build community. It provides features like webhooks and analytics. As a free solution built for developers, Hashnode offers:

Control over content

Blog design

APIs for enhancement

20. WordPress.com: Hosted Version of WordPress

WordPress.com is a hosted version of WordPress that is simple to start with. Free accounts are available, but paid plans offer more customizability. The platform provides a limited number of themes and ads, but it’s easy to set up and use. Paid plans provide additional features like custom domains and support.

21. Web.com: Easy Blogging for Business Sites

Web.com is a website builder with a built-in blog feature for business websites and online stores. It’s easy to use for non-tech users and offers affordable prices. Users can choose from templates and customize layouts without code. Web.com includes:

SEO tools

Security features

Analytics

What Makes the Best Blogging Platform?

Picking the Perfect Platform

When choosing where to start your blog, focus on:

Usability

Integrations

Scalability

A platform with user-friendly features that align with your vision sets the stage for success. Look for a platform offering polished themes that fit your food or tech niche. Connecting a custom domain is also key for building credibility. SEO-friendliness should be on your radar too. Platforms with built-in SEO tools help you attract organic traffic without extra plugins.

Monetization Made Easy

If monetization is part of your game plan, ensure the platform supports it. Check for options to:

Integrate ads

Use affiliate marketing

Accept donations

Scalable and Insightful Blogging Platform

Choose a platform that aligns with your long-term strategy. You don’t want to get trapped in a system that doesn’t support growth. Performance insights matter, too—platforms with built-in analytics offer key metrics like page views and engagement. Consider scalability as well. As your blog grows, will the platform grow with you?

Support and Community

Don’t underestimate the value of support. If tech issues arise, a platform with solid customer service saves you time and frustration. Some platforms boast active communities where you can:

Swap tips

Ask questions

Find inspiration

Avoiding Complexity

While many platforms promise ease of use, not all deliver. Some require more technical know-how. Look for templates that need minimal customization but can grow with your blog. This saves you time and effort.

Seamless Integrations

Choose a platform that offers valuable integrations with tools you already use. For instance, if you’re using Mailchimp for email marketing, ensure the platform connects smoothly. This integration ensures leads from your blog sync automatically with your email campaigns.

How Much Does It Cost To Start a Blog?

Blogging doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Starting with a domain name is like buying your blog’s house number online. You can snag one for about $5.98 to $10 for the first year, setting you up with a professional address like "www.yourblog.com." This is one of the first steps to establishing a credible online presence.

Web Hosting: Where Your Blog Lives

Think of web hosting as the land your blog's house sits on. Shared hosting is your budget-friendly option, costing around $91.71 for the first year. Services like Bluehost or SiteGround often offer deals that bundle domain registration and hosting, giving you a great start without breaking the bank.

Blog Platform: The Foundation

Feather CMS is a sleek, user-friendly platform priced at $39 monthly. It’s perfect if you want a simple, streamlined experience. There are cheaper or even free options, like WordPress.org, if you're on a tight budget.

Choosing a Theme: Dressing Your Blog

Your blog’s theme is its wardrobe. Free themes can look great, but premium themes can cost $200 if you want something flashy. Feather provides aesthetically pleasing designs without additional costs, so your blog can look good immediately.

Optional Tools: Boosting Your Blog

As your blog grows, you should invest in extra tools. Keyword research tools like Keysearch, which cost around $17 a month, help you find popular topics to write about. Graphic design tools like Canva Pro, which costs about $12.99 a month, help you create stunning visuals for your blog.

Total Estimated Costs for Year One

Starting a blog can be done on a budget of $100 to $500 for the first year. The cost varies greatly depending on your chosen platforms and tools, so pick the best.

Ongoing Costs to Keep in Mind

After your first year, you’ll have ongoing costs. Domain renewal usually runs about $10 a year, web hosting fees are billed monthly or annually based on your plan, and any premium tools or services you decide to keep will add to your expenses.

Free Blogging Options: Testing the Waters

If you want to minimize costs, platforms like WordPress.com or Blogger let you start for free. They have some limitations but are suitable for hobby bloggers or those just beginning.

9 Best Practices for Starting a Blog

1. Find Your Focus: Choose a Clear Niche

Before you begin, nail down your niche. Pick something you’re passionate about and have some expertise in. A focused niche attracts a loyal audience and positions you as an authority. The more specific you are, the better, whether it's:

Tech reviews

Travel tips

Personal finance

Specificity helps you stand out in a crowded space and directly speaks to your ideal audience.

2. Select Your Stage: User-Friendly Platform

Choosing the right blogging platform is crucial. Platforms like WordPress.org offer full control and flexibility, while others like Feather prioritize simplicity. Each platform has its pros and cons. Consider what matters most to you—customization or ease of use. The platform should support your goals, so evaluate your needs carefully before committing.

3. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on Content

Content is king, so create high-quality, valuable posts that resonate with your audience. Write clearly and engagingly, aiming to solve problems or provide insights. Thoroughly research your topics and incorporate relevant keywords for SEO. Remember, readability should never be sacrificed for the sake of search engines. A well-written post will naturally incorporate keywords without feeling forced.

4. Maintain Momentum: Consistent Posting

Consistency is critical to audience growth. Develop a content calendar and stick to a regular posting schedule. Whether weekly or biweekly, consistency builds momentum and keeps your readers engaged. It also signals to search engines that your blog is active, which can improve your rankings over time. Consistency is crucial for building a loyal audience.

5. Boost Visibility: Optimize for SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for attracting organic traffic. Use keyword research tools to find terms your target audience is searching for, and incorporate them naturally into your posts. Focus on other SEO essentials like:

Optimizing images

Using meta descriptions

Linking to internal and external sources

Understanding SEO basics will significantly increase your blog’s visibility.

6. First Impressions Matter: Make Your Blog Visually Appealing

Design and layout should be:

Clean

Attractive

Easy to navigate

Choose a theme that suits your brand and ensure it looks good on desktop and mobile devices. Visual appeal enhances your blog’s readability and enjoyment by incorporating:

Images

White space

Fonts

A well-designed blog encourages visitors to stay longer and explore more of your content.

7. Build a Community: Engage with Your Audience

Building relationships with your readers is key to growth. Encourage comments, respond to feedback, and request input on future content ideas. Engaging with your audience on social media or via email newsletters helps foster community and creates repeat visitors. A strong community can be a powerful asset for your blog’s success.

8. Get the Word Out: Promote Your Blog

Writing great content is only the first step. You must actively promote your blog to get noticed:

Share your posts on social media

Engage in online communities related to your niche

Consider guest blogging on more established websites

Don’t forget email marketing; build an email list from the start and keep subscribers updated with your latest posts. Promotion is essential for reaching a wider audience.

9. Measure Success: Track Your Analytics

Understanding how your blog is performing is crucial for growth. Use tools like Google Analytics to track:

Traffic

User behavior

Conversion rates

Analyzing this data helps you identify which content resonates the most and where your traffic is coming from. This information allows you to refine your strategy over time.

FAQs on Starting a Blog

Substack is a standout choice for starting a blog without breaking the bank. It’s perfect for writers who want to blend blogging with newsletters. The platform is free until you start charging subscribers, making it an excellent option for beginners. Its intuitive interface is designed to help you build an audience quickly and easily. This is a great place to start on your blogging journey.

Blog vs. Website: What's the Difference?

A blog can be an entire website, but not all are blogs. A blog is specifically a site or a subsection of a site that posts articles. A website can host a blog, but it could also be an online store or an informational resource. Think of a blog as a dynamic, frequently updated part of a website, while a website can be a static, standalone entity.

How Do I Get People to Read My Blog?

Driving traffic to your blog is essential for its success. One of the most effective ways to do this is through search engines. To make your blog discoverable, you'll need to optimize your articles by using:

Proper headers

Internal links

Meta descriptions

Many blogging platforms, like WordPress, include SEO tools to help you with this process. Remember, the more optimized your content, the more likely it is to be found by readers.

How Long Should My Blog Posts Be?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Nevertheless, if you’re trying to optimize your blog article for a specific keyword, you might need to aim for a certain length. This gives your article the best chance at ranking highly in search results for that topic. Compare your content to your competitors' content to understand what to aim for. In general, longer posts tend to perform better, but quality is more important than quantity.

How Often Should I Post on My Blog?

Consistency is vital when it comes to posting on your blog. If you start out posting every day, keep that pace. If you post every two or three days, stick to that schedule. Even if you only post once a week or once every ten days, the key is to remain consistent. This helps you attract and maintain an audience. If your readers expect new posts and you don’t have any for several days or weeks, you risk losing them. If you’re using your blog to earn money, this will affect your bottom line.

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Go From Notion to Blog With Ease Today With Feather

Every blogger dreams of an efficient workflow. Feather makes it happen by letting you draft content in Notion and publish it seamlessly. Wave goodbye to complex coding because Feather handles the heavy lifting. Your posts go live on a subfolder blog, which is a big win for SEO. Why?

Search engines prefer subfolder setups. This makes Feather one of the best places to start a blog. Imagine managing your content and CRM in one place. Feather brings the HubSpot experience to Notion.

Simplify Design with Custom CSS and Email Collection

Feather doesn’t just stop at convenience. It gives you options to tweak your blog’s design using custom CSS, which means you get the look you want without diving deep into code. And let’s not forget email collection. Feather enables you to gather subscribers effortlessly, building your audience while focusing on your content. It’s all about making your blogging life easier while boosting your SEO.

Create Seamless Team Collaboration for Publishing

Teamwork can make or break a successful blog. Feather understands this. It allows your entire team to collaborate on content in Notion before publishing. This means everyone can contribute:

Ideas

Edits

Feedback

This creates a smoother publishing process. It’s a powerful way to ensure your content is polished and ready to engage readers. Collaboration has never been this easy or efficient.

Manage Newsletters Directly From Notion

Feather isn’t just about blogging. It also lets you manage your email newsletters straight from Notion. You can:

Craft your messages

Schedule your messages

Send them to your subscribers without switching platforms.

This integrated approach saves time and reduces the hassle of juggling multiple tools. You’ll keep your audience engaged with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on creating great content.

Start Your Journey with Feather Today

With Feather, you can quickly run your blog and newsletter. Create a new account and watch your content transition from notion to blog in minutes, resulting in a polished, SEO-friendly site. It’s an all-in-one solution that simplifies and enhances the blogging process.