What's the best blog program: WordPress, TypePad, or Blogger?

The best blog program maybe the one you're already using. Although you can change from one to another, it's a complicated process.

If you haven't yet started a blog or you're looking to upgrade and want to make the best choice, here are the most popular options and why you might choose one over another.

WordPress Blog

Price: Free / Open Source Software

Pros: One of the most popular blogging tools among professional bloggers, WordPress offers tons of features, a gazillion templates to choose from.

Setting up a basic WordPress site is remarkably easy (seemingly anoyone can do it) and it’s very easy to use the administrative tools to publish blog posts, add photos, and update the blog after it’s built (even if you don’t know HTML).

If you are technically savvy enough, you can create your own template and CSS designs.

The community of developers creating plugins and templates makes WordPress increasingly powerful and WordPress is increasingly used as a CMS for more complex sites.

Read this review of the differences between static and dynamic sites to learn more about the pros and cons, or read this review on how WordPress compares to programs like Joomla or Drupal.

Cons: WordPress was designed for blogging and it’s great for that, but if you want to add more complex or advanced interactive features you’ll still probably have to do some custom programming (or hire a programmer to do it for you).

 

Links: WARNING: Many are confused by the difference between:

WordPress.com where you can download WordPress to use on any Web server (it's a free open source program)

WordPress.org which you can use to create a free blog using the simplest options -- and some restrictions

Hosted WordPress Blogs: Many commercial web hosting companies offer to install the WordPress software for you when you sign up for hosting. This option gives you the control of having the blog on your own server, without the technical challenges of installing it yourself.

Other Blogging Tools

• The simplest blogging tool: For pure ease of use and setup, Blogger.com is a popular choice, but you won’t have as many options for customizing the design or adding additional features.
• TypePad: Also well respected by professional bloggers, TypePad features advanced blogging options and loads of customizable templates.
• LiveJournal.com: One of the more popular blogging tools outside the United States, LiveJournal offers many options for serious and beginning bloggers.
• For developing more complex sites: Joomla! (www.joomla.org) and Drupal (www.drupal.org) offer similar advantages to blogging, but with more features and more flexibility.
• For adding e-commerce to a dynamic site: WordPress, Joomla!, and Drupal can also be paired with other programs, such as Zen Cart or OS Commerce, which add shopping-cart and e-commerce capabilities with the same replicable model.

How to start a blog once you choose the right program

No matter which of these services you choose, plan to spend at least an hour going through the setup process when you first create a blog. Once your blog is up and running, you can log back in to add posts, change the template, and take advantage of many other options.

Once you've registered, you select one of the template designs included with your blogging program. Or you can spend a little more time and download and install additional templates.

You'll add text to your blog, such as headlines, stories, and biographical information, by filling out forms through a Web browser. When you click the submit button, your text is automatically added to your blog. You can also upload photos and create a list of links to other Web sites or blogs. As soon as you publish your entries, they’re live on the Internet.

If you want a more personalized design or more advanced features, be prepared to spend a little money. Look for template sites, plugins, and widgets, and you'll be amazed at all the things people are doing with blogs these days.

The more time you spend on your blog, the more you can expect to get out of it.