Beginner’s Guide: Picking the Perfect Blogging Platform

So, you’ve decided to start a blog. First of all—congratulations! I first dabbled in blogging over a decade ago, but my real start came a few years later with WordPress.com. I literally stared at the blank screen for two days wondering if anyone (other than my mum) would ever read it. You’re officially joining millions of other humans (and probably a few cats with keyboards) who’ve decided the internet needs to hear their stories, ideas, or late-night rants.

But before you can start typing your heart out, you’ve got a big decision: where is this blog going to live? In internet terms, that’s your blogging platform—basically the “house” you’ll build for your words. And just like picking a real house, you’ll come across different options. Some are fancy condos (Squarespace), some are solid family homes (WordPress.org), and some are like your grandma’s old apartment (Blogger).

The problem? Everyone online screams something different. “WordPress or nothing!” “Medium is the future!” “Wix makes you look like a designer without needing therapy!” It’s… a lot.

Don’t worry. Grab some coffee (or jollof rice, if you’re Nigerian like me), and let’s walk through the most popular blogging platforms—what they’re good for, their quirks, and which one might actually suit you.

WordPress.org (a.k.a. The Boss of Blogging)

WordPress.org is the heavyweight champion. If blogging platforms were musicians, this one would be Beyoncé—versatile, powerful, and basically everywhere. More than 40% of websites rely on it. That’s not hype—that’s world domination.

Here’s the truth: WordPress.org is free to use, but you’ll need hosting (think of it as paying rent for your blog’s apartment). In exchange, you get total control. Want your blog to look like The New York Times? Possible. Want to sell T-shirts, books, or maybe start an online church? Yup, still possible.

Now, I’ll be honest—the first time I logged into WordPress.org, I felt like I had stumbled into NASA’s control room. I even accidentally broke my theme once and thought I’d deleted the internet. Too many buttons. Too many menus. I half-expected a rocket to launch when I clicked “Settings.” But after a few YouTube tutorials and some trial and error, it clicked. Suddenly I wasn’t lost anymore—I was flying the spaceship.

If you’re serious about blogging or plan to grow into a business, this is your home. It’s like buying a house instead of renting an apartment. Yes, you’ll fix your own leaks (plugins breaking, weird updates), but in the end—it’s yours.

WordPress.com (The Chill Younger Sister)

Here’s where people get confused. WordPress.com and WordPress.org share the same name, but they’re different beasts. Think of WordPress.com as WordPress.org’s younger sibling who doesn’t stress too much about life.

With WordPress.com, you don’t need to worry about hosting, servers, or any tech headache. You sign up, pick a theme, and boom—you’re blogging. It’s perfect if you just want a simple place to write without dealing with code, plugins, or words like “FTP” (which sound scarier than they actually are).

The catch? You don’t have as much control. If WordPress.org is owning your dream house, WordPress.com is renting a small apartment. It’s cozy and convenient, but the landlord (Automattic, the company behind it) decides what you can or can’t do—like whether you can remove ads or install certain themes.

Perfect if you’re starting out casually—like sharing your dog’s adventures or writing poems. But if you plan to make money or customize everything, you’ll quickly feel limited.

At first I actually started on WordPress.com back in 2015, when I was just testing the waters—it felt like blogging with training wheels.

Blogger (Google’s Old Reliable Uncle)

Raise your hand if you ever had a Blogspot site. I did. Mine was called ‘Joovic Blog’ back then—basically a space for movie rants nobody asked for.

Blogger is owned by Google, so it’s free, simple, and works nicely with other Google tools like Analytics and AdSense. It’s basically the old Nokia phone of blogging—reliable, solid, but not very stylish.

The downside? It looks old. The templates feel like they haven’t been updated since 2009. You won’t get a modern design unless you tinker a lot.

Great for hobby blogging or testing the microphone. But if you’re aiming to look professional or build a brand, you might outgrow it faster than you think.

Wix (Blogging with Lego Bricks)

Wix is the platform for people who care about design. Imagine opening a box of LEGO bricks, but instead of building a castle or spaceship, you’re building your blog. You simply drag, drop, and move the pieces around until everything looks just the way you pictured it in your head. That’s exactly what Wix does for you.

It’s visual, super beginner-friendly, and even comes with hosting already taken care of. If you’re the kind of person who wants a blog that also doubles as a personal portfolio or small business site, Wix is a solid choice.

The catch? Flexibility. You can do a lot visually, but you’ll hit walls if you want to scale into something bigger or highly customized like WordPress.

Amazing for small blogs, portfolios, or personal sites. It’s fun to use, but not the best if you’re aiming for a massive content empire.

It’s like playing with LEGO, but instead of a castle, you’re building that dream Lagos lifestyle website.

Squarespace (The Instagram-Ready Platform)

If Wix is Lego, Squarespace is Apple—sleek, polished, and very “just works.” Squarespace is famous for its gorgeous templates that look professional right out of the box.

It’s especially popular with photographers, designers, and small business owners because it makes your site look good without you breaking a sweat.

The trade-off? Flexibility and price. Squarespace isn’t free (only a short trial), and you don’t get as much customization as WordPress. But if you care more about your site looking stylish than tinkering with tech, it’s perfect.

If you want your blog to double as a personal brand showcase, Squarespace is gold. But it’s not for hardcore tinkerers.

Honestly, Squarespace is like that friend who always dresses too well—even for a quick run to the market. I once use squarespace to build one of my blog back then in Abuja.

Medium (For Writers Who Just Want to Write)

Medium is the Zen garden of blogging. No plugins, no templates, no endless design choices. Just clean, white space and your words.

The beauty of Medium is that it already has a built-in audience. People actually go there to read. That means your articles can get discovered by new readers, not just your mom and your two best friends.

But there’s a catch (there always is). Your blog looks like everyone else’s on Medium, and you don’t own the platform. If Medium wakes up tomorrow and flips a switch on their algorithm, poof—your traffic could vanish just like that.

Perfect for: People who just want to write without stressing about fancy designs or actually owning the platform. Perfect for essays, thought pieces, and reaching readers quickly. But if you want long-term control? Look elsewhere.

I once posted an article about how to update a software on Medium and strangers actually clapped for it (literally—there’s a clap button). That felt better than my friends pretending to read my blog. This is one of my favourite place to post.

Ghost (The Minimalist with Serious Power)

Ghost is like the hipster cousin of WordPress. It’s modern, fast, and focused purely on publishing. Unlike other platforms, Ghost comes with built-in membership and subscription tools, so you can turn your blog into a paid newsletter hub.

It does take some setup (you’ll need hosting if you self-host), and the community is smaller than WordPress. But it’s sleek, distraction-free, and perfect for writers who want to monetize directly with their audience.

A great choice if you’re really committed to writing and want to make money through subscriptions.

If WordPress is the uncle at family meetings, Ghost is the younger cousin who wears vintage glasses and only drinks cold brew.

Substack (Where Blogging Meets Email)

Substack is basically blogging and email newsletters combined. You write, hit publish, and your post goes straight into your readers’ inboxes. Best part? They can even pay to subscribe.

It’s super easy to use and is exploding in popularity among journalists, writers, and niche bloggers. But it feels more like a newsletter tool than a traditional blog.

If you care about building a loyal community that gets your posts directly, Substack is awesome. But if you want a full website with lots of customization, you’ll feel boxed in.

When I first tried Substack recently, it felt like sending a love letter straight to people’s inboxes—except they actually wanted to read it.

Other Platforms (Quick Shoutouts)

• Tumblr—More of a hybrid between social media and blogging. Great for short posts, memes, and creative content.
• Weebly – Another drag-and-drop builder, similar to Wix but less popular.
• Jekyll—For developers who love static sites and coding. Definitely not beginner-friendly.

How to Choose the Right Blogging Platform

Alright, so which one should you choose? Here’s the simple answer: it depends on your goals.

• Want full control and plan to go big? → WordPress.org.
• Just want to write casually? → Blogger or WordPress.com.
• Care about design the most? → Squarespace or Wix.
• Want zero distractions and just to write? → Medium.
• Dreaming of subscriptions and paid readers? → Ghost or Substack.

Ask yourself:

1. Do I want this blog for fun, or do I want to build a brand?
2. Am I okay with simple tools, or do I want to customize everything?
3. Do I want to make money from this, or just share my thoughts?

Answer those, and the right platform will almost choose itself.

Best Blogging Platforms by Use Case (Quick Cheat Sheet)

Still confused about which one is right for you? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Think of this as the “menu” where you just pick what matches your taste buds (and patience level).

• WordPress.org → Best for building a serious blog or full website empire. Ideal for business owners, professional bloggers, or anyone who wants full control.
• WordPress.com → Perfect for beginners or casual bloggers who just want to write without worrying about hosting, plugins, or updates.
• Blogger → Great for hobby bloggers, students, or anyone who just wants to jot down ideas and share them with the world—no fuss.
• Wix → Best for visually creative people like photographers, designers, or artists who want a blog that looks as good as their portfolio.
• Squarespace → Fantastic for stylish personal brands, lifestyle blogs, or small businesses that need an all-in-one, polished website.
• Medium → Best if you only care about writing and want your words in front of an existing audience without stressing over design.
• Ghost → Perfect for professional writers, content creators, or businesses who want to monetize their blog with subscriptions or memberships.
• Substack → Best if you want to run a newsletter and a blog side by side. Perfect for connecting directly with your readers in their inbox.

Conclusion

Here’s the truth: there’s no “perfect” blogging platform. Don’t waste six months overthinking it like I did (yes, I really spent that long jumping between Blogger, WordPress.com, and WordPress.org). The best platform is the one that lets you start writing today.

So whether you pick WordPress, Squarespace, Medium, or even Substack—just start. Trust me, your readers aren’t waiting for the perfect design; they’re waiting for your words (and maybe your memes).

Now go write that first post—before your neighbor’s generator comes back on and you lose the idea forever.