Best Blogging Platforms for Beginners: WordPress, Squarespace, Wix and Showit

Choosing a blogging platform feels like a huge decision because it sort of is. Moving a blog later is possible but fiddly, so it’s worth thinking for an hour now.

This guide compares the best blogging platforms for beginners and the ones beginners ask about most: WordPress.org, WordPress.com, Squarespace, Wix and Showit. I’ve focused on how each one works and who it suits. I haven’t listed prices, because they change and you should check each platform’s pricing page before you commit.

What Is a Blogging Platform?

A blogging platform is the software you use to write, publish and manage your blog.

Some platforms are self-hosted, which means you install the software on hosting you pay for and manage yourself. Others are hosted, which means the platform looks after the hosting for you. That one difference changes cost, control and how much technical work you’ll do.

How to Choose a Blogging Platform

When comparing blogging platforms, start with what you want to do, not which platform is most popular.

• Control and flexibility: can you install plugins, change themes and move your content later?
• Ease of use: how much setup and maintenance are you happy to do?
• Design: do you want ready-made templates or full design control?
• Cost: check the current pricing, including hosting and any extras.
• Growth: can it handle SEO, email sign-ups and the products you may sell later?

Best Blogging Platforms for Beginners Compared

Prices and plan limits change often, so I haven’t quoted any here. Always check the platform’s own pricing page.

1. WordPress.org (Self-Hosted)

Best for bloggers who want full control and are happy to manage a bit of tech.

WordPress.org is the free, open-source software. You download it, pay for hosting separately and install your own themes and plugins. According to WordPress.com’s own comparison of WordPress.com and WordPress.org, with the self-hosted version you’re responsible for updates, backups and security.

• Good: huge choice of plugins and themes, and full ownership of your site.
• Not so good: more setup, and you manage maintenance yourself.

Related: WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Which Is Better for Bloggers?

2. WordPress.com (Hosted)

Best for bloggers who want WordPress without managing hosting.

WordPress.com includes managed hosting, with updates, backups and SSL handled for you. It has tiered plans, from free to enterprise. Plugin installation is available on paid plans, so check which plan includes what you need.

3. Squarespace

Best for bloggers who want a polished all-in-one site.

Squarespace includes hosting and design tools together. Its blogging features include blog pages, scheduling posts to publish automatically, and categories and tags to organise your content. Everything is managed in one dashboard, which is why many beginners find it straightforward.

• Good: easy setup, with design and hosting in one place.
• Not so good: you work within Squarespace’s tools, and the monthly cost can feel high if you’re not earning yet.

Related: Squarespace vs WordPress: Which Platform Is Best for Your Blogging Goals?

4. Wix

Best for beginners who want a simple drag-and-drop builder.

Wix has a built-in blog feature. Its help centre describes scheduling posts, categories (a post can sit in several, though subcategories aren’t possible) and featured or pinned posts. Some of Wix’s help articles are a few years old, so check the current menus when you set up.

5. Showit

Best for designers and creatives who want visual control.

Showit is a design-led website builder. Its blog is a WordPress blog that Showit hosts: you design the layout in Showit, then write posts in WordPress. According to Showit, blogging is included on its blog plans, and the standard Showit plan covers website pages but not a blog. Third-party WordPress themes aren’t supported on Showit’s blog hosting.

Related: WordPress vs Showit: Which Is Better for Your Website?

The best blogging platform is the one you’ll actually keep publishing on.

Which Blogging Platform Should You Choose?

Match the blogging platforms above to how you like to work.

Whichever you pick, build SEO and an email list into your blog from the start, because a platform is only the container. Your content and audience are what you’re building.

Related: How to Build an Email List You Control

Ready to start your blog? Grab my free How to Start a Blog Checklist and set up the foundations.

Blogging Platform Mistakes to Avoid

• Picking blogging platforms on price alone: check what’s included and what plan limits apply.
• Choosing the trendiest option: choose the one that suits how you work.
• Ignoring SEO and email: check you can add them from the start.
• Not checking you can export your content: know how you’d move later.
• Overthinking it: any of these can work, so pick one and publish.

Key Takeaways

• Of the main blogging platforms, hosted ones are easier and self-hosted WordPress gives the most control.
• Match the platform to how you like to work, not to what’s popular.
• Check current pricing and plan limits, since they change.
• Build SEO and email in from the start, and pick one platform and publish.

Don’t spend a month choosing. Spend an hour, pick one and write your first post. 🌶️

Sources: WordPress.com, Squarespace Help and Showit, plus Wix’s help centre articles on its blog.