Blog software or blogware vary in features and in capability and it is important to know their features and limitations before making a decision on the blogware to use for your blog.
There are two popular free blogging software and these are Blogger and WordPress (.com). And others are Typepad, Movable Type and LiveJournal.
Blogger
Blogger offer a free blogging service and it is the easiest way to create a blog and might be the best way to go for an amateur, since you are not required to register a domain name or pay for hosting service. All you are required to do is create an account at blogger, login and start typing your post. It allows you to monetize your blog and you can even tie your blog to your Google AdSense account. That way you get a free blogging service and make money at the same time.
The disadvantage is that your content/files sits on Blogger's server; that gives blogger complete right to your blog and so it can shut down your blog at any time for any reason.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com offers a free blogging service; with limited amount of customization through the use of downloadable templates for your blog. It is quite easy to learn and provides plug-in features such as spam blocking plug-in (Akismet), automatic pinging and more. It does not allow advertising of any kind on your blog. So you can not make money through advertising using WordPress.com
WordPress.org (Server based)
It is the same software as WordPress.com and it is also free to use except that you have to pay for hosting service. And it supports advanced customization. It is a professional blogger's choice.
Typepad
Typepad has great features and supports high level customization. It is easy to use since it does not require technical skill of any kind unlike some blog software with same high level customization.
Though you do not need hosting service with typepad but it requires some money to use it.
MoveableType
Movable Type though great software, but the fact that you are required to get pricey licenses does not make it bloggers favorite. The installation is also not as easy as others and the features are not quite great. But it is a choice to some bloggers because it allows multiple blogs without you having to go through the process of installation again.
Livejournal
For Livejournal, features and customization are limited and it requires a monthly fee to use it.
Whether or not to use any of these blog softwares actually depend on your personal blogging plans/goals.
So which of all the blog softwares is best for you?
Like if you just want a quick free blog service that will also allow you to make money through advertising, blogger is a better option than WordPress.com but if you are not kin about making money with your blog, perhaps you want it just to create popularity, then WordPress.com is definitely the answer.
And if your goal is to become a successful business blogger and you have some money to spend on your blog to give it the kind of professional look it deserves, then WordPress.org is definitely the best option for you, as it is for many successful bloggers.
But to use WordPress.org you must have some technical skill or have someone who can help you with the technicalities so you can maximize the advanced customization and features that WordPress.org offers.
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