Best blogging platforms with pros and cons
If you're looking to earn money through blogging, the best platforms combine powerful features for content creation, monetization tools, and a large audience. Here's a list of the top blogging platforms globally for earning potential, with their pros and monetization options:
🥇 1. WordPress.org (Self-Hosted)
Best for: Full control, scalability, professional blogging.
Monetization:
Ads (Google AdSense, Mediavine, Ezoic)
Affiliate marketing (Amazon, ShareASale, etc.)
Sponsored posts
Digital product sales (eBooks, courses)
Pros:
Total ownership of your content and site
Thousands of plugins for monetization and SEO
Cons:
Requires hosting (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround)
🥈 Medium
Best for: Writers focused on quality content, not tech.
Monetization:
Medium Partner Program (earn money based on reader engagement)
Pros:
Built-in audience
No need to worry about SEO or hosting
Cons:
Limited control over design and monetization outside Medium
🥉 Substack
Best for: Newsletter-based blogging and writing.
Monetization:
Paid subscriptions to newsletters
Pros:
Great for building a loyal audience
No tech skills needed
Cons:
Income depends on building a subscriber base
- Blogger (by Google)
Best for: Beginners who want a simple, free setup.
Monetization:
Google AdSense
Affiliate marketing
Pros:
Free and easy to use
Direct integration with Google services
Cons:
Less customizable and scalable
- Wix
Best for: Bloggers who want drag-and-drop design control.
Monetization:
Ads
Paid subscriptions
E-commerce
Pros:
Visual editor, no coding
Cons:
Limited flexibility compared to WordPress
- Ghost
Best for: Tech-savvy writers and paid memberships.
Monetization:
Memberships/subscriptions
Paid content
Pros:
Fast, SEO-friendly, minimalist
Cons:
Hosting or payment required
- Tumblr
Best for: Creative content, short-form blogging.
Monetization:
Ads and affiliate links
Pros:
Built-in audience for niches (art, memes, fandoms)
Cons:
Limited monetization and control
🔥 Pro Tips to Maximize Blog Income:
Focus on a profitable niche (finance, tech, health, education, etc.)
Build an email list early (for affiliate sales and repeat traffic)
Invest in SEO and content marketing
Use multiple revenue streams: ads, affiliates, products, services