How to Launch A Free Blog
Free Blogging
You've decided to start a blog, but you want to do it without putting out any money. Good news! Launching a blog for free is possible and more accessible than you might think.
Free blogging is available on many user-friendly sites. In this guide, we'll discuss the best free blogging platforms in 2024.
Blogging is fun and a great way to share your thoughts, expertise, and creativity. Whether you're an experienced writer or just getting started, the evolution of blogging has something for everyone.
My top picks for free blogging platforms are WordPress.com, Wix, Blogger, Weebly, and Medium.
Choosing the right Platform for you
The first step in launching your free blog is, of course, choosing your platform.
Just a heads up: free blogs often have ads because that's how the hosting and software folks make money. So, be ready to see a bunch of ads on your site.
Additionally, keep in mind you're likely to encounter some limitations on storage space and bandwidth, which can affect how many visitors your free site can handle. You may also find some design limitations that make it tricky to personalize your blog exactly how you want it. But don't worry; numerous options are available, each offering unique features and benefits. With some creativity, you can still make your free blog shine!
So, which platform would work best for you?
Wix: Best for niche bloggers
Weebly: Best for ease of use
Blogger: The primary way to make money with Blogger is to run ads using Google
WordPress: Best for customizable blogs
Medium: Best for a sizeable, prebuilt audience
Weebly
Weebly is a website builder and hosting service that allows users to easily create websites and online stores. User-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it simple for individuals and businesses to design and customize without technical expertise. Weebly has a wide range of templates, e-commerce tools, and hosting services to help users establish their online presence effectively. Users can further explore monetization options through affiliate links and sponsored posts to generate revenue from their free Weebly site.
Weebly Free Plan
Price: Free
This plan is best for budget users who don’t mind having Square ads on their site.
Blogger
Blogger is a well-known choice, offering a straightforward entry point for individuals looking to launch a blog at no cost. Google runs Blogger, one of the oldest platforms that is famous among beginners. It allows users to create up to 20 static pages, categorize their posts, and use tags for content organization.
While Blogger provides a user-friendly interface for new bloggers to create and publish content quickly, the platform lacks advanced features for blog expansion over time. There needs to be more control over the blog.
Hence, Google can delete the blog without users' permission. The support base is low. Also, no options are available to upgrade your blog as it grows.
Pricing $
Blogger is 100% free.
Medium
You might be familiar with Medium. Over 100 million people connect and share their writing on Medium every month, and it helps users find the right audience for whatever they're looking to write about.
Regular users can access unlimited articles by signing up for $5 per month, and as a Medium Partner, you'll earn money based on the time paid users spend reading your articles.
However, to create a more structured blog with post categories and an organized front page on Medium, you'll need to opt for the $5 per month paid plan and initiate a Publication.
Ways to earn income on Medium:
1. Tipping: You can include a link to a third-party payment processor for readers to leave tips. This option can be set up immediately.
2. Medium Partner Program: By participating in this program, you can earn money from paid Medium members visiting your site.
3. Affiliate Links: Another way to generate income on Medium is by using affiliate links.
Pricing $
Free or $5 per month.
WordPress
WordPress, a go-to for tons of big blogs, is a widely used and free blogging platform. It's a popular choice with loads of templates and cool customizable features. As a free user on WordPress.com, your money-making choices are a bit restricted to affiliate links and sponsorships.
However, you can enhance your blog by grabbing paid add-ons like premium themes and plugins, or you can explore the treasure trove of free themes and plugins out there. What's awesome about WordPress is its total control and built-in analytics—it's perfect for those who want a free blog plus detailed insights into their audience.
Pricing $
Free Plan
STORAGE 1GB
WIX
Wix is for anyone looking for an easy-to-use builder with many extra features and excellent creative control. It is fast and easy to use for everyone. Wix is the best blogging platform for businesses focused on growth.
Pricing $
Wix offers a 14-day free trial on premium plans and a free plan to get started, including up to 500 MB of storage space. The free plan is excellent in many ways—there’s no time limit, and you can build and publish your site without paying a cent.
Final advice for starting a Blog
The truth is that blogging platforms operate like any other business and have a profit motive. As a result, even the most popular free blogging sites have limitations. While free blogging sites are a great place to start, they're limited in what they can offer. If you have big plans for your blog and want to establish a successful business around it, you may eventually need to upgrade to a paid option in the future.
However, take some time to analyze the benefits and drawbacks of each platform before choosing one. Remember that the ideal option is the one that fulfills your requirements right now and can expand as your blogging career does.
—Wishing you a happy blogging experience!
I hope this was helpful!