When done correctly, blogging can be a booming business. By creating valuable content and building strong relationships with their readers, successful bloggers can generate a passive income stream bringing in six and seven-figure incomes.
If you’re looking to replace your day job with a blog, then you need the best blogging platform to make money. So if you’re in a hurry, here are my top three picks depending on your specific blogging needs.
When looking to monetize your blogging business, then first things first. Where is your main revenue stream going to come from?
Blogging, in my opinion, is the best passive way to make money online and create passive income. But there are actually quite a few different revenue directions you can take.
The platform you choose is going to highly depend on what method you’re going to use to monetize your blog.
If you’re unsure about which revenue path is the best platform for you, then you can see below lucrative each option can be.
For more information on the basics (web hosting, domain hosting, and all other blogging platform basics) then scroll to the bottom of the post for a more detailed breakdown.
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What is the Best Blogging Platform To Make Money?
As I mentioned before, the blogging platform you choose largely depends on the way you plan on monetizing. If you’re interested more in blogging, I highly recommend the Blog Growth Engine Review.
Here are the best blogging platforms to make money in 2020:
Best Blogging Platforms: Cost Options
Best Blogging Platforms: Free Options
1. WordPress.Org
Best Blogging Platform Overall To Make the Most Money
WordPress.org (a content management system) is a fancy software that enables you to create a website or blog from scratch. It’s hands-down the most popular platform available, being used by millions of people around the world.
WordPress.org is a powerful tool that gives you total control over your website or blog. You can choose from thousands of themes and plugins, and you can make any changes you like without having to ask permission from anyone.
In aspects of monetizing, it’s the ultimate platform for your blogging career. You can sell advertising space, sell products or services, or digital assets.
Why Do I Keep Specifically Writing WordPress.Org?
Well, this often comes with a bit of confusion. WordPress.org and WordPress.com ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS. Do NOT get the wrong one! I did this by accident, and it was an absolute nightmare to sort out and fix.
- WordPress.org: The one you want. The one everyone uses. Think of this more as a “software” you use to build your online business.
- WordPress.com: A web hosting and website builder. Much more limited in functions, NOT usually the one you want.
How Do I Sign Up For WordPress.org?
Like I mentioned before, WordPress.org is a software, but you still need someone to host your website (aka put it on the internet for you; think of this as a book. You can “write” the book, but unless you market it, the book just sits on your nightstand table).
Now, this is not a blog about the best web hosting. So I’ll make it easy for you. If you’re looking for who to host through, you can certainly do your research and find lots of popular options like Bluehost, Host Gator, or WPX.
If you have zero knowledge of websites, and how they work, and you have no desire to learn that information then WPX is for you. It’s what I personally use, and WPX customer service is just outrageously awesome. Whenever I can’t figure out how to do something (like how to connect by Google Analytics for one), I simply message their chatbox, and they do it all for me. It’s a bit more pricey, but 100% worth the money.
Going back to WordPress.Org with WPX Hosting, here are some of the best features:
The Not-So-Great
How You Can Monetize
How To Get Started
To get started, here’s what you need to do:
- Choose your Webhost that includes WordPress.org. If you don’t want to do the research, then just go with WPX or Bluehost. WPX is the best for beginner bloggers that need technical help but Bluehost works just as great at a much more affordable cost.
- Purchase your domain name.
- Install WordPress (it’s a software, but you can also access it by doing www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin
- Choose your theme. This is the design of your blog. You can either use a free one or purchase a premium theme. I recommend using a free one to start because you can always upgrade later on.
- Install essential plugins. I recommend starting with an SEO plugin, security plugin, and email capture plugin.
- Start creating content.
Pricing
As I mentioned before, you’ll pay for hosting which will include access to WordPress.org. WPX will be more expensive, but you’ll get customer support.
VERDICT
A WordPress site is undoubtedly one of the most popular and best blogging platforms to make money due to the sheer amount of control and flexibility it gives you. You’re going to have a learning curve to get through, but it’s worth it in the end.
2. Shopify
Best for Bloggers With an Online Store
Alright, so I know I’ve sung the praises of WordPress.org and WPX, but what if you’re goal with blogging is to promote selling a physical and digital product? Although WordPress remains an option, it’s much more technically challenging to develop the E-commerce side without help.
That’s where Shopify really shines: it’s a great website builder for bloggers that want an easy way to build an online store. This is a self-hosted blogging platform, so you don’t need to worry about that. You can even bring in your own custom domain.
With Shopify, you get these great features:
Shopify also has some not-so-great features:
How To Set Up Shopify
- Setting up a Shopify site is pretty painless because they have built it for users with no tech experience.
- Design your website using their custom themes and design options.
- Once you have your Shopify store up and ready, click “Create Blog Post” and get writing.
- Write posts that demonstrate your expertise in your niche and help bring traffic to your site.
Pricing
There is a free trial to see if Shopify is the best option for you.
VERDICT
If you’re utilizing blogging to bring traffic to help sell your products, then Shopify is the best blogging platform to make money with eCommerce.
3. Wix
Best Blogging Platform for Bloggers Promoting a Business
Wix is another website-building platform that allows you to create a website without having to code anything. It’s great for bloggers that want an easy way to create a stunning blog without any technical know-how.
You can create a beautiful website in an afternoon with Wix, and there are tons of templates to choose from to make your site look very professional.
Some of the great features of Wix are:
Some Things To Keep In Mind With Wix
How To Set Up A Wix Site
- Sign up
- Follow the prompts to choose your theme and design. Make sure you choose one that has a blogging option.
- Start creating (it’s really that easy!)
Pricing
Wix is reasonably priced, considering that you get a domain name, the website builder, and it’s already hosted. You basically get an all-in-one package.
VERDICT
Wix would be an ideal site for a blogger that has their own business such as coaching or consulting that wanted to blog about their niche and gain traffic to their business. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be the best monetizing option.
4. Squarespace
Best For Bloggers That Want Easy Set-Up
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard of Squarespace. You may even have considered using it to create a website or blog. But what is Squarespace, and why should you consider using it?
Squarespace is a popular platform for creating websites and blogs. It’s simple to use, and it provides a wide range of features to help you create a professional-looking website or blog.
Like Wix, this is an all-in-one platform where hosting is included.
Things I like about Squarespace
Setbacks with Squarespace
Pricing
Their pricing is very reasonable for everything you get, with their popular plan at $23 a month.
VERDICT
Squarespace is a great platform that combines web hosting, domain, and ease of use all in one bundle. If you’re a blogger that’s doing it to make money by increasing traffic to your podcast, then it may be a good fit for you.
5. Medium
Best Free Blogging Platform for Some Extra Cash
Medium is a website that allows users to write articles and share them with the world. It’s great for bloggers who want to get their content out there, and it’s also a great way to build an audience for your blog.
It has a few things going for it:
Outside of that, you’re not going to make much money with this.
How To Set It Up:
- Set up an account on Medium
- Hit the “Write” button, add your title, and create your post.
- Publish your post.
- Become a Medium Partner, where you can add their ads which will pay you depending on how much traffic a post receives.
Pricing: Free
VERDICT
Medium is an easy blogging platform and you can make some extra cash to do something you enjoy. But don’t expect it to be much money. I’m talking maybe enough to pay a nice dinner once in a while.
6. WordPress.com
Best Free Blogging Platform for Your Own Domain
Remember how I told you not to get confused with WordPress.com and WordPress.org? Well, this is why. WordPress.com has a popular free option.
WordPress.Org is an open-access software, but WordPress.com is actually a web hosting service to help you build a website. So you don’t need to purchase outside hosting like WPX or Bluehost.
I created this one once by accident. Here’s what I can tell you.
But, you lose a lot of WordPress functionality.
Pricing: Free, but you can upgrade.
VERDICT
WordPress.com may be a great choice if you want to get started with WordPress for free. But ultimately, you’ll want to migrate over to WordPress.org
Comparison Table
| Free? | Webhosting Included | Store Option | |
| WordPress.Org | WordPress.com free option | No | Plug-in |
| Shopify | 14-day Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Wix | No | Yes | Yes |
| Medium | Yes | Yes | No |
| SquareSpace | No | Yes | Yes |
What is a Blogging Platform?
What a Blogging Platform Is…
A blogging platform is software that allows you to create and manage your blog. It includes everything from the design of your blog to the backend management and security.
A blogging platform is important because it makes it easy for you to create and manage your blog with a friendly user face. The software will take care of the technical components of running a blog so that you can focus on creating content and driving traffic.
What a Blogging Platform Isn’t…
A blogging platform is not always a domain host or even a web host. This REALLY confused me in the beginning, so I’m hoping to spare some of you of the huge confusion I had.
Here are some basic terms to know:
- Domain Host: A domain host is where you buy your domain name (ex. bloggerjet.com). They are NOT where you build your blog. You can buy your domain from a number of places (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.), but it has nothing to do with the platform you use to build your blog.
- Domain: Your domain is your internet address like SamanthaBrandon.com.
- Web Hosting: Web hosting is where you store all the files and data for your website. A platform will sometimes offer web hosting services, but not always. AND THIS IS WHERE IT GETS SO CONFUSING. Think of it this way. Your web hosting platform is responsible for finding and putting your website ON THE INTERNET. It’s like putting your product on the shelf at a store.
- Blogging Platform or Software: Now this is what we discuss when we mean different types of software. This is what you use to actually build your site, without having to have all the technical coding jargon you need on the back-end.
So, Do I Need to Buy Both a Domain Host + Web Host + Blogging Platform?
The answer, unfortunately, is it depends.
The same goes for web hosting. Some platforms do both: They offer web hosting services (which means they put it on the internet for you) AND have software to build a website. Examples of this would be Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace.
For other platforms, you have to choose a Web Host, but then they are partnered with software like WordPress that comes in a bundle.
The same goes when picking a domain host. Some platforms will give you the option to buy your domain name through them while others don’t.
Okay, I’m still confused.
Alright, well if this is getting too technical for you, then you may need to choose a blogging platform that does everything for you. BUT, I HIGHLY recommend you start learning the jargon if you’re planning on monetizing from your blog.
Remember, blogging is a business. So there’s going to be a steep learning curve when learning the online world. But I promise it gets much easier.
What Are the Different Ways To Monetize From a Blog?
There are a few ways to monetize from a blog, but I’m going to give you a breakdown of the most popular ways.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is marketing someone else’s products or services and gaining commissions from them. For example, if you are an Amazon Affiliate, then you can recommend products on your blog and if someone clicks on your link and buys the product, you earn a commission from it.
This is a great way to monetize because you don’t have to create or ship anything. All you need to do is find products that you love and share them with your audience.
I’m a fan of affiliate marketing because it’s passive income. If this is for you, then I highly recommend joining Adam Enfroy’s Blog Growth Engine. It gave me a start and is a perfect course if you’re a newbie like I was at the time. He goes through all of the SEO tools you need to make money with your own blog.
Selling Products
Selling digital products is quite honestly one of the best ways to sell your own product. It’s hands down much better than selling a physical product because you don’t get all the overhead costs of shipping, physical items, and inventory management. But both can be profitable businesses nonetheless.
So you may be wondering why we’re discussing blogging with selling products. If you look around at things you’ve purchased, you’ll notice nearly all of them will have blogging platforms. And that’s because a blog is a great way to drive traffic to your product. Whether you’re writing an informational blog post within your niche or coming up with ideas on how to use your product, all of them help promote your product.
Selling a Course
People are always ready to learn how to do new things. They’re willing to spend money on a course that can teach them how to do it better, faster, or in a new way.
That’s where you can create a course and monetize from it.
Courses can be in any format, but typically are a video series. The key is that it’s helpful and people will be willing to pay for it.
Selling Services
Are you looking to coach, consult, or offer a service? If so, then blogging is a great way to get your name out there. Writing about current events in your industry not only shows you’re an expert, but it’s a great way to market your services and get you’re name out there when someone is using a search engine to find a service that you offer.
Advertisements
Honestly, I’m not going to say much about this one. Unless your Forbe’s, it doesn’t bring a ton of money in. But, it is a way to monetize.
I will point out that if you’re going to run ads, make sure they’re placed well and don’t disrupt the flow of your content. Nothing is more annoying than a pop-up or an ad in the middle of an article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What blogging platform is the most profitable?
If you’re looking to bring home a nice income, work remotely, and do this through a blogging platform, then typically my answer is WordPress, and in my opinion with WPX hosting.
Now, this doesn’t mean this is the easiest option by any means. There’s quite the learning curve. But it will be worth it in the long run as you’ll have more control over your website and blog.
In order to profit off of a blog with a stable and consistent income stream, then you need to choose a blogging platform that will allow you to customize your site as your business grows. There are so many proven methods to make money blogging, that I believe that it’s best to make the investment upfront, rather then having to rewrite and rework everything in 6 to 12 months from now.
Can I get away with using free blogging platforms?
The short answer? No.
If you’ve figured out how to monetize great income on a free platform, then you should stop reading this article because you clearly have figured out something that I haven’t.
But in all seriousness, the answer is no.
If you’re looking to make money from your blog, then you need to treat it like a business. That means making an investment.
And that my friend, is why you need a platform capable of adding plug-ins, tracking affiliates, security, and TOTAL control over your own business.
How can I make $1000 a month blogging?
Of course. You can make $100,000 a month blogging. Your success is entirely up to you and your ability to stay motivated, consistent, and act as the CEO of your own company.
To be honest, many bloggers with the right strategy can easily hit the six-figure mark, and savvy business bloggers can even make it to the seven figure-mark.
What about blogging on free social media platforms?
There are many other free blogging platforms out there such as Tumblr or even Linked-in. But the focus of this article is blogging to make money, and I don’t find those are very effective ways of generating income.
