How to Host a WordPress Blog with Agency Billing & WP Engine
When you’re deciding to launch a blog, one of the first considerations you’ll need to make is selecting the right platform. Even before you start creating content, you’ll need to consider which type of blogging software you want to use. Each platform is vastly different from the others which makes choosing a new one difficult. Having said that, let’s take a look at three blogging platforms that I believe are worth your consideration when creating your blog.
1. WordPress
WordPress was one of the first blogging platforms to gain popularity and it still remains a platform that many bloggers use because of its simplicity and flexibility. If you’ve never used WordPress before, I would suggest that you consider trying it out because it’s incredibly easy to use and set up. In fact, WordPress makes it so easy that anyone can even do it themselves without hiring an expert to help them. As a beginner, this is a major advantage because it means you’ll have someone to help you out if you ever get stuck. Even after you become more experienced, WordPress’ versatile nature makes it a useful platform for any type of blogging activity.
When it comes to choosing the right hosting plan for your WordPress blog, I would suggest that you go with the plus version of the platform simply because of its usefulness in terms of functionality. The more features that a platform has, the more complex it becomes and the more difficult it is to use. The basic version of WordPress is completely sufficient for a blog and you don’t need anything beyond that. If you’re curious about other hosting plans, I would suggest that you go with the plus version because it has so many additional features that you might find useful.
2. Squarespace
Squarespace is another blogging platform that makes it simple for anyone to create a professional-looking blog. It was originally designed to make it easy for non-techy people to set up and maintain a blog and that’s exactly what it has accomplished. Even better, Squarespace is completely free, which makes it a great option for anyone who is just getting started. Not only that, but you can use their simple drag-and-drop interface to simply add content to your blog.
The best part about Squarespace is that they provide you with a fully functioning blog in under ten minutes. Not only that, but you can also customize the appearance of your blog completely to suit your needs. There are so many great reasons why you should consider using Squarespace for your blog and the best part is that they offer a free trial so you can try it out before making a purchase decision.
3. Shopify
As the name suggests, Shopify is a platform that helps you sell your products online. While this might not seem like a direct application for a blog, it’s extremely useful for anyone who is wanting to make money online. You can use your blog to promote and sell your products, which in turn, can generate revenue online. If you’ve never marketed products online or launched a product yourself, this can be a completely new experience that will allow you to create and grow a business that you can be proud of.
When it comes to hosting a WordPress blog on Shopify, you’ll need to make sure that you’re signed up for their merchant program. This program allows you to connect your online store to your blog and they handle the sale of your products from your blog. The best part about the Shopify integration is that they handle the transaction, shipping and handling for you. So, if you’re looking for an all-in-one platform where you can create a blog and sell your products, Shopify is the way to go. They even have a separate app for product marketers who want to track the success of their online marketing campaigns.
No matter which type of blogging software you end up choosing, make sure that you’re aware of its limitations. Some platforms are better suited for certain types of blogs and won’t allow you to use certain types of content due to rules and guidelines that they have in place. Take some time to find out what the specific requirements are for the blog you’re considering launching.
When choosing a blogging platform, you should also consider the other aspects of running a blog. There are a variety of plugins and extensions that you can use to enhance the functionality of your blog. For instance, you can use the Jetpack plugin for WordPress to improve your blog’s load speed. What’s more, you can use the WP Super Cache plugin for the same purpose.
Ultimately, none of these three blogging platforms are bad choices and it comes down mainly to personal preference. It’s important to find a platform that you feel confident will be adequate for the type of content you want to put out. Having said that, if you’re looking for a flexible and simple platform to get your blog up and running quickly, I would suggest that you choose WordPress because it has countless plug-ins and extensions that allow you to fully customize its appearance to match your needs. Additionally, the community support for WordPress is phenomenal and you’ll most likely find the help you need with the platform.