New to SITS? Welcome!! Go read this to get started.
Welcome to the weekly blogging tip and comment game! This week I’m talking about the pros and cons of moving from Blogger to WordPress.
Since SITS changed blogging platforms from Blogger to WordPress last week, I’ve received lots of tweets and emails asking, “Why?” Today I present to you the Top 10 Reasons to Move to WordPress:
- Plugins. There are hundreds of thousands of plugins (similar to gadgets/widgets) that enhance WordPress. They are free and do all kinds of fun and useful things. You have already seen the “Comment Luv” and “TwitterLink” plugins in the comments here at SITS. There are plugins that share your content on social networking sites, track clicks on outbound links, display a welcome message and ask visitors to subscribe to your blog, automatically tweet your posts, show the weather in your sidebar… ah, so much fun. If someone would give me a full time job testing plugins, I’d be in heaven. Plugins rock.
- Thousands of theme options. You can find tons of beautiful free themes (designs) for your WordPress blog. Just upload and activate.
- Commenting is easier and better. Is anyone else really annoyed by the Blogger commenting system? There’s a pop-up window (sometimes two), then after you enter your comment you get that “are you sure you want to navigate away from this page?” alert. ARGH. With WordPress, just enter your name, email, URL and comment. And you’ve got a link directly to your blog – not your Google/Blogger profile. Not to mention all the cool plugins you can install to give your commenters extra link love.
- Static Pages. For permanent, important information such as advertising, policies, “about” or “contact” pages, you can set up “pages” on WordPress, which are different than “posts.” Pages are easily linked in a navigation bar or sidebar widget instead of being buried in your post archives, so they are easier to access and edit. They also have simpler/more professional URLs.
- Professionalism. If you have a product, store, or service, WordPress is the way to go. You have more options in terms of organizing and categorizing your posts, pages and other content, as well as more options for your home page display. WordPress can be set to show a featured post/image or a static page for your home page instead of a “list of posts.”
- Spam control. Forget about that “captcha” word verification. WordPress comes with the fantastic Akismet plugin to control your spam. You have full control over what type of comments are held in moderation — comments with more than 3 links, comments that include certain words (gambling, sex, etc), or comments from specific IP addresses.
- SEO. You can install a theme that is specifically designed for search engine optimization (SEO) and/or there are many plugins that also help you specify title tags, meta tags and other options that will help your blog rank higher and be seen by more people. On WordPress’s dashboard there is a section that lists every blog that has linked to you recently. It’s a great “at-a-glance” way to quickly see who is talking about your blog.
- It’s not hard and you won’t lose your permalinks or posts. Creating a post is no harder in WordPress than in Blogger. You do need a little bit of tech knowledge to buy a domain and web hosting, but most people have no problem. You might need some assistance importing your Blogger blog to WordPress and making sure all your permalinks still work. If you have a HUGE blog with TONS of comments, there is a chance you might lose some comments. But most blogs import all posts and comments smoothly.
- Superior Support. Because WordPress is so popular and used by many professional bloggers, designers and programmers, the support forums are incredible. WordPress’s tutorials are also excellent.
- Full control and statistics. OK, this is really two things. Yes, you can gets stats from sites like Sitemeter and Google Analytics, but WordPress offers you a complete stat package built in. And you don’t ever have to worry about Google deleting your blog. You own it. WordPress also makes it really easy to backup all your posts and data.
The cons? Well, there is a cost. You need to buy a domain name ($10/yr) and hosting (~$9/month). And if you are completely techno-phobic, you may need to hire a designer if you want a highly customized design (although this is also true with Blogger).
I hope I’ve given you some insight as to the power of WordPress. Let me know if you have any questions!
Now, let’s play a game! Here are the rules for the SITS Saturday Sharefest:
- Leave a comment here with a link to one of your best blog posts (or just your main URL if you prefer).
- After you leave your comment, visit the link of the person who commented BEFORE you.
- Comment on their post and be sure to say “Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest” in your comment.
Now, go leave some comments! And please visit my new blog – Mom, Reinvented. I’ve got some great giveaways going on!
SITS Girls Twitter Party this Monday- no brands, just us connecting! Here is the info.
Want to subscribe to SITS and get an email each time we post? Just click here.
And, as always, when you see this:
LEAVE A COMMENT.
Well, you scared me a little talking about Google deleting my blog! Don’t do that!! haha
Great move for yall! I like blogger ok for me, I’m not a big company or anything, just writing. I do have a domain name though incase I ever decide to switch. I think some blog designers do a great job of making blogger blogs look great!
.-= Future Mama´s last post: Nursery Shopping =-.
It’s nice to have options and also a plan for smart growth. I’m not suprised you made the change.
http://www.spotonyourpants.com/2009/11/writers-blog.html
http://www.honeybeebzz.blogspot.com/
Check out the stuff I have been working on lately!
Everything looks great! But I am happy with Blogger. Really…I don’t like change:)
.-= Vickie´s last post: Christmas Card Ornament =-.
I’ve tried both wordpress and blogger. I like a lot about WP better, but I like how easy it is to put pictures in my posts in blogger w/o that whole “gallery” thing that’s in wp.
I’m new to SITS, so I’m hoping to find more fun blogs to read through here!
.-= Jessie Stimpson´s last post: DIY Rainbow Crayons =-.
Interesting information on WordPress. Thanks for sharing your list with us!
Here’s a link to a recent post that poses the question “Where women really happier in the good old days & where the good old days really as we remember them?” No answers, just discussion & questions…
http://samsstuff-samsstuff.blogspot.com/2009/09/other-day-i-read-random-fact-somewhere.html
Or just stop by, have a look around & say hi! See ya soon!
.-= Shelley ´s last post: Cold Days & Warm Scarves =-.
Hmmm .. definitely gives me something to think about. But it made my brain hurt just reading about switching ….
I MUCH prefer Blogger but thanks for the run down. Hope everyone is having a super Saturday evening.
HAPPY SATURDAY SHAREFEST!
Teresa <
.-= Teresa @ ♥ Too Many Heartbeats ♥´s last post: FALL INTO COMFORT GIVEAWAY! =-.
Late to the party but happy saturday everyone!!!
Jeanine
http://knit1maxtoo.blogspot.com/
.-= Jeanine´s last post: No more softball!!! Until next season! =-.
I made the switch to WordPress in May and I haven’t looked back since… I liked Blogger, but I love the freedom of WP
.-= Michaela´s last post: Hallmark Card Winner =-.
Happy Saturday Night Sharefest! I have been gone all day!I am new to blogging so I am still happy with blogger! Stop by!
.-= Twincerly,Olga´s last post: ALoHa FRiDaY!!! =-.
it’s all good – congrats on the move. commenting is DEF easier. i’m always either super early or super late, so now it’s REALLY easy to find the person in front of me, coz i ALWAYS go say hi!!!
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!! Hope everyone’s weekend is great!!
Aw Shannon, you’re killing me! Just when I had decided to just leave my darn blog alone, exactly as it is .blogspot and all, you tell me about all this great stuff that I can do in Word Press.
Oh man, decisions, decisions. I’m like you, I love all the shiny new toys, but my blog is too precious. I wouldn’t dream of trying to do a conversion like this on my own, not if there’s a chance I could screw it up royally. Some things are better left to professionals. That’s why I don’t cut my own hair, sell my own house, or do my own taxes. So if I do make the big move, I’ll be asking for some names….
We have 2 big things for November. A great giveaway for 5 personalized stockings & a campaign to “Dress A Girl Around The World” come check it out!
.-= Captive Illusions´s last post: Dress A Girl Around The World Campaign =-.
I’ve been thinking about moving to WordPress, I really should look into it now! You make it sound fabulous!!
http://www.craftygirlblog.com
.-= Jeni´s last post: Mason Jar Cupcakes =-.
Check it out!
http://www.ineedprettythings.com/2009-hostess-gift-guide/
yours truly,
Lady Lex
just when I get used to something…it changes. So is life
http://www.thedapperdarling.blogspot.com
I guess I found you at the right time, then! I’m a wordpress junkie! (and now to research all the plugins…got any suggestions for the best ones? I’d love to share comment love with my commenters!)
.-= Peggy´s last post: Ditch the Control Factor =-.
Hello! I’ve just discovered your blog but I love it! I have been toying with the idea of migrating to wordpress (I even bought myself hosting) but from what I’ve read, it can be quite difficult! Will you post a step-by-step guide?
I’m an American expat in Paris who blogs about food, life, love & struggles in France. Come check out my blog, Lost In Cheeseland!
Recent post: http://www.lostincheeseland.com/2009/11/not-quite-french.html
Well, Happy Saturday a day late, and happy Sunday today! Here’s a funny story about one of our turkeys…
Kerri
http://sickofmg.blogspot.com/2009/07/another-turkey-tale-not-gross.html
.-= Kerri´s last post: MG and Homeschooling….How interesting! =-.
Thanks a lot for well written post. But I had trouble navigating through your site as I kept getting 502 bad gateway error. Just thought to let you know.
Happy Saturday…I mean, Sunday. I am late but thought I would check in anyway.
.-= holly L´s last post: Mythical Mondays =-.
Boy I loose my internet for a week and all kinds of things change. I couldn’t figure out why you were not showing up in my reader. All fixed now!
Of course, I love wordpress, so I think it’s an awesome move!
.-= Kristal´s last post: 365-318 =-.
Hope everyone has a wonderful week!
.-= Sharon´s last post: WhooHoo Another Award =-.
Hm… food for thought for sure.
.-= tattytiara´s last post: You write the title. My fingers are resting. =-.
I fully agree with the wordpress over blogger idea – I started off on Blogger, moved to WordPress, then moved to self-hosting, and I haven’t looked back. I LOVE IT!
My current -best-post is here: http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?p=245
All of my posts are awesome, but here’s a recent fave.
http://www.handbagsandhandguns.com/2009/11/talk-of-tinseltown-aerosmith-butt.html
.-= hotpants™´s last post: Not Me Monday #4 =-.
Aww you beat me to it. I was gonna write a post like this. I’ll just link to yours then
.-= Jenny´s last post: Victory is MINE!! =-.
Wow!
One best reason in comparison to blogspot and free wordpress blog is we will be our own boss with self hosted wordpress blog.
.-= Harsh Agrawal´s last post: WordPress Security Tip : Avoid Using admin as username =-.
I totally agree with everything you’ve said. WordPress rocks.
.-= Andrew @ WeBuildYourBlog.com´s last post: Your product does not have to be perfect =-.
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This is a great article! Thanks for sharing. Makes me feel good about being a WordPress Blogger. Read my latest from the Teedra Moses Show in DC http://totallifeprosperityblog.com/2009/11/14/teedra-moses-live-at-club-liv-dc/
I totally agree with everything you’ve said. WordPress is the best.
I continually rea blogs in similar issue, but I never visited your blog. bookmarked and i’ll be your determined reader. Thanks
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–>I’m stuck in Blogger although the temptation to switch is there.
http://www.WebSavyMom.com
Here I took your advice, and joined wordpress…so far so good…
.-= Michelle´s last post: The Ideal Cocktail =-.
hi…
nice article
.-= gooddevi´s last post: How To Watch Free Tv Shows And Free Movies Online =-.
Thats Great guys if you need any tips or tricks check out my site
.-= Weight Loss Tricks´s last post: 101 tips to lose weight quickly =-.
I totally agree. I switched my blogs from blogger to wordpress and I do not regret it at all. I’m a big analytic, so I love the fact that I can actually see which blogs have gained the most interest and what my peak days are. I am technically challenged a little, but it was indeed easier to create pages and tie in all of my links. I even love the way you can schedule your blogs for later. It also was easier for people to subscribe to my blog. It’s one decision I don’t think I will ever regret making.
I am in the process of moving my website to WordPress but never thought of doing it for my blog as well – thanks for all the great tips. Looks like I will be moving all the WordPress very soon.Thanks!
Shaynna
http://shaynnablaze.blogspot.com/2010/05/circle-designex-awards-winners.html
ShaynnaB recently posted..BEECHWORTH- NED KELLY & BEN COUSINS – SUCH IS LIFE
This has been such an informative read for me this morning. I am on blogger… have a domain name… and have pondered on what to do next. I know I have to find a host… and that’s where I am stuck! LOL! I have also read that once you leave blogger and move to wp… there was no looking back. I am pretty savvy, and if I don’t know something.. I look it up. so this is where I sit.. to leave blogger or not… hmmm. that is the question!
Carla Karam recently posted..Post 9 / Day 51 ~ Taking 10,000 Steps