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.
I am new here and super exited to check out all of your blogs. Stop by mine as well and let me know what you think. For now, I am with Blogger, but this is good information about WordPress!
http://salsapie.blogspot.com/
.-= Caroline´s last post: Mixing Old and New: Part Two =-.
I love the new wordpress format and may have to consider a future switch myself! Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest ~ yet another reason I look forward to Saturdays!
Please enjoy some of my pumpkin inspired posts:
For pumpkin Whoopie Pies: http://tinyurl.com/ygjfauh
For Pumpkin Butter: http://tinyurl.com/yfhvfhc
For Pumpkin Pie Ic Cream: http://tinyurl.com/yj64swz
Lastly, for a Savory Stuffed Pumpkin: http://tinyurl.com/ygnd8on
Bon Appetit!
.-= Jenn Erickson/Rook No. 17´s last post: PUMPKIN WHOOPIE (!) PIES WITH CREAM CHEESE VANILLA BEAN FILLING =-.
Saturday greetings!!
Happy Saturday everyone!
I totally agree! I made the switch to WordPress & I love it! It’s a lot more user friendly than Blogger!
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest (say that fast 5 times!). Come by and visit ya’ll. Make it a great escape today!
Do you have BOCD? http://www.middayescapades.com/2009/11/do-you-have-bocd.html
Twitter: littlebgcg
says:
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest! Hope everyone is having a good weekend so far…it’s rainy where I am so it’s the perfect day for staying in and catching up!
littlebgcg.blogspot.com
Happy Saturday Everyone! Hope you all have a great weekend!
I am planning my big move from blogger to wordpress already.
Thanks for sharing the wonderful info.
http://dialoguewithyou.blogspot.com/2009/10/train-at-620-pm.html
Happy weekend everyone
http://dialoguewithyou.blogspot.com/2009/08/should-there-be-no-such-thing-as-online.html
Cheers!!
.-= Chatterbox´s last post: 55 Fiction: The last words =-.
Happy Saturday! Off to work now!
.-= cristin´s last post: FYF: MWOB Feature! =-.
Hey Ladies! Hope you are all having a fabulous Saturday!
good afternoon ladies!
thanks for all the info on wordpress… i’m very interested in switching now. maybe i’ll wait until i start my new business blog.
Happy Saturday everyone! Having a fun day shopping at garage sales and do some work on my craft room! Come on by and visit my blog! Here’s a link to one of my newer posts on “shopping” your own home!
.-= Kristin´s last post: "Shopping" Around Your Home! =-.
oops! here’s the post i want to share: http://www.closetocomplete.com/2009/10/drive-ode-to-autumn.html
Happy Saturday ladies!
.-= blueviolet´s last post: Purple Pig Shirts =-.
I wanted to direct you to a fun post I have, not just my most recent one on “No-Sew Curtains.” Happy reading!!
http://www.mysweetheartmoments.com/2009/11/fun-with-fabric-no-sew-curtains.html
.-= Kristin´s last post: "Shopping" Around Your Home! =-.
Thank you so much for posting those 10 reasons – you almost convinced me, until I got to the $9/mo piece. UGh. Probably worth it. I already own my own URL(s) so that piece isn’t a big deal… hmm…. I tried to make my blogger page as professional as I could, but maybe I’ve hit my ceiling. Would love anyone’s input on that.
My latest favorite post is my Top 10 Womens Gifts for the Holidays -
http://www.themarketingmama.com/2009/11/top-10-womens-gifts-for-holidays.html
Happy Saturday everyone!
.-= Missy @ The Marketing Mama´s last post: How to make money blogging: featured in article =-.
Hi everyone! Hope you are all having a great Saturday!
You know what? I totally like the new SITS wordpress blog. It’s much cleaner, organized and professional than before. And I totally get the reasons. In my personal opinion, if you want something free (hosting, domain etc.) stick to Blogger. But if you plan to monetize your blog at some point at the future or have a tech based niche, WordPress is wayy better. BTW, wordpress.com is different than wordpress.org. The first one is their free, which is basically worse than Blogger itself. If you want to use wordpress, be sure go to the latter site.
Cheers!
.-= Farah´s last post: Knot =-.
I have no money to throw at a blog… my husband barely tolerates the time I spend on what I have… if I paid money to do it… well, I’d probably get divorced! LOL! If I ever make money on my blog, I’ll do it then!
.-= AJ Collins´s last post: Silly Saturday – Disney’s Desperate Housewives =-.
ooh late today…better late than never I suppose!
~Cara
Good evening, ladies! Just posted about an “unintentional collection”. Come check it out
http://www.finewire.blogspot.com
Also, if you are interested in a new blog design, I would love to work with all of you!
http://www.onefineblogdesign.blogspot.com
Hope everyone’s having a great Saturday!
.-= Renee´s last post: The Saturday Photo Part I =-.
Happy Saturday!!!
.-= Samantha´s last post: Ten on Tuesday =-.
Happy Saturday everyone!
ooops here is my link
http://turtletraxtoo.blogspot.com/
It took me a whole freaking week to figure out what had happened, although I’m sure I was told and I just blacked out or something.
.-= Sara´s last post: Oof, that’s expensive. =-.
Wow, congratulations you guys! I wish I could fully understand the experience of switching from blogger to wordpress but I started on WP so I’ll just have to take your word for it.
I was curious though where the WP stats pages are? Currently I use google analytics, but I’d love to check out WP’s as well.
Congratulations again!
Twitter: PhotogCynthia
says:
Hope you all are having a great weekend. I am hanging out with my good friends Tricia and Susan. We took a walk to the farmer’s market this morning. Here are a few iPhone polaroids from that walk.
http://www.ashimmyinmyspirit.com/2009/11/todays-iphone-polaroid_14.html
.-= Cynthia At A Shimmy In My Spirit´s last post: Today’s iPhone Polaroid =-.
K, I’m not sure why commentluv didn’t link back to my last post. Is it because I entered my twitter account?
Anywho, here it is: Holiday Hostess Gifts: 10 Great Gift Ideas
http://www.ineedprettythings.com/2009-hostess-gift-guide/
Oh Lord I’ve been away too long.
Thank God you look the same.
I love the comment luv.
Happy Saturday.
.-= Dee´s last post: Turn Him into a Cover Guy =-.
Looks like the transition to WP went well. I am a Blogger girl and I think I will stay that way — I just don’t want to have to pay a monthly fee and all. I love blogging but our budget is too tight.
.-= Natalie´s last post: Swiss illusion =-.
We had fabulous weather here today! Hope everyone is having a super weekend
Happy Saturday all! My little girl looked so cute for the first time in her winter coat today! We got snow!!!!
Wow — great post. Thanks!
Wow — great post. Thanks!
Wow — great post. Thanks!
Wow — great post. Thanks!
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!
Here’s one of my fave entries:
http://cupofdelight.blogspot.com/search/label/Wedding
Now, I am going o visit person above me. I follow directions! Well, sometimes.
.-= April´s last post: Fashion Fridays: Guest Blog =-.
Sorry, but respectfully, almost everything you mentioned here I have been able to accomplish with blogger without having to re-learn a new blogging system. All it takes is a little research, and a little toying with CSS. Plus, there are now many programs, like commenting programs that work with Blogger. Also you mentioned the pop-up box while commenting. That can be turned off and so can the “capcha” feature. I recently bought the Thesis theme (I already had hosting and a domain) and even Thesis I found so cumbersome that I asked for a refund (and it’s billed as the easiest out there). By the way, I’m a certified computer technician and self-taught in CSS. WP might be easy to get up and running but if you want to do any unique designing to your blog it takes loads of time to learn how to edit the stylesheets, that is after you find them! There are a lot of WP blogs out there that look virtually the same. And I’m not worried about losing my blog because I back up my template often and I own my domain name.
If you want to see what can be done with Blogger, check out my blog. This is a work in progress. I know have a menu bar with static pages, a blog footer, and I’m researching how to load a featured post slideshow like the one you see on the Revolution WP theme.
http://www.smittenbybritain.com
I forgot to mention that CommenLUV works on Blogger too.
Wow, first time I have ever visitied your site and what a good day to visit on! I love this sharefest idea. Especially as I’m just learning how to customise my baby of a blog, and it looks like Smitten by britain above me might have some great tips. Off to check it out now.
See you again soon I’m sure!
http://everylastdropofme.blogspot.com/
.-= Lise´s last post: On my bedside table right now =-.
HAPPY SATURDAY SHAREFEST!!
I’ve been overwhelmed by how overwhelmed I have been! But now i have The List!!
OK Lise, I’m coming to say hi!
Amanda
x
.-= Amanda´s last post: The List. =-.
Been under the weather. hope you enjoy reading this.
http://tnstayinthecarmom.blogspot.com/2009/11/boys-will-be-boys.html
Well, not to be a “Debbie Downer” or “Negative Nancy” about the whole move, but I like checking blogs on my dashboard in blogger, can’t do that when a blog switches from blogger…it’s also kinda annoying when you get used to a blog being on blogger and following that way, just saying.
.-= Kathie´s last post: You must be joking Net Find =-.
Happy Saturday Sharefest! http://thishumanscondition.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/wwtcwad/
Hi ladies! Happy Saturday!
.-= Miranda´s last post: "Look at you, you have a baby…In a bar!" =-.
Woo! Happy saturday sharefest!!
http://youthinkyoucanblog.wordpress.com
.-= Angelia´s last post: I wanna Rock! =-.
Happy SITS Saturday!
Sweet dreams, y’all.
.-= deb´s last post: Big Girl Boots =-.
Having had both wordpress and blogger blogs, I have to say I find blogger much easier to deal with, but miss the functionality of wordpress.
Here’s my link, if anyone still around to read it:
http://www.amberpagewrites.com/2009/11/owning-my-beauty.html
.-= amber´s last post: Banishing the Baby Belly: Week 9 =-.
Sounds like it was a good move for you guys!
Hope everyone is having a great saturday.
I like the new layout! Your reasons are sound.
Happy Saturday All~ I hope everyone is resting up for the holidays.
.-= Morgan´s last post: Money Saving Suggestions – Aren’t those the best kind of suggestions?! =-.