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I mentioned in the previous blog post that I'm considering moving my blog. While I currently self-host with HostGator, a really reliable webhost that I would highly recommend, I don't think my blog gets enough use to pay almost $11 per month upkeep. Also, though it has it's perks, self-hosted is a lot more work than hosting with Blogger or on WordPress.com. So, I'm considering a short move. I'd still have the same domain name, but my site would be housed somewhere else. I'm a little bit uncertain about the logistics, especially considering I have so many pictures, but it may be worth a shot.
So, in the interest of find a potential new home, I've been toying with the pros and cons of both Wordpress and Blogger, and I can't decide. Both are good platforms, each with some pretty strong negatives. And you know I always feel out the negatives first thing. So here's what they're looking like...
The Cons:
- WordPress has gotten ugly--Without the ability to buy custom themes (unless you pay an arm and a leg for customization options), the free themes at Wordpress.com are not at all my style. I like pretty and none of them are pretty. They're all utility and no glitz. Though there are a very few feminine options, they're not enough to keep me going considering I like to move the virtual furniture more often than most people.
- WordPress has zero customization--Though a few of their themes allow you to customize the header or the colors, the inability to customize (again, as above) is a big drawback considering their competitor has complete (and completely free) customization.
- Blogger has a less inclusive community--One of the amazing things about WordPress is the community. People find you without much work and the reblog feature is awesome. Blogger is missing out on that element. This is a pretty big deal, but I can't decide if it's a deal breaker.
- Blogger handles pictures like crap--While WordPress allows for some pretty elegant image imbedding, Blogger still hasn't quite gotten the hang of it. Try posting two pictures beside one another, or changing the imagine size, or the amount of space between images... it's ludicrous how clumsy it is.
The Pros:
- WordPress Reblog--The ability to repost something others have said with the click of a button is pretty amazing. I absolutely love it. Add to that a pretty rad community and WordPress is pretty neat.
- WordPress has a very user-friendly interface/dashboard--Blogger's doesn't look or move quite as well, though it does get the job done. WordPress, on the other hand, almost makes up for their crappy theme options with a really swift and lovely user interface.
- WordPress security--WordPress.com has apparently doubled down on security and now have an authenticator for logging in. I like this, it makes it harder (if not impossible, to hack my account). Also, WordPress has Akismet, a tool for preventing spam and Blogger doesn't.
- Blogger allows full customization--I cannot express what a huge deal this is. While you can go out and buy some amazing themes, or build your own amazing looking theme, with Blogger, the same simply cannot be said for WordPress.com. Customization is king--right beside words, of course.
- Blogger is powered by Google--This is a big deal. It means it's linked to my Google account, Google+, and other Google web tools that WordPress doesn't have.
- Blogger doesn't nickel and dime you--This may seem like a small thing, but if you want any customization at WordPress.com, you have to pay through the nose for it. Any kind of customization costs. Want a nicer theme? $75 please. Want to customize colors? $30 please. It's pretty gross, considering, again, that their competition charges $0 for the same features.
Okay, so you see my dilemma. I can't decide which of these cons are worse, nor which of the pros are best. Until I can suss this out, I guess I'm not really going anywhere. Though I'm thinking I should decide soon as my web hosting fee will come due in about two weeks. That should be enough time, right? Um, maybe.
Help me out here?! Please!
