Why WordPress is my favorite blogging software
In honor of WordCamp Birmingham, starting Saturday …
I used Blogger when I was at the Birmingham Post-Herald developing a blogging solution for the newspaper. I used Typepad when I was at Southern Living magazine for our corporate blogs. I’ve just recently started using Posterous for a side project.
They’re all essentially the same.
Except … they’re not.
I was fortunate. When I started my blog Wade on Birmingham in 2005, I had no clue what I was doing. But my friend helped me get started on WordPress (and he knew little about the platform as well).
But as I posted every day, I quickly learned how to maneuver the software quickly. Sure, I had my challenges (wrapping type correctly around images, modifying CSS), but hands down it is still the most professional blog platform out there.
I’ll admit it: I’m a little sad when I see someone set his site up on Blogger. It’s perfectly fine, and millions upon millions of good blogs live on Blogger.
But it’s not for me.
As open source software (anyone can look at it and modify it), WordPress allows for all sorts of great plug-ins and themes (many for free) that make your site better. If I want to add a retail store to my site, it takes one plug-in. Done. If I want to add an audio player to my site, it takes one plug-in. Done.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that easy for beginners to add this stuff and make it work. The learning curve can be a little steep, but the community of WordPress users is available to lend a hand.
And it’s free. You can use the hosted version on WordPress.com, meaning you don’t have to pay a dime for renting server space. (This site, Birmingham Blogging Academy, is on WordPress.com) Or you can download the software and host it on your own site. Meaning more control, more customization.
More freedom.
I think you can make a great site or blog on platform out there. But if you asked me to recommend just one, it would always be WordPress. Try it for yourself, and you’ll agree.
I’ll be presenting “Write and Wrong: A Framework for Ethical Blogging” at WordCamp Birmingham.
Birmingham Blogging Academy 
I agree, Wade. WordPress has worked great for me, and for someone who only started blogging about six months ago, I’ve actually been able to pick up the process quite quickly. So I would say that the learning curve isn’t too bad, and it helps to work with someone who can teach you all the tricks!
Glad to hear it. I don’t hear very often that people try WordPress and hate it or it doesn’t meet their needs.
I am considering moving The Intercultural Post to WordPress.
That’s great. I’d love to help, but I’ve never had to port from Blogger to WordPress.