Website building service comparison

At some point, you’ll find you need to create a website. The good news is many website builders offer free plans that will help you get started. To simplify your choice, we will take a closer look at four popular platforms: WordPress, Wix, Tumblr, Blogger.

Desktop by Elvin Lucero licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Powering over 42% of the web, WordPress is a leading website builder offering a basic freemium plan (WordPress, 2024a). This free plan gives users access to a wide range of pre-designed themes and patterns, making it easy to set up a website. However, free users are restricted to only 1 GB of storage and have limited design and customization options (WordPress, 2024b). Free users are unable to adjust the colours or font, reducing their ability to personalize and stand out. For those with a better understanding of code, WordPress provides more flexibility with its paid premium plans, allowing extensive customization, enhanced design features, increased storage and an add-free experience (WordPress, 2024b).

Users who are looking for greater customization will find Wix to be a better-suited platform. Unlike WordPress, Wix’s free services allows for extensive design freedom through its drag and drop technology. Users can adjust all design elements, including colours and fonts, making each webpage unique (WebsiteBuilderTips, 2024). Additionally, Wix suits users who have no prior web design skills by providing AI-assisted site creation. This free plan has similar drawbacks to WordPress, including the use of Wix ads, limited storage space of 500 MB and a Wix domain name (Wix, 2024).

In contrast to the more versatile customization options offered by Wix and WordPress, Tumblr and Blogger provide a more focused approach to blogging. Focusing more on multimedia content and social networking, Tumblr incorporates features that allow users to share and engage with their community. Unlike the other platforms that restrict data storage for free users, Tumblr allows users to post up to 250 times a day, making it ideal for those looking to express their creativity and connect with others (Tumblr Staff, 2024).

Similarly, Blogger offers a straightforward platform specifically designed for blogging. The platform is well suited for users with no prior web experiences who are looking for a simple way to share their thoughts, ideas and information. Blogger makes it easy for users to track their blog’s performance through the integration of Google Analytics and monetize content with Google AdSense (Main, 2024). Overall, Blogger is excellent for beginners looking to start blogging without the need for premium features.

Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your unique needs and circumstances, whether you are seeking extensive customization, easy of use or budget friendly options.

References

Main, K. (2024).  Blogger Review 2024: Features, Pros & Cons. Forbes Advisor.  https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/blogger-review/#:~:text=Because%20Blogger%20is%20owned%20by,their%20blog%20with%20banner%20ads

Tumblr. (2022). Tumblr Staff. Tumblr.com https://staff.tumblr.com/post/679620024471830528/hey-folks-we-have-increased-the-max-queue-size

WebsiteBuilderTips. (2024). Wix Review. WebsiteBuilderTips.com https://www.websitebuildertips.com/review/wix-review/?utm_campaign=ma_websitebuildertips_bi_wix_au^73196815332&experiment_id=1729774231^^391881513485^%2Bwix%20%2Boverview^b&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8MG1BhCoARIsAHxSiQlxLSYpFFZwJGD9viwoD6in8aMKo9ZnGKBV8hIas7yeQ4OmdJX6dkQaAhCaEALw_wcB

Wix. (2024). Free Web Hosting. Wix.com. https://www.wix.com/free/web-hosting

WordPress. (2024a). Choose a WordPress.com Plan. WordPress.com. https://wordpress.com/support/plan-features/

WordPress. (2024b). Pricing. WordPress.com. https://wordpress.com/pricing/#lpc-pricing