Best blogging platform to make money: Top choices for bloggers

Do you dream of transforming your passion for writing into a money-making venture? Imagine having the freedom to share your thoughts, ideas, and expertise with the world while earning money from the comfort of your home. With the right blogging platform, that dream can become a reality. 

In this article, we'll explore the best blogging platforms to make money in 2024, breaking down their features, user-friendliness, and monetization opportunities. Whether you're focused on building an audience, driving traffic, or turning clicks into cash, we've got you covered.

We'll also introduce you to a unique way to generate extra income with Gelato, a platform that allows you to sell custom merchandise effortlessly.

• The best blogging platforms offer a mix of features, ease of use, and high monetization potential.

• WordPress.org is a top choice for flexibility and scalability, while WordPress.com provides a more managed experience for your blog post. 

• Platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer user-friendly interfaces and various design templates, making them ideal for beginners.

• Specialized platforms such as Medium and HubPages allow content creators to reach a wide audience and earn through built-in monetization features.

• Maximize your earnings by integrating Gelato's print on demand services to sell custom merchandise directly through your blog.

A blogging platform is a software or service that allows users to create, manage, and publish blog content online. These platforms often come with various tools and features for customizing the blog's appearance, writing posts, organizing content, and integrating monetization strategies, making them essential for anyone looking to start a blog and earn money.

Choosing the right platform can make or break your blogging journey, especially regarding monetization. Here's a look at some of the most popular blogging platforms available and what each one offers.

WordPress

The WordPress blog platform has two versions: WordPress.org and WordPress.com. Let's start with WordPress.com.

WordPress.com is the hosted version of WordPress, simplifying the blogging experience for users with less technical know-how. It offers a range of built-in tools and themes to make your blog look professional without much effort. It's ideal for beginners looking for a simple, no-fuss blogging platform with managed hosting.

 Pros

• Automatic updates and backups

• Easy integration with social media and other tools

• User-friendly interface

 Cons

• Limited customization on the free plan

• Ads are displayed unless you upgrade to a paid plan

• Limited monetization options on the free plan

 Pricing

• Free Plan: This is available for a self-hosted WordPress blog

• Personal Plan: $4/month

• Premium Plan: $8/month

• Business Plan: $25/month

• Commerce Plan: $45/month

• Enterprise Plan: Starts at $25,000/year

WordPress.org 

This self-hosted platform fully controls your blog's functionality and appearance. With thousands of themes and plugins available, you can create a highly customizable and professional blog. It's ideal for bloggers who want to monetize their blogs through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling products and services. 

Pros

• Complete control and customization

• Extensive support from the WordPress community

• Thousands of themes and plugins

 Cons

• Requires web hosting and domain purchase

• Maintenance and updates are your responsibility

• It can have a steep learning curve for beginners

 Pricing

WordPress.org is a free platform.

Blogger

Blogger is one of the oldest blogging platforms available and is currently owned by Google. Its simplicity and integration with other Google services like Google Analytics and AdSense make tracking your site's performance and monetizing your content easier. It's ideal for new bloggers who are looking for an easy, no-cost way to start writing and monetizing their content.

Pros

• Easy to set up and get started

• Google Adsense support for monetizing your blog

• Integrated with Google’s ecosystem

Cons

• Limited customization options

• Basic design templates

• Less control over your site compared to self-hosted platforms

Pricing

Blogger is an entirely free domain for use. 

Wix

Wix is a popular website builder known for its easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. It offers a range of templates and customization options.  With its built-in app market, monetizing your blog is a smooth experience.  It's ideal for beginners who want an easy-to-use platform with various design options and for bloggers looking to integrate ecommerce functionalities.

Pros

• User-friendly drag-and-drop editor

• Built-in SEO tools

• Strong app marketplace for added functionality

Cons

• Limited flexibility for advanced users

• Ads on free plans

• More expensive than some other options

Pricing

• Silver Plan: $75/month

• Gold Plan: $100/month

• Premium Plan: $150/month

Under Premium Plans, this is the price break up:

• Business Elite: $159/month

• Business: $36/month

• Core: $29/month

• Light: $17/month

Squarespace

This all-in-one platform combines website building, blogging, and ecommerce, making it a perfect trifecta. Squarespace is known for its sleek, designer-quality templates and user-friendly interface. Its robust blogging and ecommerce features make it popular among design-conscious bloggers and small businesses looking for an all-in-one solution with integrated ecommerce capabilities.

Pros

• Beautiful, professional templates

• 24/7 customer support

• User-friendly drag-and-drop editor

Cons

• Limited customizability compared to WordPress

• Higher price point

• Less flexibility with third-party extensions

Pricing

• Personal Plan: $16/month

• Business Plan: $23/month

• Basic Commerce Plan: $28/month

• Advanced Commerce Plan: $52/month

Medium

This is a popular platform for writers and bloggers who want to focus primarily on content creation without worrying about the technical aspects of running a blog. Its built-in audience and intuitive interface make this platform ideal for writers to gain readers and potentially monetize their work through reader engagement.

Pros

• Built-in audience and social features

• Clean, minimalist design

• Potential earnings through the Medium Partner Program

Cons

• Limited customization and control over your content

• Monetization is heavily reliant on Medium's algorithm

• Not ideal for building a brand or business outside of writing

Pricing

• Medium Member Plan: $5/month

• Friend of Medium Plan: 15/month 

Weebly

This platform is another popular choice for bloggers who prefer an intuitive drag-and-drop system. It offers powerful ecommerce capabilities and a variety of pre-designed templates to get you started quickly. Weebly is best for beginners who want a simple and efficient way to get their blog up and running.

Pros

• User-friendly drag-and-drop interface

• Built-in analytics tools

• Strong ecommerce capabilities

Cons

• Limited customization compared to other platforms

• Not as flexible for advanced users

• The free plan includes Weebly branding

Pricing

• Free Plan: Limited features, including Weebly branding

• Personal Plan: $10/month

• Professional Plan: $12/month (ideal for groups and organizations)

• Performance Plan: $26/month (best for online stores)

Ghost

Ghost is a professional publishing platform focused on online journalism and independent publishing. It's built on Node.js, making it a strong contender for tech-savvy users seeking performance optimization. Ghost is ideal for professional bloggers, journalists, and writers who require a simple, high-performance platform with excellent support for membership and subscription monetization models.

Pros

• Clean and minimalistic design

• Robust support for membership and subscription models

• Fast and secure, built on Node.js

Cons

• Requires technical knowledge for self-hosting

• Fewer customization options compared to other platforms

• It can be costly for premium features

Pricing

• Self-Hosted Blog: Free

• Starter Hosted Plan: $9/month

• Creator Hosted Plan: $25/month

• Team Hosted Plan: $50/month

• Business Hosted Plan: $199/month

Tumblr

This unique platform blends social networking and microblogging, offering a unique platform where users can easily share multimedia content and connect with a vibrant community. It's ideal for bloggers,  hobbyists, and those looking to share quick, engaging content with a large, interactive audience

Pros

• Strong community and social sharing features

• Ideal for visual and multimedia content

• Easy to use with a straightforward interface

Cons

• Limited customization options compared to other platforms

• Less professional look for business-oriented blogs

• Monetization options are more limited

Pricing

Tumblr is free to use but has costs if you choose Tumblr Premium:

• Premium Monthly Plan Option: $6.99/month

• Yearly Plan Option: You’ll save some money at $69.99 per year.

Write.as

If minimalism is your thing, Write.as is a platform worth considering. It's designed for distraction-free blog writing and a streamlined publishing process. With a focus on simplicity, it allows bloggers to pour their hearts into content without fussing over complex settings or themes. It's ideal for bloggers who prefer minimalist and distraction-free writing and value privacy and simplicity. 

Pros

• Privacy-focused with anonymous posting options

• No ads, creating a serene reading environment

• Simplified, distraction-free writing experience

Cons

• Limited customization options

• A basic feature set might not suit advanced bloggers

• Smaller community compared to major platforms

Pricing

• Free plan: $0/month

• Pro Plan: $6/month

• Team Plan: $25/month

Joomla

Joomla is a powerful tool for managing content on a website. It is also very flexible and allows you to customize many things to make your site unique. It's a go-to choice for developers, technically inclined bloggers, and businesses that need a highly customizable website with advanced content management capabilities.

Pros

• Strong user and content management system

• Numerous professional templates and extensions

• Highly flexible and customizable

 Cons

• Steeper learning curve compared to other platforms

• Requires more maintenance

• Extensions and templates can be costly

 Pricing

• Personal Plan: $99/year

• Business Plan: $199/year

• Agency Plan: $399/year

HubPages

This is a network of sites where you can share your writing and earn revenue through ads and affiliate marketing. It’s designed for those who want to focus on content creation without worrying about website management. It's ideal for writers wishing to publish content without managing their website and those looking to tap into an existing audience for monetization quickly.

Pros

• Built-in audience to help increase your article's visibility

• Multiple monetization options, including ads and affiliate marketing

• Easy to get started with no need for technical skills

Cons

• The revenue share model means you split earnings with HubPages

• Limited control over site design and branding

• Potential competition from other writers on the platform

Pricing

HubPages is free to use.

Choosing between a paid and free blogging platform can significantly impact your ability to monetize effectively. While free platforms offer a cost-effective way to start, they often come with limitations that might restrict your earning potential. On the other hand, paid platforms generally provide more tools and options to maximize your revenue streams. 

Let’s take a closer look at the two: 

• Initial cost: Free platforms like Blogger and WordPress.com allow you to start without any financial investment. However, they might feature ads that you don’t control, which can distract your audience and reduce your income potential.

• Customization options: Paid platforms usually offer extensive customization options. These enable you to create a unique user experience to attract more visitors and convert them into paying customers.

• Monetization tools: Paid platforms often have built-in monetization tools, which free platforms don't have. These include everything from ad management to ecommerce capabilities, making selling products or services directly from your blog easier.

• Support and resources: A paid plan, unlike a free plan, often includes premium support and resources, which can be incredibly valuable when you encounter technical issues or need advice on improving your blog’s performance.

So, how do you choose the right blogging platform? With numerous options available, it's vital to consider several factors to find the perfect fit for your needs. Here’s a quick guide to help you make an informed decision: 

• Purpose: Determine what you want to achieve with your blog. Is it just a hobby, or are you looking to make it a primary source of income?

• Ease of use: If you're a beginner, look for a user-friendly platform that doesn't require extensive technical skills to set up and maintain.

• Customization options: Check how flexible the platform is regarding design and functionality. The ability to add your personal touch can make a big difference.

• Monetization potential: Investigate the platform's monetization features. Look for options like ad placements, affiliate marketing support, and ecommerce capabilities.

• Cost: Consider your budget. Some platforms offer free versions with limited features, while others require various subscriptions for advanced functionalities.

• Support and resources: Look into the available community and customer support. Access to tutorials, forums, and customer service can be crucial, especially when encountering issues.

After exploring the top blogging platforms for monetization, it's clear that each option offers unique benefits and challenges. Whether you're looking for versatile customization, ease of use, or powerful monetization tools, there's a platform tailored to fit your blogging needs. 

Integrating innovative services like Gelato adds another layer of revenue potential, making it easier than ever to turn your passion for blogging into profit.

Whether you're integrating with Etsy, Shopify, or another ecommerce platform, Gelato's print on demand services help you effortlessly monetize your blog through custom merchandise. Gelato also offers tools for customization, mockup generation, price monitoring, and analytics, giving you a complete solution to maximize your revenue.

With its diverse range of products—t-shirts, mugs, wall art, phone cases, tote bags, and photo books—Gelato ensures your creativity knows no bounds.

Sign up for Gelato and choose a subscription plan that suits your needs. Start turning your blog's audience into a thriving business!