A number of blogging sites / platforms are available free. Of them, the following three enter my shortlist: Blogger, Wordpress and Livejournal. Over the years, Blogger and Wordpress have evolved marvellously and there are ‘hacks’ available freely on the net, which can be used to add features and functionalities to the templates already provided by the main sites. Livejournal is another site worth mention and it focuses on building communities around blogs.
In terms of popularity, ease of use and add-ons available on the net, BLOGGER is unbeatable, followed by Wordpress. The look and feel and specific inbuilt tools ensure that all the three, Blogger, Wordpress and Livejournal have their fan following.
Some portals have blogging facility either woven into the main site or as a separate platform. These mostly serve as communities within surfers of that portal. Their design, features, functionalities and add-ons are limited.
Blogger
Most popular; highly customisable by editing html; numerous free hacks available on the net to further customise and add functionalities; integrates with Gmail and other Google services; allows monetisation using AdSense.
Wordpress
Has a very good list of built-in themes and plug-ins; has search optimisation tools; basic designs are soothing and simple; hacks available free on the net.
Livejournal
Simple design; communities within Livejournal world on most topics.
In terms of popularity, ease of use and add-ons available on the net, BLOGGER is unbeatable, followed by Wordpress. The look and feel and specific inbuilt tools ensure that all the three, Blogger, Wordpress and Livejournal have their fan following.
Some portals have blogging facility either woven into the main site or as a separate platform. These mostly serve as communities within surfers of that portal. Their design, features, functionalities and add-ons are limited.
Blogger
Most popular; highly customisable by editing html; numerous free hacks available on the net to further customise and add functionalities; integrates with Gmail and other Google services; allows monetisation using AdSense.
Wordpress
Has a very good list of built-in themes and plug-ins; has search optimisation tools; basic designs are soothing and simple; hacks available free on the net.
Livejournal
Simple design; communities within Livejournal world on most topics.
