WordPress vs. Blogger – Which Is Easier For Making Money?
Last Updated on July 27, 2023 by Jordan Alexo
So, you’re here because you’ve got one burning question on your mind: “WordPress or Blogger – which one’s gonna help me make more money?”
Well, if you want a quick answer, then:
If you’re serious about building an online business and ready to work, WordPress, specifically WordPress.org, is your best bet. It offers more flexibility, more control, and more monetization options.
But hey, don’t just take my word for it. I will break it down, piece by piece, so that you can see for yourself.
In this guide, you’ll discover everything from ease of use, customization, and ownership to SEO, monetization, and much more from each platform. Let’s roll!
Key Takeaways
- WordPress is king, powering 43.1% of all websites. But don’t count Blogger out, it’s still a solid choice for beginners.
- WordPress gives you more control. While Blogger is simpler but with limited customization.
- Want to make money? WordPress offers more options. On the other hand, Blogger is straightforward but with fewer ways to monetize.
- Ease of use? Blogger is a breeze for beginners. WordPress has a learning curve, but it’s worth it for the flexibility.”
- Worried about SEO? WordPress has plugins like Yoast SEO, making it a better choice.
- Updates? WordPress is constantly updated and offers more transferability. Blogger is stable, but updates are rare and transferring content can be a hassle.
What Is WordPress?
I guess most people have heard about WordPress, but what exactly is it?
You see, WordPress is currently the king of the hill. As per W3Techs, as of 2023, WordPress powers 43.1% of all websites on the internet.
Well, in simple terms, WordPress is an open-source content management system, aka CMS. In other words, it’s a tool meant to help you build and manage your websites without coding anything. Sound great, right?
But here’s the thing: WordPress comes in two flavors.
You got WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Yes, they’re different, and yes, it’s confusing. But stick with me here.
- WordPress.com: is a hosted platform. That means they take care of all the technical stuff for you. You just sign up, pick a plan, and start blogging. It’s easy, but it’s also limited. You don’t have as much control over your site and must pay to remove ads and use your domain name.
- WordPress.org: is a self-hosted platform. You host it on your server, which gives you complete control over your site. This lets you customize it to your heart’s content, use your domain name, and even monetize it in whatever way you want.
The downside? It’s more complex, and you must pay for a web host to host your WordPress site. But if you want to build an online business, this is the way to go.
What Is Blogger?
Blogger it’s been around since 1999, making it one of the oldest blogging platforms out there. And Google owns Blogger, and that comes with some pretty big perks.
First off, Blogger is free. Totally, completely, no-strings-attached free. And because Google owns it, you can integrate it with other Google services like Google Adsense and Google Analytics. So, if you want to make some cash, that’s a big plus.
But here’s the thing about Blogger it’s really simple. See, you can set up a blog in minutes without technical skills. However, that simplicity comes with a trade-off. You don’t have the same level of customization or flexibility as WordPress.
Instead, you’re limited to the templates and tools that Blogger provides.
So, is Blogger right for you? Well, if you’re a beginner looking for a simple, straightforward way to start a blog, it might just be.
But if you’re looking for more control and customization, you might want to stick around for our head-to-head comparison coming up next.
Which Is Better For Earning WordPress or Blogger?
Feature | WordPress | Blogger |
Cost | Free software, but you need to pay for hosting and a domain name. | Completely free, including hosting. |
Hosting | You need to arrange your own web hosting. | Hosting is provided for you by Google. |
Customization | Full control over themes and plugins. You can customize your site as much as you want. | Limited control over themes. No support for plugins. |
Monetization | Full control over monetization. You can run your own ads and keep all the revenue. | Limited control over monetization. You can run Google AdSense ads but are restricted to what you can sell. |
Maintenance | You’re responsible for updates and backups. | Google takes care of updates and backups for you. |
SEO | Full control over SEO settings. | Limited control over SEO settings. |
E-commerce | Full control over e-commerce settings. You can use any e-commerce plugin you want. | No built-in support for e-commerce. |
Now, I’m not going to beat around the bush here. If you’re looking to make money, WordPress is hands down better.
You got more options to monetize your site, professional-looking designs, and control over your site. Sure, I’m talking about the self-hosted version of WordPress, not the free one.
Anyway, let’s go more in detail and see why WordPress is the better option for earning money.
1 – Ease Of Use
Let’s kick things off with the ease of use. Because let’s face it, if a platform is a pain to use, you’re not going to stick with it, no matter how great it is.
Blogger
Blogger is like a friendly neighborhood diner. It’s simple, straightforward, and you don’t need a manual to figure out how to use it.
You can set up a blog in minutes; the interface is so intuitive that even your grandma could use it.
Plus, you can sign in with your Google account because Google owns it. Easy peasy.
WordPress
Now, WordPress is a bit more like a gourmet kitchen. You got all the tools you could ever need, but it can be more overwhelming at first. There’s a steeper learning curve than Blogger, especially if you’re using WordPress.org.
However, you have many YouTube tutorials explaining everything you need. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it incredibly powerful and flexible.
So, who wins the ease of use round? If you’re a beginner looking for simplicity, Blogger is
If you’re a beginner or you’re looking for simplicity, Blogger takes the cake. But if you’re willing to spend some time learning, WordPress is far more powerful.
You have plugins that can turn your site into whatever you want and plenty of themes (designs) to make it look fantastic.
2 – Ownership
Next up, let’s talk about ownership. Because when it comes to your blog, you want to be the one calling the shots, right?
Blogger
Here’s the deal with Blogger. It’s owned by Google. In other words, Google owns your blog. So, they may remove your blog for whatever reason they want without asking for your permission.
Plus, while you can use a custom domain name, your blog will still technically be a subdomain of blogspot.com.
WordPress
Now, WordPress is a different story. If you’re using WordPress.org, you’re the boss. You host your blog on whatever web host you (ps… WPX Hosting), use your domain name, and have full control over your content.
No one can suspend your blog or tell you what you can or can’t do. That’s a big plus if you’re serious about blogging and building an online business.
So, who wins the ownership round? If you want complete control over your blog, WordPress is the clear winner.
But if you don’t mind less control in exchange for simplicity, Blogger is ideal!
3 – Flexibility
When it comes to your blog, you want a platform that can do what you need, right?
Blogger
Blogger is like a pre-made cake mix. You got everything you need, and it’s easy to use. But the pickle is you’re limited to the ingredients in the box.
You have several templates, and you can customize them to some extent. But you’re still working within the confines of what Blogger allows.
WordPress
Now, WordPress is more like a fully stocked kitchen. You’ve got all the ingredients you could ever need, and you can mix and match them to create something truly unique.
With WordPress, especially WordPress.org, the sky’s the limit. You can use thousands of themes and plugins to customize your blog, and if you’re tech-savvy, you can even dive into the code and tweak it to your heart’s content.
So, who wins the flexibility round? Well, WordPress wins! That’s why many online businesses prefer this platform because you can more easily customize your blog.
Once again, Blogger is a simple-minded platform. So, consider your future needs, not just your current ones, and choose the platform to grow with you.
4 – Appearance and Design
You want a blog that looks good, reflects your style, and draws readers in.
Blogger
With Blogger, you’ve got a selection of pre-made templates. They’re simple, they’re clean, and they do the job. You can tweak the colors and layout a bit, but your customization options are pretty limited.
WordPress
WordPress has thousands of free and premium themes, and you can customize them. Many of these themes let you make your site look unique.
For instance, want to change the color scheme? No problem. Want to rearrange your layout? Easy. And if you’re using WordPress.org, you can even use plugins to add extra features to your site, like social media sharing buttons, email subscription forms, and more.
So, who wins the appearance? Well, WordPress is light years ahead of Blogger in terms of theme design.
But if you prefer a simplistic look and do not spend too much configuring your blog’s appearance, then Blogger is better.
5 – Best Support
Well, even the best of us sometimes run into issues; when that happens, you want to know there’s someone you can turn to for help.
Blogger
With Blogger, you’ve got the power of Google behind you. That means access to many online documents, tutorials, and forums. But here’s the catch: there’s no direct support.
If you run into a problem, you’re largely on your own. You must rely on online resources and the Blogger community to find a solution.
WordPress
Now, WordPress is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to support. If you’re using WordPress.com, you can access email and live chat support.
But if you’re using WordPress.org, you’re in the same boat as Blogger. There’s no official support, so you must rely on online resources and the WordPress community. The good news? The WordPress community is massive and incredibly active.
Often, you will get most of your support from your web host company. Over the past decade, whenever I had technical issues with my blog, I contacted the support team of my web host.
For this reason, you must have a web host that provides good customer service and technical support.
So, who wins the support round? It’s a bit of a tie. If you’re using WordPress.com, direct support is a big plus.
But if you’re using WordPress.org or Blogger, you’re relying on community support.
The good news is both communities are active and helpful. Yet, with WordPress.org, you’ll usually contact your web host to help you with any technical problem.
6 – Updates
You want a platform that’s always improving and staying up-to-date.
Blogger
Blogger is stable and reliable. But it’s not exactly cutting-edge. See, updates are few and far between, and when they happen, they’re usually minor.
However, on the bright side, you never have to worry about maintaining or updating your blog. Google takes care of all of that for you.
WordPress
Now, WordPress is a whole different story. You get constant updates with new features and improved security.
If you’re using WordPress.com, these updates are applied automatically. But if you’re using WordPress.org, you must apply the updates yourself.
Well, it’s nothing special. Basically, you see a notification in your dashboard that you have a new update and press a button to initiate it.
So, who wins the updates round? If you want the latest features and don’t mind a bit of maintenance, WordPress is the clear winner.
7 – Transfer
Next up, let’s talk about transferability. Because sometimes, you start with one platform and realize you need to switch to another. So, how easy is it to make the switch?
Blogger
With Blogger, you can export your content as an XML file. That includes your posts, comments, and pages. But it doesn’t include your images.
They’ll still be hosted on Blogger, even after you transfer your content. And while you can manually download your images and re-upload them to your new platform, it’s a bit of a hassle.
WordPress
Now, WordPress makes it easy to import and export your content. You can export your content as an XML file, and you can import content from several platforms, including Blogger.
Plus, if you’re moving from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, there’s a guided transfer service that can help you make the switch.
So, who wins the transfer round? If you’re looking for a platform that makes it easy to move your content, WordPress is the clear winner.
8 – Pricing
Let’s talk about pricing because no matter how great a platform is, it needs to fit your budget.
Blogger
Blogger is free to use, and that includes hosting. You can even use a custom domain if you have one, although you’ll need to purchase it separately.
The only potential cost is if you purchase a premium template, but there are plenty of free options available.
WordPress
Now, WordPress is a bit more complicated. WordPress.com has several plans, from free to $45 per month for the eCommerce plan.
The free plan is pretty limited, and you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to remove WordPress.com ads and use your domain.
If you’re using WordPress.org, the software itself is free. But you’ll need to pay for hosting, which on average, is about $5 to $25 monthly. The pricing depends on the web host service you choose.
You’ll also need a domain name, which typically costs around $10-15 annually. Plus, while there are thousands of free themes and plugins available, some premium options can cost anywhere from $20 to $200.
So, who wins the pricing round? If you’re on a tight budget and need a free option, Blogger is the clear winner.
But if you’re willing to invest some money for more features and flexibility, WordPress could be worth the cost.
9 – Monetization
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff: making money. Because let’s face it, if you’re serious about blogging, you want a platform that can help you turn a profit.
Blogger
You can run Google AdSense ads, use affiliate links, or sell products or services directly from your blog.
However, they are restrictions against services and product sales. Also, you don’t have many advanced options to optimize your monetization strategies.
WordPress
Now, WordPress is a whole different ball game. With WordPress, especially WordPress.org, you can monetize your blog, run ads, use affiliate links, sell products or services, create a membership site, sell sponsored posts, and more.
Plus, you’re not limited to one monetization method. You can mix and match to create a diversified income stream.
So, who wins the monetization round? If you’re looking for a platform that offers the most monetization options, WordPress is the clear winner.
10 – SEO
If you want people to find your blog, you need an SEO-friendly platform.
Blogger
Blogger has the basics covered. You can customize your post URLs, and it automatically generates a sitemap for you. Plus, because Google owns it, your blog can be indexed quickly.
But beyond that, your SEO options are pretty limited. One of the biggest problems is building links. Most people don’t like to link to Blogger blogs. And that’s a major ranking factor even nowadays.
The more quality backlinks a site has, the higher it usually ranks on Google and other search engines.
WordPress
Now, WordPress is a fantastic SEO platform. You can customize every aspect of your SEO, from your site structure to your metadata. Plus, with plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath, you can add XML sitemaps, breadcrumbs, and schema markup.
You can even optimize your site for social media sharing with Open Graph and Twitter Cards. And the best part? Most of these features are easy to use, even if you’re not an SEO expert.
So, who wins the SEO round? If you’re serious about SEO, WordPress is the clear winner. But if you’re just getting started and need a platform that covers the basics, Blogger might be a good choice.
11 – Security
You want a platform that’s as safe as a vault, right?
Blogger
Blogger is like a gated community. You don’t have to worry about managing security because Google handles everything. They handle spam prevention, secure sockets layer (SSL), and server maintenance. So, it’s a pretty worry-free option.
WordPress
If you’re using WordPress.org, you’re responsible for security. That means keeping your WordPress version, themes, and plugins updated.
However, for SSL, it depends on the web host you choose. Some web hosts give you a free SSL certificate, while others don’t. Also, most web host companies automatically back up your site frequently. Though, you should still use a plugin to back up your site regularly.
So yes, WordPress requires more attention than Blogger.
So, who wins the security round? If you’re looking for a hands-off, worry-free option, Blogger is better. But if you want more control over your security, WordPress is the way to go.
12 – Performance and Speed
Speed is extremely important. I mean, you don’t want to have a website that takes forever to upload on someone’s screen. Otherwise, they’ll leave and won’t read or buy your stuff.
Blogger
Blogger is like a well-oiled machine. You don’t have to worry about optimizing your site for speed because Google handles that. Plus, because your blog is hosted on Google’s servers, you can be sure it’s running on some of the world’s fastest and most reliable infrastructure.
WordPress
Now, WordPress blogs can be incredibly faster and incredibly slow. Why is that? Your web host plays a major role. If you have a fast web host, your site will load quickly.
Also, it means optimizing your images, using a fast theme, setting up caching, and potentially using a content delivery network (CDN). It’s more work but also gives you more control over your site’s performance.
So, who wins the performance and speed round? If you don’t want to worry about web hosts, installing plugins, etc… then Blogger is ideal. In case you want more control over your site’s performance, WordPress is better.
13 – Integration with Other Tools
Let’s talk about playing nice with others. Because in blogging, you want a platform that seamlessly integrates with other tools, right?
Blogger
Blogger is a bit of a lone wolf. It has some built-in integrations, like Google Adsense and Google Analytics. But beyond that, your options are pretty limited. You can’t install plugins or add-ons, so you’re stuck with the features that come out of the box.
WordPress
WordPress is a complete nut job. You have integration for anything you can imagine. From email marketing platforms to social media networks to e-commerce solutions.
Plus, with thousands of plugins available, you can add just about any functionality to your site.
So, who wins the integration round? If you’re looking for a platform that can integrate with a mountain of tools and services, WordPress is a clear winner.
But if you’re okay with a simpler, more standalone platform, Blogger might be a good fit.
Last Thoughts – Which Platform Is Better For Making Money?
We’ve talked about ease of use, ownership, flexibility, appearance, support, updates, transferability, pricing, monetization, and SEO. So, which platform comes out on top: WordPress or Blogger?
Well, the answer is… it depends. If you want to keep things simple, like you don’t want to worry about web hosts, installing plugins, or optimizing your site for speed, then Blogger is great!
But the downside is Google owns Blogger and your site too.
Otherwise, if you want more control over your blog and, honestly, a better platform to make money online, WordPress is fantastic. It gives you far more themes and options to build an outline business.
However, the negative side of WordPress, there’s a higher learning curve. You need to learn how to use this platform and the several plugins and themes you plan to implement.
Anyway, if you got any questions, leave them below. Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
1 – Which is better for Google Adsense: Blogger or WordPress?
If you’re just starting and want to dip your toes into Google Adsense, Blogger might be your best bet.
See, it’s easy to use, and getting approved for Google Adsense is typically a smoother process. But if you’re looking to build a professional blog or online business,
WordPress is far better. It requires a bit of investment, but the control and flexibility it offers are unmatched.
Plus, with WordPress, you’re not limited to just Google Adsense. You can try other monetization strategies to maximize your earnings.
2 – How much does a beginner blogger earn in WordPress?
It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but with time, effort, and the right strategies, you can definitely make a good income.
In the first few months, you might not make much, but as your blog grows, so does your income.
In your first year, you could be looking at $30,000 – $50,000, mostly earned in the second half of the year.
By your second year, you could be earning around $100,000, and by the third year, it could be $200,000.
Of course, these figures depend on your niche, your dedication, and your ability to monetize your blog effectively.
3 – How much money do 1,000 views make on Blogger?
Well, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but typically, monetizing a blog with Google AdSense or another advertising platform can provide earnings of about $2 to $5 per 1,000 page views.
So, if your blog is pulling in 10,000 views per day, you could be looking at daily income ranging from $20 to $50.