A step by step guide on how to build a blog that can make you money:

There are a few different options you can follow to build your blog. Below are two options that can get you started. Look at which option is best for your skill set and for your needs, and get going today! Have questions? Post your questions in the comments, or click the "Get In Touch" button at the top and reach out for answers specific to your situation.

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Building a Blog with Wordpress:

1. You should use Wordpress if:

   1. You have a strong development background

   2. You are looking for full flexibility, and customizations that you can code for any theme

      1. 23% of all webosites run on Wordpress

      2. The risk that comes along with this is that anyone can publish plugins. And that means that we see a lot of junky plugins that are clunky and don't work very well. It is easier to find those than the real gems that add a lot of value.​

   3. You need little technical support

      1. Due to the number of plugins that are available, unless you pay a price to the plugin owner, most come with little to no support if you run into issues with it on your site​

   4. Consistent updates

      1. Wordpress is always enhancing their systems, adding new security patches, and making improvements.​

      2. This is a great feature, except the plugins you may decide to use don't always keep up with these updates and could end up breaking, or making you vulnerable for hackers if you don't consistently check site functionality

   5. Cost

      1. You will need to find a hosting service to tie your website and WordPress together. This will be about $7 per month ($84 per year). There are some free themes that you can use out there, but any free themes are either not very attractive, or have pretty limited functionality. So, you will likely need to purchase a theme. A WordPress theme can cost around $30 – $80 per theme, depending on how reputable the theme developer is (general rule of thumb is, the higher the price, the more reliable it is).

      2. Plugins will also need to be purchased to enhance site functionality. I am referring to things such as fancy slideshows, check outs, testimonials, etc. You can install some free or paid plugins which can range from free to $50 per plugin, depending on the reputation of the developer.

      3. Domain name: You’ll also need to purchase your own custom domain name when you are using WordPress, which will cost about $10 – $12 per year. And then there is some leg work to attach your hosting site, to your website, and getting Wordpress up and running with your domain name.

      4. In total, depending on how professional you want your site to look, the initial investment for a WordPress website could range from free to over $200.

 

Building a Blog with Wix:

1. You should use Wix if:

   1. Coding and website development is a foreign language to you

   2. Customizable, but not 100% flexibility

      1. Wix is not an open source platform, so this means you can't go in and edit their code. This leads to tools that work very well for you to edit your websites, but it can also restrict some of the functionality you can add to your site. 

   3. You want or need the comfort of knowing you have support when you need it

      1. Because Wix codes and supports their sites, and their apps. They are willing to step in and help you resolve any issues that you are encountering​

   4. Consistent updates

      1. All updates are carried out by their technical team, and because they own all tools and apps that are applied, there is compatibility testing ta​king place to make sure everything works together without you having to actually do anything at all

   5. Cost

      1. Wix offers 1 free hostig plan, and multiple plans that range from $4.50-$24.50 per month depending on the features you need​

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Overall Comparison Summary:

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• Flexibility:

  • WIX: Limited customizability but all their features and functions are closely controlled, monitored and tested to ensure they are working properly.

  • WordPress: Very flexible & customizable but could be very problematic if your custom tools or plugins breakdown.

• Ease of Use:

  • WIX: A very user-friendly, drag & drop website builder. You don’t need to know how to code as Wix is catered to non-technical users.

  • WordPress: Steep learning curve (not beginner friendly). It is best if you know how to code and that you are technically savvy, or hire someone who is.

• User Support:

  • WIX: A dedicated support team with organized tutorials. You can also get help through the phone or email.

  • Wordpress: A large community forum full of discussions, but not well organized and getting a timely response is inconsistent. Most users end up paying developers for help.

• Ongoing Maintenance:

  • WIX: Since Wix doesn’t open its platform to external developers, they control all aspects of the platform so they manage all the updates and maintenance work for you.

  • Wordpress: Requires frequent maintenance and monitoring especially if there are updates to the platform, theme or plugins. You are responsible for maintaining your website.

• Pricing:

  • WIX: 5 premium plans, ranging from $4.50 per month to $24.50 per month (based on annual plans). You can also use Wix for free, but with certain limitations.

  • Wordpress: Could range from $200 to an unlimited amount of expense, depending on various factors (hosting, themes, plugins, hiring help, etc.)