Choosing the Right Blogging Platform: A 2025 Guide

In an era where information is abundant and platforms are plentiful, choosing the right blogging website can be a daunting task. Whether you're looking to share insights on technology, finance, business, or simply document your research journey, selecting the best platform is crucial. This post explores the different blogging options available today and why I chose mine.

Key Factors to Consider

Before diving into the platforms, here are some key factors to consider when choosing a blogging website:

1. Cost – Is the platform free, or does it require hosting fees?
2. SEO & Discoverability – Will your content rank well on search engines?
3. Customization – How much control do you have over the design and features?
4. Ease of Use – Is the platform user-friendly or does it require technical expertise?
5. Built-in Audience – Does the platform offer a community or network to help with discoverability?
6. Monetization Potential – If you ever decide to monetize, what are the options available?

Top Blogging Platforms in 2024

Here are some of the best options available today:

1. Hashnode – Best for SEO & Developer Community

✅ Free hosting and custom domain support
✅ Auto-generates sitemaps, RSS feeds, and SEO-friendly metadata
✅ Built-in developer and tech community for discoverability
❌ Limited design customization

2. GitHub Pages + Jekyll – Best for Full Control

✅ Completely free with GitHub hosting
✅ Full control over SEO, customizations, and performance
✅ No platform lock-in, ideal for long-term stability
❌ Requires some technical setup
❌ No built-in audience for discoverability

3. WordPress.com – Best for Traditional Blogging

✅ Good SEO capabilities and customization (on paid plans)
✅ Large user base with built-in discoverability
✅ Supports monetization via WordAds (on paid plans)
❌ Free version has ads and limited customization

4. Substack – Best for Newsletter-Style Blogging

✅ Free and simple setup
✅ Built-in email subscription model for audience growth
✅ Ideal for long-form content and thought leadership
❌ Poor SEO customization
❌ Limited to a newsletter format

5. Blogger – Best for Google Indexing

✅ Free with Google hosting
✅ Basic SEO features and quick indexing by Google
✅ Custom domain support
❌ Outdated UI and limited customization
❌ No strong built-in audience

My Choice & Why I Picked It

After weighing the options, I decided to go with Hashnode for its combination of free hosting, SEO optimization, and built-in audience discoverability. Since my blog will focus on research and insights in technology, finance, and business, having a platform that supports search engine ranking and engagement within a relevant community was my top priority.

If you prefer full control and don’t mind technical setup, GitHub Pages is an excellent choice. For those looking for traditional blogging with a mix of SEO and flexibility, WordPress.com is a strong option. And if you’re more into newsletters and direct audience engagement, Substack might be the way to go.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right blogging platform depends on your specific needs and long-term goals. Consider what’s most important to you—whether it’s SEO, customization, community, or monetization—and pick the platform that aligns with your vision.

What platform do you prefer for blogging? Let me know your thoughts!