Okay, I've decided: you're creating a blog. And I have mentioned two great sites where you do it: Blogger and WordPress.com. What to choose?
Blogger is a free service created by PyraLabs in 1999, but was acquired by Google in 2003.
Features:
* Address: the one you want, provided they have not chosen before. Takes the suffix blogspot.com. For example: http://blogandweb.blogspot.com. You can also buy a domain and route it to the blog you've created on Blogger.
* Ability to store files, only images and no more.
* Storage limit: 1GB of images (actually, the images are uploaded to Picasa free account you get when you open an account with a Google service).
* Ability to customize: on their own in a matter of appearance is very limited. Only offers a few templates. However, there are many non-Blogger sites where you can get a template that gives your blog the look you're looking for (eg BTemplates). And although it is of some difficulty, you can always create your own.
WordPress.com is a free service created by the company Automattic and free CMS uses the same name, which was also developed by them, albeit with some limitations.
Features:
* Address: the one you want, provided they have not chosen before. Wordpress.com carries the suffix. For example: http://blogandweb.wordpress.com. You can also buy a domain and route it to your blog.
* Ability to store files: yes, but only in pictures (jpg, jpeg, png and gif), documents (pdf, doc, odt) and presentations (ppt).
* Storage limit: 3 GB in files of the formats mentioned.
* Ability to customize: today, you can choose from 70 themes or templates provided by the system. However, you can not add any children (or others).
What to choose?
My suggestion is to try both. Not to write in both, but you open an account with both and see for yourself on which system you feel most comfortable and what fits your needs or objectives.
However, there are some aspects I think is important to highlight each service in order to make the best decision.
* WordPress.com does not allow Javascript: this is one of the most widely used programming languages on the web and means that many functions of external sites could not be used, including to put contextual ads like Adsense.
* Customize a Blogger blog may require a fairly steep learning curve: Blogger does not have the limits of WordPress.com, but get to change aspects of a template is the closest thing to penetrate through a maze.
* Blogger allows you to use a greater number of widgets: widgets are those little additions (sometimes up to nearly complete applications) that have been put on the sides of the blog and they show you from recent posts published to a virtual pet. Blogger, apart from having a good variety of widgets, the JavaScript can be inserted to allow other external services.
* The personalization is very limited WordPess.com: 70 templates I consider enough to choose from, but it is not possible to integrate many third party services (although the most popular.) However, as far as appearance is concerned, many templates allow you to upload a header image itself, which will help you differentiate yourself if you choose a popular template.
* The management interface of the WordPress blog is more orderly and clear that the Blogger: without offering features that Blogger does not count as a statistics service that lets you see how many visitors you've had, or preview issues, that shows you how your blog will be before applying. Of course, in Blogger you can use Google Analytics for statistics ...
* WordPress.com keeps expanding its functions, although these are limited, we must admit that Automattic is more aware of Google's own service. Although Blogger provides the possibility of using Blogger in draft (a mode where you can test functions that are in development), the fact is that developments are often slow to appear.
Conclusion
You have a choice and, as I said, you can open your account within two to go exploring. If you then want to change you, you do not lose anything by posting, migrating your posts from one service to another (both have this feature.) However, by providing some kind of solution to the dilemma of choosing between the two, I personally ask these questions soil:
* Want to monetize your site directly? The easiest and where everyone starts is Adsense. Then, using Blogger. But remember that it is far from easy to make money with a blog: it requires much effort and time. It is not open and count the bills.
* Want to publicize your content regardless of the direct monetization? WordPress.com uses. It seems much clearer and less confusing. Although you can not insert contextual advertising, remember that a blog can serve to position yourself in the market and publicize your services.
Do you use Blogger or WordPress.com? Leave a comment or recommendation in the comments.
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