by Daniel | Last Updated December 9th, 2022
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The Information Age means that information is available anytime and nearly anywhere. People strive to connect with others around the world in a way never possible before. One such method is blogging.
The growing desire for blogs has led to a boom in both free and premium website builders. If you are new to the blogosphere, it can become overwhelming trying to figure out which site is best for your needs. If you’re hoping to use your new creative outlet to generate income, then that’s a whole other level of things to consider.
In this guide, we review the best website builders to make money. We narrowed it down to the top 8 options for you to create your brand new business venture. Following the reviews, check out our in-depth buyer’s guide to ensure you make a smart investment.
Featured Platforms
1. Wix.com
Starting at $16 per month
2. WordPress.com
Starting at $4 per month
3. Weebly.com
Starting at $0
The Best Website Builders to Make Money – Free or Otherwise
Here are a few quick facts before we dive into the specifics of the major blogging platforms on the web:
- WordPress.org is the web’s most widely used blog platform—it accounts for almost half of all blogs on the internet.
- WordPress.org and WordPress.com are not the same, although one of the founders of WordPress.org was involved with the creation of WordPress.com.
- Blogger.com is the oldest of the listed blogging platforms, founded in 1999.
- Ghost.org is the newest, started in 2013, as a site for independent journalists and writers.
1. WordPress.com
Pros
- Easy to set up and manage
- No software required
- Can buy a custom domain
- Free if you don’t want one of the premium plans and don’t mind a wordpress.com domain name
- Mobile and desktop capabilities
Cons
- Limited on templates and plugin options
- Can’t run ads on your site with the free option; WordPress shows theirs
- WordPress.com owns your account and can ban you at any time
- Can’t use Google AdSense, only WordAds
Price
Verdict
WordPress.com provides a host and a domain name with its premium plans, unlike its counterpart. However, it’s also much more limited in scope. If you’re looking for an intuitive platform with simpler options, this might be the one. Depending on your blog business model, consider their Business and eCommerce plans.
Get your start with an intuitive interface.
2. Wix.com
Pros
- Drag and drop website creation
- Ability to individually customize each page of your blog
- Lots of templates and apps (free and paid)
- Easy to set up
- User-friendly dashboard
- Options for desktop and mobile customization and optimization
Cons
- The free account is limited and shows Wix ads
- If you don’t buy a domain name, your website will include “wixsite”
- Free apps and templates are limited
- Once a template is chosen, it cannot be changed—just the features altered and moved
- eCommerce is only part of premium plans, and it is limited in scope
Price
3. Weebly.com
Pros
- Easy interface
- Drag and drop website building
- Good eCommerce functions
- Great with SEO
- Easy to integrate third-party apps
Cons
- Limited template and widget options
- Plans can get expensive pretty quickly
- Fewer features than other similar websites
Price
Verdict
Weebly is easy to use and good for starting a shop. However, it has fewer options than Wix or Squarespace, and the pricing is quite similar. It’s good, but you may be better off using one of the others.
Ready to set up your eCommerce shop?
4. WordPress.org
When someone says WordPress, they’re likely referring to this one. WordPress.org was started in 2003 and now services over 30% of all the websites on the internet. Nearly half of all existing blogs are powered by WordPress.org.
This is a self-hosting website builder, meaning that hosting is not part of the package when you buy the WordPress software. WordPress.org is a paid service, but this also means you get a lot more features. It helps that it’s so popular because they’ve had the chance to figure out what works best.
Once you have a hosting provider like Bluehost and have downloaded the WordPress software, you can get started on your blog. This website builder is also one of the easiest in terms of making money, and they have a few different options to do so. There are hundreds of themes, paid and otherwise, and most of them are easy to customize.
Pros
- Largest and most popular website builder
- Allows you to control any part of your website
- Tons of extra features like the ability to add forums and shops
- Hundreds of customizable themes
- Very compatible with SEO
- A LOT of plugin options
- Great for money-making websites
Cons
- Self-hosted, so you will need a separate hosting domain
- Fully managing your website from the get-go can be rough
- Controlling everything also means setting up security and backups
- Somewhat of a learning curve
Price
WordPress.org is free. You can download the software at any time at no cost. However, while you use WordPress software online, you need to pay for a domain name and hosting.
Those costs can vary, depending on the hosting website you use and who supplies your domain. On average, a domain is about $12, and hosting is a monthly fee usually around $3-$34 each month. Larger websites mean more traffic, which means you need more space from hosts.
Some themes and plugins also cost money, and those will vary.
Verdict
WordPress.org is a top-tier blogging platform for old and new bloggers alike. It’s great for those looking to earn money. The software is free, and it has a plethora of options for themes, apps, features, and more.
Ready to create a professional new blog to make your rivals jealous?
5. Squarespace.com
If you listen to podcasts, watch TV, or listen to the radio, you have probably heard of Squarespace. They have recently invested a lot of money into ads and with good reason: it’s clearly working. Squarespace gets new users in droves every day thanks to their efforts.
Squarespace was founded in 2003 by a college student. Over the last 15-plus years, it has grown from a company of one to a company of over 1,000 employees. With offices in New York, Portland, and now Dublin, Squarespace continues to rapidly expand. As of 2019, the number of websites powered by Squarespace is well into the multi-millions.
This blogging platform is geared toward small business owners, so it’s great for those looking for a way to use their blog to earn money. It’s also very user-friendly—like Wix, it has a drag-and-drop website builder to easily craft your website pages. No need for any coding knowledge!
Pros
- Easy to use drag and drop interface
- User-friendly dashboard
- Designed for small business owners
- Experiencing rapid growth—meaning lots of new products and options will pop up
- Sophisticated template designs
- Can purchase domain names directly with eCommerce stores
Cons
- Currently fewer options for themes and plugins than on other websites
- Limited features compared to competitors
- Integration features are also somewhat limited
- More expensive than many other blogging platforms
Price
Squarespace offers 4 different plans and the option to pay monthly or annually. Monthly payments are the most popular. The plan levels are Personal, Business, Basic Commerce, and Advanced Commerce. If you are using your blog as a shop, the last two will be your best options.
Business plans are their most popular, but they don’t include any way of listing items or opening a shop. Personal plans are $16/month, Business plans are $26/month, Basic Commerce is $35/month, and Advanced Commerce is $54/month, (Just note that you will save 30% off these prices if you sign up for an annual plan). All plans include your own domain name and Squarespace-run cloud hosting.
Verdict
Squarespace is another great option for those new to blogging. The drag-and-drop design function and the simple dashboard are great for new users. It’s also a bonus that all the plans include the domain name and hosting, so you don’t have to go hunting for those.
Squarespace is a little more on the expensive side. Template choices and plugins are relatively limited. Still, the sleek design and easy-to-use interface might be ideal for some hopeful bloggers. Their eCommerce options are great for business owners if a bit pricey.
Find website design made easy
6. Blogger.com
Blogger is the oldest blogging platform on the list, founded in 1999 when the internet was still somewhat new. Other than WordPress.org, it’s the most popular website builder. It’s currently owned by Google, so it’s very compatible with Google AdSense. If that’s one of your money-making strategies, this could be perfect for you.
Even those who aren’t tech-savvy can pick it up pretty quickly. Since it’s owned by Google, you’ll also have easy access to analytics and statistics for your blog at any time! Even the free option has some decent templates to choose from and is simple to use. To start an account, all you need is a Google account.
The downside to Blogger is that it isn’t updated very often. As such, you’re limited to third-party apps and templates. There just isn’t as much to choose from. Still, it’s great for beginners!
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Owned by Google, so lots of Google features like AdSense and analytics
- Well-established
- Free and premium plans
- Can put up ads even on the free plan
- Free hosting
Cons
- Very limited options
- Not a lot of room for growth
- If you want a custom domain, you’ll have to buy it separately
- Not updated often
- Google owns your blog
Price
It’s free! Since it’s owned by Google, all the features such as AdSense are just part of your blog. They also provide free hosting. However, if you want your own domain name, you’ll have to buy that from a third-party seller, so keep that in mind.
Verdict
Blogger is the best free option for anyone interested in making a little money from blogging if you don’t mind the limited choices. It’s simple to use and doesn’t cost a thing! If you’re a beginner, this might be a good place to start.
Looking for the best blogging platform that you don’t need money to buy?
7. Tumblr
Tumblr is a free website builder that’s part-social media and part blog. Founded in 2007, Tumblr has changed hands quite a bit. It is currently owned by the company Automattic. Rather than a full blog, it’s more of a “microblogging” website with the ability to follow, like, and re-blog others.
It works well with other social media platforms if that is something in which you’re interested. It doesn’t have any paid plans although you can buy premium layouts if you choose. You can also separately buy a domain name to connect to your Tumblr. Still, it’s not as easy to monetize.
Pros
- Completely free
- Easy to use
- Simple social media integration
- Very interactive with others
Cons
- Limited features
- Not much room for growth
- Difficult to back up
Price
Tumblr is free! You would only need a custom domain name if that’s what you want.
Verdict
Tumblr is a fun website that melds social media and blogging together. It’s completely free, and it’s interesting to customize your layouts. However, if you’re looking to make money, they don’t make it easy.
Streamline your social media and blog.
8. Ghost.org
Ghost is the newest of the options on this list. Founded in 2013, this website builder goes back to the tried and true of blogs—posts! It’s all about the writing on this one. If you’re someone hoping to sell or monetize your writing, this could be the right choice.
Ghost can be self-hosted by you, or they can provide hosting. Both options have a price tag, but they might be worth it. It’s newer and still evolving, but ultimately, it puts the focus on writing.
Pros
- Great for writers
- Self-hosting and hosted options are available
- User-friendly interface
- No setup for the hosted version
Cons
- The self-hosted version requires a customized domain purchased separately
- Limited options
- Not many themes
- Complicated if you choose the self-set-up
Price
The self-hosted version is free, but it requires a custom domain name from a third party and a web host. Those can range in price, so you need to do some research.
The hosted version starts at $29/month, but you may need to purchase a separate domain name if you don’t want “ghost” in your URL.
Verdict
Ghost is a blogging platform that is simple and minimalist with a focus on writing. However, this simplistic approach also means it’s very limited in features. It may be ideal for writers, but it isn’t for everyone.
Embrace minimalism and create a blog of your own.
Buyer’s Guide to the website builders
If you’re creating a blog to make money, then you can consider it a business, and just like any other part of creating a business, there are certain features to look for, plus some pros and cons of every platform to consider. Pay attention to these factors when choosing the best platform for your blog.
What Can You Do with a Blog?
The great thing about this type of media is that it’s incredibly versatile. Most blogs serve as a place for writers to pen articles or short posts about things of interest (and when focused on commerce, brands, and product deals). Some writers use them as a showcase for their stories or poems.
Blogs don’t have to be solely for writing though. You can use it to display the goods you make. Many platforms allow you to embed videos into posts, so you can make multimedia content, too. A blog has so many possibilities, that it’s hard to go wrong. If you choose to monetize it, there’s a lot that you can do!
What Does a Blog Need?
Before you get down to the fun part—design—you need security. Before you even take the plunge with something like a WordPress site or one of the many platforms that have come about since you need to decide on some things:
- Security
- Domain
- Hosting preferences (and if necessary a hosting website—some platforms include this feature)
- Theme
Once you have that figured out, it’s time to choose your platform.
What to Look for in a Good Platform
You might be asking what exactly makes for a good platform. It depends largely on your skill level and what you want your blog to be.
Ease of Set-Up
If you’re new to blogging, you’ll want something that isn’t too complicated to get started. Most of the platforms nowadays have easy-to-navigate dashboards and instructions to start your site.
Purpose-Driven Plans
As mentioned before, blogs can serve many purposes. Whatever your reason for starting one, you will need to keep that in mind when you’re picking a platform. Make sure the platform you choose is suited to writing, videos, eCommerce, etc.
Future Growth
If your blog is successful and generates income, you’ll see your audience grow, too. You will need to choose a platform that can accommodate those changes in traffic and clicks. Some platforms offer different plans and levels for different prices that can easily adjust to big audience changes.
Flexibility
Some platforms are better at adjusting to changes than others. Some require you to pay more to maintain good speeds in higher traffic. Some are easier to modify than others when it comes to layout and features.
Ability to Monetize
There are a lot of ways to monetize a blog, from running sponsored ads to selling products or services. Many platforms allow you to add or create shops directly on your site. Others make it a bit more difficult to get money from your site directly, but they might have a better reach in terms of finding brands and businesses. Consider how you hope to monetize when choosing between the different platforms.
Choose Wisely
Ultimately, the only way to figure out which blogging platform is best for your money-making purposes is to research them. Start with the reviews above and decide for yourself how each one can work for you. With your business idea in mind, go through your website options, from WordPress.org to Ghost.org and all the ones in between. Talk to other bloggers about their experiences with the platforms.
Make your website fun and appealing, and make it something about which you’re passionate. People respond better when they can tell the content and goods are meaningful to the creator.
Start your blog today and see just how much you can make!