blogger vs/ wordpress etc...

[Linda]

I've been given opinions that Wordpress is better/easier than blogger, though for no real reasons...would I want to make the switch and if so why or why not?  does anyone have strong opinions, anyone who has made the switch?

Is it easy to make the switch?

[michellew]

I've been debating it myself for months. I hate change though. I am afriad if I move somewhere I am going to lose all my readers. Although i;ve been assured and reassured that it will not likely happen.

I am on blogger. I have a nice new layout. I am getting my own domain as well. But, I still wonder if Wordpress would be better.

I also see Typepad blogs that are fantastic too!

[grocerymama]

I use typepad. It's not free like blogger or wordpress, but I really like it!

[Aimee]

I like google stuff, thats why i have a blogger, but I did use to have livejournal, and that wasn't so bad.

In a little while, we're gonna have our own websites with my blog on it, so it'll be neither of those. lol

[Jane @ Kidzarama]

I use wordpress, and have used the blogspot version of blogger (is it different to the self-hosted one?).

The main difference I've seen is that wordpress allows you to create static pages. Such as an information page on a certain blog carnival that you might host regularly (hint hint ).

The back end, where you write, edit, organise your posts is much more detailed, with more options.

You can also do a lot more with extra bits and pieces (plugins and coding), if that's what floats your boat.
Personally I love being able to dig in and tweak things that annoy me about the presentation of my blog.

You don't have to get so detailed with it, but the option is there if you want to try.
Always back up first. I've learnt that the hard way, several times.  
Although, strictly speaking, maybe I only learnt it the last time I did it...

Anyway, I'd recommend that if you're thinking about switching over, register for a free blog on wordpress.com and have a play with it.

It'll give you the chance to try before you buy, sort of thing.

And you won't need to blindly rely on someone else's opinion, which is always good.

[Willow]

Ditto everything Jane said.  I've used both and I love the extra functions in Wordpress because I don't mind getting down and dirty with code and stuff.  Still, if that doesn't float your boat, just using the "regular stuff" works just great.  And I really love the option of static pages. 

[zimkandace]

Wordpress is better hands down.  The static option is in my opinion the sole reason it is better.  I hate messing with code.

However, I use blogger.  Mostly because I don't want to change and that's where this blog was started.

[Linda]

yeah, lots of opinions, like I thought.   I've seen people create the static pages in blogger by creating a whole blog for an about me, etc...and linking it...seems like alot, but maybe not as hard as changing over?  Do the posts switch effortlessly?  and how hard it is to switch all your widgets?  you have to redo each one?  am i sounding lazy?

[ArmySister]

yeah, lots of opinions, like I thought.   I've seen people create the static pages in blogger by creating a whole blog for an about me, etc...and linking it...seems like alot, but maybe not as hard as changing over?  Do the posts switch effortlessly?  and how hard it is to switch all your widgets?  you have to redo each one?  am i sounding lazy?

I don't know anything about blogger widgets, but the posts import easily. I've walked someone else through that process and it was no problem at all.

[Jane @ Kidzarama]

As far as having a separate blog for an about me page, it might work, but isn't good for SEO.

I was thinking of doing something similar for a special section with daily posts, but when I saw that Technorati treated it as a separate blog I decided not to.

I found a way around this, using code.  But pages are simple.

[michellew]

Speaking of Technorati, everyone hurry up and go add my blog to you technorati faves! My authority # is making me sad. I don't feel authoritative enough. LOL

As far as having a separate blog for an about me page, it might work, but isn't good for SEO.

I was thinking of doing something similar for a special section with daily posts, but when I saw that Technorati treated it as a separate blog I decided not to.

I found a way around this, using code.  But pages are simple.

[k.rodriguez]

I ust Typepad and I love it.  But it's hard to find blog designers who know how to design for Typepad.

[Jane @ Kidzarama]

Well it looks like you found one, because your new look is lovely.

[Dominique]

In the last year, I've moved 4 blogger accounts to Wordpress. I definitely prefer self-hosted Wordpress for the added features and flexibility. I like being able to upload plugins/widgets to add functionality to my blog. I also love all of the theme/design options.

The best thing is that you can use WP as the "infrastructure" to create a website. You can kind of get an idea of what I mean at my current project www.friendsofheroes.org It was very easy to port two blogger accounts into this website and build the pages around the blog.

On the flip side, I'm still trying to figure out php which is much harder than learning css or html. I didn't lose too many readers on my personal blog; however, blogger does not redirect individual post links like it used to. This is a drawback for any internal blog posts links or backlinks from other sites.

I found this article interesting as I was switching:
Moving Blogger Over to Wordpress: The Good, Bad and the Ugly
Note that Wordpress has been updated since this was written.

Hope that helps in some way

[Linda]

In the last year, I've moved 4 blogger accounts to Wordpress. I definitely prefer self-hosted Wordpress for the added features and flexibility. I like being able to upload plugins/widgets to add functionality to my blog. I also love all of the theme/design options.

The best thing is that you can use WP as the "infrastructure" to create a website. You can kind of get an idea of what I mean at my current project www.friendsofheroes.org It was very easy to port two blogger accounts into this website and build the pages around the blog.

On the flip side, I'm still trying to figure out php which is much harder than learning css or html. I didn't lose too many readers on my personal blog; however, blogger does not redirect individual post links like it used to. This is a drawback for any internal blog posts links or backlinks from other sites.

I found this article interesting as I was switching:
Moving Blogger Over to Wordpress: The Good, Bad and the Ugly
Note that Wordpress has been updated since this was written.

Hope that helps in some way

yes that does help...

Speaking of Technorati, everyone hurry up and go add my blog to you technorati faves! My authority # is making me sad. I don't feel authoritative enough. LOL

I had you listed wrong...now you are a Mommy Confessions, not a Sometimes Disgruntled...

If I got anyone else wrong, or left anyone else out just let me know.