
Looking for a blogging site that lets you write with no hassles and has a pleasing interface? Tumblr rocks it all, without a question, but if you’re finding something with the features of Tumblr, and with a pinch of variations, then Blogger and WordPress would be our top picks. Check this Techspirited write-up for other alternatives.
“Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers.”
– Brian Clark
In the last decade, blogging has turned the publishing world on its head. A blog allows you to write and publish anything, from anywhere, and make it immediately available to billions of people all around the world. Let’s have a look at what Tumblr offers, and then the similar sites.
► While many blogs give you various options for customization, Tumblr dwells in simplicity and ease of use. Being user-friendly, the platform remains ideal for first-time users and those looking to post within minutes of signing up.
► It is flooded with short-form ruminations, offering sleek layouts optimized for artwork and photos, while rendering additional options for sharing text, links, music, videos, and quotes.
► The site lets you use a separate domain name for free. Additional tools like the mass editor and “reblog” options highlight Tumblr in the social media network. Users can follow other Tumblr blogs at the click of the button, and also link its posts to Facebook or Twitter feed with minute settings.
Blogger
Supported Operating Systems: Web/iOS/Linux – Android, Ubuntu/Windows Phone
Blogger is another blogging site like Tumblr, if you’re looking for something more official. Though incredibly easy to sign up and use with your existing Google account, it’s filled with customized utilities and design enhancements. Blogger’s drag-and-drop design features makes it most convenient for users. All the traditional posting options on a dedicated platform are available here, such as text, images, videos, etc., while there are some additional options too, like geotagging, incorporating RSS content, and switching between multiple languages, available within the hassle-free back-end. Blogger also lets users to create a team blog, which can support up to 100 users. Since your blog is automatically associated with your Google account, it is extremely easy to carry a blog.
Added advantage: Blogger lets users to interact through their Google+ accounts. And all the image uploads get saved immediately as Picasa web albums with no trouble.
Start blogging: Blogger
WordPress
Supported Operating Systems: Web/iOS/Android/Windows Phone
WordPress is one of the most popular websites like Tumblr, and is a great option for creating a professional blog. It is an open-source platform, and one of the most persistent blogging sites. The blog is filled with plugins, themes, and widgets that help to progress for both, old-timers and new users. Moreover, it provides options for directly purchasing a unique domain name through the site for merely $18 per year when you first sign up or at any later date. WordPress is undoubtedly the best, when it comes to customization and advanced levels of control.
Added advantage: They have provided an additional element ofGoodreads widget.
Start blogging: WordPress
No doubt Tumblr, Blogger, and WordPress stand at the top when it comes to blogging, but users have other sites devised to fit individual needs, and motives. Read on!
TypePad
Supported Operating Systems: Web/Windows family – XP, Vista, Windows7/iOS
TypePad is one of the top websites in the world, due to its set of features, making it one of the best blogging-oriented platforms available. It’s been in the industry for over 10 years. It is an ideal place for people who are newbies in the world of blogging. TypePad is versatile when it comes to serving; it’s used by a lot of companies, professionals, and amateurs.
Added advantage: Plenty of support for multi-author blogs and photo-focused blogs.
Start blogging: TypePad
Weebly
Supported Operating Systems: Web/iOS/Android
Need an upgrade to your Tumblr blogging? Sign up for this site and create your own website, followed with its own blog. It has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. It’s free, without those irritating ads, and loaded with SEO options for a more comprehensive look at your blog’s performance.
Added advantage: Weebly’s mobile services are some of the best offered, boasting pleasing customization and posting options within an attractive interface.
Start blogging: Weebly
Xanga
Supported Operating Systems: Web/iOS/Android/Windows Phone/newer versions of Blackberry OS.
Xanga is a flux of blog, photoblog, videoblog, and a social-networking profile. It has the follow feature just like Tumblr, letting you to subscribe to your favorites and stay up-to-date without having to visit the individual weblogs.
Added advantage: There are a few premium account options available to increase bandwidth and site storage. The Xanga 2.0 has increased the options for privacy settings giving us following, follower’s lock, and approved followers for restricting access to your site.
Start blogging: Xanga
Edublogs
Supported Operating Systems: Web/iOS
As the name goes by, Edublogs is for educational blogging. It started in 2005, providing easy solutions to students and teachers, so the major traffic here is from schools and universities. It is a safe, secure, and reliable posting site (like their tagline goes). It lets you manage blogs easily, include images, videos, and podcasts, and customize designs in just a few clicks!
Added advantage: It is backed by WordPress and lets you start your personalized blog for free.
Start blogging: Edublogs
Ghost
Supported Operating Systems: Mac, Windows, Linux and Android
Ghost is one of the most powerful websites for blogging online. You can build a sophisticated blog and have full control over it, unlike Tumblr which has certain limitations over this feature. The functionality of this blog is a lot faster, when compared to other popular blogging sites, which indeed gives a lot more ease to use and maintain your blog.
Added advantage: Ghost has built-in SEO and social sharing features and does not need any extra plugins or extensions.
Start blogging: Ghost
We conclude with a quote by Matt Wolfe―”There’s a lot of information out there for free, so you’ve got to figure out what makes your information different.” Choose the site that inspires you to blog on a consistent basis, ’cause that’s how blogs gain popularity.
Remember: Internet has no eraser, so be cautious about what you blog. Your spouse, your children, your bosses, your friends, your future enemies, everyone will see what you write eventually. Write with all your heart, but don’t forget to take your brain along.
Note that all these websites have blogging as a common ground and there is no website having the exact features of Tumblr, i.e. having both blogging and social networking features. Every website has it’s own unique features and benefits.