Best Free Blog Websites: Starting a blog for free is a great option. Even though they’re free, these platforms still need to be of higher quality and require coding knowledge. Many free blogging websites are just as good as paid platforms.
If you’re looking to begin a blog, these services can help you get started. We’ve tried out all the options and gathered input from other creative individuals who also use them. Keep an eye out for links to the full reviews for more information.
Consider ease of use, design flexibility, and the option to upgrade to a paid site when necessary when making a choice. In general, simpler platforms often have more limitations on customizing your blog’s appearance. You must be ready to use your technical and coding skills for design flexibility.
The best free blog websites for creatives
Here we list some of the best free blog websites for creatives;
1. WordPress.org
With the options provided, you have limited control over the appearance of your blog posts. As an artist or designer, you’re likely accustomed to having greater control over your work. The best free blogging platform for precise control is WordPress.org (which is different from WordPress.com).
This open-source best free blog websites for creatives software is free to use and offers unlimited possibilities. Learning may require some effort, but mastering it can be valuable for professional bloggers aiming to make a living from blogging.
WordPress.org’s software can be challenging to grasp, and achieving desired results necessitates acquiring web design skills. It could be a hurdle for some users since it’s a self-hosted platform without specialized customer support.
If you want to create a blog quickly, there may be better platforms for you. Remember that you must invest in web hosting and a domain name to launch your blog. However, you can enjoy extensive control over your site with some effort. You also have the freedom to select the ads displayed on your blog.
Website: https://wordpress.org
2. Wix
Want to get your blog up and running in no time? If you’re looking for a best free blog websites for creatives, Wix is a great option. Create your blog or website effortlessly with this user-friendly blogging platform that offers simple drag-and-drop functionality.
Starting and using the interface was very easy when we reviewed it. We found the variety of templates impressive, along with the 500MB of online storage and 1GB of bandwidth provided for free.
Wix is popular among artists and designers for various reasons, even though it is not targeted towards them. Keep in mind that the free account has some limitations. You’ll also receive a Wix advertisement on your website and a Wix domain name. You will need to pay for a plan to access additional features such as an online store and Google Analytics. The pricing for the paid plans is quite reasonable. We recommend starting with the free plan and upgrading once you attract visitors and want to enhance the professional look.
Website: https://www.wix.com
3. Weebly
If building a blog seems daunting, consider checking out Weebly. During our review, we discovered that it was simpler to use than Wix, ranked number one on our list.
Both best free blog websites for creatives platforms share many similarities. Both platforms use a drag-and-drop system, making creating a website with a template easy. Based on our testing, Weebly has fewer customization options compared to Wix. On the bright side, the interface is less cluttered and user-friendly, making it ideal for a free blogging platform.
Like Wix, the free plan includes a Weebly ad on your site and a branded domain name. Access customizable layouts, free themes, and social sharing features. Upgrading to a paid plan removes ads, provides a custom domain, and offers additional customization features.
Website: https://www.weebly.com
4. Joomla
We have been concentrating on platforms allowing you to create a blog without coding knowledge. What if you work as a coder? It is the best option if you’re looking for a best free blog websites for creatives.
Joomla makes it easy to create a website without starting from zero and allows you to insert code for customization. Similar to WordPress.org, this software is free and open-source for building sites. However, you will need to pay for a domain name and hosting.
Joomla offers a wide selection of templates and extensions to help you customize your blog to your liking. Joomla may offer fewer themes and add-ons than WordPress.org, but it can be a better choice for those comfortable with coding, especially for larger, more intricate websites. If your blog will grow and you want to profit from it, this solution is likely more scalable.
Our review of Joomla highlighted its excellent out-of-the-box tools, a wide range of extensions, and impressive flexibility in customizing the blog’s appearance and user experience. However, we found it unsuitable for individuals needing more technical or coding expertise.
Avoid hosting fees? Starting in 2015, Joomla partnered with SiteGround to provide an excellent solution. Launch.joomla.org provides the essential publishing features of Joomla, along with free hosting. This free option could be more helpful if you are looking for a more advanced website immediately. It’s a good starting point because any blog you create here can be expanded into a complete self-hosted project later.
Website: https://www.joomla.org
5. Substack
Artists and designers are increasingly using email newsletters to promote themselves. For a lot of people, this serves as an alternative to blogging… However, it doesn’t have to be. We found that using Substack allows you to accomplish two things at once. Substack primarily focuses on newsletters, but you also receive a webpage to showcase all your previous newsletters in one location. It also functions as a free blogging platform.
If you’re looking for a blog with a unique appearance, there may be better options. Substack’s blog features could be more extensive because the platform mainly focuses on emails. You’ll receive a simple CMS with text formatting tools and the option to add images, videos, and other web content. Additionally, Substack is free as long as your posts/emails are free for all to read. Substack will only take a cut once you begin charging people for subscriptions.
Setting up a newsletter/blog on Substack was incredibly user-friendly and intuitive, making it stand out as one of the simplest interfaces we’ve encountered. We enjoyed the version history feature for accessing past post versions and the lightweight interface that remained functional during poor mobile connectivity.
Website: https://substack.com
6. Site123
Dealing with blogging platforms can be confusing and frustrating, but Site123 offers free 24/7 live chat support to help you set up your blog.
Our review of Site123 focused on testing the quality of their support. We found that we were quickly connected with a friendly agent within five minutes, as promised. It’s important to note that phone and email support options are unavailable.
Site123 is user-friendly. It offers a variety of pre-made styles and layouts with helpful prompts to assist you in creating your blog. You might not even need any support.
While the results may appear basic compared to more advanced platforms, Site123 will display ads on your site. However, if you’re looking for a straightforward blog with comments, post scheduling, and social integration, you’ll find everything you need here.
Website: https://www.site123.com
7. WordPress.com
WordPress.org (number five on our list) and WordPress.com may have similar names, but they are quite different. The first option provides a robust web design platform, but it requires a significant amount of time to learn and involves additional costs for hosting and a domain name. On the other hand, WordPress.com offers an all-in-one solution that includes hosting and a domain, making it simpler to use.
WordPress.com is an excellent option if you prefer to spend less time reading documentation and learning web design skills. The free plan includes free hosting, 1GB of space, and a branded domain name with a .wordpress.com ending. Unfortunately, you won’t have many options to personalize your site’s appearance, and third-party ads will be displayed on your blog.
Our review of WordPress.com found it a cost-effective option with a wide range of themes and simpler setup compared to WordPress.org. We noticed that this platform’s interface is more complicated than that of other free blog sites like Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace.
Website: https://wordpress.com
8. SilverStripe
SilverStripe is a top choice among free blogging platforms if you’re an experienced developer seeking robust security and advanced features. It’s a free, open-source, user-friendly CMS once set up, but some web skills are required to reach that point. Tools include a web-based admin panel, a WYSIWYG website editor, rich-text editing, easy video embedding, and a drag-and-drop, tree-based navigation system. Remember that you must cover the costs of your domain name and hosting.
Website: https://www.silverstripe.org
How to choose the best free blog website platform
Deciding on the best free blog website platform can be challenging. It’s because everyone is unique. Something that seems simple to one person could be very confusing to another. One platform may meet a blogger’s needs perfectly, while another may not allow them to post the way they want.
Our list of the top free blog website platforms should help you determine which is best for you. If you’re short on time, skim the one-line descriptions under each platform name. The best way to decide is to try a few platforms for a few minutes. Since they’re free, you only risk a bit of your time.
You’ll quickly find the best blogging solution for you. Hopefully, this will result in a lifetime of sharing excellent content and being generously rewarded for it.
How we test the best free blog website platforms
We’ve tested various blogging platforms, including those on this list, to provide you with a comprehensive guide to the top free blog website platforms currently available. We’ve thoroughly tested them for user-friendliness, tutorial quality, and post appearance across various devices. We experimented with multiple post types and checked for any inconsistencies or omissions in terms of the media formats that can be posted, including file types. We have evaluated the cost of these services and the potential for expanding your blogging activities if they are successful.
FAQs
Can anyone write a blog?
Of course, anyone can create and write their blog! Thousands of individuals use free blogging platforms daily with just a computer and internet connection or simply a phone!
Another question to consider is: Will people read your blog? There are no guarantees, and promoting your blog is up to you.
Focus on perfecting your content before trying to grow your audience through word of mouth if you still need to get one. Providing unique information and insights on a niche topic you’re passionate about can lead to a successful blog.
Which free blogging platform is best?
Choosing the right free blog website depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking to start quickly without any web design background, Wix is a great option. It’s user-friendly and provides over 500 customizable templates to choose from. If you value having precise control over your site’s appearance and are OK investing time in learning the system, we suggest WordPress.org. For experienced coders, Joomla or SilverStripe provide sophisticated tools to build an advanced site tailored to your needs.
Do I need a website to write a blog?
Maybe not. You can write brief posts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram without a website. Similarly, there are social networks where you can write and share longer articles.
LinkedIn is currently one of the top business networks for blogging. If you’re a social network member, you can quickly post articles on the site for free; no technical skills are required. Navigate to the section where you usually create a brief post, select the ‘Write an article’ button, and proceed with the instructions. After writing and publishing your article, you can easily share your article on LinkedIn and other social networks after writing and publishing it.
How do bloggers make money?
Earning money through blogging is similar to earning money through playing sports. Only a few individuals at the top of the hierarchy earn significant sums. Many people earn modest incomes. Most people are not earning any money.
There are numerous ways to earn money through blogging. Building a large audience allows you to sell advertising on your blog. Yet, the rates are pretty low, so you’ll require many visitors to make it worthwhile.
For a niche subject, consider creating sponsored content that connects with your specific audience and promotes a product or service to them. For example, an interior design blogger could receive sponsorship from a luxury wallpaper company to decorate their home with the wallpaper and write a blog post about it.
Consider making money as a blogger by using e-commerce links. When writing about a product, include a unique link for readers to make a purchase. You earn a commission for each sale made through that link.
Which free blogging platform is best for making money?
Making money from your blog can be challenging with most free blogging platforms. By offering you a free blog, they will insert their own ads on your site and keep the money from any click-throughs.
WordPress.org is a major exception. As this is open-source software, you have complete control over your blog, including displaying your ads and keeping all the revenue. Remember that WordPress.org can be challenging to use, and you’ll need to purchase web hosting and a domain name separately.
Does my blog need a domain name?
The top free blogging platforms usually provide a URL for your site, but it might be long and hard to remember, often including the company’s name. To be taken seriously, consider purchasing your domain name. It’s affordable and can make a big difference for your blog. You don’t have to do this right away. You can wait until later when you have an audience.