There are many blogging platforms that you can use to share your thoughts with the world. However, not all of them are created equal. In this article, we will discuss seven of the best blogging platforms in Nigeria that you can trust.
We will also help you decide which platform is best for you and provide some tips on how to get started using it. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced blogger, read on to find out which blogging platform is right for you!
Types of Blogging Platforms in Nigeria
Before we answer that, let us understand what a blogging platform is.
A blogging platform is the foundation of any blog. It is the place where you will be posting your content.
And for that matter, there are different blogging platforms in Nigeria to choose from, and it can be difficult to find the right one for your needs.
Luckily, all have the same goal: to help you share your thoughts with others online in a way that is easy and enjoyable.
a). Hosted Blogging Platform
A hosted blogging platform is a platform that provides a variety of blogging tools and services to bloggers. These services include writing, hosting, analytics, and other features.
The hosted blog platforms are hosted on a web server or in the cloud. They are mainly used by writers who want to publish their content on the internet but don’t want to manage the technical aspects of running their own blog.
And as you can guess, hosted blogging platforms in Nigeria make it easy for people who do not have any technical knowledge about how blogs work to start writing and publishing right away.
One of the most popular hosted blog platforms is WordPress.com. It is free and all you have to do is create an account and start blogging.
b). Self-Hosted Blogging Platform
A self-hosted blogging platform, just like hosted platform, is software that enables you to create and maintain your own blog.
But it is different from Blogger or WordPress.com (two examples of hosted blogging platforms) because you have full control over your blog and its content.
With a self-hosted blogging platform, you are in charge of the hosting, design, and content of your blog. The software provides simple tools that make it easier for you to create content and publish it on the web.
They are blogging platforms that you install on your own server, and they offer a wide range of features.
The self-hosted blogging platforms provide more features and greater flexibility when compared to the hosted ones. These include the ability to customize themes, plugins, and other features that you want to use for your blog.
Which one should you choose, hosted or self-hosted?
Keep reading to understand how to choose the right blogging platform in Nigeria for your needs.
Top 5 Blogging Platforms in Nigeria
1). WordPress.org
WordPress.org is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) based on PHP and MySQL. It was first released in 2003, by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, who wanted to create a simple blogging tool that allowed users to publish posts without requiring them to know HTML or programming languages.
In fact, WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world with over 60 million websites using it as their platform and more than 20% of all new websites launched in 2018 are using WordPress as their CMS.
WordPress software can be downloaded from the official website for free, but there are also paid options available that offer additional features such as security updates, installation services, customer support, etc.
And this is a good example of the self-hosted blogging platform we talked about earlier.
I know that’s confusing considering we had already talked about wordpress.com.
Turns out, there are two versions of WordPress:
- WordPress.com – hosted blogging platform or simply a website builder.
- WordPress.org – self-hosted CMS. To use it, you have to first download and install it on your server.
Why WordPress.org?
WordPress is easy to use, has a large community of developers and users, and offers a variety of plugins and themes that can be used to customize it as needed.
At the same time, WordPress is a web content management system (CMS), which means it is not just for blogs but can also be used for creating websites or managing other types of sites such as e-commerce stores or marketing landing pages.
2). Blogger.com
The next blogging platform in Nigeria is Blogger.
Popularly known as BlogSpot, Blogger.com is a free, hosted blogging platform that is easy to use and popular with bloggers worldwide.
You can create a blog on Blogger.com in minutes by registering for an account and then entering your blog’s title, description, and URL.
Once your blog is created, you can start posting content immediately.
Blogger.com provides a variety of templates to choose from, and you can customize your blog’s design to match your personality or brand.
You can also add features like videos, images, and slideshows to your blog posts, and you can share your posts on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
Why Blogger.com?
As we‘ve already mentioned, Blogger.com is a free online platform that enables you to create a blog in minutes, without any technical skills.
Additionally, Blogger is owned by Google, which means it s a robust and secure platform that you can trust. It s easy to use and manage, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking to start a blog.
3). WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a hosted blogging platform that is different from WordPress.org. WordPress.com is run by Automattic, the same guys managing WordPress.org, and there is no setup required, which means you can start blogging right away.
Just like its sister, WordPress.org, WordPress.com comes with a variety of themes to give your blog a look that suits you. You can also add features like Jetpack to your blog to get more out of it.
Launched in 2005, this blogging platform brings the WordPress experience to everyone.
Why WordPress.com?
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform to manage your website, WordPress.com is a great option. It’s completely free to use, and you can even get a free domain name. Plus, there are tons of themes and plugins available to give you the flexibility to create the website you want.
4). Medium
Our next item on this list of the best blogging platforms in Nigeria is Medium.
Medium is a hosted blogging platform that connects people with stories and ideas worth spreading.
In fact, Medium is much like a social media network. With it, anyone can share their ideas and expertise with the world.
The Medium community of writers, experts, and thought leaders come together to create a unique reading experience.
Why use Medium?
Medium.com is a website that emphasizes writing and allows users to share their stories, articles, and ideas with others.
The site is easy to use and does not require any coding skills.
In addition, Medium has a built-in community of readers who are interested in reading quality content.
Most importantly?
Authors can also earn money from their work on the site.
5). Ghost
Another one of the best blogging platforms in Nigeria is Ghost.
Ghost is a minimalist blogging platform, focused on content creation. Unlike anything we’ve looked at in this list, Ghost comes as a hosted and as software, so you can use it on your own web server, or install it on your computer.
Launched in 2013, Ghost is designed to make it easy to write and publish your thoughts, without all the distractions of a traditional website.
Why use the Ghost blogging platform?
If you are looking for a clean, clutter-free, and intuitive user interface, Ghost might be the blogging platform for you.
Written in JavaScript, Ghost is super-fast, making it a great choice for bloggers who want to keep up a quick posting schedule.
Additionally, Ghost comes with a pro version, going for $29 per month. You can check it out and determine if it is for you.
Why Use a Blogging Platform?
What are the advantages of using a blogging platform?
a). Reach a Wider Audience
Blogs are a great way to reach a wider audience. They provide you with a platform to showcase your thoughts, expertise, and ideas. You can share your blog posts on social media or other blogging platforms to gain more exposure.
b). Establish Authority and Credibility
Another reason to use blogging platforms in Nigeria is that they are a great way to establish authority and credibility. Blogs can be used to engage an audience with your content, teach them about a topic, or even just provide updates on the latest developments in your field.
The best blogs are those that provide readers with valuable information. To do this, write posts that are clear and concise, and make sure they have a clear purpose. This will help you build credibility as an expert in your field.
c). Connect with Others in Your Industry
With a blog, you can easily meet other people doing the same thing as you. These are networks you can cultivate while doing your own thing.
d). Share Your Expertise
Blogging in Nigeria can be a great way to showcase your expertise to the world.
By writing regularly about topics that interest you, you can build an audience that trusts and respects your opinions.
This allows you to share your knowledge and insights with others, which can lead to opportunities for networking and new business ventures.
And a blogging platform makes all that possible.
e). Boost Your SEO Efforts
There are countless blogging platforms on the internet, each with its own set of features and capabilities. But what if we told you that one of the most important factors in boosting your blog’s SEO efforts is using a blogging platform that is optimized for search engine optimization?
Bloggers who use popular blogging platforms like WordPress, Medium, or Blogger often find that their blogs are more easily found by search engines thanks to built-in features and tools that make optimizing your content easy.
Selecting the Right Platform for Your Content Needs
As we’ve gone through this list of the top blogging platforms in Nigeria, you end up thinking, which one should I go with?
Here are some questions to help you out:
- Audience Size: pick a site that allows you to scale as your blog grows
- Content Type and Style: the platform should support your content type and writing style
- Features and Functionality: look for a platform with the features you need to grow as a blogger in Nigeria.
- Ease of Use: It should be easy to use
- Cost: if it is paid, make sure it is something you can afford.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great blogging platforms in Nigeria that you can trust.
These platforms are reliable and have been proven to help bloggers succeed.
If you are looking for a great platform to start your blog, then consider one of these five options.
Go ahead and get hosting at an affordable price here.