Blogger vs. WordPress....Is WordPress really better? And how hard is it to switch after you've started at Blogger?

[Emily Ludlow]

Hello supportive book blogger friends!  If there's already a discussion on this, please let me know.  I couldn't find one, so I thought I'd start my own.

I began my book blog in Blogger because it was what I already knew (I had a personal blog there) and it seemed super easy to use.  I've begun having issues w/formatting my posts to look the way I want and I've heard from a couple friends that WordPress is supposed to be so many times better in so many different ways.  Is it?

In your opinion, is WordPress a better platform and is it easy to use?  Have any of you switched over from using Blogger to using WordPress?  I currently have a domain name, but it just forwards to my "blogspot" address and people are mostly following my blog using that "blogspot" address.  I'm guessing I'll have to start all over / get my current followers to "follow" me again if I decide to make the switch.  I'm still under 100 followers, so maybe it wouldn't be a HUGE deal....

Any thoughts?  Anyone know if I'll still be able to use the "google friend connect" public follow option while using WordPress?

Thanks, in advance, for any help!!
-Emily (Super Reader Girl Reviews)

[Zee]

I chose Wordpress over blogspot, mainly because it looked a lot more professional. The lack of widget's (javascript doesn't work) does annoy me sometimes, but it's extremely flexible.

Also, pingo-matic belongs to wordpress, so every post is automatically updated to all the major search engines.

[marjorie kay noble]

I recently switched and though it took awhile to figure out--and it's still somewhat a work in progress, I can see the benefits. It's better organized and after a lot of trial and error, I'm happier with the overall look. In addition, it seems easier for me--I'm no computer whiz and I tend to use a lot of four letter words whenever I'm learning something new on the computer and this site inspired quite a few of them, but now I find it's easier to keep track of and identify traffic sources. I'm a writer--Babylon Dreams is literary science fiction (my previous novel and the one I'm working on now deal with the supernatural--though there's no vampires). http://marjoriekayesbabylondreams.wordpress.com.

[Paula]

on google you can locate the friend connect and get the code to add it to your wordpress blog under a text file, or look for the plugin go to plugin look up add new type in friend connect and it will allow you to have a google friend connect as my blog shows here http://www.communitybookstop.net

[Suzan]

I gave up my Blogger blog for a self-hosted Wordpress and never looked back. I love the options and the freedom I have with WP. I've never had a Wordpress.com blog so I can't tell you what the drawbacks there are.

I don't remember who said it but I've seen several people say that Wordpress.org is a paid service. It is not. Yes, you have to pay for your own hosting, and domain name while using Wordpress.org. But Wordpress itself is completely free. They pride themselves on remaining free.

You can add Google Friend Connect to a self-hosted Wordpress blog with minimal issue, and you can transfer your blog entries from Blogger to WP. I won't pretend that will be a super easy job. It's just like moving your house, only without the moving vans...and virtual.

I'm very happy with Wordpress and I recently downloaded the Hybrid theme, which is super customizable and awesome to use. It's like the free version of the Thesis theme.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Suzan
Book-Addicts.com launches August 1!

[Anna Moore]

If you want to go with Wordpress, then I would get a self-hosted version of it - don't use Wordpress.com it's just as bad if not worse than Blogger.

I personally think in the long run and over all picture WP is better because you can do ANYTHING with it. You have no limits at all. If you do decide to switch you CAN use Google Friend Connect if you get a self-hosted version of WP, but you'll have to start over with your followers.

[Anna Moore]

Also I deal with WP as part of my career, so if you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to message me or anything! :D

[Emily Ludlow]

Thank you so much, Anna! I think I have decided to make the switch and will probably do so in the next few weeks, but am going to try and play around a bit w/WP ahead of time! I may be contacting you!

Someone on here said there was a code you could use to bring your google followers over, but maybe that would mess things up a bit w/new followers...not sure.

[steph t-d]

there are many sources for changing the blogger format to 3 col. If you google it. Itkupilli.com offers a tutorial. I have heard that the 3rd party templates are not available on wordpress. If you keep your template simple you can use intesedebate for comments. Blogger could improve commenting and their html editor but they don't.

[Kaye]

i am a WordPress fan and user. They are both okay. but I let you decide :)