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)

[Maria Hesh]

I have a friend with an online business and she recently switched to WordPress. She's had some growing pains and some formatting issues, but is, on the whole, pleased with it, and loves what she's been able to do in terms of formatting. There was a learning curve, though, she says!

[Jean O]

I've been using Wordpress for at least three years now, and a couple months back when I was making my book review blog, I decided to make the same blog over on Blogger

I have much difficulty with Blogger as a whole, because I am just NOT used to using it. Even though I could make the pattern really pretty and all, I thought my WP one looked a whole lot more sleek and professional.

What I find the absolutely best thing about WP is the in-house BLOG STATS. It gives you hits for the last 30 days, has the last couple of weeks and months as well, and has the websites people clicked to come to you, how many hits for all your posts and pages, any incoming links from other websites, and overall, just a really nice way to analyse your blog's stats.

I love WP because it is so sleek and clean and, once you've used it for a while, it becomes second nature to how to use it!

I would never switch to Blogger, however hard it is to get Google Friend Connect on wordpress.com :(

-Jean
Magic Bean Review

[claire]

I used to be on Blogger but happily switched to WordPress because of so many things, really. For one, WP templates look much more refined and sophisticated and clean. Secondly, I am notified of all those who link to me, so I can go and visit them. Third, I can edit comments easily, even if it's other people's comments. And most of all, my favourite feature, the images! I can plop an image in any place on my post, and make it any size I want. In blogger, the images go on top, so you have to move them awkwardly down if you want them placed somewhere else. Also, the image sizes on blogger are constrained, while in WP you can edit the image's sizes to fit perfectly if grouped together, and such.

In short, Blogger, though customizable in design, is way more restrictive overall. I'm very happy with WordPress, and am glad I made the switch.

[Emily Ludlow]

Thank you for that reply, Claire! I've been a lot happier w/Blogger lately, but that notification of links and being able to customize images so completely would be wonderful. Hm...will need to think some more. :)

[Kelli & Natalie]

Emily,
Thank you for starting this discussion. I have the same concerns as you: am on blogspot right now, bought a domain name and considering switching to Wordpress. I read all the responses but tell me if I missed this one:
Has anyone answered your question about your Blogspot followers transferring to Wordpress? We currently have 159 followers and it makes me sick to think that we'll have to start at zero if we switch.

[Emily Ludlow]

I didn't get details, but think one of the responders said it could be done. I'll try and search for that. Yes, that is a big concern. I have about the same amount of followers at the moment, not to mention those just following through RSS feeds, or linking to us using the blogspot address!

[Emily Ludlow]

It doesn't look like you can auto transfer followers. Posting archive can be moved, but I think followers would have to refollow you at your new location....

[Amanda Markham]

If your followers are via RSS you can transfer your feed. This article tells you how to do it.

If your followers are via Google Friend Connect, it is simply a matter of adding the code from the Google Friend Connect into a widget on Wordpress. If you're not sure how to do this, send me a message and I'll create a screenshot walk-thru for you.

[Kelli & Natalie]

Amanda,
This is great news!! Thank you! I don't know how to do that so I'll be sending you a message. Thank you again!
Kelli (I'd So Rather Be Reading)

[Emily Ludlow]

Thank you, thank you Amanda! This is wonderful news! :)

[Amanda Markham]

Hi Kelli & Emily,

Thanks :)

Kelli: I've posted a detailed text how-to on your Ning page. I am assuming you've got Wordpress already.

[Wendy Wikstrom Snodgrass]

Hi - I'm still struggling with word press and especially with using the font options.

Would you suggest utilizing their nice image feature to decorate? Basically I'm thinking I could 'decorate' with images, even if the image (something in jpg format for example) is a border or something decorative as opposed to a photo/picture.