Blogging Made Easy: Top Platforms To Create A Blog For Free

Blogging has transformed into an increasingly popular way to share information, opinions, and stories with others. Whether you want to express yourself creatively, share your professional expertise, or connect with others with similar interests, a blog can provide a platform to do just that. However, only some have the budget to invest in a paid platform to start their blog.

This is where free blogging platforms come into play. You can create a blog without any financial investment with a platform that allows blogging for free. These platforms offer a range of features and tools to help you get started, from customizable templates to easy-to-use editors that require no coding skills.

Several blogging platforms are available today, including Strikingly, WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr to create a blog for free. Each of these platforms offers a unique set of features, tools, and benefits to help you create and publish your blog. However, choosing a suitable platform can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to blogging. Continue reading to make the process simpler and get started on your blogging journey today!

Top Blogging Platforms To Create A Blog For Free

When creating a blog for free, there are several platforms to choose from. Every platform has unique features, tools, and benefits that suit different bloggers.

Here are some of the top free blogging platforms you can use to start your blog:

• WordPress. WordPress is among the most famous blogging platforms in the world, with more than 60 million websites powered by the platform. It's a versatile platform ideal for bloggers of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced users. With its intuitive interface, customizable templates, and powerful features, WordPress is an excellent choice for bloggers who want complete website control.
  
• Blogger. Blogger is a free blogging platform that Google owns. It's easy to use and ideal for bloggers just starting. With its simple interface and built-in Google tools, such as AdSense and Analytics, Blogger is a great choice for bloggers who want to monetize their blogs and track their performance.
  
• Tumblr. Tumblr is a microblogging platform ideal for bloggers who want to share short-form content, such as photos, videos, and GIFs. With its social media-like interface and built-in sharing features, Tumblr is a great choice for bloggers who want to build a community around their content.

Strikingly- The Ideal Website Builder For Beginners To Create A Blog For Free

While these platforms are all great choices for creating a blog for free, Strikingly is an easy-to-use website builder ideal for beginners. With its drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates, Strikingly makes it easy to create a professional-looking blog in minutes. With its mobile-friendly design and built-in features, such as social media integration and analytics, Strikingly is an excellent choice for bloggers who want to get started quickly and easily.

Image taken from Strikingly

Here are a few benefits of choosing Strikingly for making your blogging site:

• User-friendly interface

Strikingly drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for even beginners to create a professional-looking website without any coding knowledge.

• Customizable templates

It offers a variety of templates that you can customize to match your brand, style, and preferences. You can change fonts, colors, layout, and add your own images and videos.

• Mobile responsive

The templates are designed to be mobile-responsive, meaning your website will look great on any device.

• Free plan.

It offers a free plan that allows you to create and publish a website with up to 500MB of storage and a Strikingly.com subdomain.

• Easy blogging tools

Strikingly offers powerful blogging tools, including the ability to schedule posts, add tags, and categorize posts.

• SEO-friendly

Strikingly offers built-in SEO tools to help your website rank higher in search engines, including the ability to add meta tags and descriptions.

• E-commerce integration

If you plan to monetize your blog through e-commerce, Strikingly offers integration with popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.

• Fast loading times

Strikingly's websites load quickly, ensuring a great user experience for your visitors.

• Reliable hosting

Strikingly provides reliable hosting for your website, meaning you don't have to worry about downtime or server issues.

• Built-in analytics

Strikingly offers built-in analytics to help you track your website's performance, including page views, bounce rates, and referral sources.

• Integration with third-party services

Strikingly integrates with a variety of third-party services, including Google Analytics, Mailchimp, and social media platforms, making it easy to manage your online presence.

• Excellent customer support

Strikingly offers excellent customer support, including a knowledge base, email support, and live chat.

Strikingly provides comprehensive features and tools to help you create a professional-looking blog website for free. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced blogger, Strikingly's user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and powerful blogging tools make it a great choice for creating a website that reflects your style and brand.

How To Create A Blog For Free Using Strikingly?

Now that we've highlighted Strikingly as a top free website builder let's take a closer look at how to create a blog using this platform.

1. Sign up for a free account. Go to Strikingly's website and sign up for a free account. You can sign up using your email or your Facebook account.

2. Choose a template. Once you've signed up, choose a template that fits your blog's style and content. Strikingly offers a variety of templates designed for different types of blogs.

3. Customize your template. Customize your template by changing fonts, colors, layout, and adding your images and videos. Strikingly's drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to customize your template without any coding knowledge.

4. Add a blog section. Add a blog section to your website by clicking "Add Section" and selecting "Blog" from the options. You can customize your blog section by choosing how many posts to display, adding categories and tags, and customizing the layout.

5. Create your first blog post. Click "Create New Post" in your blog section to create your first blog post. You can add text, images, videos, and other media to your post, and format it using Strikingly's built-in editor.

6. Publish your blog. Once you've created your blog post, click "Publish" to make it live on your website. You can then share your blog on social media, email, or other channels to reach a wider audience.

You can now create a blog for free using Strikingly simply in just a few steps by following the steps mentioned above.

Image taken from Strikingly

Create A Blog For Free- Customize To Reflects Your Style

There are several things you can customize on a Strikingly template to create a blog that reflects your style and preferences. Here are some of the key elements:

• Layout. Customize the layout of your Strikingly template by choosing different sections and arranging them in the order you want. You can also adjust the width of each section to create a unique look and feel.
  
• Colors. You may change the colors of various elements on your template, including background colors, font colors, and link colors. It allows you to create a color scheme that matches your brand and personal style.
  
• Fonts. Choose from various fonts on Strikingly to create a typography style that reflects your blog's voice and tone.
  
• Images and Videos. Add your images and videos to your Strikingly template to make your blog more visually appealing and engaging. You can also customize the size and placement of each image and video to create a unique look and feel.
  
• Navigation. Customize the navigation menu on your Strikingly template to make it easy for visitors to find the content they want. You can also add links to your social media profiles or other relevant pages on your blog.
  
• Blog section. Within the blog section of your template, you can customize the number of posts displayed, the layout of the blog section, and the way blog posts are displayed. You can also add categories and tags to your blog posts to make it easy for readers to find content on specific topics.
  
• Header and footer. You can customize the header and footer of your template by adding your logo, social media icons, contact information, or other relevant information. It helps to create a consistent look and feel across your entire blog.
  
• Widgets. It offers a range of widgets you can add to your template to enhance the functionality of your blog. For example, you can add a search bar, newsletter sign-up form, or social media feeds.
  
• Mobile responsiveness. All Strikingly templates are mobile responsive, which automatically adjusts to different screen sizes. However, you can also customize your template's mobile version to ensure it looks great on all devices.
  
• SEO optimization. The platform provides built-in SEO tools that you can use to optimize your blog for search engines. It includes adding meta tags, optimizing images, and creating a sitemap.
  
• Header and footer. You can customize the header and footer of your template by adding your logo, social media icons, contact information, or other relevant information. It helps to create a consistent look and feel across your entire blog.
  
• Widgets. It offers a range of widgets you can add to your template to enhance the functionality of your blog. For example, you can add a search bar, newsletter sign-up form, or social media feeds.
  
• Mobile responsiveness. All Strikingly templates are mobile responsive, automatically adjusting to different screen sizes. However, you can also customize your template's mobile version to ensure it looks great on all devices.
  
• SEO optimization. Strikingly provides built-in SEO tools that you can use to optimize your blog for search engines. It includes adding meta tags, optimizing your images, and creating a sitemap.
  
• HTML/CSS coding. Strikingly allows advanced users to add custom HTML/CSS coding to their templates, giving them even more control over the design and functionality of their blogs. With this feature, you can add custom styles, scripts, and elements to your template, making it truly unique. However, it's important to note that this feature is only recommended for users with a good understanding of HTML/CSS coding, as it can be challenging for beginners.
  

Customizing these elements on your Strikingly template can create a blog for free that reflects your unique style and preferences. It also ensures a great user experience for your readers.

Image taken from a Strikingly user's website

Tips To Create A Blog For Free & Make It Stand Out

Here are some tips on creating compelling blog content and making your blog stand out:

• Identify Your Audience. The first step in creating compelling blog content is to know your audience. Determine who your target audience is and what they're interested in. It will help you create relevant and engaging content for your readers.
• Be Authentic. Authenticity is key when it comes to blogging. Share your experiences, opinions, and insights to deeply connect with your readers. Authenticity allows us to build trust and credibility with our audience.
• Use Visuals. Visual content, such as images and videos, can make your blog more engaging and memorable. Use visuals to break up long blocks of text, illustrate your points, and create a visually appealing blog.
• Write Catchy Headlines. Your headline is initially the first thing readers will view, so make sure it's attention-grabbing and compelling. Use strong verbs, numbers, and inspirational words to make your headline stand out.
• Tell A Story. Storytelling is a strong tool for engaging readers. Use anecdotes, personal stories, and real-life examples to explain your points and make your content more relatable.
• Be Consistent. Consistency is extremely crucial when it comes to blogging. Set a regular posting schedule and try to follow it. It will help build a loyal readership and keep your blog top of mind for your audience.
• Promote Your Blog. Finally, remember to promote your blog. Share your content on social media, guest post on other blogs, and engage and socialize with your audience. The more you promote your blog, the more visibility and traffic it will receive.

Pros & Cons Of Blogging Platforms To Create A Blog For Free

While free blogging platforms are an excellent option for beginners and people with tight budgets, there are pros and cons. Here is a list of some benefits and drawbacks to consider when using a free blogging platform:

Pros

• Free. The biggest advantage of using a free blogging platform is that you don't have to pay for hosting or a domain name. It makes it an affordable option for those just starting.
• Large Community. Many free blogging platforms, such as WordPress and Blogger, have large communities of bloggers who can offer support, advice, and feedback.
• Easy To Use. Free blogging platforms are typically designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces and drag-and-drop features that make creating and customizing your blog easy.

Cons

• Limited Customization. One of the substantial drawbacks of using a free blogging platform is that you may need more customization options. You may have to choose from a limited selection of templates and plugins and may need help fully customizing your site's design or functionality.
• Restrictions On Monetization. Some free blogging platforms may restrict your ability to monetize your blog by placing ads or accepting sponsored posts.
• Lack Of Control. Because you're using a free platform, you may not have full control over your blog's content, design, or functionality.
  

Image taken from a Strikingly user's website

Use A Blogging Platform To Create A Blog For Free

Here are some new tips on how to make the most of a free blogging platform and overcome its limitations:

• Focus On Your Content. While free blogging platforms may have limitations regarding design and customization, they don't limit the quality of your content. Focus on creating engaging and informative blog posts to attract readers and keep them coming back.
• Leverage Social Media. One way to avoid the limitations of a free blogging platform is to promote your blog on social media. Share your posts on your social media accounts and socialize and engage with your followers to build a loyal audience.
• Use Visuals. Visuals like images and videos can make your blog posts more engaging and shareable. Use free stock image sites like Unsplash or Pexels to find high-quality visuals that complement your content.
• Network With Other Bloggers. Constructing relationships with other bloggers in your niche can help you grow your audience and gain valuable insights into the blogging world. Join blogging communities and engage with other bloggers by commenting on their posts and regularly sharing their content.
• Monetize Creatively. While some free blogging platforms may restrict monetization, there're a few ways to make money from your blog. Highly consider partnering with brands for sponsored content or using affiliate marketing to earn commissions on product recommendations.
  

Conclusion

Starting a blog for free is challenging, but there are various blogging platforms available today that offer both free and paid options. Platforms such as WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, Wix, and Strikingly are excellent options for bloggers with different goals and needs. However, customization is crucial when creating a blog on a free platform, and Strikingly allows for easy customization to reflect your style and preferences. Although free platforms have some limitations, there are still ways to make the most of them. You can create compelling content, build a strong social media presence, and engage with your readers. If you are starting out, Strikingly is recommended for its user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and powerful blogging tools. Sign up today and start your free blog to share your ideas with the world!