Blogging as an online activity has witnessed a tremendous surge in the past few years. Whether one blogs to express their passion for their hobbies, blogs to connect on a personal level with others or blogs to help promote a business, utilizing blogging platforms can be a great way to connect with the world.
The ease of self-publishing has resulted in the availability of a massive amount of ebooks, causing book lovers from all over the world to network with fellow readers through book blogs. If you’re an author, book junkie or book reviewer, then the rise of this book blogging revolution should be particularly exciting for you. You can create blogs that include book reviews, author profiles, events, giveaways and book trailers, to attract others who share your love for reading and writing. If you’re intrigued and would like to reap the powerful benefits of having your own book blog, here is some information on a few of the most highly-recommended blogging platforms to get you started:
WordPress
Released in 2003, WordPress is arguably one of the most popular blogging platforms. It powers more than 60 million websites using a script that is free and can be installed on an online server. Although a number of the hosting providers come pre-installed with some variant of WordPress, it is convenient for users because it offers a scalable solution that ranges from a single person blog to a mainstream media outlet.
If you want to keep your book blog clean, simple and completely customizable, WordPress is the way to go. The WordPress blogging platform comes with a multitude of functionalities that you can use – themes, widgets and plugins to make your blog look exactly how you want. Since WordPress offers a powerful scalable solution, it is exceptional for individuals who want to utilize this free service to make their online presence known.
Blogger
If there is one blogging platform that’s easy for beginners to use, it’s Blogger. Blogger is ranked consistently higher than of the other online blogging platforms because of the simplicity of its set-up. Powered by Google, Blogger is a publishing platform that allows you to start your own blog absolutely free. You don’t even need a domain name; a simple Google account will get you started. Once logged-in, you’ll simply customize your blog according to your preference (a breeze with Blogger’s drag-and-drop functionality), type in your content, add some photos, publish your post, and you’re well on your way to becoming a professional blogger.
Squarespace
Also ideal for beginners, Squarespace is a blogging platform that does not require you to install a lot of plug-ins to get the level of usability that you desire. Like Blogger, Sqarespace uses a drag-and-drop function for easy navigation. When it comes to customization, Squarespace offers a wide range of manipulation tools (including a grid function), making it easy to change everything -- no coding knowledge required!
Tumblr
Powering over 220 million blogs, Tumblr is a blogging platform that is a fusion between a full-fledged blog and Twitter. Since it’s a micro-blogging platform, Tumblr is best for book bloggers who write short blog posts, announcements and frequent updates multiple times a day. With a strong social following and decent mobile app, Tumblr is also a great blogging platform for sharing and re-blogging content.
Blogging platforms allow both authors and readers to connect and engage on a variety of different levels. When choosing the right platform for your blog, make sure it’s user friendly, provides easy navigation, and offers the best fit for connecting and engaging with your target audience.
Tanisha Williams is the author of two non-profit e-books “501c3 In 12-Steps” and “Simple Internal Controls That Protect Your Assets”. Her desire for more interaction with readers was the key inspiration behind the development of her latest business venture ChatEbooks. ChatEbooks, launched in October 2014, harnesses the strengths of social media in order to help authors and their readers engage and connect within the context of the selling/reading experience.