I have been blogging for over 10 years, yet it still surprises me how many people ask me whether they should choose Blogger or Google Sites to host their blog or website.
As someone with experience using both platforms, I want to provide a comprehensive comparison to help you determine which is the best option for your needs.
In this article, I will evaluate Blogger and Google Sites based on their features, ease of use, design options, monetization opportunities and other factors.
By the end, you should have a clear sense of the strengths and limitations of each platform so you can choose the one that fits your goals and technical abilities.
While Blogger and Google Sites share some similarities as free website builders from the same company, they differ in key ways that make one platform better suited for blogging and the other better for basic websites.
The choice ultimately comes down to how much control and customization you want over your online presence.
Introduction to Blogger and Google Sites
As a blogger, you have a few options for hosting your blog.
Two of the most popular choices are Blogger and Google Sites.
Blogger
Blogger is Google’s free blogging platform.
It offers simple tools to help you create and share your blog with the world.
To get started, you just sign in with your Google account, choose a template, and publish - all without needing to know any coding.
Some of the main benefits of using Blogger include:
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It’s free to use and easy to set up.
You can have your blog up and running in minutes.
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It offers customization options like templates, layouts, and widgets to match your style.
You can also use your own domain name.
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It has built-in features like post scheduling, stats, and SEO tools to help optimize your content.
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It integrates with other Google products like Google Analytics, Google Fonts, and Google Photos.
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Your content is hosted reliably by Google, so you don’t have to worry about site maintenance or security.
Google Sites
Unlike Blogger which is focused on blogs, Google Sites is a more general website creation tool.
It gives you flexibility to make any kind of site - like a portfolio, resource library, or team site.
The editing experience is simple but limited, using drag and drop blocks, templates and layouts.
Some benefits of Google Sites are:
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It’s also free, easy to use, and hosted by Google.
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It works well for building internal sites to collaborate with teammates.
You can manage permissions and see revision history.
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The simple interface is ideal for non-technical users.
No coding is required.
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It integrates with G Suite apps like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
You can embed content from these tools directly into your site.
Ease of Use: Blogger vs Google Sites
As an avid blogger, I have used both Blogger and Google Sites to create websites.
Based on my experience, Blogger has a slight edge over Google Sites in terms of ease of use for the following reasons:
Simplicity
Blogger has an extremely simple, intuitive interface.
The dashboard layout is clean and minimalistic, with options clearly labeled.
Adding and customizing elements like posts, pages, images, and widgets is very straightforward.
In contrast, Google Sites has more features which can seem overwhelming.
The additional customization options require learning how to use the platform.
Pre-made Templates
Blogger offers many professionally-designed templates to choose from.
The templates look modern and are optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing.
You can further customize the templates by changing colors, fonts, and layouts.
Google Sites does provide templates but the options are more basic.
For those without web design experience, Blogger’s templates are easier to work with.
Built-in Features
Some useful features are built right into the Blogger platform, such as analytics, SEO tools, and monetization options.
To access similar features in Google Sites, you need to connect third-party apps.
For new bloggers, Blogger’s built-in features simplify the process of optimizing and managing your site.
Customization Options Comparison
When comparing Blogger and Google Sites, the level of customization and control offered is a key factor to consider.
Design and Layout
Blogger provides a variety of free templates to choose from, with options for blogs, portfolios and business websites.
You can customize fonts, colors, page layouts and add custom CSS or HTML code.
However, the templates still have a somewhat generic feel.
With Google Sites, you have much more flexibility to create a unique design.
You can drag and drop elements, use custom fonts and colors, embed images and videos, and build multi-page sites.
For those looking for maximum creative control over the look and feel of their website, Google Sites is the superior choice.
Features
Both platforms offer core features like page creation, image uploading, commenting and site search.
However, Blogger is geared primarily towards blogs, so it excels in this area with features such as post scheduling, labels, archives and blog rolls.
Google Sites provides more well-rounded functionality for building an internal company portal or school project site.
You get file uploading, version control, task lists, calendars and embeddable forms, spreadsheets and presentations.
For personal use, Blogger’s blogging features may have more appeal.
For collaborative business or education uses, Google Sites’ broader range of features is an asset.
SEO-Friendliness: Which Platform Ranks Better?
When determining how search engine-friendly a blogging platform is, several factors come into play.
Based on my experience using both Blogger and Google Sites, I have found some key differences in how content ranks in search results.
Coding and Markup
Blogger allows for basic HTML markup and some CSS styling, but the platforms handle most of the technical aspects for you.
With Google Sites, you have full control over the HTML and CSS.
For SEO, this means you can optimize page titles, meta descriptions, header tags, and more.
You can also implement schema markup for better ranking in Google Search and Google News.
For beginners, though, Blogger may be easier to use.
Page Loading Speed
Page speed is an important factor in search ranking and user experience.
Google Sites generally has faster load times since you can optimize images, minify code, enable caching, and more.
Blogger is more limited in these capabilities.
Faster sites tend to rank higher in search results, so Google Sites has an advantage here.
Mobile-Friendliness
With mobile searches now surpassing desktop, a responsive, mobile-friendly site is essential.
Both Blogger and Google Sites automatically optimize content for mobile devices.
My experience is that they perform equally well for mobile SEO.
URL Structure
The URL structure of a site can impact its searchability.
Blogger uses subfolders that include dates, like example.com/2020/01/post-name.html.
Google Sites has cleaner URLs like example.com/post-name.
The cleaner structure may be slightly more search engine friendly.
In summary, while Blogger is very easy to use, Google Sites offers more flexibility and control for optimizing content.
For the best search rankings, Google Sites appears to have some benefits regarding page speed, markup, and URL structure.
However, for casual bloggers, Blogger should work adequately and requires less technical skill.
The platform you choose depends on your priorities and level of experience.
Cost Analysis: Free and Paid Options
When evaluating the free and paid options of Blogger and Google Sites, several factors should be considered.
As the platform owner, Google aims to provide useful tools for building an online presence at no cost, while also offering paid upgrades to unlock additional features.
Both Blogger and Google Sites offer free website creation with no expiration.
Google Sites vs. Blogger For Making Money
Both are owned by Google and offer users the ability to create and publish content on the web.
However, when it comes to making money, these platforms have distinct differences.
Google Sites
Google Sites is a website-building platform that provides users with a simple and straightforward way to create web pages.
It's known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and integration with other Google services like Google Drive, Google Forms, and Google Analytics.
While Google Sites is primarily designed for creating informational websites and intranet sites, it can also be used for blogging.
Monetization Options on Google Sites:
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Google AdSense: Google Sites allows you to integrate Google AdSense ads into your web pages.
This means you can earn money through ad revenue when visitors click on ads displayed on your site.
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Affiliate Marketing: You can promote affiliate products or services by including affiliate links within your content on Google Sites.
When visitors purchase products or services through your affiliate links, you earn a commission.
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Sell Products or Services: Google Sites also supports e-commerce functionality, so you can sell your own products or services directly from your website.
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Donations: If you create valuable content, you can ask your audience for donations or support through platforms like PayPal.
Blogger
Blogger, on the other hand, is a well-established blogging platform that has been around since 1999.
It's renowned for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, making it an excellent choice for bloggers who want to focus primarily on content creation.
Monetization Options on Blogger:
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Google AdSense: Similar to Google Sites, Blogger allows you to easily integrate Google AdSense ads into your blog posts, enabling you to earn money through ad clicks.
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Affiliate Marketing: You can incorporate affiliate links into your Blogger posts to promote products or services and generate income from commissions.
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Sponsored Content: As your blog gains popularity, you may have opportunities to collaborate with brands and publish sponsored posts in exchange for payment or products.
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Sell Digital Products: Blogger offers limited e-commerce capabilities, so you can sell digital products like e-books, courses, or printables to your audience.
Choosing the Right Platform for Making Money
The choice between Google Sites and Blogger ultimately depends on your goals and the type of content you want to create.
Here are some considerations to help you decide:
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Content Type: If you primarily want to create static web pages or a website with various types of content, Google Sites may be more suitable.
If your focus is solely on blogging, Blogger might be the better choice.
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Ease of Use: Both platforms are user-friendly, but Blogger's simplicity makes it especially appealing for bloggers who want a straightforward experience.
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Monetization Flexibility: Google Sites offers more diverse monetization options, including e-commerce, making it a versatile choice.
However, Blogger is highly specialized for blogging and integrates seamlessly with Google AdSense.
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Long-Term Goals: Consider your long-term goals.
If you plan to expand beyond blogging and create a full-fledged website, Google Sites might be the better option.
Both Google Sites and Blogger have their strengths when it comes to making money online.
Google Sites offers more versatility and the ability to create various types of content, while Blogger is tailored specifically for bloggers and offers a streamlined experience.
Ultimately, your choice should align with your content strategy and long-term goals.
Whichever platform you choose, remember that building a successful online presence and generating income often requires dedication, high-quality content, and effective marketing strategies.
The Verdict: Which Platform Should You Use?
After comparing Blogger and Google Sites, I would recommend Blogger for most personal and small business uses.
| Comapre With | Blogger | Google Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | August 23, 1999 | February 28, 2008 |
| Status | Active | Active |
| URL | blogger.com | https://sites.google.com/ |
| Registration | Free | Free |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Pros | Widgets,Settings,Templates, | Comment to Add Here |
| tools can integrate | Third Party Integration,Push Notification,Domain and more.. | Google Domains |
| Usage and market share | 1.4% | 0.1% |
Ease of Use
Blogger is extremely intuitive and easy to use, even for beginners.
The simple yet modern interface makes it simple to add text, images, videos, and other media.
You can choose from multiple free templates to get started and then customize the design to your liking.
In contrast, Google Sites has a steeper learning curve and may require more technical skills to set up and customize.
For casual bloggers or those starting their first website, Blogger offers a more straightforward experience.
Customization
While both platforms offer some degree of customization, Blogger provides more flexibility in design and layout.
You have access to HTML and CSS editors to tweak templates, and you can add custom CSS or JavaScript for advanced changes.
Google Sites templates are more rigid, and style options are limited to changing colors, fonts, and adding basic elements like text, images, and videos.
For professional or brand-specific needs, Blogger’s superior customization makes it the preferable choice.
Ownership and Control
With either Blogger or Google Sites, you maintain full ownership and control of your content.
However, should you ever want to switch platforms or stop using Google’s services, exporting your content from Blogger may be easier.
Blogger allows you to export posts, pages, comments, and images.
The export includes the content, metadata, and attachments in both XML and JSON formats.
Exporting a full site from Google Sites is more limited and complex.
So, if ownership and control of data are a concern, keep this aspect in mind.
Conclusion
In the end, both Blogger and Google Sites have their merits as platforms for starting a personal website or blog.
As an avid writer and someone passionate about connecting with readers online, I can appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of each option.
For me, it comes down to a choice between the sleek simplicity of Blogger or the flexible customization of Google Sites.
While Blogger may be slightly easier to pick up as a beginner, Google Sites provides more room for growth over the long run.
The ideal solution depends entirely on your needs, skills, and how much time you want to invest in building your website.
Whichever platform you choose, the most important thing is simply to start creating and sharing your message with the world.
FAQs
Does Google Still Support Blogger?
Is Google Blogger Shutting Down?
But, Some Country specific blogger such as blogspot.in shut down.
Is Blogger Completely Free?
But, For custom domain you have to purchase on domain registrar then add to blogger blog.
How Safe Is Blogger Com?
Is Blogger Good For SEO?
Are Google Sites Free?
Is Google Sites A Website?
Why Is Google Sites So Bad?
if we use blogger we can switch anytime to WordPress but not from Google Sites.
Why Should Use Google Sites?
It gives You fast and better ranking compared to other blogging platforms.
Are Google Sites SEO Friendly?
Does Google Sites Rank On Google?
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