6 Best Blog Websites for Free 2024
Best Overall
Substack
Vault Verified
Monthly Cost
Free (until newsletter makes money)
Custom Domains
For a one-time $50 fee
Drag-and-drop Feature
Limited
Free Templates
Yes
Why We Chose It
While it’s a fairly new player, arriving in 2017, Substack is gaining notoriety among content creators for its straightforward email newsletter features, simple format and easy route to earning through subscribers.
Key Features:
- Email marketing lists
- Newsletters
- Subscriber payment system
Pros
- Easy to use
- Room to grow
- Email option
Cons
- No customizable mailing lists
- Limited customization
- No tagging
Best Customizable
Squarespace
Vault Verified
Monthly Cost
Free; Paid is $16-$49
Custom Domains
Not with the free version
Drag-and-drop Feature
Yes
Free Templates
Yes
Why We Chose It
If you’ve ever listened to a podcast, then you’ve heard of Squarespace and its feature offerings. This user-friendly website builder also offers a free blogging option.
Key Features:
- Commenting system
- Scheduling
- Customizable templates
Pros
- Simple setup
- SEO-friendly
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited customization
- No affiliate links
- Difficult to migrate
Best for Beginners
Wix
Vault Verified
Monthly Cost
Free; Paid is $16-$159
Custom Domains
Not with free version
Drag-and-drop Feature
Yes
Free Templates
Yes
Why We Chose It
From tantalizing templates to a step by step guide, Wix is one of the standout choices for beginners.
Key Features:
- 800+ templates
- Unlimited fonts
- Wix ADI (AI that can make a blog site in a flash)
Pros
- Simple setup
- Easy Search
- Rich Text Editor
Cons
- Wix ads run on the free version
- Free version not connected to a domain
- Not much room for scalin
Best for Simplicity
Weebly
Vault Verified
Monthly Cost
Free; Paid is $10-$26
Custom Domains
Not with free version
Drag-and-drop Feature
Yes
Free Templates
Yes
Why We Chose It
Weebly is a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface designed to help even the most amateur of bloggers create something that people are going to want to come back to.
Key Features:
- Templates suitable for newbies
- Drag-and-drop
- Video backgrounds
Pros
- Easy to use
- Free blog templates
- No ads
Cons
- Basic
- Not much room for scaling
- Limited themes
Best for Community
Vocal
Vault Verified
Monthly Cost
Free; Vocal+ is $9.99
Custom Domains
Yes
Drag-and-drop Feature
No
Free Templates
No
Why We Chose It
Vocal is a community-driven blog site. Writers can choose a different category to help the right writing reach the right people.
Key Features:
- Moderated community of fellow bloggers
- Tipping system for good content
- Good blogs are featured on the main page
Pros
- Genres available to reach an engaged audience
- Simple to use
- Unique categories and community members
Cons
- Limited blog customization
- No simple editing options after publishing
- Basic templates
Best for Visuals
Tumblr
Vault Verified
Monthly Cost
Free
Custom Domains
Yes
Drag-and-drop Feature
Limited
Free Templates
Yes
Why We Chose It
One of the first free blogging websites to hit the market, Tumblr has been providing a social space for creatives since 2007. Tumblr is a big hit among multimedia artists.
Key Features:
- “Reactions” feature
- Tumblr profiles act like a homepage for all content
- Scheduled posts and drafts
Pros
- Customizable
- Great for multimedia
- Social media element
Cons
- User numbers are decreasing
- Not great for long-form blogs
- Hard to reach certain audiences
Blog Website Introduction
Tech-savvy creatives might be able to make a place for their blog to live online from scratch, but the rest of us need a little help from blogging websites that format, present and upload our blogs for us. Choosing the right one can mean the difference between a blog being successful or becoming dormant.
What Is a Blog?
Created in 1994 to showcase short pieces of writing by the world’s first unofficial blogger, Justin Hall, the original blog was Links.net. A few years later, Robot Wisdom writer Jorn Barger added a section to his website called “weblog,” a portmanteau of “web” and “log,” which was later shortened to the phrase we know and love today – blog!
Nowadays, there are blogs for almost every topic and interest, a whole host of ways to monetize them, and a variety of places where people can go to consume them. So, are you ready to get started on your own blogging journey?
How To Create a Blog for Free
If you want to start writing a blog, you don’t need to break the bank to do it. In fact, you can get started without dropping a single penny. Before you start daydreaming about hoards of devoted fans and winning top prizes at the Weblog Awards, make a plan for your new blog.
First, decide the purpose of the blog. It’s perfectly fine to use a blog to keep far-flung family members in the loop on what’s going on in your life, but if you want to attract an audience who don’t know you, you’ll need to pick a niche topic that gives your readers something they can’t find elsewhere. After planning your blog, sign up for one of the free blogging websites that we’ve suggested and start playing around with its look. Most of our suggestions contain built-in templates, drag-and-drop features and more that make designing a new blog a cinch.
Finally, you’re ready to start sharing your blog with the world.
Who Is a Free Blog Site Best For?
The main benefit of a free blog site is, unsurprisingly, the price. People who are just getting started can find all the tools to make a functional and attractive blog on the free websites that we’ve suggested. Another benefit of a free blog is that those who want a break from social media but don’t want to look away from the screen completely may also find solace in a free blog site. Instead of seeking the instant gratification of social platforms, a blog gives a writer a chance to be creative and write something that other people can become enriched by, and it’s still free.
Types of Blog Websites
- Personal Blog: Like a public diary written in a conversational style, personal blogs are a great way to give people a glimpse into your life.
- Business Blog: Big businesses need big blogs. Written in the company voice, business blogs are often used as a marketing tool to let consumers know what a company is offering.
- Affiliate Marketing Blog: One way to earn money through blogging is affiliate marketing, which is when a writer uses special links to products in a blog that earn them a small commission for each item purchased.
- E-commerce Blog: E-commerce means selling online. People with online stores, products or services can use e-commerce blogs to peddle their wares.
How To Choose a Free Blog Platform
Selecting the right free blogging website is a big decision. While it is possible to transfer your blog to another place after you make a choice, it’s definitely a hassle you don’t want early on in your blogging journey. Before you sign up for the highest-ranking “free blog website” on Google, consider if the website has the bells and whistles you need for your blog.
Features and Functionality
Most blog websites have different features to make them stand out. From platforms that make it easy to set up, like Wix, to community-driven websites like Vocal and Substack, the perfect place for your blog is just a few clicks away.
Ease of Use
People who are just getting started with a blog will want to focus on content rather than the minutiae of setting one up. Be sure to pick a platform that makes it easy for you to design a blog you’re going to like long term.
Levels of Customization
Customizing can help a blog stand out from the crowd, but different blog websites offer different levels of customization. Tumblr is one of the oldest blog websites out there and has stuck around, in part, due to its high levels of customization.
Customer Service
New bloggers aren’t going to know all the answers right away. For reliable customer service and assistance during setup, start a blog with Wix.
Other Blogging Platform Alternatives
WordPress
WordPress actually started life as a blogging tool back in 2003 but has since evolved into a content management system (CMS) and website builder that helps users create everything from e-commerce to social media platforms. Fortunately, it’s still possible to make a simple and free blog on WordPress, which is open-source and one of the more flexible platforms for creators. Bloggers with a small amount of coding knowledge can transform a blog into something completely unique or keep it simple and use the templates provided.
First-time bloggers may find using Wix, another CMS, easier to use than WordPress due to the amount of updates and outdated user interface.
Medium
Medium was created by Evan Williams, one of the founders of Twitter, to give people a place to tell stories in more than 140 characters. This open platform free blogging website has paved the way for sites like Vocal, offering a place where people can share stories with a built-in audience interested in the same topics.
One of the drawbacks of Medium is the lack of options for customizing a blog. While this gives writers an even playing field on Medium, it doesn’t help a blog stand out from the crowd elsewhere.
Site123
Site123 is a budget-friendly website builder that simplifies the process of website creation. If you want to make a no-frills blog for free, this popular platform could be a great choice. Site123 offers a limited selection of templates, a comment system and the ability to schedule posts.
First-time bloggers who don’t have lofty ambitions for their blog will find Site123 easy to use, but the platform’s limited templates are a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Best Free Blog Sites for Affiliate Marketing?
Wix remains a popular choice for bloggers who want to capitalize on affiliate marketing, thanks to its lack of restrictions on affiliate links. Vocal is another good option for people who want to use affiliate marketing, dividing audiences into different categories allows bloggers to choose affiliates that are suitable for their target audience, which may lead to more sales.
What Are the Best Free Blog Sites for Making Money?
One of the best free blog sites for making money is Substack, which uses a unique subscription model and takes 10% of subscriber fees set by the writer. In theory, a writer only needs to charge 1,000 monthly subscribers $5 each to raise $60,000 in subscription fees. Wix and Weebly offer a different avenue for making money, giving contributors the chance to promote the platforms to earn extra cash.
How Do I Post a Blog for Free?
Go through the pros and cons of our suggested free blogging websites and decide which one best suits your needs. From drag-and-drop to online tutorials, all of our chosen platforms make it easy for first-time bloggers to post their blogs for free.
What Is the Most Popular Blogging Site?
WordPress is not only the most popular blogging website in the world, it also powers more than 43% of websites on the internet. This CMS juggernaut shows no signs of slowing and still offers a great option for new bloggers who want creative freedom and the chance to scale.
Which Website Is Best for Free Blogging?
Our top pick for free blogging in 2024 is Substack. While Wix, Weebly, Squarespace and Tumblr make it easy for users to design the look and feel of a blog with templates, drag-and-drop features and more, Substack is changing the direction of blogging. Capitalizing on the popularity of the e-newsletter, Substack blogs are delivered directly into a reader’s inbox, eliminating a few precious clicks that may lead to readers going elsewhere for content. The platform is also a great way to build a community of paid subscribers who are willing to part with cash for good content from writers they love.
