Blogging has become an extremely popular way for people to make money online. With over 500 million blogs on the internet, it’s clear that blogging is big business. While starting a blog is easy, actually making money from it takes a lot of hard work. But if done right, blogging can become a full-time income source.

Choosing the right blogging platform is one of the most important decisions when starting a blog. The blogging software you use can have a big impact on your ability to monetize your blog. Some platforms make it easier to implement money-making features like ads or affiliate links. Others have large built-in audiences that you can tap into.

There are dozens of blogging platforms to choose from, so how do you pick the best one for earning income? Here are the top 10 best blogging platforms for making money online in 2023:

1. WordPress.org

WordPress is by far the most popular blogging platform, powering over 60% of all websites on the internet. WordPress.org is the self-hosted, open source version that gives you complete flexibility and control over your blog.

Here’s why WordPress.org is one of the best blogging platforms for making money:

• Endless monetization options. WordPress makes it easy to add all kinds of income streams to your site, including ads, affiliate marketing, selling digital products, membership sites, and more. There are plugins and integrations for everything you need.
• Large audience & SEO capabilities. With so many sites using WordPress, you’ll have a leg up attracting search engine traffic. WordPress is optimized for SEO right out of the box.
• Robust theme & plugin ecosystem. No other platform has as many themes and plugins available, which makes it easy to customize the design and functionality of your blog. Many are aimed specifically at monetization.
• Active support community. As the most popular CMS, you’ll always be able to find the help and tutorials you need from WordPress’ large support community.

The one downside is that WordPress.org requires more technical skill since you have to handle the hosting and setup yourself. But if you’re serious about making money from your blog, the control WordPress.org gives you is well worth it.

2. Medium

Medium is a free blogging platform created by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams. Medium has become hugely popular due to its clean interface and built-in audience.

Here are the factors that make Medium a great place to earn blogging income:

• Reach a massive audience. With over 30 million monthly users, it’s possible to get your content in front of lots of eyeballs quickly on Medium. Their discovery algorithm recommends posts based on user interests.
• Make money through the Partner Program. If your stories get enough engagement, you can join the Medium Partner Program to start earning money from your posts through tips, subscriptions, and advertising revenue share.
• Exposure leads to opportunities. Many bloggers have leveraged Medium’s reach to build authority, land book deals, get speaking gigs, or pick up freelance work.

The biggest tradeoff with Medium is that they own all the content published on the platform. So you don’t have full control over your blog’s content or brand if you want to earn directly on Medium. But it’s a great place to start building an audience.

3. Ghost

Ghost is a newer open source blogging platform for professionals focused on content creation. Though not as big as WordPress yet, Ghost has gained popularity for its user experience.

Here are the key factors that make Ghost a top blogging platform for monetization:

• Reader subscription feature. Ghost has a built-in subscriber feature that lets readers sign up for email newsletters and premium content. This gives you an instant income channel.
• Minimal interface keeps focus on content. Ghost’s streamlined UX results in cleaner code that’s faster for readers and better for SEO.
• Total design control. Create a theme from scratch or modify existing ones so your blog’s branding is tailored to earning income.
• Scalable growth. Ghost handles enterprise-level traffic with ease. And their managed Ghost(Pro) hosting solution takes care of your blog’s maintenance and updates.

The biggest downside is that Ghost has a smaller community and library of themes/add-ons compared to WordPress. But for a streamlined, professional money-making blog, Ghost is a top choice.

4. Blogger

Owned by Google, Blogger (or Blogspot) is one of the original dedicated blogging platforms still going strong today. The free hosting and inclusion in Google search results make Blogger a decent option for monetizing your blog.

Here are some benefits for making money with Blogger:

• Owned by Google. Being hosted on Google’s servers helps with SEO and means built-in integration with Google AdSense.
• Includes robust stats. Blogger provides detailed traffic analytics to assess your growth and content. Useful for optimizing monetization.
• Easy ad placement. You can easily place Google AdSense banners around your content to earn advertising revenue.
• Wide range of templates. Blogger offers a ton of free templates and themes so you can give your blog a professional look fast.

The biggest negatives are the lack of flexibility and control versus a CMS like WordPress. But if you want a free hosted platform to start a simple money-making blog, Blogger is worth considering.

5. Squarespace

Squarespace is an all-in-one web hosting and website builder platform. It makes it easy for anyone to make a professional-looking website or blog without coding. Here are the key money-making benefits of using Squarespace:

• Built-in ecommerce. Squarespace includes powerful ecommerce capabilities for selling products directly from your blog.
• Premium website templates. Squarespace offers beautifully-designed templates that help establish credibility for your blog from day one.
• Annuity income options. You can gate some blog content for paying members only to create ongoing subscription revenue streams.
• Integrated analytics. Detailed traffic analytics help you identify high-performing posts to optimize and build on what’s working.

The downsides are the monthly cost, lack of full design control, and smaller ecosystem compared to WordPress. But for bloggers who prioritize convenience and beautiful design, Squarespace is a solid choice.

6. Wix

Wix is Squarespace’s biggest competitor in the website builder space. Like Squarespace, it includes easy-to-use tools to create professional blogs and integrated ecommerce options.

Here are some of Wix’s advantages for making money blogging:

• SEO optimized. Wix sites are built using clean code for improved search engine visibility.
• Top-notch ecommerce features. Sell any type of product online and accept payments seamlessly. Wix covers security too.
• Built-in ad management. Take advantage of Wix’s ad partnerships to monetize your blog content without relying on Google.
• Strong app market. Extend your site’s functionality with money-making apps for memberships, email marketing, and more.

The biggest downsides are the monthly cost and lack of full design control compared to CMS platforms. But Wix is arguably the best “easy-to-use” blogging option with money-making features baked in.

7. Webflow

Webflow offers an interesting hybrid between design-focused website builders and traditional content management systems. The powerful design tools and hosting make Webflow a great option for bloggers focused on monetization.

Here are Webflow’s key benefits:

• Visual design tools. Create beautiful, custom designs for your blog without coding. Helps establish credibility and brand.
• Robust ecommerce & membership tools. Add payment forms or member gates to pages to directly monetize your audience.
• Full hosting & SEO. Webflow sites are fast, secure, and indexed favorably by search engines out of the box.
• Integrations for marketing & analytics. Connect email marketing, analytics, live chat and other tools to optimize monetization.

The main downsides are the learning curve and monthly cost. But overall Webflow provides a powerful way for bloggers to monetize through design, ecommerce, and memberships.

8. Tumblr

Tumblr pioneered the short-form blog and still remains a highly popular (and visual) blogging platform today after its acquisition by Automattic. Here are some of Tumblr’s top advantages for monetization:

• Built-in audience. There are over 65 million blogs on Tumblr you can tap into and interact with to spread your content.
• Multimedia content. The focus on short blogs, quotes, photos, GIFs, and videos makes it easy to create engaging content that spreads.
• Robust native ads. Tumblr’s own advertising network monetizes your content without a dependence on third-party networks.
• Seamless mobile experience. The platform is designed for the mobile-first world, making it easy for your content to reach people on the go.

The biggest downsides are the limits on custom branding and slower website speeds compared to self-hosted platforms. But Tumblr offers a social environment with monetization options worth exploring.

9. Blog.com

Blog.com is a straightforward free blogging platform by automaker Mini that includes everything you need to start earning blog income fast.

Some of Blog.com’s best features for making money include:

• Custom domain support. Use your own domain for establishing your blog’s brand – essential for monetization.
• Built-in advertising. Blog.com has its own ad network to provide revenue from day one. Just add ad code snippets.
• Multiple themes. Choose from a selection of templates to quickly give your blog a unique style.
• Drag and drop editor. Easy WYSIWYG editing lets you create professional content without learning code.

The downsides are the lack of design control compared to CMS options and smaller monetization plugin ecosystem. But overall, Blog.com provides a fantastic free platform for launching a money-making blog.

10. Edublogs

Edublogs is a lesser-known free hosting platform designed specifically for teacher blogs. But its generous features also make it suitable for just about any type of money-making blog.

Here are some of Edublogs key perks:

• Education focus helps build authority. Position yourself as an authority in the education niche for stronger monetization.
• Free video and slideshare hosting. Share multimedia content easily to create engaging blog posts.
• Built-in advertising options. Take advantage of various ad networks, including Google AdSense, to monetize your content.
• Strong SEO. Edublogs sites rank well in search engines because they are fast and mobile-optimized.

The main downsides are design limitations and smaller community compared to bigger players. But Edublogs is an underrated option for quickly launching an education blog that earns.

How to Choose the Best Blogging Platform for Monetization

All the platforms discussed above are great options for earning blog income in one way or another. But how do you choose the best one for your specific goals? Here are some key criteria to consider:

Type of Monetization Strategies

Some platforms cater better to certain money-making models. For example, if you want to sell products choose a platform like Squarespace or Wix with built-in ecommerce. Medium and Ghost make it easy to earn from content subscriptions. Make sure the platform you choose aligns with the monetization methods you want to leverage.

Level of Design Control

The top money-making blogs all have a professional, branded look and feel. Some platforms like WordPress and Webflow give you endless customization capability through CSS and themes. Others limit you to premade templates. Evaluate how much design freedom you need for the type of blog you envision.

Extent of Technical Abilities

Platforms like WordPress provide the most power and control but require you to handle technical aspects like hosting and setup. Others like Medium, Wix and Squarespace make it easy to get started fast without technical skills. Know your comfort level with technology before picking a platform.

Built-in vs Third-Party Tools

Some platforms like WordPress have the biggest ecosystem of third-party plugins and integrations for things like email marketing, analytics, memberships etc. Others like Wix and Webflow have lots of those capabilities built-in without needing external tools. Factor in the availability of the specific tools you need.

Search Engine Visibility

The ability to rank in search engines is key for driving free traffic to your money-making blog. Platforms like WordPress and Webflow create SEO-optimized sites out of the box. Do your research to pick a platform with strong SEO capabilities.

Audience Size & Activity

If you want to tap into an existing audience from day one, platforms like Medium and Tumblr provide that. Others have very fragmented audiences. Consider both the size and engagement of the platform’s existing user base.

By evaluating these factors specific to your planned blog’s focus and monetization models, you can determine which platform will be most conducive to earning blog income. Doing this evaluation upfront will give you the best shot at success.

10 Tips for Making Money from a Blog on Any Platform

While choosing the right blogging platform lays the foundation, there are many other factors involved in actually generating revenue from your blog. Here are 10 essential tips to monetize your blog successfully on any platform:

1. Start with a Clear Monetization Strategy

Don’t just vaguely hope “to make money from my blog.” Decide upfront exactly how you will monetize, whether it’s through affiliate marketing, coaching/consulting, ecommerce, sponsored posts, etc. That way you can tailor your blog content accordingly.

2. Provide Significant Value for Readers

People have to get something useful out of your content before they’ll pay you money in any form. Establish yourself as an authority by providing incredibly valuable information.

3. Use SEO Best Practices

Ranking high in search is critical for driving free traffic. Use SEO-friendly platform features, optimize content, build links, and do keyword research to get found.

4. Create Eye-Catching and Professional Design

First impressions matter when readers land on your blog. An appealing design establishes credibility, keeps people engaged, and converts readers into buyers.

5. Build an Email List from Day One

Email subscribers become loyal fans who will buy from you again and again. Use opt-ins and lead magnets to build your list simultaneously as you create blog content.

6. Promote Content Aggressively

Don’t rely on people stumbling on your blog. Share your content proactively on social media, relevant online communities, and with your email list to maximize your reach.

7. Pay Close Attention to Analytics

Use your platform’s built-in analytics (or install Google Analytics) to understand your traffic and identify your most popular and profitable content that you can build on.

8. Create Diverse Income Streams

Don’t rely on just one money-making method like affiliate commissions. Diversify into selling ads, memberships, services, physical products, etc. so you have multiple revenue sources.

9. Partner with Brands and Influencers

Partnering with established brands in your niche and relevant influencers provides built-in promotion opportunities and new income streams like sponsored content.

10. Adapt and Improve Over Time

Monitor what’s working well and what’s not. Eliminate what doesn’t work, double down on what does, and constantly refine your approach to making money from your content.

Conclusion

Launching a profitable blog takes hard work. But by choosing the right platform for monetization and sticking to blog money-making best practices, you put yourself on the fast track to blogging success.

WordPress is typically the best all-around platform choice thanks to the endless monetization options and powerful customization capability. But many of the other platforms discussed all have their unique advantages too for specific situations.

The most important thing is that you start! Don’t get caught up endlessly second-guessing your platform choice. Pick one and dive in. You can always switch later as your blog and goals evolve.

Focus on consistently providing high-value content, optimizing for search, and aggressively promoting your posts. Pay close attention to analytics to double down on what works. Slowly layer in diverse monetization strategies like affiliate marketing or selling own products.

If you stick with it and constantly refine your approach, your money-making blog will soon leave plenty of residual income streams running on autopilot so you can do what you love.

So don’t wait any longer: sign up for your new blogging platform today and start taking steps towards making money from your content and expertise!