Choosing a blogging platform feels like it should be simple, but with self-hosted vs hosted blog options everywhere, it's easy to get stuck before you've even written a word.

This week I'm walking through the questions you need to ask yourself before picking one, plus a rundown of seven platforms so you can figure out what actually fits your goals, budget and technical comfort.

I'm covering everything from starting a blog on something beginner-friendly right through to going self-hosted for serious blog monetisation, including my honest takes on WordPress, Wix, Squarespace and more.

Whichever best blogging platform you land on, remember you can always change your mind later. It's your content, and you can take it with you.

Related Blog posts:

https://thissplendidshambles.com/what-blogging-platform-should-i-use/

Links I mentioned:

Lyrical Host (aff - use TBRPOD for 10% off your first month): https://hub.lyricalhost.com/aff.php?id=1560&home=1

More resources for you:

The Blogging Room Membership: learn.thissplendidshambles.com/the-blogging-room-membership

1:1 Blog Coaching: learn.thissplendidshambles.com/services

More blogging tips: https://thissplendidshambles.com/category/blogging/blogging-tips

Come hang out:

Website: thissplendidshambles.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thissplendidshambles & instagram.com/thebloggingroom

Threads: threads.com/@thissplendidshambles

Ever watched a reel hit half a million likes while your blog post sat at 47 views and wondered what the point even was?

This week I'm digging into is blogging still worth it when virality was never built for bloggers in the first place, and why comparing your blog to social media is like measuring how fast you can walk against how fast a car can drive.

I get into why social media metrics and blogging metrics differ, why a blog post you wrote in 2015 can still be driving traffic today while a viral TikTok dies in 72 hours, and what "worth it" actually looks like when you're playing a blogging long game instead of chasing a scroll-stopping moment. If you've ever felt like your blog was losing to social media, this one's for you.

Related Blog posts:

https://thissplendidshambles.com/is-blogging-worth-it-if-you-never-go-viral/

More resources for you:

The Blogging Room Membership: learn.thissplendidshambles.com/the-blogging-room-membership

1:1 Blog Coaching: learn.thissplendidshambles.com/services

More blogging tips: https://thissplendidshambles.com/category/blogging/blogging-tips

Come hang out:

Website: thissplendidshambles.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thissplendidshambles & instagram.com/thebloggingroom

Threads: threads.com/@thissplendidshambles

In this episode on The Blogging Room Podcast, I'm breaking down 31 of my best blogging tips, everything I've learned from starting a blog in 2009 through to running it today.

Whether you're on the edge of launching your first post or you're six months in and wondering if you're doing this right, you'll find exactly what you need to build a blog that sticks.

These blog tips for beginners cover the foundations, but also tips for when you’re ready to go all-in on your blog, when you’re thinking about marketing and promotion.

And as always, you can find a full breakdown of these tips on my blog.

Related Blog posts:

https://thissplendidshambles.com/best-tips-for-starting-a-blog/

Links I mentioned:

Blog Post Idea Vault: https://learn.thissplendidshambles.com/blog-post-idea-vault/

Lyrical Host (aff - use TBRPOD for 10% off your first month): https://hub.lyricalhost.com/aff.php?id=1560&home=1

The content planner I use every single day: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1035223118/2026-digital-blog-planner-blogging

Beautiful stock images (aff): https://styledstocksociety.com/?aff=anjalikay

The Blogging Room Membership: learn.thissplendidshambles.com/the-blogging-room-membership

More blogging tips: https://thissplendidshambles.com/category/blogging/blogging-tips

Come hang out:

Website: thissplendidshambles.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thissplendidshambles & instagram.com/thebloggingroom

Threads: threads.com/@thissplendidshambles