Complete Online Marketer

Should You Use A Free Blog or A Paid Blog System?

This is going to be a bit wordy but if you’re looking for specific comparisons between three mainstream blogging systems (Semiologic Pro, Expert Wordpress and Jeff Johnson’s free SEO blogging software), grab a java.

These are the three mainstream blogging “software systems” that I’ve personally used at various stages of my blogging escapades.  in a nutshell, they each have varying degrees of functionality, are built on the open-source WordPress platform and are focused on delivering user-friendly administrative functions while maximizing SEO results with a variety of customization options in themes, plugins, and widgets.

That’s a long-winded way of saying that each “system” is similar …to a point.  So why such a broad difference in price? And what are the essential features that determine superiority for the layman blogger?

And why, oh why, do some “systems” insist on being promoted as “software?”

I hesitate to even use the word “software” because that takes away from the obvious fact that these “systems” (aka “collections of files”) are built on an existing software platform (WordPress) and, you shouldn’t presume to take credit for something that already exists.  That’s just wrong.

In this case, these “software” files are little more than tweaked out existing WordPress files that clever code jockeys have simply tweaked and tested for post-modification compatibility.  If I were to visit any number of online WP tutorials and tweak out my blogs to accommodate specific functions, I wouldn’t be writing “software,” I’d be modifying existing files.  Please, call these products “blogging models” or “blogging methods” or even “blogging systems” and I’m happy. But don’t try to sell me on a totally new software version of something that already exists and works just fine for the masses at large.  Sell me on the tweaks.

Ok, Rant over.

It wasn’t until I nursed my annoyance for the phrase “blogging software” that I began to pick apart the top three blogging products.  It’s made me look closer into the intent of each marketer and the impact their products have on my online business.

A good place to start is with Semiologic Pro – a community unto its own.  I’ve resurrected my copy during the course of this research, and am reminded just how robust it really is.  This is an elaborate combination of WordPress and proprietary code created by Denis de Bernardy.  It integrates over 70 tools and plugins, pre-configured even before you view your new blog (nice!) and on some levels, it hardly seems fair to try to compare it with, well ….anything.

Semio, v6 is scheduled for release, January 2009 and at $295 (possibly more), it continues to set the precedent for blogging technology …bar none.  But expect to pay an additional yearly support fee after purchasing the product.

On the other hand, the basic Semiologic package is available for free and has a limited mix of standard SEO features shared by other premium blogging systems.  Go ahead and download it and get familiar with the theme and plugins.  It’ll give you a benchmark to compare an upcoming freebie “system.”

Expert Wordpress was created more for the layman blogger.

I currently use it and find it to be very intuitive and productive.  While the price tag takes you over the $100 ceiling if you buy into the Premier membership offer, it’s still considerably less than Semio Pro.  It may not be quite as feature-rich, but since it caters more to newbies who can be easily overwhelmed with too many bells and whistles, it comes pretty darn close.

For all intents and purposes, EWP is comparable to Semio Pro insofar as fundamentals go.  And dare I say that EWP has Semio beat in tutorials!  In fact, I think it’s fair to say that Expert WordPress leads the pack in this area!

Unless you have professional blogging needs that require the customization of Semio Pro, Expert WordPress is quite possibly the dog to beat for the rest of us.  It’s less expensive (sans additional support fees), built for SEO optimization and monetization and has a plethora of educational videos that not only address configuration tasks but essential marketing strategies as well.

Jeff Johnson’s free SEO blogging software is the tell-tale freebie.  It would be good to download this one as well as the free Semio version and compare functionalities.

Probably the thing that sells this offer more than the product itself is the reputation of Jeff Johnson. Considered an SEO expert by many high-profile marketers, it’s tempting to look at this free “software” and assume that you’ll have the best possible blog out there.  But hold on…

To some extent (esp for newbies), this would be enough.  Just visit his Underground Training Lab blog to get a taste of what he’s about and how to use your blog for making money online.

But for more advanced bloggers, there’s really no need to take a look at this free blog “system” because you prob’ly already know as much as he offers for free.  The challenge is in knowing whether you’re ready to commit to an education in blogging SEO that Semio and EWP don’t offer.

If that’s where you’re at, use your own blog “system” and consider joining his Underground Training Lab coaching club and membership site (which goes way beyond the price of “blogging software” but takes you to a whole other level of marketing prowess).

If you do happen to download the software, just be aware that some of the default file permissions may prevent a smooth installation.

Installation Note for Jeff’s free SEO blog software:
My first attempt to view the installation page resulted in an Internal Server Error.  This is related to certain files having permissions set to 777 instead of 755.  if you get this error, try contacting your host to have them run a quick ‘file repair’ app on your database or refer to this helpful article from Wordpress.org Codex regarding changing file permissions.

It would have been nice to have seen a response to comments posted at the download site that could have explained the error.

Believe it or not, I’ve tried to keep this brief but I’ll never get it published at the rate I’m going so let me end with a comparative table of features.  From there, you should be able to make an informed decision as to which “blogging system” will work best for you.

Semiologic, Basic (free) – Newbies Only

Plugins

sem-admin-menu, adismet, all-in-one SEO pack, google XML sitemap, simple CAPTCHA, sociable, stats, WP cache, DBmanager, auto tagger

Customization Features

• Built-in tagging
• RSS
• bookmarking
• automated ping notification
• Google sitemap generator and Google analytics
• comment subscriptions
• spam control
• widgets
• And limited customization

Notes
Documentation is left to the forum, albeit an active one that is moderated by several marketing experts who use the software.

Semiologic Pro ($295 + yearly support fee) – Advanced (Professional) Bloggers

Plugins
akismet, countdown, democracy, global translator, hitslink, Markdown, mediacatcher, mycategoryorder, mylinkorder, mypageorder, now-reading, role-manager, admin-menu, ad-apace, author-image, autolink-uri, blogpulse, sem-bookmark-me, cosmos-link, dofollow, sem-external-links, extract-terms, fancy-excerpt, frame-buster, google-analytics, semiologic, newsletter-manager, optin-front, recent comments, recent posts, recent updates, search reloaded, semiologic affiliate, smart link, static front, subscribe me, unfancy quote, wysiwyg, silo, star-rating, subscribe to comments, TBValidator, widgets, wp cache, contact form, cron, db gackup, hashcash, audio player, commentcontrol, custom query string, favicon-head, flickr widget, full feed, impostercide, kill index php, markdown, nopingwait2, not-to-me, redirect old slugs, sdm moderate authors, simple trackback validation, singular, sitemap, sitemap readme, smart update pinger, subscribe to comments, translator, unavailable, ozh betterfeed, db backup, flv, qppaypay, ylsy permalink redirect

Customization Features

• 18 layouts, 24 skins, 3 width options, 12 font options and 3 font sizes
• built-in article uploader
• newsletter subscriptions
• advanced page templates (different header and layout for every page)
• built-in SEO considerations (for example, the theme is optimized to load page content first; sidebars and navigation next – meaning that relevant content gets read and indexed faster – the way it should be)
• ad management uses widgets that can be placed anywhere on a page
• no limits to navigation menu locations
• redirect manager redirects affiliate links
• tracking and too many features to keep you reading
• AND, all plugins are pre-activated upon install

Notes
Support is left to the forum where ‘celebrity’ marketers and other expert users and designers also contribute to troubleshooting and brainstorming solutions in the well-used forum, making this community a fine-tuned machine for Internet marketers, by Internet marketers.

Expert WordPress ($124) – Basic / Intermediate / Advanced

Plugins
akismet, alinks, all-in-one SEO pack, commentluv, dd-formmailer, exec-php, feed-footer, google sitemap generator, maintenance mode, math comment spam protection, one-click plugin updator, ozh absolute comments, share-this, simple tags, sitemap generator, ultimate plugins smart update pinger, automatic upgrade, db backup, wp polls, postviews, print, feedburner=feedsmith, subscribe to comments, tagalizer tags, what would seth godin do, wp chunk

Customization Features

• 12 custom headers to choose from or upload your own
• select from 2 or 3 column layout
• And, all plugins are pre-activated upon install

Notes
This product comes with an extensive collection of instructional video tutorials, going beyond basic setup and installation and including unique and productive online marketing strategies – an education in a zip file.

Jeff Johnson’s SEO blogging software (free) – Newbies Only

Plugins
akismet, all-in-one SEO pack, DBmanager, google sitemap generator, simple captcha, sociable, stats, WP autoblogger, WP cache

Customization Features

• 7 themes

Notes

Web-based instructional videos introduce you to ways to make money with your new blog. The odd useful thing is sent via email but I find Jeff’s emails more devoted to affiliate marketing plugs than actual marketing strategies (found at his very useful Underground Training Lab blog), and had to unsubscribe.  Overall, the blog is basically a stand-alone product and is a good starting block apart from attending a live event to go beyond basic SEO marketing.

SUMMARY

In my humble opinion, I don’t think there’s anything out there yet that can top Semiologic Pro.  Unfortunately, this product is out of reach for many start-up marketers and I have to think that, by the time they can afford it, they’re already making money with their existing system so, why switch?  At least, that’s how my mind works.  Plus, the added support fee can be a bit of a turn off.

Expert WordPress is an excellent alternative.  But in all fairness to both products, it’s almost like comparing apples and oranges.  Semio Pro was created for professionals from inception.  On the other hand, EWP was created for newbies and casual bloggers.  Fujis and mandarins.

The difference between the two, I think, may have more to do with the tenure given to each project.  Denis de Bernardy has been at it longer than Alex Sysoef but judging by the features that are built-into EWP (many are similar to Semio Pro), I anticipate that professional bloggers will be just as happy with Expert WordPress as it grows in popularity and functionality.  In the mean time, the $124 price tag is a fair trade for product + education, especially compared with Semio Pro’s $295 +support fees.

At the other end of the spectrum, you also have the option to use Jeff Johson’s free SEO blogging system and then pay for his coaching program and membership site afterwards.  It’s a good place to start but don’t be fooled into thinking that this free blog is all you’ll need to make money online with your blog (if that is your goal).

Admittedly, I’m biased toward EWP.  I like the lack of sensationalism in the sales pitch, the dedicated support, the explicit instructions in the video tutorials and the attention to detail.  To me, that all warrants a price tag – and should, as it does with Semio Pro, or Jeff’s coaching program.  And EWP is a price (”system”) I can live with.

i’ve probably left out a lot of details so feel free to comment on which system is most appealing for you…

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