WordPress versus Ghost: A comparison for bloggers
Torn between WordPress's versatility and Ghost Pro's simplicity? This article is your compass in the world of blogging platforms.
In the ever-evolving world of web strategy and content realization, choosing the right blogging platform is key. As web strategist and blogger, I've had the privilege of delving deep into two prominent solutions: WordPress and Ghost.
In this article, I'll share my insights and experiences to help you make an informed decision for your blogging journey.
Overview of WordPress and Ghost
WordPress and Ghost are both robust blogging platforms with sizable user bases. WordPress is a versatile giant, powering millions of websites worldwide, while Ghost, a relative newcomer, has gained popularity for its simplicity and focus on publishing. Each platform caters to a unique audience, and it's essential to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
Ease of setup and maintenance
Setting up a WordPress site offers extensive possibilities but can be a complex journey. During my WordPress experience, I grappled with countless plugins, security concerns, and even the need to collaborate with my hosting provider to implement essential features like Varnish, a reverse proxy.
In contrast, Ghost Pro provided a refreshing experience. It arrived with many essential features out of the box, eliminating the need for a plugin overload. The simplicity of Ghost's setup allowed me to focus on content rather than technical intricacies. Moreover, Ghost Pro's automatic maintenance and top-notch support were a game-changer, saving precious time and ensuring my blog stayed up-to-date and secure.
Feature comparison
Are you eager to uncover the inner workings of your blog platform? In this section, we delve into the core aspects that define your blogging experience: content management, customization, and additional features. From the powerful content management system of WordPress to the intuitive simplicity of Ghost, we explore the merits of each.
Content Management
WordPress boasts a powerful content management system with a wide range of plugins and themes. Ghost, while simpler, provides an intuitive editor and smooth media handling. Both have their merits.
Customization
WordPress's extensive theme library and plugin marketplace offer unmatched customization options. Ghost, while more streamlined, still allows for personalized themes and integrations.
Plugins/Extensions
WordPress shines in this department, but the sheer number of available plugins can be overwhelming. Ghost's simplicity is a plus, but it may lack some specialized plugins.
SEO Capabilities
When it comes to SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Ghost shines right from the start. Out of the box, Ghost offers robust SEO capabilities. It provides clean and optimized HTML markup, structured data, and essential meta tags, all designed to make your content search engine-friendly. Ghost's simplicity extends to its SEO features, ensuring that you're on the right track without the need for extensive plugin installations and configurations.
On the other hand, WordPress, while highly customizable, often requires additional plugins and meticulous configuration to achieve similar SEO capabilities. With an extensive library of SEO plugins available, WordPress users have plenty of options, but navigating this sea of plugins can be daunting. While these plugins can be powerful, they also add complexity to your setup and may require ongoing maintenance.
Localization and multilingual support
WordPress, with its vast user base, offers robust localization and multilingual support. Ghost is more English-centric and may require additional effort for localization.
Newsletter Integration
When it comes to newsletter integration, Ghost takes the lead with its integrated and user-friendly features. Ghost's built-in newsletter functionality allows you to effortlessly manage and send newsletters to your subscribers directly from the platform. This seamless integration simplifies the process of connecting with your audience through email, making it an attractive choice for bloggers who prioritize newsletter marketing.
On the other hand, WordPress, while highly versatile, often relies on third-party extensions or plugins for comprehensive newsletter management. To set up newsletters in WordPress, you may need to search for and install the right plugin, configure it to your needs, and potentially deal with compatibility and maintenance issues. While WordPress offers many excellent newsletter plugins, the need for additional installations can add complexity to your blogging setup.
Internal Linking Assistance
When it comes to internal linking, WordPress excels with built-in features and plugins that make it easy to create and manage internal links within your content. WordPress offers a user-friendly editor that allows you to add links to your posts and pages effortlessly. You can specify attributes such as "nofollow" and "open in a new tab" directly from the editor, giving you precise control over your internal links.
In contrast, Ghost could benefit from similar tools to assist with internal linking. While Ghost provides a clean and straightforward writing experience, it currently lacks some of the advanced internal linking features found in WordPress. Bloggers who prioritize internal linking and want fine-grained control over link attributes may find WordPress more accommodating in this regard.
Additional Features
WordPress offers an abundance of features, including e-commerce capabilities and community building tools. Ghost focuses more on blogging essentials.
What is better in WordPress is the Site Search by Jetpack. A better UX and a deeper, more intelligent search with facets etc. Ghost uses a script that searches through headlines and excerpts but not the full text.
Another feature of WordPress, also a plugin, that is really good is a plugin that handles related articles. Vital for bringing relevant content to the surface (and improve bounce rates).
Both Ghost and WordPress offer the flexibility you crave when it comes to choosing your writing tools. If you're a fan of the streamlined and distraction-free writing experience that Ulysses provides, you're in luck! Ulysses seamlessly integrates with both platforms, allowing you to craft your content in the familiar, writer-friendly environment you love. So whether you prefer Ghost's intuitive simplicity or WordPress's robust features, your writing process can remain consistent and efficient with Ulysses by your side.
Time and skills investment
My experience with WordPress required a considerable time investment. To optimize and maintain my blog, I had to delve into web technologies, including schema markup, sitemaps, canonical URLs, and more. While this was enjoyable for me as a web strategist, it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Support and updates
Ghost Pro's hands-off approach to updates and responsive support greatly impressed me. WordPress, on the other hand, demands manual updates and plugin management, which can be a hassle.
Verdict
In my journey of comparing WordPress and Ghost, Ghost Pro emerged as my preferred choice. Its simplicity, out-of-the-box features, and top-notch support aligned perfectly with my blogging goals. However, the decision between these platforms depends on your unique needs and preferences.
Remember that both Ghost and WordPress are open source and offer reasonable import and export tools, providing you with the flexibility to switch platforms when necessary. Evaluate your needs carefully to determine if the move to Ghost is the right step for your blogging journey.
Author bio and contact information
I'm Rob, an Amsterdam-based web strategist with a passion for blogging. I also compared Wordpress to Squarespace.
Rob Hoeijmakers
