Should You Start a Blogging Website or Use Medium Instead?

When considering whether to start a website for your blog or opt for platforms like Medium, there are several factors to weigh. This article explores the pros and cons of each approach, with a focus on the challenges new bloggers face in terms of search engine optimization (SEO), audience engagement, and overall ease of management.

The Case Against Starting a Blogging Website

Creating a website for your blog may not be the best starting point, especially for new writers. While you might be drafting high-quality content, the question remains: Who is going to see it?

In an age where SEO and search engines play a crucial role in digital visibility, a newly created blog can face significant challenges. Understandably, you can develop a website where your best work will reside, but think carefully: Who will visit your website? Apart from traffic from self-promotion, your new site is likely to see virtually zero attention from search engine algorithms.

Understanding SEO

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of optimizing web content to rank higher in search engine results. It involves careful consideration of content, links, keywords, and any other aspect of a website to increase its visibility.

Well-established platforms such as Medium, Quora, and Twitter offer a significant advantage over a newly created website. They are deeply integrated into the SEO ecosystem, meaning they have a better understanding of search algorithms and how to optimize content to rank higher. Additionally, these platforms already have established audiences, making it easier for new content to gain traction.

Advantages of Well-Established Writing Platforms

Two key advantages of platforms like Medium, Quora, or Twitter are their SEO integration and existing user base. These platforms have been optimized for search engines and have a built-in audience, which can significantly boost the visibility of new content.

Anyone new to writing will often struggle to get any attention for their content. Content recommendation algorithms work by showing an article to a small audience, typically including the writer’s followers and a few random users. If the article resonates with this initial audience, it may be further recommended to a larger group, potentially going viral. However, it is less likely for new writers to achieve this.

The first step in the recommendation algorithm is crucial: The article is recommended to a small group of users, including the writer’s existing followers. For new writers with small or nonexistent followings, the chances of getting the content recommended to a larger audience are limited to the initial users who are introduced to it.

The Challenge of Garnering Attention

Even on well-established writing platforms, garnering attention for your content is a difficult task. Why complicate things by adding the logistical challenges of managing and designing a new website?

Creating a website demands a substantial amount of time, resources, and expertise. It requires knowledge of SEO, content management, and website design to ensure that your content is visible to potential readers. Additionally, building a following on a new blog can take a considerable amount of time and effort.

By contrast, using a platform like Medium or similar can save you time and effort. These platforms have optimized their systems for content discovery and recommendation, making it easier for your work to be seen by a wider audience. This can help you build a following more quickly and efficiently.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while starting a blogging website can seem like an exciting venture, it may not be the most practical or efficient choice for new writers. Platforms like Medium offer a more streamlined and effective way to share and grow your writing. By leveraging established systems and user bases, you can focus more on creating quality content and less on the technicalities of SEO and website management.