As a blogger, you want to make sure you are using the best platforms to share your content. Two popular platforms for bloggers are websites and Instagram.
But which one is best?
Here we will compare website vs Instagram to see which is best for blogging.
What is blogging?
Before we decide between Instagram and a blog, we must first understand what we are dealing with.
For the ‘green’ ones, blogging is a way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world.
In fact, you can blog about anything you want, and there are no rules or guidelines to follow. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
At the same time, blogging is a great way to connect with people who share your interests.
You can find blogs on any topic imaginable, from fashion to food to politics. And because anyone can start a blog, there are endless possibilities for what you can read and write about.
Talking of possibilities, here are some mind-blowing blogging statistics you should know (source: Ahrefs.com):
- 60% of marketers report that content marketing generates demand/leads
- The number of bloggers in the U.S. is estimated at 31.7 million in 2020
- 77% of internet users read blogs
- 77% of bloggers report that blogging drives results
- WordPress powers over 42.8% of the internet
- On average, 77 million new comments are added to WordPress posts per month
- 33% of bloggers don’t earn any money at all.
- The most popular monetization method for bloggers is Google AdSense, followed by affiliate marketing. However, for high-income bloggers, AdSense ranks third; bloggers are 2.5 times more likely to sell their own product or service than use AdSense
If you are thinking about starting a blog, the best place to start is with yourself. What do you want to write about? What are your passions? Once you know what you want to say, the rest will fall into place.
But more on this later.
What is Instagram?
Instagram is a photo-sharing social media platform that was launched in 2010.
The app allows users to upload photos and videos, and share them with followers. Instagram also has filters and editing tools that allow users to improve the quality of their photos and videos.
In addition to sharing photos and videos, Instagram users can also follow other users, like and comment on their posts, and send private messages.
What’s more, the social media platform is free to download and use, but you can spend money on ads to reach more people.
So we are fair, here are some of the Instagram statistics you need to know (source: Hootsuite):
- Instagram is the 7th most visited website in the world
- Instagram is the 4th most-used social platform
- Instagram is the second most-downloaded app in the world
- 1.22 billion people use Instagram each month
- 18 to 34-year-olds make up the biggest share of Instagram’s audience
- Adult Instagram users are on the app nearly 30 minutes per day
- 9 out of 10 users watch Instagram videos weekly
- The average Instagram business account grows its followers by 1.69% each month
- 1 in 2 people have used Instagram to discover new brands
Now that we know where each platform stands in terms of numbers that matter to you as a blogger, let us get into solving this website vs Instagram feud once and for all.
To help us navigate this is the most helpful way, we will go over the pros and cons of each.
Website: Pros (+) and Cons (-)
Reasons to start a blog
a). Builds relationships
Here’s the thing: building relationships with your readers is important if you want to keep them coming back to your blog.
By writing on a regular basis, you will be able to develop a rapport with them and they will begin to trust you as a source of information.
But how does this happen exactly?
Well, one way to build relationships is by responding to comments that your readers leave on your blog posts. This shows that you are interested in what they have to say and that you value their opinion.
Additionally, try to engage with your readers on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook (when you share your blog posts). This will give you an opportunity to get to know them better and find out what interests them.
Taking your sweet time to build relationships with your readers makes them more likely to stick around and continue reading your blog.
b). Can be used to generate leads
The internet has a lot of noise. Anyone can start a blog, but not everyone can write quality content that will generate leads for their business. A lead is defined as “a person or organization that has the interest, authority, and budget to buy your product or service” (HubSpot).
Another upside of blogging on a website is that it makes it easy to generate, qualify, and convert leads into sales.
By creating fresh, relevant content, businesses (or you, an individual) can attract new visitors to their sites who are looking for what they have to offer.
Once these visitors are on the site, they can be converted into leads through effective calls-to-action and forms that capture contact information.
Leads generated from a website are often high quality because they are self-qualified. The visitor has already shown an interest in what the business has to offer by reading the blog post.
c). Increased traffic to your website
If you are looking to increase traffic to your website, then blogging is a great way to do it.
By regularly providing fresh and engaging content, you can attract new visitors and keep existing ones coming back for more.
d). Improved SEO for your website
This is huge!
If you are looking to improve your website’s SEO, one of the best things you can do is start a blog.
You see, by blogging on a regular basis, you’ll be adding fresh, new content to your site that will help it to rank higher on search engine results pages.
In addition, by using keywords throughout your blog posts, you’ll be helping potential customers to find your site more easily.
Although the SEO part of a blog matches the algorithms that run news feed on Instagram, it is still and hands-off experience to have a blog.
e). More opportunities to monetize your site
There are more opportunities to monetize your blog than on Instagram.
For example, you can sell products, services, or advertising. You can also work with brands as an affiliate or influencer.
And if you have large enough pageviews, you can even get paid to speak at events or even publish guest posts.
I mean, there are endless possibilities when it comes to monetizing your blog. The key is to find what works best for you and your audience.
What’s more, there is a huge support base here. If you are not sure where to start, talk to other bloggers in your niche and see what they are doing.
And with a little trial and error, you’ll be able to find the perfect way to make money from your blog and start earning from it.
f). Increased credibility and professional appearance
One more upside of blogging on a website is the fact that it is an easy way to build and show credibility.
See, when you add a blog to your website, you are able to share your knowledge and expertise with others in your industry. This can help build trust with potential clients and customers, as they will see that you are an expert in your field.
On the other hand, by regularly writing blog posts, you can show that you are keeping up with the latest trends in your industry. This will give potential clients and customers the impression that you are reliable and trustworthy.
You can’t compare this to blogging on Instagram; presents a rather ‘casual’ appearance.
I say casual because of the nature and type of content shared on the platform.
This means one thing:
If you’d wish to be considered an authority figure in your niche, consider having a blog.
Now that you know the advantages of a blog, let us look at some of the disadvantages as well.
Reasons not to start a blog
x). You might not get any traffic
If you are thinking about starting a blog, you might want to reconsider. A downside of blogging on a website is that you might not get any traffic. That’s right, your blog could be completely ignored by everyone who visits your site.
There are a number of reasons why this could happen.
- Maybe your content isn’t interesting or relevant to your audience.
- Or maybe your site isn’t optimized for search engines, so no one can find it.
Whatever the reason, it’s essential to be aware that a lack of traffic is a possibility when you start blogging.
Of course, there are ways to increase the chances that people will read your blog. You can promote it through social media, email marketing, and other channels. You can also make sure that your site is easily found by search engines by using the right keywords and tags.
Either way, having a blog isn’t a ‘set-and-forget’ project. It needs a lot of work.
Talking of effort:
x). It takes a lot of time and effort
Another disadvantage of blogging on a website is that It takes a lot of time and effort.
For example, if you want to blog about your day-to-day life, you have to be able to commit to writing regularly. This can be difficult to do if you have other obligations like work or school.
At the same time, it can be tough to come up with new and interesting topics to write about all the time.
In fact, if you are not careful, having a blog can easily become a chore instead of something you enjoy.
And trust me, that sucks big time!
x). You might not be taken seriously
Remember how we mentioned that a blog can your ticket to building authority? Well, it won’t always happen exactly like you planned.
Yes, if you are using your blog to share serious thoughts and opinions, you want people to take you seriously. But because anyone can start a blog, it can be difficult to be taken seriously as a blogger.
Luckily, there are ways to make your blog more credible, such as writing well-researched articles and linking to sources.
But even if you do everything right, there’s no guarantee that people will take you seriously as a blogger.
So if you’re sharing serious thoughts and opinions on your blog, keep in mind that you might not be taken as seriously as you’d like.
x). You might be blocked in some countries
If you’re a blogger, you might want to think twice before starting a blog. Depending on the subject matter of your blog, you could be blocked in some countries.
Why?
This can happen because many governments monitor the internet for content that they deem inappropriate or offensive. If your blog falls into this category, it could be blocked in that country.
This is a major downside to blogging on a website, as it limits your audience to those who live in countries where your content is not blocked.
It also means that you could potentially face legal trouble if someone in a country where your blog is blocked accesses it and complains.
As such, when starting a blog, be sure to research the laws and regulations surrounding internet content in different countries. This will help you avoid any potential problems down the road.
x). It can get technical quickly
If you are not comfortable working with computers and website software, then having a blog may not be for you.
Even if you are satisfied with technology, there is still a learning curve when it comes to setting up and maintaining a blog.
That’s not to say that blogging is too difficult for the average person. But it is something to keep in mind if you’re considering starting a blog vs blogging on Instagram.
Instagram: Pros (+) and Cons (-)
Reasons to blog on Instagram
a). Easy to get started
One advantage of blogging on Instagram is that it is easy to get started. All you need is a smartphone and the Instagram app.
Creating an account is quick and easy, and once you’re set-up, you can start posting content right away.
Unlike blogging on platforms like WordPress, there’s no need to learn HTML or any other coding language – all you need to do is take photos and write captions.
b). You can build a following of loyal fans and supporters
Another upside of blogging on Instagram is that you can build a following of loyal fans and supporters. This can be done by providing interesting and engaging content that your followers will enjoy.
Additionally, you can interact with your followers regularly to get to know them better and build relationships. By doing this, you’ll create a group of people who are interested in what you have to say and who will support you in your endeavors.
c). It’s a great way to promote your brand or business
By sharing interesting, informative, or even humorous posts, you can reach out to potential customers and followers who may not be aware of your company otherwise.
What’s more, since people are more likely to trust recommendations from friends and people they follow, you can use your blog to build up credibility and establish yourself as an expert in your field.
So if you are looking for a way to reach out to new people and promote your brand or business easily and for free, consider starting a blog on Instagram.
d). A more personal way to share your life
Unlike having a blog, Instagram gives you a more personal way to share your life.
For example, you can easily share photos and videos of your daily life, as well as your thoughts and feelings, with the people who follow you. This can help you connect with your followers in a more personal way than other social media platforms.
e). Increased reach and engagement
Consider this: according to Hootsuite, adult Instagram users are on the app for nearly 30 minutes per day, which gives bloggers a big opportunity to connect with their audience in a more intimate way.
People are also more likely to engage with content that they can see and touch, rather than just read.
This is where Instagram comes in – it is the perfect platform for sharing beautiful photos and videos that will capture people’s attention.
Not only does this make your blog more visually appealing, but it also helps you to build a stronger connection with your followers.
When people can see your face and hear your voice, they feel like they know you better, which makes them more likely to trust what you have to say.
Reasons not to blog on Instagram
There are a few downsides to blogging on Instagram.
x). Can’t monetize directly
One of them is that you can’t monetize directly through the platform. This means that if you want to make money from your blog, you’ll have to find other ways to do it, such as through affiliate marketing or selling products and services.
Don’t get me wrong here.
It is not impossible to make money from an Instagram blog, but it does take some extra effort.
If you’re serious about making money from your blog, then you should look into other platforms that will allow you to do so directly.
Otherwise, you will need to get creative with your monetization strategy.
x). Requires consistent posting
Another downside of blogging on Instagram is that it requires consistent posting to be effective, unlike SEO on a blog.
Because of this, many bloggers find themselves feeling burnt out or overwhelmed trying to keep up with their Instagram blogs. This can lead to inconsistent posting, which can in turn lead to a decline in followers or engagement.
If you’re thinking about starting an Instagram blog, be sure to have a solid plan for how often you’ll post and what kind of content you’ll share.
Otherwise, you may end up quickly becoming frustrated with the platform.
x). Not suitable for long-form content
While the platform is great for sharing photos and videos, you are limited to just a few sentences in the caption area.
This can make it difficult to share detailed information or stories.
Additionally, the lack of hyperlinks makes it hard to direct readers to more information or resources.
x). You don’t own the traffic
As a blogger, one of the main downsides to using Instagram as a platform is that you don’t own the traffic. This means that if Instagram were to ever shut down or change their algorithm, your blog could be severely impacted.
At the same time, you are also at the mercy of Instagram’s algorithm when it comes to how often your content is seen by followers.
While you can use hashtags and other strategies to try and get your content seen by more people, there’s no guarantee that it will actually reach your target audience.
Which is better? for what type of blogger?
There are many different types of bloggers, and each has their own strengths and weaknesses.
For some, a website is the best platform to showcase their work. For others, Instagram is the better choice.
Here are some things to consider when deciding which platform is best for you:
If you are primarily a visual blogger, then Instagram is probably the better choice. The photos and videos you post will be front-and-center, and you can reach a large audience quickly and easily.
However, if you want more control over the look and feel of your blog, or if you want to include longer written posts, then a website is probably a better option.
Another consideration is whether or not you want to monetize your blog. If so, then a website is usually the way to go since you’ll have more options for running ads and promoting products. To learn more about blogging, you can visit our blog for tips and tricks to get the most out of your blog.
Final thoughts
As a blogger, you want to make sure you are seen by as many people as possible. You also want to make sure you are easily accessible and that your content is engaging.
So, which is better: a website or Instagram?
Both have their pros and cons, but ultimately it depends on what you want to achieve with your blog.
If you want more control over the design and layout of your blog, then a website is probably the better option. If you’re looking to reach a wider audience with your content, then Instagram is worth considering.
Whichever platform you choose, make sure you are consistent with your content and that you are providing value to your readers