In the world of blogging, there is great debate concerning which software applications are best suited for publishing on the web. While each of the major blogging platforms offer different benefits, we here at Apollo Media thought we would jump into the discussion with our own two cents.

Here are 10 reasons why we use WordPress as our weapon of choice:

1. Wordpress is open source. Wordpress’ software program is a free downloadable program. The code is available to view as well as change, giving users the ability to customize their blog to suit individual needs. While other open source services allow users to get and use the code, they have to pay a fee for the freedom to alter it. And then there are free programs where the code is absolutely unavailable, like Blogger.
   
2. Wordpress is independently owned. Google bought Blogger a few years back and it’s now part of their larger Internet enterprise. Wordpress, on the other hand, has independent owners who maintain free-spirited objectives, giving developers the ability to change and develop additional code for the platform.
   
3. Wordpress has a large support community. With an attitude towards sharing, WordPress has created a community and a general desire to belong to it. They’ve made it easy, too, with various forums and blogs dedicated to helping you learn the ropes about their software. Their development blog is also featured on your dashboard, so you can find out about new bug fixes, updates and features as they become available. The Wordpress community is one of the fastest growing blogging networks online, as more developers and programmers are taking advantage of the service’s accessibility.
   
4. Wordpress offers a wide variety of widgets and plug-ins. Because Wordpress and its code is open source, there are countless new widgets and plug-ins constantly being developed for free by programmers all over the world. This allows WordPress to rapidly evolve and meet the ever-changing needs of bloggers. Wordpress’ main page (which you see in your dashboard) previews new widgets and plug-ins that can make your blogging experience more integrated with your other activities online. While Google offers plenty of widgets of their own, the independent nature of the Wordpress development gives them an edge over the competition.
   
5. Wordpress has well-written documentation. This one fact had made my blog duties, as Apollo’s lead programmer, very easy. Any question posed on Google is answered within minutes and a few clicks of a mouse. Wordpress’ documentation and development language is clear, comprehensive and freely available for those interested in altering the code for their unique practical uses. You can find plenty of technical and non-technical help in numerous tutorials and guides.
   
6. It’s easy to make static pages. Wordpress has a “Write a Page” feature on their dashboard which allows you to write a static page that can remain unchanged on your blog, easily accessible from the main page’s navigation. This is essential for bloggers wanting to have standard pages like “About” or “Resources” that easily accessible for their readers.
   
7. Wordpress comes with Akismet Spam Protection. Akismet is a really efficient spam blocker that takes care of pesky crawlers and web junk without you having to worry about it. You can also go through the archive of marked spam to see if there are any genuine comments or links that were mistakenly flagged.
   
8. Wordpress has a user-friendly dashboard with lots of features. The dashboard in Wordpress is an extremely organized and handy launch pad for all your blogging activities. Displaying your most recent posts, comments and incoming links, the dashboard is easy to use and effectively keeps track of current changes. It has a great deal of features and again, displays the latest happenings within the Wordpress universe, including updates and new themes.
   
9. Wide variety of themes and templates that are continually updated. The accessibility of Wordpress’ design themes allow developers to create new and attractive looks and layouts at an incredible pace. When creating your blog’s design, there are many default options available that can be easily personalized. But through Wordpress’ open sourced code, it’s just as easy to contact professional designers who can craft truly unique and functional designs. The entire process is quite malleable and limited only by the will of the individual user.
   
10. It’s easy to move from Blogger to Wordpress. Wordpress allows users from other formats to import their content into their service. For those looking to change sides and not loose their content, this is a Godsend.

In conclusion, Wordpress’ open source dynamics, coupled with a strong community and support organization of design and programming specialists, as well as user-friendly applications and customizable features, makes it a clear winner for most professional and company bloggers looking to carve a distinct space online. Blogger and Live Journal are better suited for bloggers who need the design and programming support of a large company or see no reason to create an exclusive look.

We hope this breakdown helps you develop a healthy and productive relationship with whichever blogging service you choose. Just be sure to come back to Apollo’s Blog for all the best industry news, tips and strategies so you can truly realize your potential online.

Which blogging services do you use? What could you add to our list here?