Ghost

Website

ghost.org

Pricing URL

Official Ghost Pricing

$ Details

paid Free Trial $36.0 / Monthly (100k views/month, 2 users)

Categories

#Blogging #CMS #Blogging Platform #Website Builder

Substack

Website

substack.com

Pricing URL

-

$ Details

-

Categories

#Creators #Blogging #Paid Newsletters #Blogging Platform

Ghost features and specs

• User-Friendly Interface
  Ghost offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes content management straightforward, even for those without technical expertise.
• Speed and Performance
  Ghost is built on modern technology like Node.js which makes it faster and more efficient compared to some traditional CMS platforms.
• SEO Optimized
  Ghost comes built-in with SEO features like clean URLs, meta tags, and sitemaps which help in improving search engine rankings.
• Customizable Themes
  Ghost supports a variety of themes that can be easily customized to fit the branding and functionality needs of a website.
• Markdown Support
  Content creation in Ghost is made easy with Markdown support, allowing writers to focus on text rather than formatting.

Possible disadvantages of Ghost

• Limited Plugin Ecosystem
  Compared to WordPress, Ghost has a more limited selection of plugins, which might restrict some functionalities users are looking for.
• Higher Hosting Costs
  Ghost's official hosting is relatively expensive, making it less suitable for users on a tight budget.
• Technical Knowledge Requirement
  While Ghost is user-friendly, setting it up on a custom server can require a higher level of technical knowledge compared to some other platforms.
• Less Community Support
  The user community for Ghost is smaller compared to more established platforms like WordPress, which can make it harder to find support and resources.
• Limited Ecommerce Capabilities
  Ghost is primarily a publishing platform and lacks the more advanced eCommerce functionalities that other CMS platforms might offer out of the box.

Substack features and specs

• Ease of Use
  Substack offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for writers to publish and monetize their newsletters.
• Built-in Monetization
  Writers can easily charge readers for subscriptions, allowing for straightforward monetization.
• Direct Audience Connection
  Substack allows writers to build a direct relationship with their audience via email, which can lead to a more engaged readership.
• Discovery and Community
  Features like staff picks and recommendations help writers get discovered by new readers.
• No Upfront Costs
  Substack does not charge upfront fees; instead, it takes a percentage of subscription revenues, making it easier to start.
• Content Ownership
  Writers retain full ownership of their content, giving them more control over their work.

Possible disadvantages of Substack

• Revenue Share
  Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenues, which can add up for writers with a large subscriber base.
• Limited Customization
  The platform has limited customization options compared to building a custom website or using more flexible CMS options.
• Dependency on Platform
  Relying on Substack means depending on its policies and infrastructure, which could pose risks if the platform changes its terms or features.
• Competition
  As more writers join Substack, it can become challenging to stand out amidst the growing competition.
• Email Deliverability
  Writers may face issues with email deliverability, as some newsletters may end up in spam folders.
• Payment Processing Fees
  Besides Substack's fee, payment processors like Stripe also take a percentage, further reducing net earnings for writers.

Why I Moved My Blog From WordPress to Ghost

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