Starting a new blog - Whats the best blogging platform ?

Hi guys,
I am working on starting a new blog (i have many websites but this is my first blog). I already have a domain ready and i have worked out most of the required content. Now the major question remaining is "Which would be the best platform for me to use ?"

My requirements would be
* Ofcourse i need to add advertisements easily
* Well structured for me to add articles in many categories
* I am not too good in SEO, so the platform much be search engine friendlt and easy to index
* etc etc (you know what else will make a good platform)

Now i heard blogger will get you traffic faster from google search engines, Is that right ? I am looking for long term benefits and not a get rich quick scheme.

If things work out well, i may also like to intergrate the blog with a forum in the future (optional)

 

Hey there I use blogger for my blog and highly reccomend it. You can check out mine here;

http://e-businessbanter.blogspot.com

I have not been blogging for long but have learnt a great deal about the process and can help you out a bit if you like.

 

Wordpress for sure, with a good theme and lots of plugins...

 

Wordpress is the best..

But then u wont b able to put adsense without getting premium account

So if interested in adsense...eblogger is good

 

WordPress, paid domain.

Easily the best blogging platform around and easy as hell to use

 

Like the majority says: Wordpress. Countless amounts of templates and plugins, plus you can customize whatever you don't like or in order to blend it into an existing website (gotta know a bit of coding though)
good luck!

 

Wordpress is the best! If you're worried about seo, let ALL IN ONE SEO PACK do all the work for you

 

you can try blogger.com too for a free host but it is not worth some bucks for web hosting
to get a professional look get a web host nd start a wordpress blog .

 

Check out hosting companies that offer Cpanel and Fantastico. Fantastico will allow you to install Wordpress as well as other with 3 clicks of a button.

 

thanks for the replies and different point of views. I have no probs installing and configuring wordpress, i am only worrried about SEO (ibnuasad, thanks for that link). Whats this i hear about not able to use ads unless you get premium account ?? Can someone please explain that ?

Also is it true that blogger gives me an edge over wordpress on search engine results & traffic ?

 

Hey Super, where did you get that template? I wish I new how to install a 3 column template.

 

I use both Wordpress and Blogger,but I think Blogger is the best.

 

I'd love that.. Thanks for the offer. When my blog is setup i'll contact you

 

Hey no problem!

 

Hey I got my template from www.blogcrowds.com, there are plenty on there and its a great site i think, I use their templates for all of my blogs!