An interesting auxiliary thread has developed over the past few days. It has to do with blog platforms.

So, it’s not really a new discussion but it seems to be cropping up again a bit. It has to do with paid blog platforms versus free blog platforms.

Before I go any farther, let me say that although I’m a WordPress fan and advocate, I completely recognize that platforms should not be the focus. It should be the content. And platforms should essentially be transparent to the blogger. Get out of the way and let the blogger blog. Realistically, some people need more than a blogging platform and need a full featured content management system. I get it.

However, for new bloggers with so many quality, free options available, it boggles my mind that anyone would pay for a blog?

It seems even at home plate, at Lijit, there seems to be a tendency to use Typepad (which boggles my mind) and in corporate settings, Expression Engine seems to have legs.

I asked this question on Twitter:

Here’s a question for everyone: why on earth would you choose Typepad for your blog platform when starting out? Who pays for blog platforms?

Responses were varied an interesting:

• Dave Taylor from AskDaveTaylor.com: because Movable Type is rock solid, super reliable and doesn’t suffer from continual hacking attempts.
• Shashi Bellamkonda from Network Solutions: At a conf the speaker said paid blog platforms are slightly better for Search engine scores
• Barbara K. Baker from KolbeMarket.com: history of paying for software in corps & orgs. believe free means inferior. fear of open source. blame microsoft?
• Nicholas Tolson from Degeeked.com: I pay for EE, because it is SO much more than just a “blogging platform” & more flexible, more powerful, more secure than WP.
• Ewan Spence from The Podcast Network: Companies that need a support contract as part of their Purchase ‘in-house’ rules?
• Cecily K from UpperCaseWoman: Because some of us started before WordPress existed. :D
• Sadandbeautiful from SadandBeautiful.com: Because I didn’t know any better at the time. :-)
• Kelly Erb Philips from Taxgirl.com: I did a few years ago because they used to have exceptional tech support – which I needed when I first started.
• Leslie Poston from UptownUncorked.com: I did a few years ago because they used to have exceptional tech support – which I needed when I first started.
• Tront Astic: ease of use? Typepad does a good job of selling the hassles of ‘hosting your own blog’ to those who don’t know better

I certainly don’t want to get into a platform war. Whatever makes your job as a blogger easier. But with so many really great free options out there, who pays for a blog platform and why?