5 Popular Filipino Blogs in the Philippines – Domain, Hosting, and Website Builder Choices
When creating a successful blog, having the right domain, hosting service, and website builder plays a critical role. Let's explore some of the top blogs in the Philippines and take a closer look at the platforms they use to power their websites.
When In Manila is a lifestyle and entertainment blog founded by Vince Golangco. It covers various topics such as food, travel, events, and pop culture.
Domain: WhenInManila.com
Hosting: WhenInManila uses a high-performance VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, which ensures fast load times, especially considering their high traffic volume.
Website Builder: The blog is built on WordPress, a powerful and flexible CMS that allows them to easily manage content and optimise their site for SEO. WordPress plugins like Yoast SEO and WooCommerce help enhance their blog and its eCommerce features.
Yoshke Dimen and Vins Carlos co-founded The Poor Traveler, a must-read blog for anyone passionate about budget travel. The site offers practical tips, detailed itineraries, and personal stories, making it a favourite among budget-conscious travellers.
Domain: ThePoorTraveler.net
Hosting: The Poor Traveler is hosted on SiteGround, which is known for its reliability and excellent customer service. SiteGround offers fast speeds with built-in caching, crucial for blogs receiving a lot of traffic.
Website Builder: Like When In Manila, The Poor Traveler uses WordPress, but with a more customised theme. Their minimalist design ensures a clean, easy-to-navigate user experience. The Elementor plugin is likely part of their toolkit, as it allows for drag-and-drop customisations without the need for heavy coding.
3. Pepper.ph
Pepper.ph is a popular food blog in the Philippines, primarily focused on Filipino cuisine with a creative twist. The blog offers a variety of food-related content, including Recipes, Food Reviews, Food Culture, and Cooking Tips and Hacks
Domain: Pepper.ph
Hosting: Pepper.ph utilizes Cloudways, a managed cloud hosting platform that offers high scalability and robust performance. Cloud hosting helps Pepper.ph handle traffic spikes during special promotions or viral content.
Website Builder: They use Squarespace as their website builder, which makes sense for a visually rich blog. Squarespace offers sleek, modern templates that complement Pepper.ph’s high-quality food photography and design-heavy posts.
4. BlogPh.net
BlogPh.net is a general lifestyle blog that covers a wide range of topics relevant to Filipino readers. It serves as a platform for sharing information, news, and personal experiences
Domain: BlogPh.net
Hosting: BlogPh.net is hosted on Bluehost, one of the most popular choices for bloggers due to its affordability and ease of use. Bluehost provides a one-click WordPress install and free domain registration for the first year, making it ideal for new bloggers.
Website Builder: This blog also uses WordPress, leveraging its vast plugin library for easy content management and SEO improvements. The site likely uses a theme like Astra or OceanWP, which are lightweight, fast-loading themes perfect for WordPress blogs.
Pinoy Adventurista, created by Mervin Malonzo, is a top travel blog in the Philippines, showcasing hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations. It offers detailed itineraries, travel tips, and beautiful photography, making it a valuable resource for adventurous travellers.
Domain: PinoyAdventurista.com
Hosting: Pinoy Adventurista uses GoDaddy for domain registration and hosting. GoDaddy offers scalable plans, including shared hosting, which is budget-friendly for personal blogs while still providing good performance.
Website Builder: GoDaddy's integrated GoCentral website builder makes it simple for users who want a quick setup, but Pinoy Adventurista’s blog seems to use a combination of GoCentral for core functions and WordPress for blogging features.
Why the Right Domain, Hosting, and Website Builder Matters
When you’re starting your own blog, it's essential to think beyond the content. The technical backbone of your site, including your domain, hosting provider, and website builder, can impact:
- Website Speed: Fast-loading pages keep readers engaged and improve SEO rankings.
- User Experience: A well-structured website builder offers customisable themes and templates, ensuring a professional look.
- Scalability: Hosting that can handle growing traffic means your site won’t crash during peak periods.
- Security: SSL certificates, backups, and malware protection ensure your site stays secure, safeguarding both your data and your readers’ trust.
How to Choose the Right Platforms for Your Blog
- Domain: Go for a memorable and relevant domain name that reflects your brand or niche. Opt for a `.com` or country-specific domain like `.ph` for local recognition.
- Hosting: Choose based on your blog's traffic and content. If you’re expecting rapid growth or spikes in traffic, look for hosting services like VPS or Cloud hosting. If you’re starting small, shared hosting is more budget-friendly.
- Website Builder: WordPress remains the go-to platform for bloggers due to its flexibility and vast array of plugins. However, other website builders like Wix or Squarespace can be great for users seeking a more visual approach with drag-and-drop ease, or you can also explore AI website builder.
By analysing the technical setups behind these popular blogs, you can make more informed decisions about your own blogging platform and ensure your site is optimised for growth, speed, and reliability.