To post to your blogger.com blog from a smartphone, install the on your ios or android device.

Whether you are a blogger writing for food or more established at the art of drawing ire from the Associated Press or the FTC, chances are you’re dedicated to whatever it is you blog about. As the world slowly succumbs to wireless fidelity, subway systems and municipalities at the same time, blogging is no longer limited to those on laptops at the local coffee shop or at their home office. No, blogging via mobile device is now more accessible and viable than ever.

CMSWire steps beyond the traditional boundaries of non-traditional media platforms and offers a few tools for mobile blogging. From iPhones to Blackberry to Androids and Storms, these mobile platforms can help you chronicle your adventures while on the go or from where ever you please.

We've searched the web and come up with seven mobile blogging tools we think you'll like. If you don't see your favorite, then vote for it in our poll at the end of the article.

  1. Google Blogger
  2. Movable Type
  3. WordPress
  4. TypePad
  5. LiveJournal
  6. SquareSpace
  7. Joomla

Let's take a closer look at each option.

1. Google Blogger

Mobile blogging is much more than using your phone’s web browser to access your account. For Blogger it’s about sending texts or photos through SMS, MMS or email and having them automatically posting to your blog. Users can create a new mobile blog and merge mobile posts to an existing blog.

To post to your blogger.com blog from a smartphone, install the on your ios or android device.

Courtesy of blogger.com
  • Availability: All mobile browsers supported. Currently available to US phone numbers only.
  • Cost: Google does not charge for this service. Standard message charges apply.
  • Pros: Texting to your blog is easy, limited to even the most basic phones.
  • Cons: Be sure to check your phone carrier's texting cost and limit. It may be hard to write extensive entries relying solely on texting.

2. Movable Type

For iPhones and iPod Touch, Movable Type 4 offers a mobile platform, called iMT, from which to blog. Delivered via plugin, it works by installing an alternate template set that is automatically used in place of the primary Movable Type user interface when the application is accessed via an iPhone or iPod Touch.

To post to your blogger.com blog from a smartphone, install the on your ios or android device.
To post to your blogger.com blog from a smartphone, install the on your ios or android device.
  • Availability: Limited to iPhones and iPod Touch
  • Cost: Free plugin, standard Movable Type prices apply.
  • Pros: The blog admin is formatted seamlessly for Mobile Safari on the iPhone.
  • Cons: The plug-in needs to be removed before updating to MovableType 4.2.

3. WordPress

With the WordPress Mobile Edition, a plugin can be installed that shows a mobile interface for visitors who come to your site on a mobile device. Mobile browsers are automatically detected, and the list of mobile browsers can be customized.

For self-hosted installs, users can install a plugin to make the admin section mobile friendly and allow you to enter posts directly to your blog.iPhone & iPod Touch users are supported by version 3.0. However, there is a customized interface for advanced mobile browsers and special styling to make things "finger-sized" for touch browsers.

To post to your blogger.com blog from a smartphone, install the on your ios or android device.
  • Availability: iPhones and iPod Touch. Mobile Edition 3.0.5 now supports Palm Pre.
  • Cost: Free plugin, standard WordPress prices apply.
  • Pros: Compatible with WP Super Cache and it also has separate themes for advanced browsers, making use of the touch functionality for those phones that have them.
  • Cons: Mobile themes aren’t available for self-hosted WordPress blogs.

You are almost halfway through our list. What do you think so far? Take the time to vote on your favorite Mobile Blogging Tool at end of the list. Can't wait until the end? Cast your vote now.

4. TypePad

TypePad released a mobile application back in 2006. Back then it was targeted at Palm, Windows Mobile or Symbian Series 60 smartphones.Now TypePad mobile can support iPhone and Blackberry, as well.Users can blog via mobile browser at m.typepad.com, through text and SMS or using the “Eye-Fi Wireless Memory Card” which lets bloggers upload photos directly from their digital camera to their blog using the Eye-Fi Card and a wifi network.

  • Availability: Palm OS 5, Windows Mobile 5 and 6, Nokia Symbian Series, iPhone and iPod Touch, Android
  • Cost: Free plugin and application, standard TypePad prices apply.
  • Pros: The stream of recent activity from the people you follow on TypePad is now available on TypePad Mobile web app.
  • Cons: Problems with categories not appearing on the iPhone app have been reported.

5. LiveJournal

LJ Mobile is a free application for Windows Mobile 5 or 6 (Smartphone Edition and Pocket PC Edition) or Palm OS Smartphone that allows users to post an entry or photo to journals. iPhone and iPod Touch users can download the LiveJournal.app for free.

Paid, Permanent and Plus LiveJournal users can post by email or text message. Users can start by setting an allowed sender address and an authentication method (PIN, PGP or GPG public key). Emailed entries need to be sent in plain text format (not rich text or HTML format), in order to post correctly.

LiveJournal also offers an instant messaging service, called LJ Talk, which automatically integrates into a user's account. With voice posting and text messaging, you can make posts to LiveJournal even when you're on the go.

  • Availability: Palm OS 5, Windows Mobile 5 and 6, iPhone and iPod Touch
  • Cost: Free application, standard LiveJounral prices apply. LiveJournal provides a toll-free 888 number for voice-posting in the US. If calling from a mobile phone you may want to check with your carrier to see if standard rates apply.
  • Pros: Automatically generates a mobile friendly edition of each published blog.
  • Cons: The new mobile site is in Beta, so you may experience some temporary downtime from time to time. As well, Mobile LiveJournals have non-intuitive URLs, so it's best to find a specific mobile journal using the search engine on the main Live Journal mobile site at m.livejournal.com/read.

6. SquareSpace

Within your journal page configuration, users can set up an email address which can be used to post to SquareSpace remotely. In addition, the Squarespace iPhone application will let users post to blogs, manage blog posts, and see traffic and analytics. Comment management and moderation is not available in this app. But, the app's description text on its iTunes page says it will be available in the 1.1 release.

  • Availability:iPhone and iPod Touch
  • Cost: Free application, standard SquareSpace prices apply.
  • Pros: Reviews site built-in statistics, website preview and general ability allowimg users to easily post on the go.
  • Cons: The app requires that users already have a SquareSpace account set up.

7. Joomla!

MMS Blog allows you to send photos, video and text directly to your site from your phone or email client. The component collects the content, and the module displays the content.

As well, Mobilebot 1.0 for Joomla 1.5x can detect visitors using mobile devices and change the Joomla! template automatically. It can detect iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Opera Mini separately and load a particular template for each of them.

There are a host of custom mobile adaptations and extensions developed and designed to adapt sites for mobile devices. Search their extensions directory for information.

To post to your blogger.com blog from a smartphone, install the on your ios or android device.
  • Availability: All mobile browsers
  • Cost: Free applications, standard Joomla prices apply.
  • Pros:Lets you customize so you can create your own custom mobile devices, as well as adjust final HTML code with simple/regular expression PHP replacements.
  • Cons: Newly developed and released, there are sure to be bugs in the Mobilebot system.

Have Your Say

So you've seen our list. Now it's your turn. Vote for your favorite Mobile Blogging Tool:

Blogs have evolved from simple online journals to a popular way for viewers to find general or product based information, search for top recipes, and interact with others. According to a Blog Tyrant report, about 40% of bloggers reported higher views and engagement when they provided eBooks and guides while 39% reported strong results when they included original research.

Whether you blog as a fun way to record your activities or as a full-time job, you’re not alone. As of 2020, of the over 1.7 million websites on the internet, over 600 million included blogs. The number of active bloggers is set to grow from 28.3 million in 2018 to 31.7 million in 2020.

While blogs used to consist of only words, now blog formatting allows posters to include images, videos, and podcasts. The popularity of modern smartphones has made it easier for bloggers to engage with viewers by posting high-quality videos, photos, and text while on the go. With a reliable mobile service provider, a little time, and the right apps, you can post an engaging blog entry from your smartphone.

Types of mobile blogs.

With advancements in smartphone technology and blogging applications, you can choose the type of format that works best for your blog. Consider starting a mobile blog using one of the following popular formats:

- Video: According to the Blog Tyrant cited above, 41% of bloggers reported strong results by using a video blog. If you think video is the best way to convey your message, there are several platforms to choose from, such as Instagram, YouTube, or Tumblr. 

- Photography: The same source found that about 30% of bloggers experienced strong results from viewers when they posted images. Photography-driven blogs are best if you’re posting how-to content or showing off your travel adventures. Most blogging platforms allow you to add images to your posts but some of the best ones include Medium or Squarespace. 

- Text: Simply writing out your thoughts through text is a classic way to communicate with your readers. However, articles that include visuals, such as photos or video, are known to garner 94% more views so consider adding some type of visual to your post. If you’re more focused on words, consider using a simple blogging platform, such as Wix or Blogger.

- Podcasting: While traveling in their car or working out at the gym, many people listen to podcasts. According to Edison Research, in 2017, about 19% of people surveyed listened to podcasts in their car, which increased to 23% in 2018. Consider hosting your podcast on a dedicated platform, such as Buzzsprout or Captivate.

Once you’ve picked your blogging platform, consider apps that make the blogging process easier. The blogging medium you choose determines which smartphone apps are most helpful to your mobile blogging experience.

Video apps.

When you record video on your smartphone, you’ll need an editing app to edit the video before it’s published. Some of the easiest video editing apps include:

- Quik: Use the Quik app to mash together short video clips using a theme. You can also add filters, titles, or text to each slide.

- Adobe Premiere Rush: Known for its simplicity and speed, the Adobe Premiere Rush app is the smartphone version of Adobe Premier software and allows you to arrange video clips for a seamless reel and export it. 

- InShot: With the InShot app, you can splice together and edit video or add filters and effects to your reel.

- WeVideo: The WeVideo app allows you to combine video clips and add seamless transitions between clips. You can also add a green screen and stock images to make your video stand out.

Photo apps and accessories.

If you’re a blogger who uses images to attract viewers, mobile blogging is a great way to add content on the go. Use one of these popular photography editing apps to ensure your images are perfect before publishing:

- Canva: With the Canva app, you can add text and filters to your pictures. You can also resize or straighten images.

- Over: Use templates and graphics in the Over app to enhance your photos. Play with lighting and ensure your images are mobile-friendly.

- VSCO: The VSCO app makes it easy to edit photos with quick presets and automatic fixes for lighting and color.

- Photoshop Express: With Photoshop Express, you can add filters and text to photos, make collages, and add watermarks.

Photography accessories, such as a pocket camera or photography module, help you capture high-quality images.

Podcast apps.

When recording your voice for a podcast, use an app that’s dedicated to audio. Some of the top podcasting apps include:

- Soundcloud: With Soundcloud, you have no limitations on the length of your podcast and can view weekly statistics to learn about your listeners.

- Audioboom: As a hosting platform for your content, Audioboom focuses on ways to market your blog for monetization.

- iPadio: When you use iPadio to host your podcast, you can record up to 60 minutes and create text, tags, and titles to identify your content.

- Simplecast: The Simplecast app allows you to edit your podcast so it’s ready to be published on the top audio streaming apps. It also provides an extensive analytics platform for your content.

Writing apps.

If you’re relying on text, choose a blogging platform that helps you publish organized content. Some of the most popular writing apps for smartphones include the following:

- WordPress: With WordPress, you can choose a domain and blog theme to create unique content.

- Grammarly: Use Grammarly to check your blog entry for grammar or spelling errors before publishing it.

- Google Docs: Keep your blog entries organized through the Google Docs app, which identifies spelling or grammar errors and allows you to collaborate with other users.

- Evernote: Use the Evernote app to talk or write ideas for your next blog entry. Organize your thoughts through this app before creating your content.

To successfully blog using your smartphone, it’s important to be prepared. Implement these tips so you can successfully publish content on the go.

Use voice-to-text.

Your smartphone has the ability to turn your voice to text. This makes it easier and faster to create written content through mobile blogging. Before publishing, read through your content to ensure your phone heard you correctly.

Ensure strong Wi-Fi connection.

A strong wi-fi connection is crucial when publishing blog content. Make sure you’re in an area that has a good connection before attempting to record or publish your blog content. Interruptions in service may cause you to lose content you worked hard on. Consider bringing an internet hotspot device with you if you’re not sure whether you’ll have a reliable connection. 

Keep your phone charged.

Keep an extra phone battery or charger with you at all times to ensure your smartphone is ready to post content. If you’re out and about, utilizing wireless charging solutions ensures you don’t miss any important moments that will make for great content. 

It’s also important to keep your phone protected with a phone case, especially if you know you’ll be recording or taking photos during an outing or adventure.

Update your data plan.

If you aren’t using wi-fi, you can use your mobile network. But there’s nothing worse than running out of data while trying to create great content for your blog. Consider an unlimited data plan that allows you to capture and post as much as you want.

Post through email.

When you publish content, you can snag viewers, readers, or listeners by posting on your social media platforms. It’s also important to establish an email list so you can notify subscribers when you’ve published new content.

Whether you want to blog through text, video, photography, podcasting, or a combination of these mediums, you can publish great content using only your smartphone. These apps, tips, and tricks will help you post engaging content and grow your online following.