As an amateur in blog writing, I am constantly looking out for platforms where I could get better exposure, some of the best platforms I found include Medium, Buy Me A Coffee, Ghost, Substacks, etc. Each has its pros and cons, and why don't I do a series on finding the best platform for amateur bloggers like me? So this will be edition one of the series.
What is Ghost?
Ghost is a powerful app for professional publishers to create, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members.
Why Choose Ghost?
Ghost is an open-source publishing platform, known for its commitment to providing a user-friendly experience without any commission fee.
Where other platforms typically charge between 5% to 20% as commission rates and platform fees, Ghost offers its full suite of features for a modest platform fee of $9 per month.
Key features of Ghost include a collection of analytic tools that allow creators to track reader engagement and optimize their content strategy effectively.
Ghost allows creators to build websites with custom domains and designs where you can publish your content and distribute newsletters at a single-touch
Ghost is a cost-effective platform to craft compelling digital stories and build a connection with the readers.
With the new Stripe Tax integration (beta) in Ghost, you can now effortlessly handle sales tax, VAT, or GST directly at checkout for new paid subscriptions.
Now lets dive a little deep into Ghost
Design / Personalization
Ghost helps you build a custom website to post your content and track your audience.
One could use a custom domain for this website for free whereas the rest of the platforms provide this feature at a premium.
We could also choose the website design from a collection of templates, we could choose our fonts, buttons, styles header design, etc.
Simply put, you can build a fully customized website in just a few clicks
Creating a new post
Ghost features an intuitive and interactive editor, akin to those found on Medium and Notion, that simplifies the blogging process.
This user-friendly interface allows for seamless insertion of images, videos, code snippets, and more, making it easy to enhance your blog posts with multimedia content.
Ghost also offers the added functionality of publishing content and distributing newsletters directly from the platform.
We could also share your publications on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X formerly known as Twitter.
Payment type
Ghost offers two types of payment options to support creators.
The primary method is a subscription model, where readers can choose to support a creator on a monthly or yearly basis.
The second option allows for one-time contributions in the form of donations or tips from readers.
Once processed, the funds are generally available in the creator’s linked account within 2–7 business days. This duration can vary slightly based on the banking institutions and any intermediaries involved.
Conclusion
Ghost is a comprehensive, user-friendly platform designed for modern creators who want to take full control of their content, audience engagement, and revenue generation.
With its intuitive editor, customizable website design options, and seamless integration of payment systems like Stripe and Wise, Ghost offers a powerful solution for building a sustainable online presence.
Whether you’re looking to publish blog posts, send newsletters, or monetize through subscriptions and donations, Ghost empowers creators with the tools they need — all without high commission fees or complicated processes.
Simply put, Ghost is the ideal choice for anyone looking to build, manage, and grow their digital content with ease and flexibility.
By
Aloysius J Kolapran
PM Buy Me a Coffee