Substack vs. Website: What’s Better for Starting Your Blog (An Honest Take)

If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog — but the idea of picking a website platform, designing pages, and learning SEO feels like a mountain — you’re not alone.

The good news? You don’t need a full-blown website to start building something real.

In fact, more and more creators are turning to Substack as a simpler, faster, and more intentional way to share content, grow a list, and even sell products — without getting buried in tech setup.

Let’s break down the honest pros, cons, and best use cases for both — so you can choose the right path for your season of business (without getting stuck).

🟠 Why Substack Is the Simplest Way to Start Blogging

Substack is like a hybrid between a blog and a newsletter — and it’s built for creators who want to publish fast, build connection, and grow an email list at the same time.

What makes it different:

• No tech setup — you get a blog, email list, and delivery system in one

• You own your subscribers (exportable list)

• You can monetize right on the platform (paid posts, digital products)

• Clean design with minimal effort

• Built-in discovery features for growth (like Notes and recommendations)

Why this matters:

You don’t need a homepage, about page, or blog archive. You just need one place where your ideas can live, and readers can subscribe.

If you want to publish fast and build trust — Substack reduces the friction.

🟣 When a Website Might Make More Sense

Traditional websites (Squarespace, Showit, WordPress, etc.) are best when:

• You want a branded hub with full visual control

• You’re offering multiple services (like coaching, courses, or a portfolio)

• You want to implement advanced SEO strategies or integrations

• You plan to blog less often but need static pages

But here’s the truth:

Most beginner creators spend weeks or months tweaking their website — instead of publishing content and learning what actually resonates.

Websites create more friction upfront.

That doesn’t mean they’re wrong — just that they’re not required to start.

Start Simple. Start Writing. Refine Later.

If your goal is to grow an audience, build trust, and sell a digital offer — your blog doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be consistent.

Substack is:

• Free to start

• Focused on content, not design

• Built for connection first, not aesthetics

You can always add a website later. (In fact, many creators link back to Substack from their website once they grow.)

So Which Should You Choose?

Goal Best Option Publish weekly, grow a list, keep it simple Substack Build a brand hub with multiple pages Website (Squarespace or Showit) Sell one product or build a starter audience Substack Run a visual portfolio or blog with heavy SEO Website (WordPress or Showit) Get started today, without tech overwhelm Substack (every time)

Final Thought:

You don’t need all the bells and whistles to start showing up.

Substack lets you focus on what matters: your words, your voice, your audience.

The rest can come later — once you’ve built the confidence and clarity that only comes from doing the thing.

Want to turn your blog into something that earns? If you're ready to go beyond just writing and start building a simple, scalable digital product business — this course shows you how to do exactly that using Substack, Pinterest, and a smart content system. It’s built for creators who want clarity, not complexity. You can start small and build something real.

More resources:

✨ Want to get clear on your finances? Grab my Notion Planner

🎓 Curious how I turned writing into a digital income stream? Check out my course