# Web2 vs Web3 Writing Platforms

> Making the right personal choice

**Published by:** [The Web3 Engineer](https://paragraph.com/@theweb3engineer/)
**Published on:** 2023-10-17
**Categories:** web3, writing, substack, paragraph
**URL:** https://paragraph.com/@theweb3engineer/choosing-a-platform

## Content

When I started my weekly newsletter journey, I faced a dilemma: which platform to choose? I knew about Substack and Medium, but Web3 alternatives like Mirror and Paragraph also caught my eye. To streamline my decision-making process, I categorized the platforms based on customization levels and hosting options.After thorough research, I opted for hosted newsletters. I chose Substack and Paragraph, viewing each publication as a unique "stock-keeping unit" (SKU), emphasizing content as my product. Here's a breakdown of my considerations and choices:Options:Hosted Newsletters PlatformSubstack (selected) - SEO Optimized, NewsletterParagraph (selected) - SEO Optimized, NewsletterHosted Blogging PlatformWordpress (based on Wordpress)Medium (closed source)Mirror (closed source)Customizable Self-Publishing ToolsWordpress.org (open source)Ghost (open source)Next.js(open source)Hashnode (closed source)Hosting ProvidersWP Engine (Wordpress hosting)Vercel (NextJS hosting)CommunityDev.toTwitterConsiderations:Newsletter-First vs Blog-First Platforms:I chose newsletter-first platforms due to their combined blog functionality, finding them more convenient. Blog-first platforms like Medium felt cumbersome due to their paywall options.Hosted vs Flexibility:I opted for hosted platforms to focus solely on content without dealing with additional maintenance tasks. Hosted platforms offer networking benefits and convenience for new writers.Web2 vs Web3 Platforms:While Web3 seemed natural for my content, existing options proved challenging due to complexities like minting. I decided to publish on both Substack and Paragraph to understand their nuances and audience differences.Community Platform:I deferred community-based platforms for organic reach, planning to revisit this option if needed later.Discoveries:Native SEO support was vital, and my chosen platforms excelled in this area.I appreciated the diversity in writers and topics, enriching my experience.Noteworthy differences existed between closed and open-source platforms, although this didn't impact my choice.Interestingly, Web3 products like Mirror and Paragraph being closed-source didn't raise ethical concerns, a departure from previous debates in other Web3 verticals.User Experience:I'll explore the subtle differences in the onboarding experience in a future post, focusing on my first-time writing experience on Substack and Paragraph.For now, I'll publish on Substack and Paragraph, aiming to identify a clear winner or continue on both if they prove distinct. Stay tuned for updates. Thanks for reading. Please feel free to email your questions. See you in the next post!

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