Business Blogging Tools

TOOL TYPES

Over Here (local tool on your desktop), Over There (you install and host on your web server), Way Over There (central installation and hosted on someone else's web server). There's a detailed list at Blogroots.

OVER HERE

Radio Userland, iBlog

You have backups of your posts
You can work offline and post later
Comfort of desktop software
BUT: Not as easy if you aren't near your own machine
BUT: Hassle of upgrades, 3rd party conflicts, etc.

OVER THERE

Movable Type, Greymatter, PHP-Nuke

Most flexible, customizable
You control the reliability
Your content at your place
BUT: It's 10:00, do you know where your cgi-bin is?
BUT: Portability issues (what happens if you have a new host?)
BUT: Potential speed and space issues with shared hosting

WAY OVER THERE

TypePad, Blogger BlogSpot, AOL Journals, LiveJournal

Easiest set-up and maintenance
Minimal-to-none technical knowledge
Feature and update friendly (you always have the latest)
Portable
BUT: No control over reliability
BUT: Less customization options
BUT: What happens to your data if you leave?

WHICH FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

So, which tools are best for business? It really depends on your needs. Sometimes hosted tools like TypePad or Blogger might be sufficient. Other times you may require the customization and flexibility of tools like Movable Type or Greymatter. Truth it, it's up to you, but here are some things to consider:

How well can it integrate into your existing site/technology?
Email/IM integration and notification features?
Integration with tools you already use
You host or they host — privacy issues?
Easy picture uploading
Do you need a Draft, Publish, Release workflow?
Extensible with plug-ins? Weather in action.

MORE REVIEWS AND COMPARISONS