Show more screenshots »

OnSugar is a blogging tool that combines traditional blogs with social elements. Users can start their own blog and follow friends on Facebook, Twitter and through OnSugar. The user can build a profile, much like a social networking website. The Start a Site feature lets the user construct a website for any purpose. The user provides a title, tagline, category and chooses the OnSugar URL to go with it. Users can also add an icon image to go with each new site they create. A ShopSense Ads feature lets users monetize their OnSugar sites (this feature is optional). Pages look much like a blogger style blog, with the user’s short profile and headlines beside the body content. Users can follow one another to discover more topics of interest.

OnSugar began as the PopSugar network, which was introduced in March of 2005 by Brian and Lisa Sugar. The original intent was to give Lisa a place to talk about fashion, celebrities and related topics. The site was one of the first to display images taken from Kenny Chesney and Renee Zellweger’s wedding. Blogs were added the following year. The application expanded, creating the separate OnSugar network. The application has received mentions in the media, including recognition in USA Today, The New York Times and Lucky Magazine.

OnSugar offers a service that is very similar to the many other blogging platforms currently available. Many of the same features have been added. The main attraction seems to be the application’s focus on trendy style and celebrities. Users are not limited to these topics, but the site’s style seems to favor these areas of interest. The application includes social networking features to add a more interactive layer to the user’s blogging experience.

OnSugar maintains a trendy feel throughout, with a primarily pink color scheme contrasted by a light background and hints of black. The interface is clean and straightforward. Users only have to fill in the blanks to start a new site or add content. Users of all experience levels can quickly learn how to build sites and update content in a matter of minutes using OnSugar. The user’s experience is streamlined to keep blogging fun and interesting.

New users can join the OnSugar community by clicking the pink “Register with OnSugar” button in the upper, right hand corner of the homepage. A blue “Log In with Facebook” button is also available for users who prefer to sign in with their social networking account. Others can provide a username, email address and password. After checking the terms of service agreement box, the user is automatically logged in and can begin creating blogs.

OnSugar is available to all users for free. There are no subscription fees and the user doesn’t have to make any purchases to create pages and blog posts. The site comes with a built in revenue generator called ShopSense. Users can actually earn money through the ShopSense program. This is not a requirement and the user never has to pay or earn revenue to access their blog or to share pages with others.

OnSugar is a handy blogging tool for users who want a simple way to create a page. The application is very user friendly and lets users discuss any topic they like. The parent company is focused on celebrities and fashion, but the user’s blog doesn’t have to be. Users can monitor popularity, follow and be followed and update their blogs anytime they like. OnSugar makes blogging as simple as possible.

• Pages can be created on any topic the user wants
• ShopSense lets users earn revenue for high traffic blog pages
• Simple interface is user friendly and requires minimal effort to master
• Users can follow or be followed by others
• Stream provides the user with recent blog stats

OnSugar video

comments powered by Disqus