If you’ve thought about starting a blog, you’ve probably come across the term before self-hosted Blog. Most people will tell you that a self-hosted blog is the way to go, especially if you want to build a professional image.
But what Is a self-hosted blog? And why do you need one when you can easily start a blog for free through other services? Below we explain the details about free and self-hosted providers Blogging platformsthe pros and cons of each and which one you should choose.
Free blogging platform
What is that? A free blogging platform is just that: it’s free to sign up for an account, get a domain (e.g. www.example.com), and set up your website. You can start your free blog with services like Blogger.com and WordPress.com.
What’s special about a free account is that your website’s files are stored – or hosted – on your blogging platform’s servers. While there may be costs after the initial setup – which we’ll get to in a moment – it’s this simple fact that separates a free blog from a self-hosted blog.
Advantages of a free blog:
- There are no initial start-up costs.
- Free programs like WordPress and Blogger are easy to set up and maintain without any prior knowledge of website design.
Disadvantages of a free blog:
- Unless you pay for your own domain, the WordPress or Blogger domain will be pinned to your own, e.g. E.g. www.example.blogspot.com.
- Free blogs appear less professional than self-hosted ones.
- You have less control over your blog. For example, people who self-host their blog using WordPress software can download plugins to extend the functionality of their website. A free WordPress blog doesn’t allow this and limits you to just a few options. CSS features and theme selection are also limited on free blogging platforms.
- You only have a limited amount of bandwidth, video time, and storage available.
- Free platforms typically limit your advertising options, meaning it’s harder to make money from your blog.
What types of costs are incurred?
A free blog can be completely free if you want it to be. However, if you want to remove the “Blogger” or “WordPress” in your domain name, you will need to purchase and assign your own custom domain. These can be up to $10 depending on your selection.
You may also choose to purchase stock photos, hire a designer, or purchase an updated theme, which can increase the cost of your blog.
Who Should Use Free Blogs?
Free blogs are best for people who are just exploring the world of blogging or are not that serious about blogging. If you blog just for fun, then definitely start with a free blog!
Self-hosted blogging platform
What is that? A self-hosted blog is a blog that resides on your own server. However, most people pay a third party to host their blog, giving them all the benefits of a self-hosted blog. Websites like HostGator and Bluehost are among the popular companies that offer hosting services. Essentially, these companies rent digital storage space to users to enable a website to operate.
Benefits of a self-hosted blog:
- You have full control over your blog, including layout, search engine optimization, advertising revenue, additional features and more.
- You can install custom themes to brand your blog.
- You have complete access to your backend files so you can make any necessary code changes.
- Using a third-party host typically only costs a few dollars per month.
Disadvantages of a self-hosted blog:
- It requires an initial investment.
- It can be intimidating for new bloggers.
What types of costs are incurred?
Like a free blog, any photos, domain names, and themes you purchase add to your cost. With self-hosting, you also need to invest in the costs associated with using a third-party host. The good news is that hosting can cost less than $5 per month. Certain plugins – software that you can install on your website to extend its functionality – can also cost money.
Who Should Use Self-Hosted Blogs?
Because self-hosted blogs look more professional and serve more functions, they are best for businesses. They are also ideal for people who want to improve their professional appearance and expand the features available on their website.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
One issue that often comes up when looking at free websites and self-hosted websites is the difference between them WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open source platform developed by tens of thousands of people. Essentially created by a community of developers, WordPress is now a free blogging platform that can be used for free or self-hosted.
WordPress.com
To get a free WordPress site, all you need to do is visit WordPress.com and start designing your site within minutes. WordPress.com is operated by Automattic, a company founded by Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress. Here you can use a limited version of WordPress software and your website will be hosted on their servers.
WordPress.org
WordPress.org, on the other hand, offers the full range of software. However, to use it, you need a location to store your website’s files. A third-party host is ideal here.
If you’re not sure which route you want to take, it’s worth starting a blog on WordPress.com and later switching to a self-hosted blog while still using WordPress’ software. The good news is that once you find a host, they can usually help you install WordPress on your website and you can then enjoy the easy-to-use software with full control over your website.
Still confused? Leave us a comment with your question.