Deciding to start a blog can be overwhelming, and what’s more overwhelming is deciding if your blog should be on a hosted or self-hosted platform. Determining which choice is right depends on your vision for your blog. Your blog’s home is important and sets a clear foundation of what other people can expect from you. So which WordPress platform wins the battle? Let’s take a look a look into the difference between hosted vs a self-hosted website.
Difference Between Having a Hosted vs Self-Hosted Website
What is the difference between a hosted and self-hosted website? Well, hosted websites include WordPress.com, Wix, and Squarespace platforms. These platforms offer an all-in-one solution for those who enjoy setting their blog up in one place. So exactly, what does this mean? Well, you will receive hosting and software to build your blog; this makes it easier for those who want to cut the custom work out. WordPress.com offers free and paid plans that fit anyone’s needs. We will look into those options later.
On the other hand, you have WordPress.org. WordPress.org is a self-host platform that offers users a hands-on approach. The WordPress.org software is free, but you must run your blog on a hosting site like Bluehost. Bluehost holds all your files on their servers and a purchased domain; my blog is with WordPress.org/Bluehost, and I am pleased thus far. WordPress.org is great for those who enjoy a challenge and want a customizable blog. WordPress.org offers great benefits that you can’t get with WordPress.com.
WordPress.com Pros and Cons
WordPress.com is what I like to call the President of the social media platforms. Why? Because you don’t own it, just like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can use the site to store your content, but it is not yours. You’re limited in what you can do, and if you violate their rules ( just like any other social media platform), you risk the chance of your content being removed. Imagine all of your content- gone. So what are the pros? One of the pros of WordPress.com is that it’s a good choice for those new to the blogging world who don’t want the responsibility of updating or creating their website on their own. Another pro is that you get up to 3GB free. Although, after you’ve used that amount, you will have to switch to a paid plan of WordPress.com.
WordPress.Org Pros and Cons
Unlike WordPress.com, WordPress.org allows you to create your blog however you want. You can choose from a wide range of themes and endless paid and free plugins and design a website you will love. When you create your self-hosted blog with Bluehost, the platform will update all updates, including any plugins you have. Another added feature is security capabilities. Having the security feature is an additional cost but is worth it, considering you will have peace of mind knowing your website is secure.
Did I mention that with WordPress.org, you own your website? Yes, all the content and images belong to you. Another great benefit of having a self-hosted website like WordPress.org is that you can run ads, which means you can immediately make money from your blog. With WordPress.com, all free accounts will have WordPress.com ads run, but you can’t monetize from it. Another benefit of having your blog on a self-hosted platform is that you can use Google Analytics tools to track how well your website performs and what other platforms drive traffic to your blog.
Again, for WordPress.org, the platform itself is free. However, you must pay for your domain, hosting, and any additional security protection you think your website will need. Anyone can create a website with Bluehost, which can cost $48-$100 a year. This depends on what add-ons you choose. A self-hosted blog is the first step in turning your blog into a business.
The Key Takeaways on Self-Hosted vs. Hosted
Here are a few key takeaways that will help you determine which WordPress platform is right for you.
WordPress.com
- offers free and paid plans
- simple to setup
- able to connect with other hosted blogs
- can be removed from the platform for violation of rules
- You don’t own your content
- Limited to themes and plugins
WordPress.Org
- Massive themes and plugins to choose from
- Custom-designed your blog
- Can monetize your blog from the start
- You own your content
- Could have plugin conflicts
There you have it my friends! The battle of WordPress. Which platform do you prefer? Self-hosted or hosted. Let me know in the comments.
Check out this blog post before launching your blog: 15 Essentials Things To Do Before Launching Your Blog
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