Should I Choose Free or Self-Hosted Blogging Platform?

  This is the biggest decision you’ll have to make before you go any further when planning to start a blog. You needs to decide whether you Should Choose Free or Self-Hosted Blogging Platform?
What is a self-hosted blog? And why do you need one if you can just start a blog for free through other services?
This article attempts to explain the difference and details of Free or Self-Hosted Blogging Platform.
The benefits and side effects of each, and which one you should choose.
Should I Choose Free or Self-Hosted Blogging Platform?
Free Blogging Platform
What is it? A free blogging platform is where users can sign up for an account, receive a domain and set up their website at no cost.
Some popular free blogging service providers include Blogger.com and WordPress.com, Tumblr etc.
The thing about a free account is that your website’s files are hosted on the servers that belong to the blogging platform you have selected.
This is the basic fact that differentiates a free blog from a self-hosted blog.

Benefits of a free be blogging platform

• There are no initial start-up costs.

• Free programs like WordPress and Blogger are easy to set up and maintain without any prior website design knowledge.

• Does not require any prior website design knowledge.

Side effects of a free Blogging Platform

• You won’t be able to get your OWN domain name:
•  On a free blog, your blog’s web address (your URL) will be butt-ugly.

In short, create a free blog with any other the above free blog services and it’ll look like this:
https://yourblog.blogspot.com
https://yourblog.wordpress.com
https://yourblog.tumblr.com

• Limits and more limits: There are some limits to free blogs.

• You can’t fully monetize it, and you don’t have the possibility to upload all those videos and images you want to show everyone – it’s all limited.

• Worse still, you won’t even have access to the free themes offered by WordPress.

• You DON’T OWN your blog: You don’t actually own your blog, your website’s files are hosted on the servers that belong to the blogging platform you have selected and they can delete it if they want to.

They have done so in the past, and keep doing it in the future.
Which means all your hard work on your blog, all those countless hours of writing blog posts might have vanished within seconds. Sad…
Truth be told, you can migrate your site to a new platform, but this can also be tricky if your website is suspended or terminated.
By opting for a self-hosted platform, you will at least get a notice of violation, as it is in a service provider’s best interest to keep a paying customer on board.

Self-Hosted Blogging Platform

What is it? A self-hosted blog is one that resides on your own server. Most people, however, pay a third-party to host their blog, which opens them to all the benefits of a self-hosted blog. Sites like HostGator and Bluehost are among some of the popular companies that provide hosting services. Essentially, these companies rent out digital storage space to users to make running a website possible.

Pros of a self-hosted blog:

1. You have full control over your blog, including in its layout, search engine optimization, advertising revenue, additional functions, and more.

1. You can install custom themes to brand your blog.

1. You have complete access to your backend files, which allows you to make any necessary code changes.

1. Using a third-party host usually costs only a few dollars per month.

Cons of a self-hosted blog:

1. It requires an initial investment.

1. It can be intimidating to new bloggers.

What types of costs are involved?
Like with a free blog, any photos, domain names, and themes that you purchase will add to your costs. With self-hosting, you also have to invest in the cost of using a third-party host. The good news is that hosting can cost under $5 per month. Certain plugins—which is a piece of software that you can install on your site to expand its functionality—can cost money, too.
Who should use self-hosted blogs?
Since self-hosted blogs look more professional and perform more functions, they are best for businesses. They are also ideal for the individual who wants to improve his or her professional appearance and boost the functions available on his or her website.
Benefits of Self-Hosting Platform
Self-hosting blogging platforms are the best choice for small business owners, here are some reasons:

• Total control: Since you own your blog, You have the control to do whatever you want with your website such as monetization, search engine optimization, additional and peripheral functions and much more.

• Easy to customize: Users are free to install custom themes and pluggings to their blog for easy customization

• Easy to optimize: When you host your own blog, you have the ability to adjust the anchor text and URL code structure to enhance search engine results.

• Easy to monetize: It is easier to get approval from Google AdSense, medianet etc

Side effects of a free Blogging Platform

• A self-hosted blog involves a certain amount of investment up-front.

• For new or amateur bloggers, starting with a self-hosted blog can prove to be a bit intimidating.

Final thought
If you able to read my article to this level, you should have now know what to start with when you like to start a blog With my little explanation on the topic Should I Choose Free or Self-Hosted Blogging Platform.
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