Self-Hosting | 6 Powerful Ways It’s Crucial For Your Website

Purchasing a self-hosted website is one of the smartest choices you can make when creating a blog.

Not only do you get the domain name of your choice, but you’ll own your website content. So, what is self-hosting?

Self-hosting is where you purchase online storage space for your website to be placed so that visitors from any place and at any time, can visit.

You own the domain name as well as all of your website’s data.

In other words, you are in full control. This is in contrast to a website that is hosted on a free platform.

With a free blog platform, you do not own the domain name and the platform owner can place ads anywhere on your website.

You don’t even have any control over what types of ads are displayed.

When you purchase through my affiliate links down below and all other links throughout this article, I will be paid a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support, it is greatly appreciated. You can visit My Affiliate Disclaimer page by Clicking Here

How do I start a self-hosted blog?

Starting a self-hosted blog is quite simple and affordable. First of all, you’ll need a domain name.

This will be the public name of your website followed by .com, .net, .org, and so on.

I use NameHero for all of my domain and hosting needs. I like NameHero’s customer service.

Especially when compared to other hosting companies like Bluehost.

If you are interested, you can sign up through my affiliate link by clicking here.

After you have chosen your domain name you will then choose your hosting plan.

You’ll have a choice between the Starter Cloud, Plus Cloud, Turbo Cloud, and Business Cloud.

I would go for the Starter Cloud option as it is cheaper and great if you’re just getting started.

Next, you’ll be asked to choose your billing cycle.

Choosing a longer cycle will save you money in the long run but will cost more upfront.

If you don’t have the money all at once, you can choose the month-to-month option.

Next, you will need to input your billing information and then choose additional services.

I generally do not choose any of the extra services. However, it’s up to you.

Finally, you will review your order and purchase your domain name and hosting.

You are now ready to install your website on the blogging platform of your choice. I highly recommend using WordPress.org.

WordPress is currently home to 35% of all websites.

They offer an abundance of website themes and plugins to customize your site any way you see fit.

I use WordPress on all of my websites and recommend you do too.

If you would like a detailed step-by-step tutorial on how to set up your domain name and hosting you can click here to visit my article on how to start a blog.

What is a self-hosted application?

A self-hosted application is an online program that you can place directly on your web hosting storage service.

These can include email services, online storage programs, and task management software.

You will, however, need to run a software platform that offers web applications to be self-hosted directly on your servers.

These software platforms include YonoHost, Cloudron, and Sandstorm, to name a few.

These platforms offer apps that can help with a wide range of business tasks.

Need to self-host an email application, or how about a booking calendar program?

With these platforms, you can easily do just that.

Free vs Self-hosted WordPress Platforms

What is a self-hosted platform? Well, it’s generally a website content builder that you use to create your blog articles and website pages.

With this type of platform, you must purchase a domain name and website hosting.

WordPress offers a self-hosted platform and a free platform. Each one has its benefits and drawbacks.

However, I highly recommend you go for the self-hosted platform. Here are the key differences.

WordPress.org – Self-Hosted Platform

This is the option I recommend. You purchase your domain name and web hosting.

Then you install WordPress on your domain and create away.

You have full control over ad placement, web content, and design.

You can take your domain name and switch platforms or hosting companies at any time.

Plus, you can easily sell your website, once you have started making some profit.

WordPress.com – Free Platform

With this option, free is a relative term.

While using this type of WordPress platform will not cost money, you give up a lot of control over your domain name and website data.

I only recommend this option if you are short on money and are just getting something started. It is better to get things rolling than to never get started at all.

If you ever want to sell your site, you’re going to have issues though.

This is because you don’t own the domain name. Your domain name might look something like www.wordpress.yoursitename.com.

Pretty ugly right? Unless you purchased your matching .com domain name, then selling or transferring your free WordPress.com website can be a pain.

If you are going to go the free route, I highly recommend you purchase your domain name as a .com domain as well.

However, if you are going to go this direction, you might as well go with a paid self-hosted site, to begin with.

Self-hosting a WordPress website – The Benefits

If you are looking for the best self-hosted platform, then WordPress is it.

It offers many benefits that other platforms just fall short of.

Here are some key benefits to using the WordPress.org platform with a self-hosted website.

Security

WordPress offers unparalleled security within the blogging platform space.

As I stated before, WordPress is used by a good chunk of the internet.

This means there are millions of people constantly testing and fixing security loopholes.

And working together to make using the WordPress platform a safe and enjoyable experience.

SEO Friendly

By design, WordPress is Google compliant as far as Search Engine Optimization goes.

This means that just by using WordPress to structure your blogs and pages, you’ll be several steps ahead of the competition.

This fact makes SEO plugins kind of obsolete.

WordPress already makes your title an H1 heading, allows you to add rich media like images and videos, and change permalinks to display as the “Post Name”.

WordPress Themes

If you want your blog to look professional and be responsive, then look no further than WordPress themes.

These are visual styles that you can install that will completely change your website’s color, features, and layout.

There are themes for local businesses, photographers, pet groomers, and everything in between.

You are only limited by your imagination and maybe your wallet if you choose a premium theme.

WordPress Plugins

Lets’s say you have found a theme that matches your style perfectly.

However, the theme does not allow you to create a static sidebar for you to place an image link for your teaching course.

Well, there is a plugin for that. There are several.

Plugins add unique functionality and features to your website that your theme otherwise would not allow.

These are very handy little apps indeed.

The platform of choice for 35% of all websites

What more can I say? WordPress is popular with bloggers and business owners alike.

And with all of these great features is it any wonder?

One of the greatest benefits of supporting all of these users is the amount of testing and troubleshooting that can be implemented.

This, in turn, offers a greater user experience all around.

The numbers do not lie.

Easy Installation and Set-Up

To say that WordPress is easy to install and set up would be an understatement.

Most hosting companies offer a one-click install feature. This makes installation a snap.

Furthermore, once you learn where all of the menu settings are, you’ll be on your way to editing, customizing, and creating your website in no time.

What Is Self-Hosting – Conclusion

I hope you can now see the benefits of paying for a self-hosted website.

The amount of freedom self-hosting affords you is immeasurable.

You’re in control of the domain name, all of your website data, and when, where, and if you place ads on your blog as well.

Best of all, a domain name and web hosting can be purchased for less than $100 per year.

A self-hosted blog is one of the smartest business investments you can make with such little upfront cost.

Well, that about does it. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my article on self-hosting.

Whichever hosting option you make, whether it’s free or paid, I just hope you get started and don’t stop.

I made that error with my first website, and boy did it set me back. Don’t make the same mistake.

With that said, thank you again, good luck, and have a great day.