Cons of Self-Hosted WordPress as a
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 9:03 am
Cons of Self-Hosted WordPress as a Free Blogging Site
Hosting Isn’t Free
The WordPress blogging platform is free, but you’ll still have to pay for self-hosting. You’ll also need to pay for a domain name with WordPress.org. This may be a deterrent for you, especially if you’re looking for something that is completely free. But if you’re ready to get started, head over and use my free domain name generator to get dozens of clever website name suggestions.
But, chances are, as your blog grows, you’ll probably want to find a platform that offers much more flexibility than the other free options. Instead of upgrading with a plan like Wix or Weebly, you can find a fairly inexpensive hosting plan and develop a blog that’s exactly what you want.
Higher Learning Curve
WordPress is a good choice, even for newbies, but it does have a higher learning curve than some of our other free blogging sites like Wix or Weebly. The interface isn’t quite as easy to navigate as the other “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) website builders on this list—without the right theme and page builder.
If you do want to use a drag-and-drop page builder to create your blog, I’d highly recommend Elementor. Here’s what it looks like behind the scenes:
Elementor Best WordPress Themes Drag and Drop Page Builder Example
Elementor has an amazing free version that you can use, and it allows you to view what your site will look like before you hit publish.
Plus, when this page builder is paired with their Elementor’s (free) WordPress theme, it’s a lightning-fast combination that’ll get your blog off the ground quickly and set it up well for the months and years to come.
Maintenance
One last potential drawback to using self-hosted WordPress as your free blogging platform is that you’re responsible for managing and maintaining everything on your blog. That includes things like ensuring b2b email lists poland plugins are safe, backups are happening regularly, and updates are going live.
Some of these things may be provided for you through your web hosting plan, especially if you’re using a top hosting company like Dreamhost or Bluehost—but regardless, it does take a little bit more time to maintain than some of the other free blogging sites we’re covering here.
2. Wix
Wix as a Free Blogging Site to Get Started on a Tight Budget
Wix first entered the scene as a free blogging platform in 2006. Since then, it has provided a website platform to a remarkable 150 million people. It is also used in 190 countries around the world.
Wix is a website builder with a drag-and-drop interface. It’s a (WYSIWYG) software, so you know exactly what your blog will look like before you hit the “publish” button.
They have several paid plans, but they also offer a free option.
Who Would Like Wix
Wix is a good choice for someone who wants a really easy way to start their blog for free. If you want to start a blog without having to take care of things like security, backups, hosting, and so on, Wix is a good option. Wix handles all that for you, even on their free platform plans.
The free version of Wix would not work for someone who is looking to monetize their blog or create a more customized look.
Hosting Isn’t Free
The WordPress blogging platform is free, but you’ll still have to pay for self-hosting. You’ll also need to pay for a domain name with WordPress.org. This may be a deterrent for you, especially if you’re looking for something that is completely free. But if you’re ready to get started, head over and use my free domain name generator to get dozens of clever website name suggestions.
But, chances are, as your blog grows, you’ll probably want to find a platform that offers much more flexibility than the other free options. Instead of upgrading with a plan like Wix or Weebly, you can find a fairly inexpensive hosting plan and develop a blog that’s exactly what you want.
Higher Learning Curve
WordPress is a good choice, even for newbies, but it does have a higher learning curve than some of our other free blogging sites like Wix or Weebly. The interface isn’t quite as easy to navigate as the other “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) website builders on this list—without the right theme and page builder.
If you do want to use a drag-and-drop page builder to create your blog, I’d highly recommend Elementor. Here’s what it looks like behind the scenes:
Elementor Best WordPress Themes Drag and Drop Page Builder Example
Elementor has an amazing free version that you can use, and it allows you to view what your site will look like before you hit publish.
Plus, when this page builder is paired with their Elementor’s (free) WordPress theme, it’s a lightning-fast combination that’ll get your blog off the ground quickly and set it up well for the months and years to come.
Maintenance
One last potential drawback to using self-hosted WordPress as your free blogging platform is that you’re responsible for managing and maintaining everything on your blog. That includes things like ensuring b2b email lists poland plugins are safe, backups are happening regularly, and updates are going live.
Some of these things may be provided for you through your web hosting plan, especially if you’re using a top hosting company like Dreamhost or Bluehost—but regardless, it does take a little bit more time to maintain than some of the other free blogging sites we’re covering here.
2. Wix
Wix as a Free Blogging Site to Get Started on a Tight Budget
Wix first entered the scene as a free blogging platform in 2006. Since then, it has provided a website platform to a remarkable 150 million people. It is also used in 190 countries around the world.
Wix is a website builder with a drag-and-drop interface. It’s a (WYSIWYG) software, so you know exactly what your blog will look like before you hit the “publish” button.
They have several paid plans, but they also offer a free option.
Who Would Like Wix
Wix is a good choice for someone who wants a really easy way to start their blog for free. If you want to start a blog without having to take care of things like security, backups, hosting, and so on, Wix is a good option. Wix handles all that for you, even on their free platform plans.
The free version of Wix would not work for someone who is looking to monetize their blog or create a more customized look.