When it comes to starting a blog, there are two main options. You can
start a blog for free using one of the many hosted blog platforms such
as blogger.com or wordpress.com. Or you can host your own blog.
Using a free online platform is easy and free. All you have to do is
sign-up for a free account and set up your free blog using the available
options. Hosting your own blog requires you to purchase your domain
name and basic hosting package, and finally install blog software such
as WordPress. However in spite of the initial effort, hosting your own
blog offers many advantages.
Here are 9 reasons why you should host your own blog:
1. Better for Branding
Hosting a blog on a custom domain name is better for branding. If you
set up a free blog, your URL will be in the format of
your-blog-name.wordpress.com instead of your own custom domain.
Hosting a blog on your own domain name gives you credibility. It is
also more memorable and easier to remember for your customers.
2. Better Search Engine Performance
All blogs are great for SEO and perform better on search engines than
traditional websites. However, self hosted blogs give you more control
over SEO e.g. many businesses host a blog on their main URL so all
keyword rich content is credited to the company’s domain name which
results in improved authority and ranking for the business. This would
not be possible on free platforms as any new content will be credited to
the hosting domain and not your own.
You will still be able to drive traffic to the free blog and then use
it to generate back-links. However you will not be able to utilise the
full SEO benefits.
3. More Control Over Content
Hosting your own blog also gives you full control over the type of
content you can publish. On free blog platforms, you are bound by the
publishing guidelines of the respective site e.g. on wordpress.com if
you primarily publish promotional content about your company or
products, your content can be flagged as low quality or spam. As a
result your blog can get banned.
If this happens you will suddenly loose all traffic or back-links you
have developed so far. This is very common. On the other hand, if you
host your own blog there is no limit to the type of content you publish
without the need to confirm to someone else’s publishing guidelines.
4. Better Revenue Potential
When you host on another free platform you are limited to the revenue
generating potential. You may be able to use programmes like Adsense,
however there may be limitations on other forms of revenue generation
such as affiliate products, banner advertising or other programmes.
5. Better for Growth and Value addition
The growth in the value of your blog is limited if you host on free
platforms. If you wish to grow your blog and perhaps sell it some day
for a profit, hosting your own blog is vital.
6. More Control Over Functionality
If you host your own blog there are no limits to the type of features
you can offer or develop either now or in future. You can do pretty
much what you want or integrate it seamlessly with other websites or
tools. Such options are vary limited when you host a blog using one of
the free platforms. You are restricted to using the widgets and tools on
offer.
7. More Control Over Design
Although free platforms such as WordPress.com offer excellent
flexibility to adapt and customise the design or template, full control
is only possible when you host your own blog.
8. Less Risk
On free platforms, your blog can be taken down over night. It is very
common. Although you are likely to get your post content, you can loose
all traffic and back-links instantly.
9. Complete Ownership
There are many aspects to a blog in addition to the content. The
domain name and the authority and reputation associated with it take
time to build and are equally important. When you set up a blog on a
free platform, you do not own all areas of your blog. You own the
content but have little control over domain authority or the domain
name. If you host your own blog, you own it 100%.
Conclusion:
Although setting up a free blog using a free hosted platform is easy
and can be done in minutes, for best results you should host your own
WordPress blog on your own domain name.
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