Have you just started your blog using a free platform? I feel you, you don’t want to invest in something that you’re just starting out in. It might be all that you need for now, but let me tell you- sooner or later you will want to make a move. Using a free platform for a long time, not only you will postpone your blog’s growth, it will also make it harder for you to move when the time comes. Let me explain this!

What Is Self-Hosted WordPress?

Wordpres.org has grown to be the largest self-hosted blogging tool in the world, used on millions of sites and seen by tens of millions of people every day. WordPress is completely customizable and can be used for almost anything. Please note, it’s not the same as WordPress.com, these are two completely different platforms.

WordPress.org itself is free. You only pay for your hosting + domain to have this up and running. My current favourite is Bluehost. Their customer service is the best. I never had to wait for longer than a minute to get a response via LIVE chat. They also offer FREE WordPress.com to WordPress.org Transfer if you get one of their hosting packages. Good news is, you can start a self-hosted WordPress.org in 5 minutes using this tutorial.

Are you ready to move? Here are 5 reasons you should do it before your blog grows.

#1 WordPress.org Is Better Optimised For SEO

Building a great SEO score can take your blog from hobby to a full-time career and your platform really plays a big part in this. With self-hosted WordPress, you can build the whole SEO strategy, install SEO plugins that will help you optimise your blog to its full potential and initially rank higher in search engines.

#2 Monetizing Your Blog Is Way Easier

If you wish to start making money from your blog- self-hosted WordPress.org is definitely the best online home for you. Unfortunately, some other blogging platforms do not allow ads to be placed on the blogs or they are very selective in what services you can feature. When you go self-hosted, you have a complete control over what you choose to advertise which makes monetization so much easier.

#3 You’re The One In Charge

Seriously, there’s nothing better than knowing that your content belongs to you and you can change it the way you want, add functionality as you go along & gradually grow your blog into a blossoming business. You want to make sure your blog is your own and you don’t depend on any platform to keep it functioning well. You can also create customised campaigns, re-develop your website in any type you want- there really are no limits when it comes to self-hosted WordPress.

#4 Migrating A Larger Blog Comes With Its Own Difficulties

The more posts you already published, the harder it will be to migrate it when the time comes. Also, if you run into any javascript issues, you might need to edit each post manually and that’s not very pleasing, to say the least. Of course, we can sort it all out for you if you use our migration services, but in all reality, moving while your blog is still growing is way easier. You can even fo this yourself following our Blogger to WordPress Step By Step Manual.

#5 You’re Damaging Your Full Potential

Seriously, running a blog is my dream job and I’m so happy to be doing this for a living. However, it all only really evolved once I finally started to take my blog seriously. If you want to grow your online presence and start making online, you have to make serious decisions and treat your blog as a business. Don’t be afraid to make a change, invest and really go for it!

Let me know if you’re thinking of moving your blog to self-hosted WordPress.org! Let me know if you’re struggling with this, I’d love to help you out as much as I can!