Note: This post was original published back in 2011 and has been updated for 2016!
Are you hosting your blog on one of these platforms:
- Blogger.com,
- WordPress.com,
- LiveJournal
- or another blog platform?
Granted these are free services, but they do have their downfalls – are you aware of them?
For example, did you know that in some cases you give up the right to keep that content exclusively on your website? This means that what you post can be shared, published, or used in any way that someone else (not you!) wants to use it? And you might not even get credit for the work!
In the Terms of Service for Blogger.com (owned by Google), it states:
By submitting, posting or displaying Content on or through Google services which are intended to be available to the members of the public, you grant Google a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, publish and distribute such Content on Google services for the purpose of displaying and distributing Google services. Google furthermore reserves the right to refuse to accept, post, display or transmit any Content in its sole discretion.
Is this good or bad? That is for you to decide.
The benefits to having your own website (known as a self-hosted Blog) include the following:
- When you host your website, you will always be in control of all of your files and data. On the other hand, when you use one of the free services, you do not have the same freedom to access, download, or backup your data whenever, and where ever you want.
- No one can legally copy your content without your permission.
- Your website name will probably be easier for people to remember. Which would you prefer to give out? www.YourSite.com or www.YourSite.blogspot.com – granted it is not a huge difference, but it is shorter!
- Hosting your own website is more professional. Having your own site demonstrates that you are serious and that what you are doing is not just a passing activity for you.
- The only ads that show up are the ones you want! I went to read a blog over at LiveJournal and had to view a car video before I was directed to the post. Who knows what ads can pop up! Do you want your readers to experience that?
- Speaking of ads, if you want, you can sell ad space on your website and YOU earn the money, not the hosting service! You can actually make some money while you have fun with your site! I talked about this for 2 hours last night with my private coaching students!
Yes it is true… hosting your own blog does require a little of technical knowledge. If you are not up to the challenge technically, you can get some help. In either case, it is worth the effort. When you convert over, you will have complete control, and flexibility to do what you want and even become profitable.
If you need help, I will help you! Actually, as part of my 2015 New Year Fast Starter, I will convert your site for only $500 (for the first 10 people that request it).
It’s really simple. I will install and set up a WordPress blog for you for only $500. Not only that, I will also install for free the following plugins to get your blog started on the right foot:
- An SEO plugin for WordPress and will help your blog rank higher with the search engines. In addition, I’ll set up your new blog with search engine friendly URLs.
- XML Sitemaps – will help get your blog pages indexed quickly on Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines
- A Contact Form – this will allow people to send you email, without publishing your email address to the world!
- A Caching Plugin – makes your blog load a lot faster and handle more traffic.
- Show Top Commentators – encourages readers to comment on your blog.
- Comment Spam Protector – kill off the comment spam that shows up.
- It will be Mobile Responsive – let people using their SmartPhones access your site easily!
- fbLikeButton – Have your pages go viral with Facebook
These are some of the best WordPress plugins available and they’re included free with the WordPress installation service.
OK – What’s The Catch?
None! Nada. Zippo! There is no catch. This program is being sponsored by Liquid Web. Liquid Web hosts 90% my sites. You will need to have your own hosting, and I will help get you set up on Liquid Web.
To qualify for my free WordPress Transfer Service, all you have to do is set up a time when we can talk about what you need. You can head over and schedule a time that fits into your schedule
Once you schedule the time we wil have a conversation and then I will then install WordPress on your site, optimize it, and finally transfer your current blog over to your new site! The beauty of this is that you can retain your original site and have your new site up at the same time. If you cancel and change your mind, nothing is lost!
If you’re ready to start blogging on your own site, head over and schedule a time that fits into your schedule so you can have your own website for 2016!
Julie Henderson says
WOW! You are very generous, Paul! My site is setup with Bluehost and I sure wouldn’t mind if you took a look at it and tell me what plugins may be missing ..SEO optimization, sitemaps, antivirus (even if I have this plugin..do I still need to get the wptwin) …let me know …and also let me know if there is something I can do for you 🙂
Paul says
Thanks Julie! I would be more than happy to provide a Website Audit for you. If you have a moment, send me a message with your contact info and I will give you a call. Awesome!
lisa says
Awesome! Thanks so much for the heads up on your post! I’ve got some of the plugins you listed, but not all. I’m going to have to get the rest or most ASAP! I’m also going to be following your site because I can never get too much advice.
Bonnie Anderson says
Thank you for all your ideas and tips. I think I need to get through this challenge before I make a change, but it may just be the thing for me to do.
Paul says
Bonnie – The Ultimate Blog Challenge is a great way to get you off and running with your blog! Using a WordPress.com is not a bad thing, just keep in mind the limitations. We’ll leave the lights on!
Be Well.
Paul.
Tor Constantino says
Paul, I’m going to start calling you the “Blog Whisperer” – you rock!!!
Paul says
You crack me up, Tor! Reminds me of the old commercials, “If you want to capture someone’s attention, whisper.”
Roberta Budvietas says
So why can’t I see the retweet plug-in?
Paul says
Great question, Roberta. Can you provide some info – what browser are you using? I will look into it!
lisa says
Hi Paul,
I’m in the process of installing all of the suggested widgets and have a question for you. The AntiVirus scanned my blog and immediately emailed me that they suspected my blog has one. That’s all it said…no suggestions on how to fix it or if it had taken care of it. Do you know what I need to do?
Thanks,
Lisa
Amethyst says
All right, I’ll bite.
Paul says
Amethyst – You say that like it is a bad thing 🙂 I will send you an email to give provide you with the info to get started!
Christine Mann says
Paul, I’m one year too late?!?!?! Does your offer apply in July 2012?