Wordpress self hosted?

markrd · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-09, 08:32

I was wondering if it's worth doing a self hosted Wordpress vs. their free hosted model? I know that you can have your own domain and run your own ads but that's about all I know of where I could benefit from doing the self hosting of WordPress. I was wondering if you guys do a self hosted or hosted version?

iamsam · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-09, 11:33

Self-hosted is infinitely better as you have more control over Wordpress than you would when you're hosted with them. For one thing, you won't be able to change the source code on a hosted Wordpress if in case you need to (like for custom scripts, etc.). You're also limited in the kind of plugins and themes that you can install in a hosted WP (only approved plugins and themes can be installed). Also, if you have a website that is more than just a blog (ie. with forums, galleries, etc.), then you won't be able to integrate your WP hosted blog with the rest of the site. All that limitation will be gone if you self-host your own Wordpress installation.

alyaly · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-09, 13:29

I am Wordpress self hosted and I wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, I've heard that Wordpress will ban your blog if they don't like something or someone you wrote about. So, self hosted is much better.

Dave M · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-09, 13:55

I've never heard of Automattic (the folks who run Wordpress) just banning someone because didn't like your blog or what who you write about unless your blog violates their TOS. Actually, their TOS looks rather sensible. That said, I'm also for self-hosted WP installs rather than using their own. Why give control of your blog over to someone else, anyway, when you can use their software on your own server? That way, you get all of the features and greater control. ;)

lucy2u · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-09, 14:03

I've also heard of a few people that were actually long term bloggers on WP getting "banned" I guess you could say. They would shut down their blog and of course the blogger was able to talk to them and get their blogs exported. But, yes I've heard this rumor before too.

lucy2u · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-09, 07:08

Thanks, I'm actually considering changing mine to the self hosted. I've heard it's pretty easy to transfer over as well. Just a matter of export/import. I'm wondering, do I need to use FTP to do this?

markrd · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-09, 07:39

Great and thanks! I'm seriously thinking about the switch from the hosted to self hosted. I just want to be sure that it's something worth doing.

gazzie · #8 (**permalink**) 06-15-09, 11:47

Why, self-hosted, of course! If you have your own server, VPS, or hosting account, then why should you have to use Wordpress' own hosted service? You get more control if you host it yourself. ;)

Jenny Walker · #9 (**permalink**) 06-15-09, 23:47

Gotta agree with gazzie here. You'll probably have to learn how to manage things yourself and there's definitely a bit of a learning curve, but the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Wordpress isn't that hard to learn, anyway, so you should be up and running in a jiff.

angelad · #10 (**permalink**) 06-17-09, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny Walker

Gotta agree with gazzie here. You'll probably have to learn how to manage things yourself and there's definitely a bit of a learning curve, but the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Wordpress isn't that hard to learn, anyway, so you should be up and running in a jiff.

I'd agree also. If you don't host it yourself, you run the risk of problems due to sharing of your hosted space with someone else. If they get booted, you will too, at least temporarily.

markrd · #11 (**permalink**) 06-20-09, 11:55

Well, I did it, I made the decision to switch to self hosted for my blog and I will tell you this. It's easier than I thought to do and I'm very happy with the end results. Thanks guys.

MattBarthorp · #12 (**permalink**) 06-20-09, 23:17

Yeah, its actually simple to host a Wordpress blog with a managed web hosting provider. You can ask for a control panel to manage the web hosting to further simplify your task.

tigress · #13 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 19:23

My wordpress website is free hosted. If I opt to have my wordpress website hosted and managed by another host, do I stil have to pay wordpress for anything?

Martin · #14 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigress

My wordpress website is free hosted. If I opt to have my wordpress website hosted and managed by another host, do I stil have to pay wordpress for anything?

WordPress is freely available to install on its site. You can select any of the free wordpress themes and start your own blog. If you wish to host a WordPress website then you will only have to pay the hosting provider. WordPress is an Open Source and freely available. You do not have to pay them.
Hope that helps

tigress · #15 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 03:50

Is it possible to have a good page ranking with a free hosted website?

Amelia · #16 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 07:33

Definitely! Search Engines never know what type of server the website is hosted on neither do they know if it's a paid or free hosted website.

Cherry · #17 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 12:53

One thing that I noticed in the terms, is that some put ads on free hosted stuff and don't allow the user. Is this true with Wordpress? I assumed so and thus why I am in search of hosting.

BlueGigs · #18 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 14:32

I signed up for a free-hosted WordPress blog a few months back, and if I recall, they don't allow their users to integrate ads into their templates. In fact, there are a lot of restrictions on template design. In my own personal experience, Blogger is the least restrictive for free hosting.

Of course, hosting your own blog will always guarantee the most control/freedom. If you're committed to your blog, it's the way to go.

carl owen · #19 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 16:08

Most of the free web hosting providers and free blog hosting providers do have restrictions on the websites and blogs you have with them :o

The restrictions are not only limited to displaying ads on the blogs or websites but there are certain limitations on the content you can have on the websites and blogs you have with them :( No doubt, there are certain restrictions about content when you host your blogs or websites with paid hosting providers also but these restrictions are limited to some extent with satisfactory reasons.

Also, if you choose free blog hosting providers or free web hosting providers to host your website, it might be possible that they will place ads on your blogs or websites once your website or blogs have good content on it

Also, it might be possible that they will remove your blog or website if you do not update it.

You cannot expect good quality service if you choose a free web hosting provider or a free blog hosting provider which is certainly not good as you might need assistance at any point of time to host your website or blog :(

Gelato · #20 (**permalink**) 11-06-09, 19:39

If I'm interested in switching from free hosting on wp to self-hosting somewhere else, would it be difficult to do this? I also had some content on another free blog hosting provider and I'm looking to move that as well.