Choosing a type of website (platform) is important! The question is dependant on what is your main priority or main feature/s you are looking for.

There are 3 main types of blogs:

• Personal (Much like a diary or journal).
• Information (Such as a news, publication or food blog).
• Business (From start up, teacher, foodie, entrepreneur, expert to make money).

Blogging can be 1 of the above or a combination of the 3.

 

Related article: How to Start a Blog & Make Money With It!

 

Blog Platforms

There are websites that cost $0 to set up. I call these free platforms, like Blogger, Squarespace, Tumblr, Weebly, Wix and WordPress.com. These companies host your website and they own your content.

The other options are websites where you pay for the hosting. So you own the content. That means you need to ‘self-host’ and pay for hosting. You can self-host WordPress.org. (There is a difference between .com and .org.)

Each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses and it is important to understand how critical that is in your decision-making process.

 

Related article: Different Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

 

I use and recommend self-hosted WordPress.org website.

WordPress has the ability to add plugins to your website. For example the SEO plugin which is 100% crucial, in my opinion, for ranking on Google.

WordPress allows me to monetize my blog – via advertising banners, sponsored posts, affiliate links, membership site, selling own products like books and courses via plugins.

I want to own and have legal right to my content. Self-hosted WordPress.org website is the answer.

 

Related article: Bluehost Suck. Why I Migrated to Siteground.

 

Expected Costs of a Self-Hosted WordPress.org website

Because I know that cost is your next question. You can get your site up and be running (without any help) from anywhere between $200-$1000.

A typical breakdown of costs are:

• Domain: $15 p/year
• Hosting: $5 p/month
• Premium Theme: $50-200
• Premium Plugins: $10-100, depending if you get any

For domain names I use GoDaddy or Crazy Domains and themes I have used are Genesis Framework and Headway theme or Restored 316 (this website). Themes I have heard great things about StudioPress or Foodie Pro.