Hey everyone, I’m thinking about starting a blog and was leaning towards using WordPress to build the site. Should I buy a domain through GoDaddy or something similar? And would you recommend getting the hosting and domain through the same service or keeping them separate?
Also, I’ve heard a little about Blogger as another option. What’s the difference and is it worth considering? Appreciate any insights!
I’ve been blogging since 2013, and honestly, WordPress is your best bet. I didn’t know much about blogging when I started, but WordPress made everything way easier. Plus, it’s super customizable with plugins, and most big sites run on it.
I’ve tested out a lot of different setups, and WordPress never let me down. My site’s got over 2,500 articles, and it’s basically my business now. Highly recommend it if you’re serious about blogging.
@Virtuoso
Thanks for the feedback! I’ve heard great things about WordPress, so that helps me feel more confident about going with it.
Go with WordPress for sure! Trying to switch later is a hassle. I’d also suggest using Namecheap for your domain instead of GoDaddy or Bluehost. For hosting, Cloudways is affordable and reliable, while Bigscoots is awesome if you don’t mind paying around $35 a month. I’ve been blogging since 2011 and am a web developer, so I’ve dealt with a lot of different setups!
@ThreadMaster
Same here, Namecheap is what I’ve used for years. Best hosting service I’ve tried.
@ThreadMaster
What’s wrong with Bluehost? I’ve heard mixed reviews but nothing terrible.
Jane said:
@ThreadMaster
What’s wrong with Bluehost? I’ve heard mixed reviews but nothing terrible.
They’re owned by EIG, which owns a bunch of hosting companies that all offer the same low-quality service. My site speed was awful when I used them, and their customer service couldn’t handle even basic issues. I also had clients who got hacked on Bluehost, and the support they got was terrible, one even had her entire site deleted by accident!
They push Bluehost a lot because the affiliate payouts are huge, but in my experience, it’s really not worth it.
@ThreadMaster
Yikes, good to know. Thanks for the heads-up!
@ThreadMaster
Thanks for letting me know about GoDaddy and Bluehost. I was thinking about using WordPress for everything, but I’ve also heard it’s better to keep the domain and hosting separate.
Zachary said:
@ThreadMaster
Thanks for letting me know about GoDaddy and Bluehost. I was thinking about using WordPress for everything, but I’ve also heard it’s better to keep the domain and hosting separate.
You might be confusing WordPress.com and WordPress.org. If you go with a separate hosting provider, you don’t need to buy anything from WordPress directly. WordPress is just the free software you’ll use to build the site.
I do agree though—buying your domain separately from your host is a good move. If something happens to your hosting, your email won’t be affected, which is handy.
I started with WordPress because it’s what I already knew. If I had to learn a new platform, I’d probably procrastinate more than actually build the site. My advice is to stick with what you’re comfortable with!
WordPress is definitely the way to go if you’re serious about blogging. It has way more features and flexibility compared to Blogger. Blogger feels pretty outdated in comparison. The downside to WordPress is that it can be a bit complicated to get used to at first. There’s a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s totally worth it.
@EvansBrown14
Thanks for your input. I was also considering Squarespace because it seemed easier to use, but for now, I’m experimenting with WordPress.
Here’s a simple way to decide:
But honestly, good content matters more than the platform. Both can work if you’re consistent with posting quality content.
I’m in the same boat, actually. Glad you posted this so I can follow along and learn from everyone’s advice too!
Don’t worry about WordPress being too hard. There are so many YouTube tutorials that show you exactly what to do, step by step.
Most people start with WordPress, and it’s fine. You can always switch later if needed. But the most important thing is to just start putting content out there.
If you want a customized blog, WordPress is the way to go.
WordPress is a solid choice with tons of customization. Buying a domain through GoDaddy and using a separate hosting service is pretty standard. Blogger is simpler to set up but can feel limiting as your blog grows.