There is a wall of difference between self hosted blog and free blog. However, the importance attach to the reason why we want to start a blog depend greatly on our choice of host whether free (blog hosted on a sub domain) or paid (self hosted). The fact remains that one has more features and functionality than the other.

Basically, both perform the same function. Like I said earlier, the choice is all yours. I would outline the features they both have so as to help figure out the one that will suite the purpose of the blog at initial setup stage.

Self Hosted Vs Free Blog

FEATURES

FREE BLOG

SELF HOSTED BLOG

URL (Domain Name)

Name + Host name

Your Name

Host

Sub-domain

Self

Branding

No

Yes

Flexibility

No

Yes

Control

No

Yes

Plugin & Widget

Limited

Unlimited

SEO Tools

Limited

Unlimited

Trust Repose on Site

Limited

Unlimited

Bandwidth & Space

Limited

Unlimited

Customer Support

None

Host Dependent

Email Service

None

Available

Free Domain Registration

None

Host Dependent

Themes

Limited

Unlimited

Site Backup

Automatic

Manual Setup

Look & Feel

Limited

Unlimited

Setup

Simple

Complex

Professional Presentation

Limited

Unlimited

FTP Uploads

Unavailable

Available

Permalinks

Limited

Unlimited

Ownership

Host

Owner

Cost

Free

Paid

From the above analysis, it is obvious that a self hosted blog has more features and advantages over a free blog.

A blog intended for business or marketing purposes for instance, should consider self hosting. But it could be interesting trying out blog on a free blogging platform like blogger in order to learn how to blog before considering paid hosting packages.

That is what I did in my case. There are a lot of free and paid blogging platforms that offer great and interesting features among which are WordPress, Blogger, Weebly etc.

However, bloggers or business owners and organizations considering a self hosted blog should understand how to choose a good web host because of issues like uptime, site performance & breakdown, cost/value, customer support, price variation of hosting companies and plans etc.
Contact us  in any way you need assistance.

We are available to help you with any site setup needs, issues or tutorials. We can also set up professionally design WordPress blog  for you absolutely free. Your success is our passion.

Image Credit: Hostingdecision

Francis 'Toke
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