If you’ve considered starting a blog, you’ve probably run across the term self-hosted blog. Most people will tell you that a self-hosted blog is the way to go, especially if you’re looking to create a professional image. When I said "free Blogging Platform" I mean your DOMAIN, TEMPLATES & Your Contact Email.
But what is a self-hosted blog? And why do you need one if you can just start a blog for free through other services? Below, we explain the details of free and self-hosted blogging platforms, the pros and cons of each, and which one you should choose.
Free Blogging Platform

What is it? A free blogging platform is one that is just that: it’s free to sign up for an account, get a domain (such as www.example.com), and set up your site. You can start your free blog with services like Blogger.com and .
The thing about a free account is that your website’s files are stored—or hosted—on your blogging platform’s servers. While there can be costs involved after the initial set up—which we’ll get to in a moment—this simple fact is what differentiates a free blog from a self-hosted blog.
Pros of a free blog:
There are no initial start-up costs.
Free programs like WordPress and Blogger are easy to set up and maintain without any prior website design knowledge.
Cons of a free blog:
Unless you pay for your own domain, you’ll have the WordPress or Blogger domain tacked onto yours, such as www.example..com.
Free blogs appear less professional than self-hosted ones.
You have less control over your blog. For instance, people who self-host their blog with the WordPress software can download plugins to expand their website’s capabilities. A free WordPress blog doesn’t allow this, limiting you to only a few options. CSS functions and theme selections are also limited on free blogging platforms.
You have a limited amount of bandwidth, video time, and memory space.
Free platforms usually limit your advertising options, meaning that it’s harder to make money from your blog.
What types of costs are involved?
A free blog can be completely free if you want it to. However, if you’re looking to get rid of the “Blogger” or “WordPress” in your domain name, you’ll have to buy and assign your own custom domain. These can be as low as $10 depending on what you pick.
You may also choose to buy stock photos, hire a designer, or purchase an upgraded theme, which can all add to the cost of your blog.
Who should use free blogs?
Free blogs are best for people who are just exploring the blogging world or are not very serious about blogging. If you’re just blogging for fun, then by all means start with a free blog!
Self-Hosted Blogging Platform

What is it? A self-hosted blog is one that resides on your own server. Most people, however, pay a third-party to host their blog, which opens them to all the benefits of a self-hosted blog. Sites like iPage (which I recommend), HostGator and Bluehost are among some of the popular companies that provide hosting services. Essentially, these companies rent out digital storage space to users to make running a website possible.
Pros of a self-hosted blog:
You have full control over your blog, including in its layout, search engine optimization, advertising revenue, additional functions, and more.
You can install custom themes to brand your blog.
You have complete access to your backend files, which allows you to make any necessary code changes.
Using a third-party host usually costs only a few dollars per month.
Cons of a self-hosted blog:
It requires an initial investment.
It can be intimidating to new bloggers.
What types of costs are involved?
Like with a free blog, any photos, domain names, and themes that you purchase will add to your costs. With self-hosting, you also have to invest in the cost of using a third-party host. The good news is that hosting can cost under $5 per month. Certain plugins—which is a piece of software that you can install on your site to expand its functionality—can cost money, too.
Who should use self-hosted blogs?
Since self-hosted blogs look more professional and perform more functions, they are best for businesses. They are also ideal for the individual who wants to improve his or her professional appearance and boost the functions available on his or her website.

Disadvantages of using free templates on your blog

Free blog templates are available at an instant with a quick Google search and seeing as blogging is becoming a hugely popular online past-time, many blogger have asked (especially newbies) whether these free templates are something that is worth trying to find, particularly given the choice and time it takes to find a theme that is exactly suiting your blog’s subject and purpose.

http://www.dailyinfo.ga/2017/05/why-you-should-never-use-free-blogging.html?m=1

I believe one should be more particular about the content. Linda became a millionaire before she got rid of "" on her blog.

Blogging in Big is all for the money and Nigerian bloggers are a bloody mixed of copy and paste goons, idiats, imbeciles and outright bastardios.

Blogging is hard work if you want to always produce quality but you can pay for quality content

My blog www.trendsGadget.com is hosted on blogger... come beat me nah for using free hosting. Even gonna create another one with blogger soon.
Who paid hosting epp? I once used paid hosting for 2 years never made a Penny from tech blog/ blogging tips niche.
Wiith blogger platform and nice theme you good to go. I don't have to worry about hosting renewal, downtime or difficulties upload files online.. Google drive has 15Gb storage.... 4 Google Account is 60GB free hosting for life.

Just get a custom domain finish

Frankicent:
My blog www.trendsGadget.com is hosted on blogger... come beat me nah for using free hosting. Even gonna create another one with blogger soon.
Who paid hosting epp? I once used paid hosting for 2 years never made a Penny from tech blog/ blogging tips niche.
Wiith blogger platform and nice theme you go to go. I don't have to worry about hosting renewal, downtime or difficulties upload files online.. Google drive has 15Gb storage.... 4 Google Account is 60GB free hosting for life.

Just get a custom domain finish

No paid hosting? That's good

For me I don't care about platform as long you make your money...

lhanraya2w:
I believe one should be more particular about the content. Linda became a millionaire before she got rid of "" on her blog.

I also remember that year Linda run mad after google deleted her blog.

http://informationmaxblog..com.ng/

Beautiful and clean....
Unlike my other paid hosting..

noted

I have self hosted blogs and my current Nigerian Health Blog is also self hosted.

But the truth is, starting out with a free blog host is the best way to go, for a beginner.

Mumu op.. You say blogger is for people who aren't serious with blogging, pure lie.

Please visit my site broadwaysynergy.com. Blogging is it. And for beginners i still believe starting with free blog host is essential to allow them know the rudiments and be prepared. You still make money

daamazing:
Mumu op.. You say blogger is for people who aren't serious with blogging, pure lie! Even techcrunch.com is based on blogger.

are you serious about this statement. go check.it well as for blogging platform, it all depends on choice. also your budget as a beginner determines what platform to use else you may end up being mislead with using the wrong platform which at the end you will shutdown the site due to hosting fee and maintenance. if you can't afford hosting your site, then use alternative blogging platform. trust me, many has left blogging due to this. WordPress self hosted is cool and recommended if you can afford it. but if not, then stick with blogger which is much better than .WordPress free version

techmyles:
This is so written written. Please visit my site https://techmyles..in/ and thank u admin for allowing to comment.

Exactly what I am saying, pls get a domain, some domain name is as cheap as 1500

daamazing:
Mumu op.. You say blogger is for people who aren't serious with blogging, pure lie! Even techcrunch.com is based on blogger.

The problem with some of you people is that you read without understanding, there is different btw blog platform and blog domain. It does not matter much if you are using blogger or WordPress, what matter is "do you have a domain name? Customized templates? Hosting.
Next time read very well and understand before commenting.

bedfordng:
are you serious about this statement. go check.it well as for blogging platform, it all depends on choice. also your budget as a beginner determines what platform to use else you may end up being mislead with using the wrong platform which at the end you will shutdown the site due to hosting fee and maintenance. if you can't afford hosting your site, then use alternative blogging platform. trust me, many has left blogging due to this. WordPress self hosted is cool and recommended if you can afford it. but if not, then stick with blogger which is much better than .WordPress free version

I meant self-hosted WordPress(techcrunch)
If you really know what blogging means, then you'll not agree to the fact that blogger is for those who aren't serious. As a matter of fact, most top blogs are hosted on blogger but you'll not know.

Nice one!

maxwell767:

http://informationmaxblog..com.ng/

Beautiful and clean....
Unlike my other paid hosting..

Your blog is poorly designed, pls try and get a customized blog templates, Goodluck

Britishcoins:


The problem with some of you people is that you read without understanding, there is different btw blog platform and blog domain. It does not matter much if you are using blogger or WordPress, what matter is "do you have a domain name? Customized templates? Hosting.
Next time read very well and understand before commenting.

you don't even know what you wrote. I'm sure you copied and pasted it from another blog.

Who should use free blogs?Free blogs are best for people who are just exploring the blogging world or are not very serious about blogging. If you’re just blogging for fun, then by all means start with a free blog!

Frankicent:
My blog www.trendsGadget.com is hosted on blogger... come beat me nah for using free hosting. Even gonna create another one with blogger soon.
Who paid hosting epp? I once used paid hosting for 2 years never made a Penny from tech blog/ blogging tips niche.
Wiith blogger platform and nice theme you good to go. I don't have to worry about hosting renewal, downtime or difficulties upload files online.. Google drive has 15Gb storage.... 4 Google Account is 60GB free hosting for life.

Just get a custom domain finish

Good one. Please how did you create the email opt in page on your blog?

It's always better to have a self hosted website ,, makes you look like a serious blogger and also give your site a professional feel.
If you want a professional blog designed visit www.leksmediaconcept.com

daamazing:
Mumu op.. You say blogger is for people who aren't serious with blogging, pure lie! Even techcrunch.com is based on blogger.

Techcrunch is a self hosted wordpress site

maxwell767:

http://informationmaxblog..com.ng/

Beautiful and clean....
Unlike my other paid hosting..

wow! Your blog is cool. Simply get a domain name and you're good to go. Please how did you configure the menu bar?
Rate mine: www.medicsreel..com.ng

Even lailasblog.Com and thearticle.com.ng have switched to wordpress

Which company hosts nairaland?

Reporta:
Techcrunchp is a self hosted wordpress site

wrong! WordPress.org hosted,they only upgraded their bouquet which comes with custom domain name.

Frankicent:
My blog www.trendsGadget.com is hosted on blogger... come beat me nah for using free hosting. Even gonna create another one with blogger soon.
Who paid hosting epp? I once used paid hosting for 2 years never made a Penny from tech blog/ blogging tips niche.
Wiith blogger platform and nice theme you good to go. I don't have to worry about hosting renewal, downtime or difficulties upload files online.. Google drive has 15Gb storage.... 4 Google Account is 60GB free hosting for life.

Just get a custom domain finish

pls I will like to have ur contact let's rub mind together. this my WhatsApp number 07032992102