Best web hosting solution for a blog these days?
March 19, 2023 9:58 AM Subscribe
I’ve had a domain name that I used to host a blog on sitting idle for the past four or five years. Having left Twitter, and trying to not be on Facebook too much, I’m thinking about reactivating it as a writing outlet. Should I try to set up my own space again, which is kind of a pain, or should I just do the $4/mo. Personal plan at WordPress?
The domain name renews early in April, so in theory if I transfer it to Wordpress I can avoid paying for it separately.
The one thing that puts me off is that the Personal plan includes a limit on how many shares to social media you can do, which… doesn’t make a ton of sense. Can’t I just copy and paste a URL like it’s 2008?
Are there any other good options out there these days?
The domain name renews early in April, so in theory if I transfer it to Wordpress I can avoid paying for it separately.
The one thing that puts me off is that the Personal plan includes a limit on how many shares to social media you can do, which… doesn’t make a ton of sense. Can’t I just copy and paste a URL like it’s 2008?
Are there any other good options out there these days?
Best answer: I've been with HostGator since the mid-2000s and couldn't be happier. They've got great uptime, and their IT help desk can't be beat.
posted by bryon at 11:28 AM on March 19, 2023
posted by bryon at 11:28 AM on March 19, 2023
I don't actually pay anything on Wordpress aside from the annual domain name renewal. Just to clarify, though, I'm on wordpress.com as opposed to wordpress.org. Maybe that's the difference?
I also haven't hit any limit on social media shares, but I also don't "use" Wordpress to trigger the sharing, I just copy the link and paste it somewhere. That may also make the difference.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:54 PM on March 19, 2023
I also haven't hit any limit on social media shares, but I also don't "use" Wordpress to trigger the sharing, I just copy the link and paste it somewhere. That may also make the difference.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:54 PM on March 19, 2023
Depending on the writing you do, you might look at Write Freely. If moving away from Twitter means moving to Mastodon or a compatible service, you can share your posts directly to Mastodon (or a compatible service).
posted by Ookseer at 1:24 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Ookseer at 1:24 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
My recommendation these days is using Publii as a static site generator and host it via CloudFlare pages. No cost aside from from the domain name and you will never run into the limits of the free plan.
I recommend Publii because unlike every other static generator it has a user friendly CMS so you can use a WYSIWYG or block editor if you want to.
Publii and CloudFlare both have good documentation. I think an average person could set it all up in less than a day. Someone already familiar with hosting, site generators, and GitHub repos could do it in less than an hour.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 3:06 PM on March 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
I recommend Publii because unlike every other static generator it has a user friendly CMS so you can use a WYSIWYG or block editor if you want to.
Publii and CloudFlare both have good documentation. I think an average person could set it all up in less than a day. Someone already familiar with hosting, site generators, and GitHub repos could do it in less than an hour.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 3:06 PM on March 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
the Personal plan includes a limit on how many shares to social media you can do, which… doesn’t make a ton of sense
I think this refers to having your posts go to social media accounts automatically, once you've set them up in WordPress. There's nothing to stop you sharing them manually. As you say, it's not very clear and I couldn't find a clearer explanation.
posted by fabius at 6:17 AM on March 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
I think this refers to having your posts go to social media accounts automatically, once you've set them up in WordPress. There's nothing to stop you sharing them manually. As you say, it's not very clear and I couldn't find a clearer explanation.
posted by fabius at 6:17 AM on March 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Restless_nomad, sent you a memail.
I'm attached to WordPress as my software (much easier to import my old archives) and my goal is too avoid too much configuration (or, god forbid, having to upload files via FTP). Unfortunately I don't think Wordpress.com supports domains unless you pay for at least the personal plan (I could have missed something), so for the moment a webhost with an easy WP install is the way to go.
Thanks all!
posted by thecaddy at 9:48 AM on March 21, 2023
I'm attached to WordPress as my software (much easier to import my old archives) and my goal is too avoid too much configuration (or, god forbid, having to upload files via FTP). Unfortunately I don't think Wordpress.com supports domains unless you pay for at least the personal plan (I could have missed something), so for the moment a webhost with an easy WP install is the way to go.
Thanks all!
posted by thecaddy at 9:48 AM on March 21, 2023
Unfortunately I don't think Wordpress.com supports domains unless you pay for at least the personal plan (I could have missed something), so for the moment a webhost with an easy WP install is the way to go.
Here's my blog on Wordpress.com. I believe I also have a personal plan. I don't recall paying for anything except for the domain name. It's possible that Wordpress has combined the two fees into one, but I don't recall it being presented to me as such.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:55 AM on March 21, 2023
Here's my blog on Wordpress.com. I believe I also have a personal plan. I don't recall paying for anything except for the domain name. It's possible that Wordpress has combined the two fees into one, but I don't recall it being presented to me as such.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:55 AM on March 21, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by restless_nomad at 11:08 AM on March 19, 2023