There are different grades of bloggers. You’re either a professional blogger or you’re just blogging for fun or as a hobby. One of the ways to differentiate between these 2 types of bloggers is by the type of domain they use. Usually, those who are blogging for the fun of it or as a hobby make do with free blogging options that allow you to create your content and share it with the whole world under the umbrella of a host. The most popular type of blogging platforms are BlogSpot and WordPress.com.
However, probloggers make use of self-hosted blogging platforms or vanity domains which enable them to have your blog hosted on their server and gives them the opportunity to own their own domain.
What Does a Free Blogging Domain Have to Offer?
To give you a good idea of what you’ll be missing if you stick to a free blogging domain, let me tell you about what blogging platforms like BlogSpot and WordPress have to offer you when it is free.
Having a blog under BlogSpot or WordPress is free and easy to set up. All you have to do is to register and within a couple of minutes you’ll have a fully functional blog ready for you to start creating content.
This all sounds fine, but the major downside is that your domain is actually not your domain. It is under WordPress or BlogSpot. What this means is that you won’t have much control over your blog domain name and how you would like your blog to function.
So instead of having your domain name like “www.stylishblog.com”, it’ll look something like “www.stylishblog.blogspot.com” (if you’re using BlogSpot) or “www.stylishblog.wordpress.com” (if you’re using WordPress.com). As a blogger, this will make you look unprofessional as not many clients trust bloggers with such domain names.
Your options as to customization, advertising or even bandwidth will be greatly limited and this will prevent you from making a decent income from your blog.
What Does a Vanity Domain Have to Offer?
This is what all probloggers use. A problogger always makes sure they own their own domain.Some have it on a WordPress or BlogSpot hosted server, while others have it on a self hosted platform.
Clients are more comfortable dealing with bloggers who own their own domain. They see such bloggers as more professional and they get more value from working with such blogs because they can benefit from the blog’s domain authority.
With your own domain you can enhance the capability of your blog by installing useful plugins. Plus, you won’t be restricted on how you advertise on your blog. This means that you will be able to earn a decent living off your blog.
Verdict?
Whatever option you choose for your blog is up to you. But if you plan to take your blog seriously then owning your own domain is the way to go. There’s nothing as good as being in control of your own blog.
Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Thanks for reading.
This is actually not true. I host all my websites via WordPress and have vanity URL names. You can either purchase them via WordPress, or get them included with certain plans.
Having worked with other publications I can also tell you that many big brands and professional blog and news sites use WordPress to host; including Elite Daily and Fox news.
What part isn’t true?
Well I think Alexis misunderstood the posting. The blog post was meant to express how having the add-on of “.wordpress.com”. Which it can look unprofessional, as if you’re just starting up. Same with having a tumblr account.
Seeing as though Alexis may have the premium or business plan with wordpress.com, you wouldn’t fall into that category. Hence, you own your domain name.
Yea I guessed she misread my post. Thanks Nai.
Going self hosted did so much for my blog in terms of being able to collaborate with companies, and it just generally feels more professional!
Yea it does. I went for a vanity domain from day 1. Best decision I ever made..
Great tips. Definitely need your own domain to save future hassles! I love your flatlays as well.
Yea. Thanks Kate..
I think free blogger and WP blogs are a great way to experience blogging and get used to it to see if it’s something you really want to do, but self-hosted is definitely the only way forward for a pro blogger.
Yes it is good to test the waters with the free platforms..
Definitely agree that it comes as more professional in own domain. It’s a hobby for me, and promised if after a year I still love it and can learn better on web design etc, I will get free domain. It is much better (Love the snow on the web page btw!) x
Thanks Jodie x
Definitely agree with you. I moved over from blogger to a free wordpress.com blog. Stayed that way for about two years, then bought my own domain. But stayed with WP for a year or so. Last year, I decided to go self-hosted. Have never looked back after that 😉 x
Ah nice Dean..
As a web designer for 10+ years, I can’t agree more. Own domain make everything look a lot more professional!
Yes it does. Thanks Lubka.
I just recently bought my own domain and ai can say hands down that I’ve had more opportunities now that I do! PRs contact me often and I’ve had a lot more attention on my blog!
Oh that is good. I am happy to hear that.
Haha this article made me want to get one.. so I just did! Great post. I kept wondering when I should get it.. I finally did! I feel good about it
Oh wow cool. I can’t wait to see how you get on.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s the first thing I tell people who tell me they want to start blogging. It looks so much more professional and is definitely the way forward if you want to monetise your blog.
Yes I agree Carolin..
Blogging has changed a lot for me since I got my own domain, but for the better!
Ah nice x
This is a great post! I think that in order to take your blog to the next level, a proper own demain is the best to go for! I use one.com which includes webhotel, domain and WP installation + own emails with .com. I really recommend one.com for any newbies out there! 🙂
Thanks Cecilia.
If you want to make your blog a business then it is definitely important to have your domain. I have an unrelated question to work, you work in blogger outreach, do you have any tips for someone who would like to work in that industry?
I am still new in the industry but I would do some free to build your portfolio and gain experience.
I have my own domain and have for quite a few years now. I think it makes you look more serious and professional when speaking to brands.
Yea it does Annie.
I bought my own domain ages ago, but never got round to linking it up to my wordpress blog. Thanks to your post I’ve finally taken the leap and now I’ve gone from sandeepbeepblogs.wordpress.com to sandeepbeep.com
Thank you for writing this post! 😀
I am very happy to hear that. Thank you for reading.
I do agree totally….100%
Great Post.
X
Thanks Moji xo
Hello, I’m interested in getting my own domain but I’m hoping to know how you got yours? Did you use bluehost or something like that?
Hello. I got mine off WordPress.
I used godaddy.com . They’ve got a basic offer that also includes a (very basic) Web hosting. You can either choose to use that or simply use your new url to redirect to your blog. I paid something like 12 euros for a whole year! (and godaddy.com has an amazing customer service, they can help you out if you don’t know what to choose or need technical support)
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Definitely agree! Plus domains are so cheap now.. I first started with my business name as my domain, but then as I started writing my book and more blog posts, I also go my own name as my domain. It’s going to be my author page once I’ve published my book, but for now, I’ve just redirected it to my website, this way I can change it and have it written on all my graphics as well. Love it!
Ah nice. Do let me know once your book is out.
Will do! I’m sharing parts the inspiration as blog posts in the meantime! You can check them out if you want! I’m at annickina dot com ! 😁(Yayy for the vanity domain! ❤)