Reclaiming Control: Navigating the Hosted vs. Self-Hosted Dilemma

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless options for hosting your online business? The decision between a hosted platform like Squarespace or a self-hosted solution like WordPress can be daunting, especially for solopreneurs juggling multiple responsibilities.

And while the conversation feels like it's been done to death, I was recently reminded that even seemingly simple platforms can shut you down for no reason.

There are a lot of merits to going with a hosted platform. But there's also a lot of danger. Let's explore.

Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where I talk about my experience choosing the wrong platforms, and how I’m trying to fix it? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated.

Top Takeaways

• Hosted vs. Self-Hosted is a lot like renting vs. owning a house. There are safeties in place, but you can't do as much, and you run a higher risk of being kicked off a platform you don't own.
• No matter what you choose, portability and how it impacts your ability to truly own and control your online presence is important. Worse than needing to change platforms is being completely unable to.
• Research is key. Look at features, sure, but make sure you can export, use your own payment accounts, and look at the terms of service. You might even reach out to support to ask them questions about what types of projects are allowed.

Show Notes

• Why an apartment is better than a house for most creators
• Matt Medeiros on X
• Memberful
• ConvertKit

• Get started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024