The last month I’ve been trying to live my life with less fear. Less fear of the unknown, less fear about the future, less fear about not knowing ABOUT the future, less fear about dancing in public with strangers, less fear about letting go of control, and so much more.
I went here last weekend and screamed like a 12 yr old girl.
Fear does nothing but hold me back, and I’m ready to move forward. I’ve realized life is too short to always stand in the shadows, and taking leaps of faith are a must. I could ramble on for days about this, but you get the idea, and I promise I am going somewhere with this.
Something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, but have been afraid to jump into, is changing my blog to a self hosted site. I started this blog two years ago with hopes of connecting with people, and if I’m being honest..to get FREE STUFF! I’ve received my fair share of things, but now I want more. I want to look at my blog like a proud mother cat looks at her kitten and thinks, “I just birthed you..you’re beautiful.”
The part that scares me is messing it up. I want to make the switch on my own, and I fear losing everything. I want to do the work myself, because that will make me the most proud. Designs and fancy bells can come later, but I want to do as much myself as I can. So here’s where you guys come it! A lot of my readers have self hosted sites and I need to pick your brains! I want your brain inside of mine..in a less morbid sounding way.
- What website did you go through? I’m looking at Bluehost.
- What was the best reason for making the switch for you?
- Did you notice any major changes? Of any kind.
- Did you loose your readers?
- Were you able to keep your blog looking the way it way? I kinda like my simple look.
- Was it easy to figure out how to add advertising to your page?
- How did you collect $$ from advertising, PayPal?
- Was it worth the work?
- Will it be easy to figure out how to export/save all my content?
- I use WordPress, will my home page be the same and will writing my posts be the same?
I’ve done some research, but also want opinions straight from the sources: you guys. I’ve been a slave to YouTube tutorials, and have a good idea of what to do, but I still want some input from my readers that have made the switch on their own as well!
Pleaseeee share with me any tips and tricks you have about making the switch, and I will love you forever. The time has come, and I feel ready..hurry and help me before I change my mind and settle back into my comfort spot!! 🙂
Q: Are you self hosted? HELP ME!
Blissfulbritt 
67 thoughts on “I Need Your Help!”
Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures
How exciting! I love that you’re trying to let go of fear – you’re right about what it does to people. It just prevents the awesome from happening. Though I’ve heard a lot of scary stories about people losing their content when switching, I’ve also seen plenty of people not have that happen. Good luck! I don’t know if I’ll ever allow the blog child to grow up but yours will look great if you do! 🙂 YAY BRITTANY!
Rebecca@Running.Food.Baby.
Here are my answers:
What website did you go through? I’m looking at Bluehost.
I am with a local Ottawa host who is a government worker who is friends with my friends. I was with Host Papa before and NEVER AGAIN. If I have a problem with my site, I call my friend. BUT if I were a bigger blog, I would probably have to go elsewhere. Go Daddy seems to be good for domains.
What was the best reason for making the switch for you?
More control, and more fun!
Did you notice any major changes? Of any kind.
WordPress looks a bit different when you use the software vs. the website version. But you get used to it very quickly. I had some problems with my pictures at one point too – but I solved that rather easily. There are also some plug ins that are built into the wordpress website, that do not automatically appear on a self-hosted one – but it just takes some time to get the ones you want installed.
Did you loose your readers?
No – gained. But I also put more effort into promoting the site.
Were you able to keep your blog looking the way it way? I kinda like my simple look.
You can VERY easily keep the look of your blog because the software has that theme. You can still access the popular WordPress themes by being self-hosted. That is – if you choose to use WordPress (I say yes!!). Otherwise, if you want some fun – you can download themes from Themeforest and go more unique, which is what I did.
Was it easy to figure out how to add advertising to your page?
For the most part – yes. The sidebar widgets have a text box option which is where you put your adsense code. If you have a picture from an advertiser you arranged, that is easily done as well.
How did you collect $$ from advertising, PayPal?
LOL – what money? I’ve made $13 so far in the past year and a bit. But my readership isn’t that high yet (100 hits a day, if I’m lucky).
Was it worth the work?
I believe that WordPress design know-how is a great skill to have for the workplace. I actually have to build a website for someone this week.
Will it be easy to figure out how to export/save all my content?
Easy Peasy via wordpress. There is a dropbox back up plug in that you should get – My site is backed up via drop box, which makes it easy to re-install everything if something bad happens.
I use WordPress, will my home page be the same and will writing my posts be the same?
Yes and Yes – again, there are small, subtle changes in using wordpress software, but after a bit you will not notice.
Brittany
Thank you so much!! In all honesty..I would be happy to make $1.00 off of blogging, just to be able to say I’ve been paid to blog..HA!
Rebecca@Running.Food.Baby.
haha, I know right?
Some people make a career out of it – I get free stuff occasionally and I’ve made enough for two lattes, SCORE! But I’ve also made lots of new friends (awww)
pickyrunner
Ooooh how exciting!!! Okay now I’ll answer your questions even though I have no idea what I’m talking about.
What website did you go through? I’m looking at Bluehost.
I use bluehost with wordpress. It seems like the standard way to go.
What was the best reason for making the switch for you?
I wanted to take the next step in blogging. I actually don’t really know why I thought this was it but it isn’t as complicated as I thought it would be.
Did you notice any major changes? Of any kind.
LOTS MORE SPAM. That you have to monitor yourself. And lots of plugins to update all the time (but it tells you when they need to be) and you have a lot more control over the back end of your site which is both terrifying and exciting at the same time.
Did you loose your readers?
Yes and no. Yes because my readership definitely dropped a tiny bit but I don’t think it’s directly related to self-hosting and more related to the fact that I spend less time blogging than I did last spring. I wouldn’t say it was drastic, but it’s noticeable.
Were you able to keep your blog looking the way it way? I kinda like my simple look.
I had mine designed for me (that’s really what prompted me to make the switch I guess since she did it for free) but I believe you can keep it the same.
Was it easy to figure out how to add advertising to your page?
Let me know when you find out the answer to this one.
How did you collect $$ from advertising, PayPal?
See above.
Was it worth the work?
I’m undecided. I mean, it took a lot of work at the beginning but now it doesn’t feel any different than it did before.
Will it be easy to figure out how to export/save all my content?
It took a lot of frustration but it wasn’t too bad. Megan (better year to a better life) and I did it around the same time and we talked ourselves through it. There are TONS of resources on google too!
I use WordPress, will my home page be the same and will writing my posts be the same?
The homepage and everything else looks pretty much the same but the way you log into it changes.
Brittany
Awesome, thank you!! I will for sure let you know anything I figure out with the advertising. I’ve been watching some YouTube tutorials about that too, and talking with some other bloggers via text about that!! WHOO!
PNWRunner
YAY BRITTANY! I have the same FEAR! I haven’t been blogging for two years, just 6 months; however, I do want to make the more and become a self-hosted blog. I have no idea where to begin, but I’ve heard Bluehost is the best way to go. Let me know what you do, because I’ll need some training wheels on where to start! Plus, I want to say that I get “paid” to share my thoughts!
Lauren
I’ve been blogging just about the same amount of time and I also am not sure where to begin! I’m so happy we can all go through this ‘together’!
PNWRunner
Yes a group effort!
Brittany
WHOOO in it to win it bitches!! AH Tara, what do you get paid to share your thoughts about?? If I may ask… 🙂
PNWRunner
Noo no I don’t get paid! It just would be a nice perk in the future! 🙂
Corrie Anne
This is a great question — it’s something I’m interested in doing too, but I’m afraid it’s over my head!!!
Megan
HELLLO HERE ARE MY ANSWERS:
1) Bluehost
2) I was hoping to make money from ads
3) Changes… only that things were more customizable
4) I did not lose any readers, you can import them
5) There are still tons of templates to choose from, a lot are the same from wordpress
6) Ads are easy with googleads and amazon affiliates
7) $$ from ads = checking account that google deposits into, same with amazon – when it comes to people paying for an ad in your side bar you can do a bank check or paypal
8) I would say yes – when you are wordpress.com you are not supposed to advertise, I like being legal
9) your dashboard will look virtually the same – once you get on bluehost you download wordpress.org and you roll with that, the same structure and everything of your current dashboard, BUT there are a million different plugins and widget you can download to make it custom!
This post should help: http://abetteryeartoabetterlife.com/2013/07/09/the-self-hosting-facelift/
Brittany
Thanks betch, I’ll for sure use your post!
sincerelylily
ohhhhhh you want super in depth answers…. and i really don’t have much. i just payed for the URL through wordpress and it is very easy to mange and like…. $15/year. i didnt do any switching and it seems like blogging is the same as before….
wait. i just realized your URL is ALREADY YOUR OWN so im telling you nothing new. geez. ignore me. i think from the commets above im sure youll figure it out and have lots of help!! good luck!
ps you are brave to go to a haunted house… i would pee my pants and cry. no wayszzz.
Change of Pace
Aw- love the beginning of this post. The future is a scary place, hey?
Sorry- I have absolutely zero answers for you! But good luck if you go ahead with it!
kathy @ vodka and soda
i will email you but my vote is TO GO FOR IT!!!!!!
Aussa Lorens
I’m curious about this as well… I’ll be stalking all the comments to see what other people say.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Oh yay!!
What website did you go through? I’m looking at Bluehost.
I use Bluehost and love ’em. Hardly any downtime, and great customer service.
What was the best reason for making the switch for you?
More control and advertising. Also a more professional feel.
Did you notice any major changes? Of any kind.
Not really. Once you get it all set up and install the WordPress dashboard, it all looks the same. The only thing is that you have to backup your blog periodically and update your plugins, but that’s easy peasy.
Did you loose your readers?
Newp! Just leave a link on your old site to your new URL. And you can buy a redirecting service from WP that’ll automatically redirect people from your old site to your new one.
Were you able to keep your blog looking the way it way? I kinda like my simple look.
The best part of self-hosted is being able to control EVERYTHING. You can use all of the old WP themes plus tonnes of new ones.
Was it easy to figure out how to add advertising to your page?
Yes and no. It’s definitely a trial and error kind of thing.
How did you collect $$ from advertising, PayPal?
I’m with Glam and they send me cheques. Some companies use Paypal, and some deposit right into your bank account — it depends on who you go with.
Was it worth the work?
Without a doubt.
Will it be easy to figure out how to export/save all my content?
Easy enough. There are plenty of good tutorials out there, and if you run into any SNAFU’s, Bluehost has great customer service that’ll help you out anytime.
I use WordPress, will my home page be the same and will writing my posts be the same?
It’ll be exactly the same as soon as you download the dashboard, which is easy peasy.
Brittany
Thank you!!
Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen
Go for it! You can do it. I’m still using WordPress, but one day I’ll get around to self-hosted.
Mary @ Fit and Fed
I’m using HostGator, which has been very reliable, no problems. The blog has been a bit slow lately, though, and my husband is looking at DigitalOcean for me, he thinks that will help it load faster.
Life's a Bowl
Girl, I love your outlook on life and approach to facing your fears — we’re in similar stages (I think?) and I took a leap of faith a couple of years ago and taking another one this year. It’s so exciting but it’s also so overwhelming. As for switching to self hosting, I definitely think that it’s worth it — much more freedom — but I can’t give much advice, I got help 😛
Rach @ This Italian Family
So I just read the comments here trying to find out the same answers you are looking for! I’m tossed around the idea of being self hosted, but haven’t really decided yet. Keep me updated on what you learn!
Davida @The Healthy Maven
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!! I’ve been wanting to change to self-hosted for months now but am terrified to do it! Commence stalking your comments. Let’s hold hands, grab the stress-snacks and jump into this together k?
Brittany
YES, lets do it together!! I actually was admiring your blog earlier and totally thought you already were self hosted! HA!
Lauren
SERIOUSLY??? Literally in the same boat, too!! I love you for this! I kind of am like, where do I start…who should I use…how does it transfer…what now…what next! OMG! So looking forward to reading all of the comments. Keep us posted on what you decide! This is going to be a HUGE help! xoxoxo
Amy
Brittany, I was in the EXACT same boat last February once I finally switched to self-hosted. I asked myself all the same questions, did lots of research, and was able to do most of it by myself (with a little help from a few tech-savvy friends). I’d be more than happy to walk you through it, if you ever want! Maybe we could schedule some sort of Google video chat (and semi meet face-to-face! 😉 )? Let me know girl!!
And fear… Fear dictated a lot of my past choices, and it’s something I’m still grappling with. I think we never really let go of our fear, but we can decide to choose courage instead. At least, that’s what I’m learning!
Brittany
EEEEP We should totally Google chat/Skype sometime anyway… 🙂 Thank you, I will definitely pick your brain when it comes to things I get stuck on!
Amy
Just say the word! I’m on my computer practically half the day anyway… I’ll just need to change out of my typical work attire of PJs and comfy slippers first! 😉
Alisha's Appetite
Yeah girl!!! DO IT!
What website did you go through? I’m looking at Bluehost.
I use Hostgator and LOVE it. I have had it almost a year now and literally haven’t had a single issue with them (plus they have great deals to set it up)
What was the best reason for making the switch for you?
To be more professional and have more freedom with the appearance and what not.
Did you notice any major changes? Of any kind.
I literally didn’t notice a single thing wrong once I transferred anything
Did you loose your readers?
Nope! I just transferred all of my email subscribers and made a link from my wordpress.com site to my new self-hosted site.
Were you able to keep your blog looking the way it way? I kinda like my simple look.
Yes, which is the beauty of self-hosting. You can literally control everything!
Was it easy to figure out how to add advertising to your page?
Ummm kind of. Still learning this one.
How did you collect $$ from advertising, PayPal?
Paypal- except I have hardly made anything from it. I am researching other advertisers to work with.
Was it worth the work?
Absolutely.
Will it be easy to figure out how to export/save all my content?
Hostgator did EVERYTHING. Easiest thing ever.
I use WordPress, will my home page be the same and will writing my posts be the same?
After you download wordpress it will literally be the exact same!
Good luck! It will be totally worth it and you will love your newfound freedom!
Brittany
Thank you!!
Pittsburgh Puggle
Oh, congratulations, darling!…
What website did you go through? I host through GoDaddy, using a theme by Themify.me, one that I completely manipulated for my own purposes. I use this for my site (www.pittsburghpuggle.com) and for my mommy’s site (www.nicolemariestory.com).
What was the best reason for making the switch for you? Control. And ad revenue.
Did you notice any major changes? Yes. Total control.
Did you loose your readers? Nope!
Were you able to keep your blog looking the way it way? The opportunities are endless with a self hosted site.
Was it easy to figure out how to add advertising to your page? Yes. The support team at Themify was OH SO helpful with understanding CSS code.
How did you collect $$ from advertising, PayPal? Goes directly into bank account.
Was it worth the work? Yes. A wonderful product. You own your content.
Will it be easy to figure out how to export/save all my content? Yes. A great learning experience.
I use WordPress, will my home page be the same and will writing my posts be the same? Just a bit different. But mostly the same.
Email me with any questions, girlfriend! xo
brickhousechick
Great tips, thanks! 🙂
Brittany
Ohh G money, you have your own blog now, LOVEEEE!! Thank you thank you!
Pittsburgh Puggle
My pleasure:) xo
Pittsburgh Puggle
PS: It’s really nice to review the old articles and delete items that don’t anymore add high value quality to the blog. You can really create a finely tuned polished product. My first conversion took about a month. The second, about half a month. I feel so much smarter from having gone through this motion and having learned this trade. Can’t wait to see what you do!!! I am, in the words of Brittany, jazzed!!! 😉
Choc Chip Uru
I don’t know who said it but yep, you can’t live life if you live in fear! I’m so excited for you and all your awesome projects to get over all your fears 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Alex @ therunwithin
well I still haven’t bitten that bullet but want to as well. good luck!
Matt @ Runner Savvy
Haha I’m kind of a techie and love this sort of thing.
EMAIL ME and I will help you out!
brickhousechick
Brittany, I think you must have climbed inside my brain! I have been toying with this idea but am petrified for the same reasons. Thank you for putting it out there, do you mind if I piggy back and learn from your experienced followers? 🙂
Brittany
Of course I don’t mind!! I hope others can get some help from this too!! WHOOO!
Robyn B | Modern Day Missus
Ooooh, self hosted is fun. You should definitely do it 🙂
I have my hosting through an Aussie company called Digital Pacific, but I think a lot of people use Hostgator or GoDaddy.
The backend of wordpress is pretty much the same for both sites, although you just have a few more options that you can choose with self-hosted, and there are some themes that have advertiser widgets built in too, which makes it easy to add them.
I only have a handful of readers, so currently I blog for love rather than money (although one day I hope to get free shit too!). I recently imported all my readers from Feedburner to Mailchimp, which is free up to 2,000 subscribers, but has much more options.
Exporting your content is easy peasy – under tools there is an option to export, and I think you just download a plugin and it does it all for you. As some of the others mentioned, just make sure you do a backup or something first. One thing I did notice was that I had to relink all my images once (they imported into the media file, but just hadn’t linked on some of my posts).
I moved over to self-hosted fairly early on (one of the reasons I started my blog is because I work in marketing, and wanted more of an understanding of how it all worked, so self-hosted was kind of the goal), but the additional options, and the things you can do with the look of your site definitely make it worthwhile.
Keepin’ it Kind has a Food Blogger Resources page (http://keepinitkind.com/resources/food-blogger-resources/) which I have referred to a few times.
Good luck, it will be fine 🙂
Brittany
Thank you so much!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
Like most others I use Blue Host, I made the switch for the freedom of being able to change everything on my site. I used to use Blogger and you could change the raw code, when I moved to Word Press you couldn’t do this and it frustrated me. The Word Press Self Hosted Dashboard is slightly different but essentially the same. You can add lots more widgets in your sidebar and other great features. I wrote a blog post on how I made the switch to self hosting a whilst back and included some of the widgets I was able to add.
Layout wise you can make it exactly how you want it so simple is fine.
Good luck 😉
Brittany
Excellent, thank you Jan!
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
omg so many questions! but so happy for you! I used HostGator just because a really really good blog friend of mine used it and loved it. Plus it’s cheaper and their online helpers are there 24/7 with quick responses. love them so far! it was super easy to become self hosted using wordpress. the only thing that gets tricky is exporting ALL the posts and comments. because you have SO many posts AND comments, you have to cut your exports into little chunks. time consuming but not hard at all. everything on wordpress.com looks the same on wordpress.org. only thing different you should know by now is where you sign in. I lost readers but then again my writing isn’t great like yours so I didn’t have much to begin with.
if you ever have any answers to the advertising stuff let me know please! can’t wait to see you become selfhosted!!
Brittany
Thank you!!
Katy
I hate Bluehost! I don’t use it but I’ve had clients who have and their sites have been hacked + Bluehost’s customer support isn’t that great. From the comments above, I guess they’ve gotten better? So totally up to you but read reviews first.
I use Hostdome and have been with them for 13+ years. It’s a little pricer but I’m loyal because of what they’ve done for me in the past (customer service) and their stable servers. I also host a lot of websites, so it’s a pretty good deal. GreenGeeks is also good– I have clients who use them and their customer is amazing. If you don’t like handling backend issues, I think paying for a host with amazing customer service is sooo worth it. No headaches for you at all! Personally, I’m a frontend developer and I’ve dabbled in backend stuff (databases, PHP, etc) but I don’t enjoy it (I’m a designer at heart and I just like to make things pretty!).
I noticed you have a domain so you shouldn’t have to worry about losing readers. You just need to point your domain’s DNS servers to that of your new host where your WordPress blog is located and all your readers will still be directed to your blog.
If you aren’t sure, ask you host. They will usually do most things for you if you ask.
My blogs have always been self-hosted by WordPress. WordPress is SO powerful and even if you aren’t a web designer, you can easily download themes. There are also hundreds of plugins you may find useful. About what someone said about update– WP makes it easy with just a couple clicks so don’t worry!
Since my blog is just for fun and I have no plans on monetizing it, I can’t tell you anything about ads. 🙂
Brittany
Awesome, thank you so much!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
This is how you transfer your current blog to self hosted:
1. Pick up your computer
2. Open it (if it’s a lap top) – disregard step if it’s a desktop
3. Slather peanut butter and jelly all over the keyboard
4. Lick off the condiments and get your cats to help.
5. Grab some almond milk and wash all that deliciousness down- cat hair included.
6. Stick lap top into travel bag(chuck desk top out the window— that thing is done)
7. Get in car with laptop in tow
8. Drive to Apple (or PC) store
9. Find customer service person and ask them if they’d like a PB&J&C.
10. Hand them the case and let them see what you mean.
11. When they ask you Wtf this is- Tell them that trying to transfer to self hosted drove you crazy enough to think your computer looked like a sandwich, thus you made lunch.
12. Be prepared to get chucked in the looney bin.
I just realized….. I gave you instructions as to how to go from self hosted to…. Whatever it’s call when you’re not self hosted. Disregard everything I just said. It’s late. I ate a crocodile and now unicorns are coming to torment me!
Arman @ thebigmansworld
I can echo what most of the bluehost users did- I recently changed and it is so worth it- Jan (sprouts n squats) has a pretty awesome post on it- I did it exactly the same way she did- blogger to wordpress to self hosted!
kcriemer
Well I can’t help you at all in this world because I am not self-hosted and had Bess do my design. But what I can tell you is ROCK ON for taking a leap and no longer living in the shadows of fear. I’m doing the same thing-going into an interview today for a new job possibly!! Just kind of…happened.
Brittany
I love what Bess did for your design! Also, I know you KILLED that interview, fingers crossed!
Britta
I’m lame and have no answers because I clearly am still a baby and do everything through wordpress. One day though, when I am feeling like a keener I will refer back to this post because there are ALREADY so many great answers! wahooo for self hosting (thats what its called right?!). ❤
An Unrefined Vegan
I’m working on the very same thing…It’s slow going for me, but I’m really excited to have a site that feels as if it’s truly mine. (Keeping WP, hosting by GoDaddy since I have the Virtual Vegan Potluck site with them. Speaking of which – – no Potluck this year??)
PS I’ll be poaching reader answers from this post, heehee!
I know you’ll tackle this with no problemo – looking forward to the big reveal!
Brittany
AH I just signed up for the potluck, thank you for reminding me. I wouldn’t miss it for anything! 🙂
An Unrefined Vegan
I’m glad to see you are going to use beets…
veganmiam.com
No worries, I’m happy to answer your questions (I also work in web development).
1. Bluehost is a great start for hosting.
2. I like to be able to have control, not just a limited storage website.
3. Absolutely. You get to do whatever you like.
4. No unless you change your domain (URL).
5. The simpler, the better. I hate crowded layouts or dark background layouts with white text on it (horrid).
6. Yup, you can use any affiliate banners or Google.
7. Mostly PayPal. A lot of them use PayPal for payments.
8. Yes, if you intend to blog frequently.
9. Yes, most hostings have backup options. If you contact BlueHost, they will be able to help you with that. WordPress has plug-ins for backup, too.
10. Yes, as long as you back up your database & WordPress xml.
Brittany
Thank you so much! I can only hope my blog looks as lovely as yours someday! 🙂
P
I use Bluehost, and you have the option of installing a WordPress plug-in so you can keep this simple blog layout if you want :). Since I started a new blog when I switched with a new domain name, etc., I wasn’t able to carry over posts from my previous blog, although I am sure you can (I wasn’t looking to so I never explored it).
Melanie
I felt just like you when I switched over to self hosted. I wanted to do everything myself. I wanted to know and understand what was going on with my site and I wanted to design everything. I watched 8 million YouTube videos, banged my head against the wall a bunch of times, but I finally figured it out and I’m so glad I did!
I wish you the best of luck with switching over. It was a royal PAIN for me, but I am SO GLAD I made the switch! Here are my answers to your questions….
1. I LOVE Bluehost! I was with Dreamhost for a while, but they were terrible. Bluehost is the best ever. I have called them on the phone numerous times and they are always so knowledgeable and helpful. They’re also available 24/7, which is great. They have helped me a TON!!
2. Once I realized how limited I was with a WordPress.com account, I knew I wanted to switch. I’ve loved the freedom with being able to do more with my site (Plugins, etc.) and the ability to advertise. It really feels like it’s MY site and not WordPress’s site.
3. I didn’t notice any major changes. It was very stressful to move everything over. I was so worried I would lose or erase things, but it worked out.
4. I did lose a few readers because I didn’t know I could directly transfer over my email followers, but it wasn’t a big deal. My readership has grown a lot since I made the switch.
5. I changed my blog for the better. I could have kept it looking just the same, but I wanted a “facelift.” I really like the simple look as well!
6. Advertising intimidated me at first, but I figured it out. The advertising people just send over ad code and I just add it to the widgets in my sidebar.
7. I collect $$ from PayPal from my advertising network (BlogHer) and individual ads that I sell directly.
8. It was definitely worth the work! If you plan to blog for a long time, it is well worth the time and effort.
9. It wasn’t hard at all, but it was so scary for me!! Bluehost could help you with it too. I had a hard time transferring some of my images, but everything else transferred fine.
10. As long as you stick with WordPress.org, it will look just the same. You will have to install Jetpack (plugin) and other plugins to get it to be just like WordPress.com, but it’s not hard to do.
GOOD LUCK!!
Brittany
THANK YOU!!
Luv What You Do
I went through GoDaddy and was really scary!
I don’t think i can offer much except moral support and good for you for taking chances. I love your blog!!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Oh how very exciting. Forget fear and go for it.
I’m with Go Daddy and their support is fabulous although I’ve rarely needed it, which is another great sign. I can’t wait to see the new site.
The Vegan 8
I just saw this post! Girl, as you know I just went self-hosted and chose blue host. They have been wonderful and have 24 live chat support. I wanted self hosting so I could have complete control over my blog, no limitations. I wanted a custom design that nobody else has and I did it all myself and am PROUD, just like you mention . Hard. Hard work but the result is everything I imagined. I don’t regret it one iota! I am already having more views daily than I did with my other blog. It’s amazing. I’m also making $$ already, score!! The feedback I’ve gotten from people and vendors/companies has been awesome!! Do it girl, don’t be afraid. WordPress is awesome and you can transfer all your readers and files EASILY.
The Vegan 8
Oh and ditto to everything Melanie said above!! It was a pain in the you know what and took me over 3 months, but I also have a toddler and custom designed this sucker to a T, including my logo, social icons etc. with extensive coding. If you keep your design, it would be easier for you. Go for it!