Communicate and Howe! is growing up!
When I launched my communications firm almost two years ago, I chose to try to keep things as simple as possible to minimize the amount of new information and technology that I needed to learn.
Starting a business was already like jumping into the deep end of the pool. I wanted to avoid feeling like I had jump into the middle of the ocean with no boats or land in site-and sharks starting to circle me.
For example, I chose to build my website/blog using WordPress.com since I was already familiar with it from my experience with my personal blog. I had done some research into options for premium themes which at that time meant having a self-hosted site supported by WordPress.org. . The talk about all the options such as the need for different plugins and which options were best had my head spinning-even just getting my head around how WordPress.COM is different than WordPress.ORG (the most obvious difference is whether hosting is provided) made my head spin when I needed my business up and running in general.
I knew that I might outgrow what WordPress.com could offer me but I figured I’d wait until that day arrived. Well, that day arrived recently.
Over the past few months, I kept running into the limitations of WordPress.com. My expectations of what I wanted to do were changing and I realized I needed to make a change.
My business had matured to the point that if I want to take it to the next level that I needed a new website solution.
And so yesterday, I took the plunge to a self-hosted WordPress website/blog. But it felt more like jumping into the deep end of a cold pool rather than the middle of the ocean. I was ready to tackle the challenge. I temporarily put my e-mail out of commission but I was able to fix that. Otherwise with a bit of determination, perseverance and tech savvy, everything went pretty smoothly.
At the All Day Breakfast, Natalie MacNeil had highly recommended people create their blogs using WordPress (by which she meant the self-hosted ones supported by WordPress.org). I suggested that people take a look at the WordPress.com option for people who like me were just getting started. I still recommend that if you’re a blogging newbie who is launching a business site that you consider that option. But a self-hosted option could be best if you are tech savvy enough (or have access to tech savvy) and you are confident that you’ll be up and running long term.
The choices I have made for my self-hosted WordPress site
Here are the choices I have made for a new website solution. And no, I am not currently an affiliate for any of them.
Hosting - I chose to use Bluehost. Why? I wanted a WordPress friendly hosting company and Bluehost had come up a few times in conversation and research as a good option.
Premium theme - I had learned about Headway Themes a couple of years ago through John Haydon when I was researching my options. While I didn’t select it at that time, I did this time even though I looked at other solutions. Why? I loved that Headway gives me the freedom to easily design a custom website. I’m not working with a preset template that might allow for some tweaking to “customize,” I can truly create a one of a kind website. The visual editor helps make this possible without the need to know any coding.
What I also liked about Headway was that I have the option to upgrade to an account so that I can offer the same solution to make websites for clients.
Plugins - While I can now use whatever plugins best suit my needs, it was great to see the Jetpack package of plugins. Essentially, this package contains many of the tools that I had enjoyed using on my WordPress.com website including access to Akismet which had flawlessly protected me from spam comments.
Stats - My move to a self hosted website was in part to be able to access a better stats package offered by Google Analytics. I especially wanted to access the new social stats available as a result of Google’s acquisition of Waterloo Region start up Postrank.
SEO - I’m also looking forward to trying out an search engine optimization tool (SEO) suggested to me by Gini Dietrich.
Security certificate - Another incentive to make the move was to be able to get a security certificate for my website. I am now able to make custom Facebook tabs for clients that must be on a secure server.
Any advice for the newly self-hosted?
Do you have any advice for me? Are there must have plugins that I haven’t mentioned that I should consider? Any tips on making the most of my solutions such as Headway or Bluehost?
A work in progress
I have my website/blog at a point where I feel comfortable inviting you to check it out. But please remember that while all websites should be a work in progress, that mine definitely will be over the next couple months!
