How to Design a Website for WordPress – Hosting Considerations
A few years ago, we were all still in love with the idea of building a website. The idea of having a blog, sharing my thoughts and passions with the world, was exciting and inspiring.
As time went on, and the idea of a website became commonplace, many of us started to feel slightly uninspired when designing a website. The idea of having a functional website did not necessarily mean that it had to look good. In some cases, the opposite was true. We wanted a pretty website that did not work at all. In the middle of 2018, this trend manifested itself in a popular design competition called the “Redesign A Website” competition. Teams had to redesign a generic travel agency website in just nine days. The results were hilarious!
The Rise of Squarespace
If you are reading this, I assume that you are either a designer, or someone who knows one. If you are looking for a web design platform, you have probably heard of Squarespace. Squarespace is the ultimate middle ground between having a messy blog and having a fully-fledged website. It is the best of both worlds!
If you have ever used Squarespace, you will know exactly what I am talking about. Squarespace provides you with a blank canvas, letting you design your website how you see fit. There are no templates to choose from. No constraints, other than your creative mind and technological know-how.
There are many advantages to using Squarespace. One of the biggest advantages is that it is very easy to use. Almost anyone can design a website using Squarespace. Another huge advantage is that Squarespace provides you with unlimited pages. You can create as much content as you want, without ever having to worry about running out of room. Finally, one of the coolest features of Squarespace is that it is very affordable. You can create a basic website, with just a few pages for less than $200.
Why Should You Host Your Own Website?
If you are reading this, I assume that you either run a website or are in the process of designing one. If that is the case, why should you host your own website?
In these days of web hosting providers such as Google Cloud, Dreamhost, and Amazon, it is becoming less and less necessary to host your website on a different platform from the one you use for your daily activities. However, there are still plenty of reasons why you should host your own website.
You have complete control over your website. This means that you can tailor the content to suit your needs and the needs of your target audience. You can also upgrade and downgrade your service, as often as you see fit. This is a huge advantage, as you can always find cheaper rates from time to time. Finally, you can install and configure any plugin or app that you want on your site. Doing this through a third-party plugin or app, while convenient, is not as flexible as doing it yourself.
Choosing A Hosting Provider
As much as I love Squarespace, it is not always the best solution for everyone. If, for example, you are looking for a more traditional blogging platform, then you should probably consider another option. Luckily, there are some great hosting providers that offer a blogging platform, as well as a more traditional website solution.
If you are looking for a free blogging platform, check out Blogger. If you need a more robust solution, you can try SquareSpace. However, if you want a more traditional website, with all the basic features that you would expect, you can try one of these wonderful providers: