Stop Renting Your Website.Own It.
Escape Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com fees. Our free tools and guide help you build a self-hosted website you actually own. Same features. $200+ saved per year.
See Your Savings
What you're really paying vs. self-hosting
Sound Familiar?
These platform frustrations are why thousands switch to self-hosting every month
"Why am I paying $30/month for a simple website?"
Platform fees add up fast. You're paying for their brand, not features you need.
"I can't customize this the way I want"
Locked templates, limited design options, no custom code. Their way or the highway.
"What happens if they shut down?"
You don't own your site. They can change terms, raise prices, or disappear. Your content goes with them.
"I'm stuck with their branding"
Forced footers, branded subdomains, "Made with X" badges. Pay more to remove them.
"The prices keep going up"
Started cheap, now expensive. Platforms raise prices once you're locked in.
"I can't export my site properly"
Try to leave and you'll find out. Limited exports, lost formatting, broken links. By design.
Website Platforms vs Self-Hosting
The truth about what you get (and don't get) with website builders
How It Works
Three steps to website freedom
Get Affordable Hosting
Pick a hosting provider starting at $3/month. That's it - no platform subscription needed.
Use Our Free Tools
We walk you through installing WordPress step by step. No coding. Takes about 30 minutes.
Own Your Website Forever
Install any theme, any plugin. Customize everything. No monthly platform fees. It's yours.
No technical experience required. Our tools guide you through every step.
Start Free SetupRecommended Hosting
Your only cost: hosting. No platform fees, no subscriptions.
We may earn a commission if you sign up through these links. This helps keep our guides free!
Common Questions
Everything you need to know before making the switch
What is self-hosted WordPress?
WordPress is free, open-source software. Instead of paying a platform like Wix or Squarespace, you install WordPress on your own hosting ($3-5/month). Same power, fraction of the cost, total ownership.
Can I migrate my existing site?
Yes, but it depends on your platform. WordPress.com sites migrate easily. Wix, Squarespace, and others require content export and rebuild. Our guides cover the migration process for each platform.
Is this really cheaper long-term?
Absolutely. Squarespace Business costs $33/month ($396/year). Self-hosted WordPress costs ~$5/month ($60/year). That's $336 saved per year. Over 5 years, you save $1,680.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. WordPress has a visual editor similar to Wix or Squarespace. Thousands of free themes and plugins let you build any type of site without touching code.
Why WordPress and not another CMS?
WordPress powers 43% of all websites. It has the largest ecosystem of themes, plugins, and developers. If you need help, you'll find answers. It's the safe, proven choice.
What if something breaks?
Your hosting provider offers 24/7 support. Plus, you can make full backups and restore anytime. With platforms like Wix, if something breaks, you're at their mercy.
Is this guide really free?
Yes, 100% free. We may earn a small commission if you sign up for hosting through our links, but it costs you nothing extra. That's how we keep the guides free.
Will I lose my SEO rankings?
Not if you migrate properly. We show you how to set up redirects and preserve your URLs. Many people see improved SEO after switching because self-hosted sites are faster and more customizable.
Ready to Own Your Website?
Stop paying platform fees. Stop dealing with restrictions.
Build something that's actually yours.
Free tools & guide. No account needed. Takes about 30 minutes.
SelfHostedWP is not affiliated with WordPress Foundation, Automattic, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, or any other platform mentioned. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. We provide independent educational guides.