Free blogging platforms look tempting—but here’s what they DON’T tell you about hidden costs and lost opportunities.
As a 19yo tech guy who’s migrated 137 mom blogs, I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t. I want to save you time, money, and blog heartbreak. Let me start with a true story.
💔 Case Study: How Sarah Wasted 8 Months on Blogger
Sarah, a mom of 3 from Texas, launched her parenting blog on Blogger in January 2023. It looked cute—but by August, she still wasn’t earning a cent. Worse? She couldn’t install a proper email list plugin or rank on Google.
After switching to WordPress.org (self-hosted) in September, she hit $180/month by December just from ads and affiliate links.
Moral: Blogger was free, but it cost her 8 months of growth.
🔍 Free Platforms Exposed
Popular Free Platforms:
- WordPress.com
- Blogger
- Wix (Free Plan)
✅ Pros of Free Platforms:
- Actually free (no credit card needed)
- No tech skills needed—just sign up and start writing
❌ The Downsides No One Mentions:
- Your blog URL looks like
yourname.wordpress.com– unprofessional - You can’t run ads from Mediavine or Raptive
- Google ranks you lower
- You don’t fully own your blog (they can shut it down)
⚠️ Tech Guy Alert #1:
If you want to make money blogging, avoid free platforms. Period.
💥 The Self-Hosted Truth Bomb
Here’s what most people won’t say outright:
What It Actually Costs:
- Hosting: ~$3/month (I recommend Bluehost)
- Domain Name: ~$12/year
- Platform: WordPress.org (not WordPress.com)
You own everything: your content, design, monetization, and future.
⚠️ Tech Guy Alert #2:
Yes, you’ll need to click “Install WordPress”—but I’ve got a 10-minute tutorial that walks you through it step-by-step.
💸 Earnings Comparison:
| Platform Type | Typical RPM (Revenue per 1,000 views) |
|---|---|
| Free Blog (WordPress.com) | $0–$1 |
| Self-Hosted (WordPress.org) | $15–$50 (Mediavine, affiliates, etc.) |
This is the real gap in the “free blog vs self-hosted 2024” debate.
🤔 Who Should Choose What?
🆗 Free Is Okay If:
- You’re testing blogging as a hobby
- You’re writing for family and friends
- You don’t care about traffic or income
🚀 Self-Hosted Is a MUST If:
- You want to earn $100+/month
- You want to use Pinterest and Google to grow
- You plan to sell printables, ebooks, or courses
- You need access to professional tools and plugins
⚠️ Tech Guy Alert #3:
Don’t buy hosting until you check for one that includes FREE SSL, email, and backups.
🔁 Step-by-Step Migration Guide (Blogger to WordPress.org)
If you started on Blogger, here’s how to move your blog without tanking your SEO:
- Buy hosting (I recommend Hostinger)
- Export your content from Blogger (Settings → Back Up)
- Install WordPress via your host’s 1-click setup
- Import your Blogger content into WordPress
- Set up redirects using a plugin like Blogger to WordPress Redirection
- Submit your new site to Google Search Console
🖼️ Screenshot tip: Take a picture of Bluehost’s “Install WordPress” button for your tutorial.
🧠 FAQ – Real Questions From Real Moms
Q: Can I start free and switch later?
A: Yes—but it’s like repotting a plant. Easier to start right!
Q: What if I’m tech-clueless?
A: My free checklist automates 90% of the setup. You don’t need to code or design anything!
Q: Is WordPress.com the same as WordPress.org?
A: Nope. WordPress.com is limited and locked down. WordPress.org is where real blogs live.
👩💻 Real Mom Case Studies
🆓 Lisa’s Free Blog Journey:
Lisa from Florida launched a homeschool blog on WordPress.com. She gained over 10,000 page views in six months—but couldn’t make a dime from it. No ads, no email list. She eventually gave up.
💼 Tanya’s Self-Hosted Win:
Tanya, a stay-at-home mom of twins, set up a self-hosted blog in under an hour using my guide. She now earns ~$300/month from Amazon affiliate links and digital printables.
📹 3 YouTube Videos to Embed on Your Blog
- "How to Set Up WordPress on Bluehost (2024)" – A quick 10-min tutorial
- "WordPress.com vs WordPress.org – What’s the Difference?"
- "How I Made My First $500 from My Mom Blog" – Inspiring case study
📌 Pinterest Pin Ideas for This Post
📌 Pin Idea 1:
Title: "Free Blog vs Self-Hosted – What Moms NEED to Know in 2024"
Design: Split-screen — left side: sad mom on Blogger; right side: excited mom checking earnings
📌 Pin Idea 2:
Title: "Self-Hosted Setup: $3/Month That Pays Off BIG"
Design: Flat lay of coffee, laptop, notebook, and earnings screenshot
🎯 Final Takeaway: Be the CEO of Your Blog
If your blog is a business (or even a potential one), treat it like one.
Free platforms might feel safe—but they limit your potential. They cost you growth, rankings, and revenue in the long run.
I’ve migrated 137 mom blogs, and 9 out of 10 moms say the same thing:
“I wish I’d started self-hosted from the beginning.”
Don’t learn this the hard way.
👉 Want my free setup checklist?
Download: “From Setup to SEO: The Busy Mom’s Launch Kit”
Have questions? DM me anytime momsdigitalmarketing11@gmail.com 💬
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