About Managed WordPress
I specialize in building websites with managed WordPress. The different versions of WordPress can be a little confusing, so here is a breakdown on what that looks like.
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.com is essentially an easy-to-use platform where themes are pre-set; the biggest reason why people choose WordPress.com is because it has a free version. However, there are ads placed on the free version, and you are limited in how much you can customize your website. If you upgrade to their paid version, ads disappear, and you are able to customize more.
According to Forbes:
The easiest way to tell the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is to remember .org provides advanced customization and monetization options. WordPress.com gives users a quick and easy way to get started for free and can expand to more custom paid options as they grow.
And Kinsta:
WordPress.org, often called self-hosted WordPress, is the free, open-source WordPress software that you can install on your own web host to create a website that’s 100% your own.
WordPress.com is a for-profit, paid service that is powered by the WordPress.org software. It’s simple to use, but you lose much of the flexibility of the self-hosted WordPress.
So, you are faced with 2 wildly different ends of the spectrum: you can customize a ton on WordPress.org (aka self-hosted WordPress), but you have to manage all the tech involved. Then, there’s WordPress.com: you don’t have to manage any of that, but you lose a lot of your ability to customize.
What is a website owner to do?
This is where Managed WordPress comes in.
According to Bluehost:
Managed WordPress is a specialized service available through some web hosting providers. It manages all technical aspects of your WordPress website on an ongoing basis.
The managed hosting company is responsible for routine website maintenance and upkeep, including speed, security, automated backups, and updates.
Managed WordPress bridges the large gap between WordPress.com and .org to give you more customization without needing to handle all the tech stuff in the background. (Yay!)
Managed WordPress is what I primarily use to create websites. (Fun fact: the website you’re on right now uses Managed WordPress 😉 )
To use a Managed WordPress site, you have to a) get a domain, and b) get hosting. A domain is the name of your website that people type into their search bar; for example, the domain of this website is writerswebsitecafe.ca.
Many hosting services will also offer a domain – either for free or a fee, depending on the host. So, you could purchase your domain with your hosting if you want! Otherwise, there are ways to integrate these together if you want to purchase your domain and hosting separately.
What does it look like to build a website with me?
It’s easy!
Choose your domain and host
There are a plethora of different host options you could go with, depending what your needs are and how much traffic you expect to get. (Don’t worry, I’ll help walk you through what’s currently available on the market!)
You will need to sign up for your host of choice so you will get charged by them in the future as well as purchase your domain (or get it for free, depending if that’s something your host offers!)
Choose your theme
I specialize in building websites with themes as a starting point! These allow you to make sure your colour scheme will go well together, or at least give you a structure to work with where you can change the palette. Themes help you make a cohesive website that looks good!
I will pick out several options for you based on what aesthetic you want, and you get to choose from those; no hours of browsing till everything looks the same! (Huzzah!)
Share with me
You will need to share your theme file with me as well as give me admin abilities on your website – but don’t worry, it’s super simple. Once I’m in, I’ll be able to build your website as you so desire!
If you want me to connect your email list to forms on your website for you, you will need to share admin abilities with me for this as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cost of all this included in your fee?
The cost to host your website as well as purchase a theme is not included in my fee; I charge primarily for my own time spent on your website and helping you create it. How much your hosting will end up being or you want to spend on a them is totally up to you!
On average... how much is hosting?
There is a range; most providers of managed WordPress will give you a large discount for the first year that you use their services. After that, one of the lower costs for websites you will find starts around $10-$12/month.
How much do themes typically cost?
Again, there’s a range! (Super helpful answer, I know.) That said, you can find a lot of themes around $39 US. These can go up to $100+, depending what you want. (Don’t worry, I work with your budget! If you have a cap on how much you want to spend on a theme, I will find you options within that.)