I manage my own business websites and am web-admin for my robot building group I belong to.

For multiple years I've been a big believer in WordPress; especially WordPress.org paired with Website and Email hosting providers such as Bluehost, Siteground etc.

WordPress.org is what I personally use (WordPress.com also exists).

I use either Bluehost or Siteground with WordPress.org – here is a break-down on the pro's and con's of this “system” as compared to “all-in-one\turn-key” site hosting and build environments.

Popular “turn-key” platforms are Weebly, Squarespace etc.

Pro's:

• Flexibility to design\implement what you want (without having to do a plan upgrade) when you want is the primary draw for me – I don't like being limited to the types of websites I can create for myself or clients (as constrained by other environments).

• Huge “community” of Plugins are available when using any flavor of WordPress. These Plugins provide a specific feature that can be added to your base website – for instance – memberships, contests\giveaways (the possibilities are endless; only limited by your creativity).

• More economical solution: WordPress.org itself is free as well as many Plugins, where the cost lies is the Site Hosting plan. But as compared to other site hosting\builder solutions – the cost outlay is substantially less!!

• Can easily add (or remove) features of your site a will (via enable and disable of Plugins).

Con's:

• Learning curve required to “put the pieces” together; to have a service host your site, get it installed and configured for your needs. Let alone learning how to maintain the site once its up. This is a “detractor” to most site owners as compared to the “all-in-one” solution platforms; since they setup and maintain everything for you; of course at a higher price as compared to WordPress.org.

• Using WordPress is not a “set it once and forget it” solution; really no website now-days should be, but with WordPress regular maintenance is required; due to all the plugins, themes and WordPress Core updates that seem to have a never ending stream of delivery to your website backend.

So to sum this up, I LOVE WordPress with Bluehost since I can create any (mostly) number of websites I want within my plan, containing any number and combination of features I need and easily maintain these sites since I have an established process around it!!

The flexibility of features choices is paramount for me plus a simple, economical plan through Bluehost WITHOUT the need in future to have to upgrade to a higher priced plan “to add a new feature” as imposed by so many turn-key solutions.

As communicated above, another benefit of the "Self-Hosted WordPress" model is being able to create ANY TYPE, Format and Features of a site that you want without being limited as "turn-key" systems give you!

I wanted to share some basic advice and maybe get you thinking in a different way about your site provider, it's features and the price your paying if your not doing “Self-hosted WordPress” websites.

A bit of education to ponder........