As a one person show, I’ve been in the process of merging all of my creations to one website. This includes videos, articles, events, and my blog.

I recently made the decision to move my blog from Medium to my own website, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Now, before you think this is because of something personal I have with Medium, it’s not. Here are my reasons for making this move and the benefits of hosting my blog on my own domain.

Ownership and Control

Prior to Medium, my website was created and hosted with Teachable. I had some free courses on there and a blog. One day Teachable decided to no longer allow blogs and I was left looking for a new site to host the blog. Medium was the best choice and I paid the yearly fee to be able to host the blog on my Domain.

I have been impressed with the UI and newsletter features but I realized that people were being served ads and other stories. This was essentially taking people away from my content on my domain.

When you host your blog on a platform like Medium, you are essentially building on rented land. While these platforms offer convenience and exposure, they also have the power to change their terms of service or even shut down your blog entirely (like Teachable did). By hosting my blog on my own domain, I retain full ownership and control over my content, ensuring that my hard work and creativity are protected.

Branding and Customization

Another significant advantage of hosting my blog on my own domain is the ability to establish a unique brand and customize the website according to my preferences. On platforms like Medium, there are limitations to how much you can personalize your blog’s appearance and functionality. With my own website, I have complete creative freedom to design a visually appealing and user-friendly interface that aligns with my brand identity. This allows me to create a more authentic and informative experience for my readers.

Flexibility and Scalability

When it comes to the growth and expansion of my blog (and beyond), having my own website provides unparalleled flexibility and scalability. Unlike platforms that may restrict your ability to monetize your content, include affiliate links, or limit your access to valuable data, hosting on my own domain allows me to explore various revenue streams and gain valuable insights into my audience. 

Having a direct contact for my audience is key. Understanding what they are looking for and where I am providing the most value is important. I write blogs in my spare time and want to make sure it’s a strong investment of time for myself and the reader.

Long-Term Sustainability

Things are moving very fast in my industry (music), but i’ve always made an effort to think long-term. By investing in my own domain and website, I am future-proofing my online presence, regardless of what I create or if I switch industries in the future. Regardless of what happens to external platforms or partnerships, my website will always be there as a central hub for my content. 

For example. At time of writing there has been uncertainty with the future of some social media platforms. Having a website that links to all current social platforms means that people can always find new ways to connect, or reconnect.

Conclusion

Moving my blog from Medium to my own website has been a transformative decision. The benefits of hosting on my own domain, including ownership and control, branding and customization, flexibility and scalability, and long-term sustainability, have empowered me to take my blog to new heights. If you’re considering making a similar move, I highly recommend taking the leap and experiencing the freedom and possibilities that come with hosting your blog on your own domain.

AskMikeWarner.com is where you can find me moving forward.