Your website should belong to you, not the platform
When you invest time and money in building a website, ownership matters. It is easy to assume that because you pay for a website, you automatically own it. But depending on the platform you choose, that is not always the case.
For many small businesses in Australia, the decision between a hosted platform like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify, and a self-hosted WordPress site is a significant one. It’s not just a technical choice, but a decision that will impact your control, flexibility, and long-term security. The weight of this decision should not be underestimated.
Ownership on Hosted Platforms
Hosted platforms make it simple to get started. You pick a template, pay for a subscription, and your site goes live. But behind that convenience, you are really just renting space.
Your website is tied to the platform’s rules and limitations. If you stop paying your subscription, you lose access to your site. If the platform closes or changes its pricing structure, you are left with little choice but to accept it. Even the design, layout, and sometimes the content are locked into their system.
It is similar to renting an apartment. You can decorate within the limits set by the landlord, but you can never knock down walls or move if they decide to sell.
Ownership with WordPress
With self-hosted WordPress, the power is in your hands. You own the files, the content, and the database. Your website sits on hosting that you choose, under your control. If you want to change hosts, you can take the entire site with you. This level of control is empowering and instills confidence in your online presence.
This flexibility is one of the key benefits of self-hosted WordPress. You are not tied to a company’s subscription model, and you have full access to the back end. That means you can customise the design, install plugins, or even hire a developer to build features that match your business needs.
Think of it as owning a home. You can renovate, expand, or move to a new block of land and take the house with you.
Why This Matters for Business Owners
For many businesses, a website is one of their most valuable assets. It is where customers find you, where leads come from, and often where sales are made. Owning that asset outright gives you stability.
- Content control: You decide how your content is displayed and stored.
- Portability: You can easily transfer your site to another host without losing any data or starting from scratch.
- Customisation: You are not limited to what the platform allows.
- Value over time: A wholly owned website can be considered a digital asset, adding to your business’s value.
The Real Question
So, who really owns your website? If it is built on a hosted platform, the answer is often the provider, not you. With WordPress, the answer is you.
At Ezyweb Australia, we recommend self-hosted WordPress for businesses that want complete control, scalability, and peace of mind. It is not just about building a site today, but about owning an asset you can rely on tomorrow.
📞 Want to know more about WordPress ownership and hosting options? Contact Ezyweb Australia and let us help you build a website that truly belongs to you.
