Which is better for a new blog, a subdomain or a custom domain?
What each option gives you
A free subdomain usually combines a platform name with your chosen word. It costs nothing and is quick to set up, which makes it useful for practice. The downside is that the address belongs to the platform, and rules about ads, traffic, and features can change without much notice.
A custom domain, such as a name ending in .com or another extension, is yours as long as you renew it. It looks cleaner on business cards and in shared links. Moving to a new host later is also easier because the address travels with you.
Costs and trade-offs
Custom domains carry an annual fee, and the price depends on the extension and the registrar. Some platforms bundle a domain into a paid plan, which can simplify things. Check renewal prices, since the first-year discount often ends.
Moving from a subdomain to a custom domain later is possible, but you may need redirects to keep old links working. Plan that step early if you already have readers.
- Subdomain: free, fast, and platform-owned
- Custom domain: annual cost, portable, more professional
- Redirects needed if you switch later
Choosing for your situation
If you are only testing an idea for a few weeks, a subdomain is a sensible start. If you plan to write for a year or more, a custom domain is usually worth the small yearly cost. Decide before you publish many posts, since changing the address later takes extra work.
Common mistakes
- Launching on a subdomain, then changing the address after readers have bookmarked it.
- Buying a domain without checking the renewal price for the second year.
