Hosted vs. Self-Hosted Local Sites: A Decision Framework
A framework for choosing hosted vs. self-hosted local sites by control and overhead.
Hosted (managed) and self-hosted are two approaches to running local websites. Hosted means the platform manages infrastructure; self-hosted means you manage it. This decision framework helps you choose based on control and overhead. See Website Operations for Local Businesses for the operational context.
Comparison
| Dimension | Hosted (managed) | Self-hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Platform manages hosting, SSL, CDN | You manage hosting, SSL, CDN |
| Updates | Platform handles updates | You handle updates |
| Control | Limited to platform capabilities | Full control |
| Speed | Platform-optimized | Depends on your setup |
| Cost | Predictable subscription | Variable (hosting + tools + labor) |
| Scale | Scales with the platform | Scales with your effort |
When hosted fits
Hosted fits when you want to focus on content and SEO, not infrastructure. The platform handles hosting, SSL, updates, and performance. You trade some control for predictability and lower operational overhead.
When self-hosted fits
Self-hosted fits when you need full control — custom server configuration, specific CMS plugins, or integration with existing infrastructure. You bear the full operational cost: hosting, SSL management, updates, security, and performance tuning.
Primary sources
- Google Search Central documentation — Google (accessed 2025-01-15)