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14 Comments

Best way to setup WP blog with memberships for less $??

Hey crew,

I am having some issues with Substack. I am looking to migrate to either WordPress or Ghost soon.

What's your advice on the most cost effective way to have memberships, statistics, solid email campaign capability, and reliability? (All without breaking the bank).

Thank you for any help or advice!

Warm regards,

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    Speak to @dr - he does Gloat and Cove which are Ghost focused services.

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      Thanks! Hehe, I've actually already reached out. I am having a hard time deciding cost balance here. Ghost is super tempting as so many of the elements I want are built right into Ghost and I already write in Markdown. BUUUUT, @dr confirmed I can't migrate my Substack posts into Ghost...instead, I have to copy and paste each one. Looks like I am going to experiment with using WordPress plugins, including Newsletter Glue by @lesleypizza. Thanks for responding, Rosie!

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        Importing from Substack has to be possible. I'm looking into it now pretty full on. I'll let you know if I figure it out @JHopsWrites

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          Hey, thanks for responding. I'd love to hear what you discover. Still researching whether to stay with WP or move to Ghost.
          Thanks again!

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    I'm probably wrong, please correct me if I'm but I don't understand how it's even possible to replace substack (email service) with WP or Ghost (blogging services)? They have different functions.

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      Hey @Zencentric, great question. Yeah, they are different. Though, Ghost 3.0 now has memberships, paid subscribers, and newsletter capability built in. WordPress has plugins for all the above. Susbstack has less control, but it offers a very low barrier to entry--that's their genius. I started with them because I didn't have the time to make another WP site from scratch. So, they all have their pros and cons.

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          No prob! (-: I am still figuring it all out.

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    what were the issues more specifically?

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      Well, several times I've had publishing and deliverability issues where the email doesn't show or a weird glitch happens if I have to edit or unpublish. As well, I cannot have my own domain or make macro changes with the template or CSS. I love how it's an all-in-one, but looking forward I'd like more control over my site.

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        mm. i've never had issue with deliverability... i have > 19k subs:

        so, huh. i also posted about moving from mailchimp: https://www.indiehackers.com/post/moving-from-mailchimp-to-substack-e5e3181527

        but, i'm not selling a course or doing paid... how much more control do you really need?

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          Here's a list of things I'd like some control with that Substack doesn't offer currently:

          1. Your own domain (important for legal rights over content and for SEO)
          2. Ability to categorize and tag posts. Since I am doing a devotional, this would be helpful as my content keeps growing and so readers can find categories they like.
          3. More flexibility with theme control. I am not looking for anything crazy, just a little.

          Read your post and I do wholeheartedly agree with you about the simplicity. I have a WP site as well, and I do enjoy writing with Substack more. But, I do have way more control on WP.

          Thanks for sharing!

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            cool. well, you can definitely solve that with a self-hosted wordpress. i know a ton about that, so, lmk if i can help... but sounds like you've got it.

            i have a blog that uses the twenty twelve default theme... it does the job. no need for anything sexy. sounds like your close!

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              Thanks for the info and encouragement. Right now, I am comparing prices and capabilities of Ghost to WP and hoping to make a choice soon. Appreciate all your help!

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