Hey everyone! I'm working on building a website for our non-profit that supports LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly in a country where our mission isn't well-received. We've got a lot to provide, like resources for legal name changes and help with discrimination cases, but we need to keep everything private. I initially went with WordPress because everyone said it was user-friendly, but it's been nothing but frustrating from the start! It feels like every little thing requires a plugin, and many of those come with hefty subscription fees—not to mention all the ads for AI services that pop up. I have a bit of Linux knowledge but haven't hosted anything before. Is setting up a site on a basic Linux server a better option? I'd appreciate any suggestions for easy, secure platforms that don't involve a ton of plugins or costs!
5 Answers
If you're not set on using WordPress, I’d recommend checking out a static site generator like 11ty or Hugo. You can host the finished site for free using GitHub Pages or Cloudflare Pages, which keeps costs down. If you plan to have multiple contributors to the site, something like PagesCMS.org could work well too—it’s user-friendly for those who aren't tech-savvy.
Check out services that give you access to FTP or SFTP to manage your site content easily. Providers like Hostinger or Ionos can be great for that. Once you have the basics set up, you could use any CMS you like—WordPress, Joomla, you name it. If you need more help, just ask!
Consider using ClassicPress—it’s basically WordPress without the annoying updates. It could possibly make your experience less painful. Alternatively, Drupal is worth a look too; it has a learning curve, but it’s very powerful.
If you stick with WordPress, try using roots.io and their Sage framework. It provides a powerful development setup based on Laravel, but you’ll need some coding skills. For security and privacy, I suggest hosting it yourself instead of relying on platforms—there might be some hidden terms that could compromise your site. If coding isn't your thing, you might need to hire someone who can help.
For something straightforward, go with Astro + Relume + Cloudflare Pages + Tailwind. It’s a solid combo for creating sites without the headaches WordPress brings.
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