How to Move to Ghost In 2025
This Just In: Own your own publication by launching a website running Ghost. It’s not as difficult as it sounds.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I moved from Substack over two years ago. I left because they do not moderate hate speech and engage in fuzzy accounting practices. Instead of moving my site back to WordPress, I opted for Ghost.
Ghost is an open-source content management system (CMS) that supports blog posts and email newsletters. It offers payment gateways, pay-walled content, and member logins. Basically, all of the things I need as an online writer.
Unlike WordPress, Ghost has a bit more complicated installation and update process. I set up a VPS with Opalstack, a fantastic web hosting provider with a truly awesome support team.
While I am a big proponent of making the web personal again and owning your own corner, Ghost requires a bit of tech skills that most creators do not have. It’s why answering the question of how to get started with Ghost is never straightforward.
Over the last few months, I’ve become increasingly frustrated with updates, which require using SSH to connect to the Ghost installation and update via the command line. Not because I find this overtly complex, but because it’s a hassle. It’s not something that “just works” or, as with WordPress, is handled automatically by the software. Ghost frequently requires additional server upgrades to function, and those sometimes work and sometimes fail, leading to countless hours trying to find a solution.
Early last week, while searching online trying to debug one such issue, I came across a post from Cathy Sarisky explaining that she does not recommend most people self-host Ghost because of the headaches. Cathy Sarisky is a big supporter of the Ghost community and frequently contributes to feature releases. Hearing Cathy she doesn’t recommend self-hosting, my ears perked up. Instead, she recommends people use managed hosting, where a server admin handles all the behind-the-scenes stuff for you.
Ghost(Pro) is the obvious choice here, since the Ghost organization maintains it and helps support the active development. Though, for my current audience, Ghost(Pro) is $165/month… Managed hosting is not cheap, mainly because sending email is not cheap.
However, Cathy also recommends Magic Pages, which is the same concept as Ghost(Pro) at a fraction of the cost. Instead of tiered pricing based on membership counts, Magic Pages has a flat rate based on the features you want. Each tier has a set amount of monthly email sends. Need more email sends? You pay a small flat fee to send in batches of 10,000. This pricing resonated with me.
I have since moved the site to Magic Pages (affiliate link). If you subscribe to Write Now interviews, you got last week’s email sent through the new servers and didn’t even notice (hopefully).
Jannis Fedoruk-Betschki, who runs Magic Pages, is awesome and handled the migration from Opalstack. I simply sent him my content and database backups, and he dealt with the rest. He was super pleasant to work with and quick to respond via email. What’s best is that I no longer have to manage Ghost updates or worry about server components. No more headaches!
To sum it all up, how should you move your website to Ghost in 2025? Subscribe to Magic Pages (affiliate link) and call it a day. You’ll save yourself hours of frustration and it will just work.
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This Week In Writing, we look at the once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new internet filled with fun and originality.
Raising the Bar at the Writing Cooperative
This Week In Writing, we look at changes to our publication standards and what they mean for you.
Advent, Waiting, and the Year of Transitions
This Week In Writing, we look back at the year that was and determine what it means for the year to come.
Refilling the Creativity Tank
This Week In Writing, we discuss what happens when creativity finds other outlets.
Celebrate Giving Tuesday
This Week In Writing, we take a quick break from our regularly scheduled programming to celebrate nonprofit organizations.
It’s Time We Discuss Medium
This Week In Writing, we address the platform that has supported my writing for nearly a decade.
My First Year on Mastodon and the Future of Social Media
This Week In Writing, we look back at how social media fractured and why it’s a good thing for us all.
The Economics of a Self-Hosted Newsletter
This Week In Writing, we talk about what happens when you eliminate platforms and go after it on your own.
Trick or Treat?
This Week In Writing, we talk about pen names and whether they make sense for writers.
A New Era Begins
This Week In Writing, we explore the internet’s current metamorphosis and how you can be part of the revolution.
My History of Blogging
This Week In Writing, we celebrate the blog, explore the pendulum of online writing, and double down on quality.
An Update on Spam Submissions
This Week In Writing, we talk about spam submissions to The Writing Cooperative and look at some of your thoughts on being called AI.
Would You Want to Know if I Thought Your Writing Sounded Like AI
This Week In Writing, we talk about submissions to The Writing Cooperative and how to avoid false accusations.
How I Feel About Engagement Numbers
This Week In Writing, we discuss what engagement means and if I get discouraged by a perceived lack thereof. Plus, a look at the future (again).
My Writing Is About Building Community
This Week In Writing, we highlight some of the people I’ve met writing online and answer some of your questions.
It’s Time for a Fresh Start
This Week In Writing, we talk about new Apple products, home renovations, and changes to the newsletter.
Choose Your Own Design
This Week In Writing, we explore the wonderful world of blogs, where writers truly get creative.
Expanding Universes Make Better Stories
This Week In Writing, we look at how worldbuilding is an essential part of epic storytelling.
Your Questions Answered
This Week In Writing, we recap a successful Medium Day and address some of the questions I didn’t have time to answer.
Saving Frequently Isn’t The Only Way To Backup Your Writing
This Week In Writing, we take a hard lesson from the latest Twitter/X hijinks. Plus, we look at what “human writing” means.
MIT Says ChatGPT Improves Bad Writing, But At What Cost?
This Week In Writing, we explore how ChatGPT and Grammarly are making us all sound the same.
Do CTAs Even Work Anymore?
This Week In Writing, we explore the “necessary evil” of calls to action and ask if they are any better than tacky banner ads.
AI Is Now Everywhere
This Week In Writing, we talk about Google’s new AI plan, what it means for writers, and why resistance is futile.
My Ghostly Strategy: Avoid the Graveyard
This Week In Writing, we fully explore how I’m building Ghost into a self-hosted content hub and how you can too.
Another Platform Collapses
This Week In Writing, we talk about Reddit and what it means for centralized communities moving forward.
The Problem With Creative Entitlement
This Week In Writing, we explore how AI tools amplify the sometimes problematic relationship between creator and consumer
Unchecked Writing
This Just In: I stopped using Grammarly; have you noticed? Plus, a deeper exploration into AI writing and my friend the em dash.
What I Did Different With This Book
This Just In: Launching a second edition wasn’t as simple as I thought it’d be, and I learned some lessons along the way.
Let’s Talk About Tools
This Just In: There’s no single tool that can do everything and it’s extremely frustrating.
Battle of the Book Builders
This Just In: I tried to format my book using Vellum and Atticus. Instead, I learned something about app design and limitations.
Does My Journal Need a Backup
This Just In: I took a lot of your suggestions to heart and gave Obsidian a try. What I found was a bigger question.
Journals Aren’t Forever
This Just In: After over 13 years, I’ve deleted the Day One journal app. Here’s what it helped me realize about software subscriptions.
How to Move to Ghost In 2025
This Just In: Own your own publication by launching a website running Ghost. It’s not as difficult as it sounds.
Tapestry Is Weaving the Future Web
This Just In: The Iconfactory’s smash new app is a return to the web’s roots and where we all need to head.
The Perils of Personal Platforms
What does it actually mean to leave the world of commercial platforms behind?
Are Apple’s Writing Tools the Right Stuff
This Just In: Apple Intelligence offers the boring version of AI I’ve hoped for, but is it helpful for writers?
When Gamification Goes Awry
Writing days, health rings, Duolingo… there are more streaks than time.
New Phone Who Dis
New technology fuels a desire to create but can also be overwhelming and lead to unmet expectations.
Is Apple Intelligence the AI for the Rest of Us
This Just In: Apple’s forthcoming entry into AI promises a private, personalized AI, but will it increase AI slop?
Creation and Destruction Are Connected
This Just In: The act of creating something is more important than the act of publishing what is made.
Sending Emails Is Hard
This Just In: Google and Yahoo crack down on bad behavior; set your DKIM, DMARC, and SPF records now.
Why Make Anything if You Don’t Think It Will Be Great?
This Week In Writing, we discuss greatness and how chasing it is a possible and noble goal.
It’s Time for a Fresh Start
This Week In Writing, we talk about new Apple products, home renovations, and changes to the newsletter.
My Return to Journaling Failed Miserably
This Week In Writing, we talk about good intentions, rumored Apple products, and buying domain names
Why Haven’t You Enabled This Essential iOS Feature
I requested this feature a decade ago, it was added to iOS three years ago, and so many people haven’t turned it on.
How to Move Your Digital Brain From Notion to Reminders
I used Notion as a project management system but replaced it with Apple’s Reminders. Here’s how you can, too.
My Favorite Under-the-Radar iOS 16 Features
The new Lock Screen and battery indicator might get all the press, but there are better reasons to upgrade.
Spring Into the Best Twitter Client You’ve Never Heard Of
How does the Spring Twitter client by Junyu Kuang stack up to Tweetbot and Twitterrific?
Make Your Writing Space More Comfortable
This Month In Writing, we explore simple ways to improve your writing space and the best advice published in June.
The Curious Case of the 13” M2 MacBook Pro
Why does the 13” M2 MacBook Pro still exist, and what does it mean for the future of Apple’s laptop lineup?
Are You Organized?
This Week In Writing, we look at digital organization techniques to keep all of our drafts, research, and ideas safe.
Don’t Expect An Apple M2 Chip at WWDC
With the two-year transition to Apple Silicon complete, we know when to expect new products.
Apple Swung and Missed with the Studio Display
Want a bigger iMac? Too bad.
Got a Notion for freelancing?
Does the endlessly customizable Notion make freelancing easier, or is the tool’s neverending optimization a turn-off? Let’s find out!
Data Privacy and Mailing Hard Drives
Thanks to an affinity for films like Minority Report, Enemy of the State, and Anon, I take my data privacy seriously. Do you?
How Big Is Your Diction?
This Week In Writing, we break out the thesaurus to compare diction size and explore the power of unique words.
Are You Living Like The Jetsons?
We may not live like The Jetsons, but tools like Apple’s Shortcuts help us save time and make living in the real world more enjoyable.
You’re Drastically Underusing Shortcuts — Here’s Why
Now that Siri Shortcuts is available on macOS, the powerful app makes automating tasks in three common apps much easier.
One Easy Way To Eliminate Spam
Email sucks, but it doesn’t have to. Here’s how 33Mail, SimpleLogin, or Apple’s Hide My Email can eliminate spam and secure your privacy.
Do You Write For Accessibility?
This Week In Writing we want to ensure everyone has equal access to our writing. Here are ways to write for accessibility.
I Switched From 1Password to Keychain — Here's Why
Not only have I switched from 1Password to Keychain, but I’m not looking back
Free Tools For Accessible Writing
While I am not an expert, I learned a lot about accessible writing while redesigning my website. Here are the four free tools I used.
I’m Spying On You Right Now
You’re being watched. Can you feel it? As you read this post, little bots behind the scenes track you and your interactions. Creepy, right?
Even With Peacock, NBC Doesn’t Understand Streaming
I thought Peacock would be a hub of streaming Olympic content. Unfortunately, Peacock proved NBC doesn’t understand streaming.
How To Move Content From Medium to WordPress
Are you looking to move content from Medium to WordPress? You’ve come to the right place. Let me walk you through the process.
Black Widow Premier Access Proves Movie Theaters Are Obsolete
I paid $29.99 to not deal with other people. It was wonderful.
Write Every Day With Siri Shortcuts and Day One
Want to know how I developed a 3+ year daily writing habit? Follow this guide to build a Siri Shortcut, and you’ll write every day, too!
I Bought a Selfie Ring Light
One step in my journey to becoming an influencer/thought leader/whatever you want to call me
The Life-Changing Power of GTD For Freelance Writers
Evaluating Trello, ClickUp, and Notion to stay organized and productive
Level Up Your Productivity Through Budgeting
Do you know where your money goes? What about your time? Here are four rules for better writing.
Don’t Sleep on the New M1 Mac Mini
Apple’s latest base-model computer brings powerful performance at a bargain price.
Get In The Mood: Level Up Your Writing Soundtrack
Help your mind focus while having a little fun by setting up a custom writing playlist
This Just In: Bio Tracking
Do you know what your resting heart rate is?
This Just In: Apple Updates
Why I’m using Google Chrome again…
How I Write From Home
Invest in your comfort and your productivity will increase
What Happens When You Lose The Muse
Writing lessons from Jony Ive’s departure from Apple.
I Still Know All The Words to “The Sign”
What I learned fixing my iTunes Library.
Introducing SiriLibs: The First Mad Libs Style Game For Siri Shortcuts
Today, I’m releasing a new shortcut based on the class Mad Libs game for children: SiriLibs!
Siri Shortcuts: The Best Part of iOS 12
I’ve been playing with Shortcuts all week and the app is insanely powerful.
Tweetbot vs. Twitterriffic
The Battle of Twitter’s Third-Party Apps
I’m a Slave to My Wrist
Impulse Purchases Lead to Habit Changes