Sales FAQ

Can I use ExpressionEngine to create a blogging service or MySpace-type site?

The major licensing restriction in ExpressionEngine is that it cannot be used to host sites for third-parties. If you are intending to offer sites to the general public, this is not allowed under the terms of the ExpressionEngine License, even if you are giving away the sites for free.

Review the ExpressionEngine License.

License issues aside, ExpressionEngine does not currently have a management system in place that permits a user to sign up and receive a totally configured site.  You’d have to manually set-up each channel and assign it to a user.  Templates have to be created, member groups have to be assigned, etc.  While ExpressionEngine supports multiple channels and MSM Sites, a hosting service requires a lot of extra backend functionality in order to permit easy management (or more appropriately, self management), which means ExpressionEngine is not a suitable fit for the task.

Our Open Source PHP framework CodeIgniter may be a better choice as a foundation for building your blogging service or MySpace-type website.