When you decide to start a blog should you use WordPress.com or WordPress.org ?
In starting a blog there are many options available to you. The best and most popular option, of course, is to use WordPress.
You can choose to use WordPress.com or WordPress.org. For those who are new to blogging, this is often very confusing. Most do not understand the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
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At first, these two might seem identical, but that’s not the case. In fact, there are certain differences between the two that can make each of them ideal in specific situations.
That is why you need to learn which option is going to be the best in your particular case. This will depend entirely on the type of blog you are interested in creating.
WHEN IT COMES TO WORDPRESS.COM VS WORDPRESS.ORG
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
The confusion lies in the fact the names are identical.. and the only difference is the extension. You need to understand what each one of the platforms does, how they differ from each other and how each of them works.
WordPress.com was created as a blogging platform, which hosts your blog for free. When you use WordPress.com, you are basically hosting your blog on the WordPress platform. With this option, you have very little control over your content.
There are limits when it comes to the customization of your blog as you will not be able to install the theme of your choice.
They also limit the way in which you are able to monetize your blog. So while you may host the blog there for free.. you don’t necessarily have full ownership rights to do as you please.
Additionally.. you should NEVER build something on property you do not own.. whether that be your home or your website.
WordPress.org, on the other hand, is a free and open-source software that you can install for use on your website. It does not provide hosting for your website, however. In this scenario, you will need to obtain your own hosting through a reputable web host.
This is what is known as self-hosted WordPress since you will be hosting it on your own hosting account through the hosting provider of your choice. This gives you much more flexibility to customize and monetize your blog in any way you see fit.
You are the owner and will be able to make your own rules. With WordPress.com you are bound by their rules.. so much less freedom. But then, what do you expect for FREE?
Most people find it is much more advantageous to pay a few dollars a month for web hosting and have the ability to call the shots themselves in regard to their blogs.
To use WordPress.org you will register your domain name and sign up for web hosting. Then you will log in to the cPanel of your new hosting account and install WordPress on your new domain.
If you are a blogger who is hoping to earn income from your new blog.. you will quickly see the advantages of self-hosted WordPress.
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WHAT COSTS ARE INVOLVED IN USING WORDPRESS.ORG?
WordPress.org gives you the software for free.. All you need to do is install it. The cost of registering a domain name is very inexpensive.. normally around $6 a year or so.
To learn more about domain name registration.. read our post:
* How to Register a Domain Name
Hosting plans are also very inexpensive. Most reliable web hosts offer shared hosting for around $2.50 per month.
To discover some of the bestWeb Hosts.. read our post:
* Best Website Hosting Services
As mentioned previously.. WordPress.com offers a free option but it is very limited. You can upgrade to the personal plan for $7 per month, or $14 per month for the premium features, $33 a month if you need the business features and $59 for e-commerce.
That is quite expensive when compared to the price of getting your own hosting account through a reliable web host.
You can get started on BigScoots for as low as $6.95 per month.
THE PROS AND CONS OF WORDPRESS.COM VS WORDPRESS.ORG
WORDPRESS.COM PROS:
- They have a free plan
WORDPRESS.COM CONS:
- WordPress.com is normally for beginners who are not sure whether or not they are really interested in becoming bloggers. They choose to blog temporarily on WordPress.com until they are sure they will actually enjoy the process of blogging.
– - For the free plan, you only get 1 GB of storage, so you are forced to upgrade to a monthly fee plan if you plan to blog often and integrate images or attachments.
– - You will NOT be able to install your own custom theme. You are stuck using one of the WP.com themes which do not have a professional look, and the choice of themes is very limited.
– - If you use a free plan, it’s NOT possible to have your own domain name, you have to pay for an upgrade. If you are going pay.. why in the world would you want to be on WP.com?
– - There’s no way to upload any plugins to boost your blog functionality. Everything is very limited. The same is true for design and customization.
– - You do not have complete ownership over the content. They can remove the content at any time since it’s their platform.
– - When you use the free plan, ads will be shown on your blog. WordPress gets paid from those ads.. NOT you!
– - Monetization is difficult. You can only do that if you are on a paid plan, and you use their ad service to place ads on your blog.
– - As your blog begins to grow.. if it gets too big WordPress.com will notify you that you need to move your blog to your own self-hosted plan since WordPress.com is most commonly used for small personal blogs and not intended for large commercial websites.
WORDPRESS.ORG PROS:
- Your blog will have a much more professional appearance.
– - You have complete control over your website content, and everything you upload. You are the only one who will be able to add or delete anything.
– - It’s possible to customize your website with all the best themes and plugins, something that WordPress.com will never allow you to do.
– - Your will have your own custom .com domain name.. not just an xyz.WordPress.com domain name.
– - It is the best and least expensive way to create a blog or personal website online.
WORDPRESS.ORG CONS:
- You will need to purchase a domain name and web hosting.. which is around $6 annually for the domain name and $2.99 per month for an adequate beginning hosting plan.
SHOULD YOU CHOOSE WORDPRESS.COM OR WORDPRESS.ORG ?
WordPress.com (free version) is best suited for those who are creating a personal blog of sorts to share pictures, experiences, etc. with friends and family members.
WordPress.org (installed via your web host) is best suited for those who are starting a niche blog with the intention of generating some additional income through blogging.
If you are serious about starting a blog, creating content, joining affiliate programs and building your blog into a successful online venture.. then installing WordPress via your web hosting control panel is always going to be the best choice.
A beginning hosting account is very inexpensive. As your blog gains in popularity and your traffic increases, you can always upgrade to one of the hosting providers who specializes in high-traffic websites.
With the free WordPress CMS managing your website you will never need to worry about any limitations. You can express yourself and share your ideas in the ways you have always wanted. You are the captain of the ship and are completely free to sail in whichever direction you desire.
Add to that the fact that you can add your own themes, plugins and affiliate programs and will have the freedom to fully customize and monetize your website as you see fit.
About the Author: Sherry Bennett
Ms. Bennett is a Professional Blogger, who has been earning a living online with niche websites for 25+ years.
Through hard work and dedication, she has turned her passion for blogging into a 7-figure business.. and you can do the same.
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* If you are a new blogger just starting your blogging adventure
learn how to start your blog the right way from the beginning:
Blogging Step-by-Step
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