When starting out, many people wonder which one is better. This article examines the pros and cons between freely hosting your new website or blog with WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org, the self hosting option. From the very get go, WordPress decided to offer two hosting options for its blogging and content management software. One version is entirely free and available without having to download or install anything. This is the version at WordPress.com. WordPress then offers a more advanced version of its software available for download at WordPress.org, which gives users the ability to completely customize their blog or website’s appearance and functionality using plugins and themes. Downloading the software from WordPress.org, however, does require you to purchase hosting from a web host like Blue Host. In my experience, what most people want to do is to be able to start with WordPress.com because it’s easier to use and less expensive to start with.
Comparing WordPress.com with WordPress.org
So what do you get in WordPress.com and what are you missing out on by not starting immediately with the WordPress software? The infographic below explains the major differences between the two:
Key features of WordPress.com
Many beginners chose to visit WordPress.com first, and learn the ropes of blogging and web design using the free hosting service provided by WordPress. Some the key features of building your blog or website and hosting it with WordPress.com, include:
- Free hosting
- Automatic backup, software upgrades, and security updates
- Easier setup
- Choice of 70 free themes available at WordPress.com
- Dozens of widgets available at WordPress.com
- Cannot install plugins or additional themes
- Ability to purchase upgrades, like custom domain name or video hosting
However, you will have a very limited ability to customize your blog or website beyond the existing settings, options, themes, and widgets, which are themselves limited in what functionality they provide. You won’t be able to monetize your blog, block ads, or install nifty functionality like eCommerce or image sliders.
Key features of WordPress.org
The WordPress software is available for download at WordPress.org, absolutely free. The software is then installed onto a web host’s server. The basic interface is the same as with WordPress.com, except you have free reign to customize your appearance and functionality as you see fit. Some of the key features of downloading the WordPress software and self hosting, include:
- Vast marketplace of free and premium themes, widgets, plugins, and more
- No automatic ads, but can monetize your blog or website with advertising plugins
- Ability to install plugins for virtually limitless functionality on your website, including shopping carts, video galleries, social media sharing, etc.
- Create your own plugins or themes for custom functionality or appearance
Using WordPress Software
Using the WordPress software and installing it on a web host company other than WordPress.com is our recommended method. It offers much more customization and functionality. If and when you want to go with the WordPress software, you’ll have to do the following:
- Select a web hosting service and pay their monthly fee (typically $10 per month or less)
- Download and install the WordPress software from WordPress.org, unless your web host provides an WordPress installation service such as Simple Scripts
- Import your existing blog or website from WordPress.com (if previously hosted with them)
- Choose from a vast, virtually limitless, marketplace of free and premium WordPress themes, or create your own custom theme and plugins
For more information on how to get the WordPress software up and running quickly, see our famous article How to Install WordPress in 5 minutes.
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