You know WordPress.com which is free and WordPress.org where we need a custom domain name and web hosting for creating websites. Are you confused about which is the best blogging platform for you? In this post, we are going to show you how we comprare these platforms. A post about WordPress.com VS WordPress.org! You will be able to choose your right blogging platform from this post.
WordPress.com VS WordPress.org
For staring any fashion blog or product review website or for any kind of website, you must pick the right blogging platform. We always recommend WordPress for creating any website. But, which WordPress? Free one or paid?
Absolutely the self-hosted WordPress. It’s also known as WordPress.org. Wondering why? Read on!
WordPress.org
Official Website – WordPress.org.
Self-Hosted + Own Domain Name
You need a domain name and web hosting. Normally web hosting companies like Bluehost will offer shared web hosting for $2.65 a month. A domain name from GoDaddy will cost $12 a year. Most web hosting companies will give you free .com domain with any of your web hosting plans.
You can install WordPress automatically with one click or install WordPress manually. By manual installation, you may want to create a database and assign a user to it.
You may also want to check A2 Hosting and Namecheap for cheap shared hosting plans.
Theme Customization
You have got full control of it. On the WordPress theme repository, you will get access to thousands of free WordPress themes. If you don’t want any free one, then you will be able to choose any premium version theme.
There are so many WordPress theme shops like HappyThemes, StudioPress, MyThemeShop. Or, you will be able to hire someone to create a theme. Normally this will cost you $500 or something like that. A normal premium theme from those mentioned theme shops will only cost $49! In our website, we are using the Genesis.
All Plugins Allowed
For making your website faster and SEO ready, you may want to install WordPress plugins like WP Super cache and Yoast SEO. in the self-hosted WordPress blog, you will be able to install and activate any plugin that you need.
Typically, some web hosting companies like WP Engine will block some high CPU plugins. One of them is Broken Link Checker.
Maintenance
You are responsible for the theme, plugin, WordPress core updates. We will not recommend you using an outdated version. It will create security issues.
Also, you must generate a complete backup of your WordPress blog. Here at AWPGuide, we are using the BackupBuddy plugin for generating backups. It will also send the backup file to a remote destination like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Most web hosting companies like Kinsta and WP Engine will give you daily backups. If you are not planning to go with managed WordPress hostings, you may want to try any backup plugins.
Control
You have got full control of your files, database, and the entire blog. You will be able to delete or modify any files without anyone’s permission.
Monetization
Can monetize. You will be able to show display advertisings like Google AdSense, affiliate marketing with ShareASale or write sponsored posts. You own the 100% of the monetized money. No need to share the revenue with anyone.
No limitations!
WordPress.com
Official Website – WordPress.com.
Hosted By WordPress + Free Subdomain
They will host your website for free! But the free plan got some limitations. By using the free plan, you will get a .wordpress.com as a subdomain. Means, your website URL will look like abcd.wordpress.com. Choosing the pro plan will help you to remove the limitations one by one.
In the free plan, you will get 3GB of storage space. Once you got exhausted it, you may want to consider upgrading your plan.
For using their free plan, all you need to do is, create an account there and choose a domain name! It’s that simple!
Limited Theme Options
On the free plan, you will get dozens of themes. Well, not much. You won’t be able to customize the theme or redesign it.
Also, you won’t be able to upload a custom WordPress theme. You can only choose a theme which’s in under the themes directory.
No Plugins
You won’t be able to use any plugins on your blog. This is a huge limitation for free WordPress users.
Automated Maintenances
Like the WordPress.org blogs, you don’t need to update anything on your blog. The core team will do it and make sure that your website is secure.
No Technical Control
No access to the backend of your website. Also, not able to edit some data. If WordPress.com thinks you are violating their terms, they will suspend your website.
Limited Monetization
If you are using the free plan, you won’t be able to monetize your website using any display advertisings. The premium users can monetize their blog using a display ad network called WordAds, which is running by the same company.
Conclusion
These are the main differences between the WordPress.com and WordPress.org blogging platforms. Have you chosen your blogging platform from the comparison? Well, here’s our view.
If you need a website but don’t need to monetize properly, you can go with WordPress.com. Or you can monetize the website with WordAds is you are on paid plans.
On the other hand, you will get full control, monetized money you will make, unique design if you choose the self-hosted WordPress blogging platform. A 30% of the website on the globe is powered by WordPress.
As a result, we always recommend WordPress.org as the blogging platform!
Why This WordPress.com VS WordPress.org Matters?
Before starting your blog officially, you must consider the best available blogging platform for your business. At this time, there are so many platforms available like google’s blogger, Weebly, Wix, Squarespace and going on.
WordPress is one of the major blogging platforms. But, beginner’s don’t know there are 2 WordPress platforms available. Our WordPress.com VS WordPress.org post will be helpful for them for choosing the right blogging platform.
We hope you found this post useful and learned WordPress.com VS WordPress.org main differences. If you did, please consider sharing this post with your friends on social media. Also for more related posts, you may want to check out our blog section.
Awesome.
I am here from a Facebook group.
On the group, you said there self-hosted is better.
Now, I understand why!
Thanks!
Hey Vanessa,
Yeah, I remember you!
Glad to see you here darling.
Now, I prefer self-hosted WordPress.
Hi Siva,
Glad to hear that!
Thanks for the article, Christina.
Which plugin do you use for the pop-up?
It’s a really nice one. Also, tell me about your theme.
Hi Simas,
At this time, I am using OptinMonster for pop-ups. The theme is a custom child theme made on top of the Genesis Framework by StudioPress.
You can check out our blueprint for knowing more about the tools that we use here. Happy blogging!
When do we need to get managed WordPress hosting?
When you receive more traffic on your blog, you need to consider moving to a managed WordPress hosting provider.
We recommend Kinsta, WP Engine, and Flywheel.
I think I need to go with self-hosted WordPress.
A wise decision.
Consider GreenGeeks or Bluehost for hosting your website.