WordPress.com Versus WordPress.org

You’ve just registered your new domain name for your website and got your web hosting. To make your website, you’ve decided that the best option for you is to use WordPress with your hosting.

But, wait! You have the option to install WordPress.org. What does this mean? How is this different to WordPress.com?

The simplest explanation is that on WordPress.com you can have your blog or website for free, ending WordPress.com. But this has limited support for themes and restricted plugins. On the other hand, WordPress.org is self-hosted, meaning you pay for your own web domain and hosting and are responsible for your own website maintenance. But you also get greater support for themes and more freedom with plugins.

There are many more features and advantages than just those, too.

WordPress.org: You’re not alone

Installing WordPress.org doesn’t mean you have to design your website from scratch. You aren’t on your own, with the themes available to you. You are able to customise your website as little – or as much – as you like.

Many people start with a standard free theme before moving on to premium options and then, as they become more experienced and learn to do more, start customising their themes and design and designing their own template.

A big difference between using WordPress.com and installing WordPress software for yourself is the responsibility. Where WordPress.com is free to use (with some exceptions) and comes with the benefits of automatic updates, backups and spam protection, when you install WordPress.org, you take these on for yourself.

The question of how professional you would like your website to look is an important one to consider.

WordPress.com: Advantages

With a website on WordPress.com, at the most basic level you are limited to a web address ending .wordpress.com. You’re fairly limited with design and have ads on your website.

If you’re setting up a blog or a website dedicated to LOLcats and Doge memes, this might be just what you need and you don’t need to look any further.

On the other hand, if you’re setting up a website for yourself as a professional, for your startup or for a bigger business, give serious consideration to the right look.

You already get the importance of the right domain name and the advantages of new domains, when it comes to getting the name you really want. For a fee, you can get this on WordPress.com.

But when you consider what a visitor to your website sees, what do they think? Do you look like a business that should be taken seriously?

Installing WordPress software is easy to do and it gives you the advantages of using WordPress with complete control. Including the best tools to look completely professional.

Pros and cons

If weighing up the pros and cons has you wondering why WordPress.org at all, it’s worth recapping some of the main points.

1. Quick

   WordPress is quick and simple to install.
   
   

2. Templates

   WordPress comes with thousands of templates and designs, ready to use and easy to change.
   
   

3. Easy

   WordPress is easy to use and learn, with support available via forums.
   
   

4. Mobile friendly

   WordPress is mobile friendly and endorsed by Google, giving you a basic advantage in search.
   
   

5. Embedded media

   WordPress makes it simple to embed different types of media – whether it’s music, photos or video.

SOURCE: Crazy Domains