There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re just starting started with WordPress. First and foremost, we must understand the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
WordPress.com is an all-encompassing platform for building your own website. The key advantages of WordPress.com are that it is completely free and that no additional hosting (or even a domain name) is required. All you have to do is go to WordPress.com, create a free account, and begin creating a professional-looking blog or website right away.
- WordPress.com is the hosted version of WordPress, where you can create a WordPress.com account to make a blog or website. By default, your website’s URL or domain will include the word “WordPress,” like myblog.wordpress.com.
- Paid upgrades include a custom domain, Google Analytics integration, more storage space, the ability to add your own plugins and themes and more.
WordPress.org is a type of open-source software that serves as a blog and website’s operating system. The software is likewise free, but you won’t be able to use it until you pay for a hosting account that the software will run on.
- The WordPress software is open-source, so it is free to download and use.
- To use the WordPress.org version of WordPress, you’ll need to have a domain name and web hosting, purchased from another reputable company like Liquidweb.
- Most web hosts offer a WordPress “quick install” or done-for-you installations of WordPress to help you get started if you don’t want to install WordPress yourself.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Which One Is the Best?
It may be best to choose WordPress.com if your site will be a:
- Personal blog
- Hobby website
- Un-monetized site
You’ll be able to start quickly without spending any money, the setup is painless, and they’ll handle all of the maintenance for you.
Strongly consider WordPress.org as your choice, however, if your site is:
- A professional site
- A business site
- A project site
- An eCommerce site
- Or any site that you want to make money from
Remember, WordPress.org gives you unlimited customization power.