WordPress.org V/s WordPress.com
If you are thinking of creating a website with WordPress? You are likely noticing two very similar looking options WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
You may not realize it now but these two things are actually very different despite both being called WordPress!
And knowing the difference between them will allow you to make the right decision when setting up your new website.
IN THIS POST I AM GOING TO DESCRIBE – 1. What is – WordPress.com & WordPress.org?
2. All the parameters that will help you differentiate the two platforms.
3. Which Blogging Platform is Best for you – WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
Take a look and make the right decision for you!
Table of Contents
A Quick Difference Between WordPress.com & WordPress.org
Most often sided difference between these two variations of WordPress is where they are located on the web?
.com |
.org |
|
|
WordPress.org
The largest self-hosted, free and open source blogging tool in the world, which has evolved as one of the popular content management systems. Used on millions of sites and people every day.
You can download the WordPress software from WordPress.org & install it on your own web server.
WordPress is getting used by almost 27% websites on the internet which include websites and famous blog sites like –
No limits or rules to follow! You are the Boss!
1. Fortune 500
2. Famous Blogs
3. News & Magazine Websites
4. Government Sites
5. Celebrities
6. Other Popular Websites Which Cannot Be Ignored
And much more…
You can take a look at WordPress Showcase for more websites which are using WordPress.
You can also check the download counter for the latest version of WordPress.org. It’s a huge number, right?
Following are the major reasons which are forcing these popular websites to use WordPress.org –
1. Domain Name
You own your domain name.
Ex: yourowndomain.com
If you are planning to opt for a domain then, you would not like to miss this post featuring – Domain Name – How to Search, Choose & Register
2. Hosting
Self-hosted software which gives you the freedom to install it on your own.
Means – You will be making all the arrangements for hosting & mapping and willmanage all installations.
3. Storage
Unlimited (Depends on your Hosting plan).
4. Cost
May cost more overall for Starters!
As you have to buy a domain name and have a hosting plan that can reliably serve your site to your visitors.
5. Customization
Edit the code behind your site and have access to your site’s database (or files)
Modify and customize your site as you wish!
6. Themes / Design
You can upload and install thousands of free & premium themes available atThemeforest.
Make your site look pretty and unique!
7. Plugins
You can upload and install almost 48000+ free plugins are available in the plugin directory of WordPress.org.
Thousands of 3rd party premium plugins are also available in the market.
Some famous you can not ignore –
1. WooCommerce: One of the most popular and powerful eCommerce platform for online business.
It is fully customizable and for free.
2. Jetpack: Jetpack is a free WordPress plugin. It manages almost everything for a website including Traffic Growth & Insights, Security, Image Performance and what not.
8. Control
Full control over your files.
Opens up more control and flexibility for your WordPress site, but it also means more responsibility.
9. Monetization
Monetize your site with advertising.
10. Maintenance
You will be responsible for all forms of maintaining and security on your side.
WordPress.com
A hosted version of the open source WordPress.org. You can start a website in seconds without any technical knowledge.
WordPress.com takes care of hosting for you. You don’t have to download anything, manage a web server, or pay for hosting.
Developed by a web development corporation Automattic, Inc founded in August 2005.
Always Live, Always Fast!
Apart from WordPress.com, there are many other popular projects by Automattic like WooCommerce, Jetpack & Gravatar.
1. Domain Name
Your domain name will by default include “WordPress.com”.
Ex: yourdomain.wordpress.com
2. Hosting
Hosted by WordPress.com
3. Storage
Limited (3GB for free excluding videos) to store your files in. Not a big deal for a normal blogger!
But for somebody who is planning to have a site for a long time or posting a lot of high-quality images.
Say a wedding photographer, for example, this space (3GB) will end up quickly and you will find yourself needing more space.
The next available space is 10GB for $20. So, the money and space climb quickly!!
4. Cost
Free in the beginning as long as you don’t need anything other than the default offer it will stay that way forever.
It will have a WordPress tag into your domain name like abc.wordpress.com. If you want your own domain name you can pay $18 a year to register and have it on your site.
The cost to add or remove features will vary according to your business requirement.
5. Customization
You can’t modify the PHP code behind your site.
No FTP access.
$30 per year to edit the code.
6. Themes/Design
You also can’t upload any custom themes. A limited selection of Free designs.
Premium themes start from $20.
7. Plugins
You also can’t upload any plugins.
8. Control
Very limited flexibility.
WordPress has the power to place ads on your site.
9. Monetization
You can have advertisement running on your site by paying $30 per year.
Affiliate marketing is strictly and mandatory forbidden.
10. Maintenance
As it is hosted on WordPress there is no need to worry about software maintenance.
11. Branding
Connected community helps you to get high traffic easily.
Which Blogging Platform is Best for you – WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
| .com | .org |
| => Simple and Restricted. | => Less Simple, but Unrestricted. |
| => Usually Free or Low-cost. | => Expandable for any purpose. |
I leave this up to you. Choose the best according to your website requirements!
What’s your website and which platform you find is the best fit? Share your best pick with me in the comments below 🙂
