WordPress is the most widely used method to create a website.
WordPress is a powerful tool that can help you build your eCommerce website.
WordPress powers more than 75 million websites today, making it the most popular CMS (content management system).
The problem is?
WordPress is loved by many, but not all of them understand it. The most frequently asked question in website-building circles is: What’s the difference of WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
Don’t be confused if you are still confused about WordPress.org vs WordPress.com. This guide will help you decide how to design your WordPress website.
The basics
This article will explore the differences between WordPress.org websites and WordPress.com websites. Let’s begin with the basics.
- WordPress.org: The WordPress.org WordPress solution is an open-source, self-hosted solution that can be downloaded from the WordPress brand. You can create any website you want with this WordPress software. You will need to pay for your hosting provider and domain name as well as any additional features (like premium themes).
- WordPress.com The.com WordPress version is a website-as-a-service all-in-one solution that has been built for you using the WordPress software. This option takes care of everything for you. This comes at the cost of flexibility and customization options.
Still, confused?
It is not surprising. It’s not surprising that WordPress.com has introduced new features such as the WordPress.com business plans. This makes it harder for site builders to distinguish between WordPress.com from WordPress.org. You can now access many features that were previously only available to WordPress.org users with business or eCommerce plans.
The two options have many major differences.
Let’s look at some of the key differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org a bit more.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Pricing
There’s a good chance you will start by considering your budget when you decide which WordPress website you want to use. WordPress.org and WordPress.com both offer the option to add extra expenses like premium support services, but there are some differences in pricing.
WordPress.com allows for you to set up your site free of charge. You can’t place your website under a subdomain. This is in addition to paying for your domain. You can’t delete the WordPress.com branding and ads from your small business website. This makes it difficult to grow your business.
The.com service provides only 3GB of disk space for the WordPress platform. This product cannot be used to monetize blogs or websites. You can also install premium themes and plugins that aren’t included in your blogging platform.
If you decide to open a commercial website using the.com content manager system, you will need to switch to the.org solution or purchase a premium plan. You will need to spend $8 per month on WordPress and pay for your custom domain name. It costs approximately $111 to operate a WordPress.com commercial site.
Alternatively…
You can launch your digital strategy by using WordPress.org. WordPress.org is more expensive than the WordPress.com plan. This includes the cost of selecting a hosting plan. Hosting can be as low as $2.95 per monthly with companies like Bluehost. You have many other options for hosting your WordPress.org site. You can choose which hosting plan appeals to you the most.
Good news: Often, when you purchase hosting for your domain, you will get a free domain name for the first one year. This will help keep your online store’s costs low. Bluehost offers one of the most straightforward WordPress hosting services. Simply choose the hosting plan that interests you and then select your domain name. Then tell Bluehost that WordPress will be installed on your behalf.
WordPress.org is much more affordable than the WordPress.com free plan. WordPress.org is also more affordable than the.com plan. You have full control over everything, from theme selections to premium plugins and domain names.
Build Your Website
It is important to remember that WordPress.org and WordPress.com both make it easy to create your own website. You can easily get your online presence started if you have a business plan and know what you want from your site.
It’s difficult to deny the fact that WordPress.com makes life easier.
WordPress.com – Building a website
You can launch your website online in minutes if you choose one of the WordPress.com plans. There are no additional steps to take, such as choosing a web host company or searching for custom themes.
In a matter of minutes you can select the subdomain to host your website and then customize the options to make it more personal. Then you can start creating content for a blog. WordPress.com is a simple way to get online.
However, when building a WordPress.org website, the process can be more complicated. It is necessary to find your hosting provider, choose a domain, and decide what plugins you wish to include on your website. You might include SEO plugins such as Yoast and Google Analytics to monitor your website performance.
To make your website stand out online, you’ll need to choose between premium themes or free themes. Fortunately, WordPress.org is becoming more popular and many hosting providers can even do most of the work for you. Select the right host and they will install open-source software on your site for you.
Customization
Your WordPress.com website doesn’t require you to manage WordPress installation or CSS. However, there are some downsides to having everything done for you. You won’t be able to modify the appearance and performance of your WordPress.com site in the same way as WordPress.org. The free themes and tools available will have to suffice. WordPress.com plans will determine how much customization and design flexibility you have.
WordPress offers 150+ themes as part of its personal and free plans. You can also access premium and business plans to get all the free themes as well as more than 200 premium themes. You should be able find a design that suits your needs with all these options.
You can’t have someone design your website for. You won’t also be able install plugins unless your plan is either eCommerce or Business. Only by upgrading to higher-paid plans will you be able to access pre-approved WordPress plugins.
WordPress.org offers a wide range of customization options. To build your website with WordPress.org, you have the option to choose from over 7,500 themes. You can also use any premium or free theme you find elsewhere on the internet.
WordPress.org also offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to plugins and addons. You can install any plugin you want, including WooCommerce eCommerce and dropshipping tools.
You’ll have access to all the plugins available with either the Business or eCommerce plan at WordPress.com by default. You can also download thousands of additional plugins from the internet.
Even if you pay for all the customization options that WordPress.com offers, your options are still limited. WordPress.org gives you complete control of the website you create.
Monetization Options
When choosing between WordPress.com or WordPress.org, one of the most important factors you should consider is what you want for your website. WordPress.com will likely be sufficient for bloggers who are just looking to establish themselves on Google.
You can get by fine with a subdomain like yoursite.wordpress.com, or use your website as a personal portfolio to share with potential employers. WordPress won’t let you make money with your personal or free website.
You will need to upgrade to the eCommerce or Premium plan if you want to make any money on WordPress.
WordPress.org is another alternative.You have complete freedom to monetize any website you like. There are no restrictions because you own your web server and use open-source software. WordPress.org can be used to run WordAds campaigns and sell products online. You can also earn money with automatic referrals and affiliate programs.
Support and backup
Apart from deciding how to make money on your website, it’s important to consider what steps you can take to protect your website and your livelihood. The WordPress.com plan is free, but there is no support. You will have to resolve any issues on your own. You can only get guidance by paying $4 per monthly for a higher plan.
WordPress.com offers basic security solutions and backups from the beginning. WordPress.com provides all the security and privacy features that you need to make your website secure.
However, if your eCommerce site is hosted on WordPress.org, you will not receive any official support, but can get help from other sources. Bluehost and SiteGround are two of the top hosting providers that provide great support 24/7.
WordPress.org customers also have access to a large community of people who are experts in using the software. However, WordPress.org users don’t have access to any backup or security tools when they choose WordPress.com over WordPress.org.
WordPress.org has been designed to comply with the most recent privacy and security standards. You’ll need to ensure your own security. For instance, you can implement plugins like Wordfence. You’ll also need to manage backups yourself, either through a plugin, or support from your web host.
WordPress.org requires users to manage their semi-manual software upgrades. A notice will appear in your WordPress dashboard whenever a new software update becomes available. To upgrade your site, users can click on the notice.
WordPress.com: When should you use it?
Both WordPress.org as WordPress.com have positive and negative aspects.
WordPres.com offers simplicity, for example. This service doesn’t require you to purchase hosting services or maintain your website. Depending on your needs, you can choose between paid and free plans.
The limit of 3GB storage space is sufficient for basic blogging on your WordPress.com site. You’ll still be able to select from a variety of WordPress themes to make your website unique. You don’t even have to worry about sourcing backup or security tools.
WordPress.com is not without its faults.
WordPress.com Pros:
- You can use up to 3GB free of charge
- It is easy to use and quick to build a blog site
- A wide range of themes and tools are available
- Good customer support options
- There’s no need to worry about updates or backups
- Jetpack plugin allows you to access additional functionality
WordPress.com Cons:
- WordPress.com displays its ads on your site.
- If you don’t upgrade to a premium plan, you can’t sell or monetize any content.
- It is not possible to upload your own themes or plugins.
- There are very few options to customize how your website is run.
- WordPress.com can remove your website at any time if they feel it is in violation of their terms and services.
- WordPress.com branding will be applied to your site
- Instead of your domain name, you will need to use a WordPress Subdomain.
- There are no membership websites you can run.
WordPress.org: When should you use it?
So, would WordPress.org work better for you?
It all depends. WordPress.org gives you complete control of your website. WordPress.org allows you to create your website in any way you like.
You can, for example, use plugins to monitor the website’s stats and make sure it is performing to your expectations. You can also choose your hosting provider to improve website performance and your domain name.
WordPress.org is also free to use, just like WordPress.com. You will need to pay for hosting and other essential tools. You also own your website, and all of your data. WordPress can’t take over your website and make it disappear for any reason.
WordPress.org has its downsides, such as a slightly steeper learning curve.
WordPress.org Pros:
- Software that is free and easy to use
- Your website and all data you create are yours.
- You can customize your website design and performance as you wish
- Your blog or website can be monetized by running your own ads
- Ecommerce stores and membership sites are free.
- To track the performance of your website, you can use powerful tools
- Your domain name can be whatever you like
- There are many options for themes and plugins.
WordPress.org Cons:
- You will need to purchase your web hosting and domain name.
- It will be your responsibility to track down your favorite themes and plugins.
- All backups and security are your responsibility.
- Regular updates are something you need to do yourself
- It may be a bit more difficult to set up WordPress.org than WordPress.com
Are You able to move from WordPress.com into WordPress.org?
You now know all the details of WordPress.com and WordPress.org. But, you may be curious about what happens if one is chosen and you change your mind.
WordPress.com is a good choice for those just starting out as a business. As your company grows in stature, you might decide to monetize or offer more customization options. You can then move your content from a WordPress.com website to WordPress.org.
You can even find sites that handle all aspects of the migration process.
You’ll save a lot of time by doing your research and choosing the right WordPress option.
Remember that WordPress.com ‘s new plan blurs the line between WordPress.com and WordPress.org , but that does not mean you will get the same experience with both. WordPress.com is limited in terms of plugins and themes. You can still monetize your site with a premium plan. It turns out that WordPress.com costs more to run a premium corporate site than WordPress.org.
Which option should you choose?
When it comes down to it, which option do you prefer, WordPress.com or WordPress.org
WordPress.com is a great tool for personal and business websites. However, it’s not the best option. You will have a better experience with.org if you are looking to build a professional image for you brand or make money from your website.
WordPress.org offers a better solution for serious website developers and business owners. This self-hosted solution is unparalleled in its flexibility when it comes to themes, plugins, and extensions. You can also choose from many monetization options, so you won’t have any trouble taking your online business to new heights.
WordPress.org will require you to be more attentive to security and updates. The freedom you have over your website is worth it.
