Okorie Chigozie

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Which Version Is Better for Your site? Meta Description: One common question asked is which WordPress version I should use for my website. Below, discover the difference between hosted WordPress.com sites and self-hosted WordPress.org installations, and learn how to decide which is right for you. WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: What are the key differences? When looking for the best medium through which you can get your blogs started and working effectively, you have a choice to make between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. These two platforms have unique features that serve different purposes you will need to build an outstanding blog or website. WordPress is a channel through which most websites on the internet are built. It is responsible for more than 40% of all functioning blogs and websites on the web. Furthermore, it is diversified into two separate entities, which trickles down to WordPress.com and WordPress.org. One of the significant differences between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org is their hosting policy. Using WordPress.com hinders your command over the website because WordPress.com controls every activity. However, with WordPress.org, you are in control and have all the rights reserved for hosting your site. Another notable difference is the cost with which either WordPress com versus org is being run. WordPress.com requires $150-$180 annually to run a website on its domain effectively. Whereas, it is entirely different with WordPress.org, where you only get to spend $35-$50 annually to run your website following a hosting company's server. Key Takeaways WordPress.org is the best option to employ when creating a website or blog. WordPress.com limits your freedom when operating any website they host, unlike WordPress.org, where you are in complete control. The opportunity to design your website based entirely on your preference can be gotten when you apply WordPress.org for your websites. Restrictions put in place by WordPress.com hampers your chance of making a truckload of money, and they as well charge a significantly higher amount of money to have your blogs or site host, which is overboard in comparison to WordPress.org. WordPress.org allows you to accommodate a broader audience to your site. Unlike WordPress.com, where there is a stipulated number of audience your site can receive. WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: the key differences (PROS & CONS) Is WordPress.com and WordPress.org the Same Company? There has constantly been misinformation about potential bloggers and web owners who intend to venture into managing a website by believing that both WordPress.com and WordPress.org are the same company. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. The presence of the .com and .org in WordPress represents that they are of different platforms and functions. What is WordPress.org? WordPress.org is a gateway through which websites are created. It is the most reliable form of website builder because it allows you to host your website personally. It is also regarded as a self-hosted WordPress because it is an open-source platform that will enable you to adopt a domain name and select a hosting web service that soothes your plan. Some additional features of WordPress.org are as follows; Pros: When you decide to build your website using WordPress.org, you are given automatic control over the website. You can implement as many changes as you want without limitations. Every option available for WordPress plugins (custom, free, and paid) can be imbibed into your websites. Financial proceedings made from advertising and other channels are all yours to enjoy without having to pay a token to anybody. Customizing your website is made easier with the aid of WordPress.org. Any design and theme of your choice will be the focal representation of your website. It also allows you to create a community for membership sites which will facilitate the influx of more audience to your website, thereby causing an increase in who can own content on the site. Another benefit of WordPress.org is its ability to allow you to build an E-store within your website. This will give you the leverage to sell products and services and receive payments via credit cards directly within your website. Cons: WordPress.org can only be used after buying a web hosting service and a domain name. You must perform any updates to your site. Nonetheless, the good news is that this update can be performed with ease by simply pressing the update button on your WordPress. You can only commence work on your website when you have installed the necessary tools, such as WordPress, which can be done by following the guide provided by your hosting company. With only a simple installation button, your website becomes active. Data generated on the site and its security is your responsibility. With the aid of the in-built backup plugins, you get the chance to protect your files, data and beef up the security of your site without any complications. What is WordPress.com? WordPress.com is an avenue where users can create a free website. It has an in-built hosting server that controls every detail on your website. It offers payment plans to users who intend to improve their site's outlook with custom designs, storage facilities, domain names, etc. However, this plan only becomes effective once you upgrade the site from free to premium WordPress.com. These plans come at a cost that is represented below; Free Plan: It offers limited service. Personal Plan: it requires a yearly payment of $48 to keep it going Premium Plan: With an outright payment of $96 per year, you get this package unhinged. Business Plan: Keep your website afloat by parting away with $300 annually. E-commerce Plan: $540 yearly will get you this package. VIP Plan: You get to part away with a minimum of $5000 monthly to enjoy this Pros: WordPress.com has some undeniable qualities that favor its users, such as; Having no capital does not hinder you from owning a website on WordPress.com. It allows you to own a website without paying for a hosting service or domain name. You get an initial free space of 3GB for data storage. It has an easy-to-use interface that does not require setting up any features. You create your account, and it automatically sets up your website for you using the name and URL you provide. Updates and backup activities are done automatically. Therefore, you don’t need to stress yourself to conduct them. Cons: Unfortunately, users who create their website on WordPress.com are open to many disadvantages which will affect their websites in the long term. They include; Free Advertisement: Due to WordPress.com having total control of your website, free ads are placed on your site without your consent, and no form of revenue is given to you following these ads. However, these ads can be avoided when you upgrade your site to a paid plan. Making money off ads is limited. Following the regulation of your site by WordPress.com, you cannot make as much money as you want from advertisements. You will need to apply the WordAds feature, enabling you to share ad revenue with WordPress.com. This is available with a paid subscription plan. With either a Premium or Business plan, the WordAds feature is automatically made available to you. WordPress.com hinders you from customizing your websites according to your taste. You are limited to applying only free custom themes. Improvements on the custom themes only come following an upgrade to a premium or business plan which offers you custom CSS. Installing plugins is not accepted on a free website as it comes with built-in plugins. However, upgrading to the business plan will give you more plugin options you can install on your website. There is no avenue for you to include a membership website on WordPress.com Accepting payments on your website is only possible when registered on the E-commerce plan. Your website is at the mercy of WordPress.com and can be closed down following a violation of their terms of operation and service. Custom domains that allow you to use a preferred name (http://yourwebsite.com) of your choosing on your website are reserved for subscription plans. The free plan initially offered by WordPress.com will always include a subdomain (http://yourwebsite.wordpress.com). The statistics they provide you with are what you are expected to use. There is no room for Google Analytics in the free plan unless your upgrade your site to a business plan. WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: PROS and CONS Summary Table WordPress.com WordPress.org Pros * Free to Use * Automatic Updates * Easy setup process * Complete control of your website * All financial proceedings are your benefits * Every design and customization is based on your preference Cons * Limits the user's control. * Split revenues. * Subscribing to specific plans will determine the feature you can employ on your website. * It requires the purchase of a domain name and hosting web service before creating the website * You must perform all updates. * Your website’s security and data backup is your responsibility. Overview of Options: Self-Hosting vs. Managed Hosting What is a host? A host is an independent company with access to servers connected to the internet. These servers will give the intended user the leverage to set up your website and also make them available to the internet. Using a host will ensure that your website is well protected and give you absolute control over every action performed on the site. The significant difference between WordPress com versus org is the hosting service provided. Self-Hosted / WordPress.org: Just as the name implies, WordPress.org is a platform that allows you to host your websites after purchasing a hosting web services. A hosting service on your website will confer complete control to you, allowing you to make all the decisions that govern your website. A self-hosted website will also guarantee the use of your specific domain name. The sole power to design, input plugins, accept payments, create membership sites, and make as much money as you desire will become possible when your website is built on WordPress.org. Managed Hosting / WordPress.com: Unlike WordPress.org, where you can host your site personally, the case is different with WordPress.com. WordPress.com will provide the hosting service for your website, allowing them to have absolute control over it. Websites built with managed hosting will get automatic updates and assisted support as they operate. A managed hosting platform will limit the activities you can perform on your site and regulate them to benefit themselves. Creating a website through WordPress.com is initially free. However, further site usage will become difficult because other features you need to make your website operate seamlessly are tied to a subscription plan. These subscription plans come with different packages and therefore require you to spend more money to allow you access to these extra features. Which Version is Right For You? The choice of which platform (wordpress hosted vs self-hosted) is suitable for you is dependent on the reason for which the website is created. WordPress.com is your ideal bet for those who are barely interested in having control of their sites, but are more concerned about providing their services (photographers, artists, doctors, etc.) without having to monitor them. For tech-savvy individuals, WordPress.org is the best option for you. This is because you will have total control over your sites and ensure that all monetary values are yours for the taking without needing to share. You will also perform all upgrades on the site. WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: An In-depth comparison Choosing WordPress org vs com is the first step before creating a website. This action will allow you to weigh both options and help select the platform that soothes your plan accordingly. Follow closely as we delve into some key features available in both WordPress.com and WordPress.org. 1. Pricing, Cost, and Domain Names: Every startup initiative requires thorough research to help the individual determine the cost of creating the organization. In this vein, when selecting the WordPress platform, you must consider the cost. WordPress.com is designed to offer you the opportunity of creating a free website. However, this free website will ultimately need you to subscribe to the various plans WordPress.com has on display before you can fully utilize your website. Having your website hosted on the WordPress.com platform will automatically attach a subdomain to your site without you needing to pay for a domain name. The cost of these paid subscription plans varies depending on which package you opt in, with their prices ranging between $4-$50 monthly. Depending on your financial capacity, you can choose the personal, premium, business, e-commerce, and VIP plan. Furthermore, to increase the authenticity your websites, a paid plan is the way to go. WordPress.org, however, requires purchasing domain name and hosting service before creating your website. Ideally, with $15 yearly, you get to own a unique domain name, and with $35-$40 annually, you get access to a hosting service. With a domain name and hosting service in place, you get complete control over your website and implement any change you desire at your convenience. 2. Help & Technical Support: The place for help and technical support when creating a website can not be overlooked. Help and technical supports are actions that assist you in getting the operations of your site appropriately to avoid confusion and mismanagement. Bloggers who opt to use the WordPress.com platform will get the assistance needed to navigate through their issues when the website is upgraded to a subscription plan. However, the free plan will give you access to a limited level of support from guides made by other individuals. However, the actual technical support is gotten from a paid plan subscription. The level of technical support also varies with the type of upgraded plan on your site. The personal and premium packages come with email and live chat support. In contrast, the business and e-commerce plan comes with live chat support that prioritizes your issues and offers immediate solutions. With WordPress.org, you rely heavily on the support you can get from manuals and guides. WordPress.org does not offer you expert technicians that can help you with your website issues. However, you have the opportunity to communicate with other experienced bloggers, which will help you navigate the terrain. 3. Ease of Use: A critical aspect of research to carry out before building a website with the aid of any of the WordPress platforms should be how easy it will be to operate the site. Before owning a website, you must have a certain level of technical know-how, which will reduce any form of crudeness about the working of a site. The websites built using WordPress.com provides a step-by-step guide on how the site works without you having to apply any special skill. WordPress.org will confer all the responsibilities of understanding the site and its working on you. The designs, page layout, contents, and every other website aspect is yours to decide. 4. Theme Options: The appearance of your website is a significant feature that helps to drive more traffic to it. When dull themes are applied to a site, just a glance at it, your audience loses interest in whatever information you are passing across. WordPress.com offers you a limited list of themes that are available for usage on your website. However, this list is boosted following a subscription to any paid plans. With about 200 premium themes at your disposal following a subscription to either business, premium, or e-commerce packages, you can induce appealing themes to your site. WordPress.org, however, has an endless list of themes available for your website. You are spoilt for choice with what option of theme to use because there are over 9,000 customizable themes at your disposal. Applying any of these themes will not require you to upgrade your website. 5. Plugin Availability: It is common knowledge that plugins are necessary to help create a functioning website. Undoubtedly, the presence of plugins on your website will give it an additional boost that will improve its workings and intentionally make it more exciting to navigate through. The addition of website plugins is guaranteed through either of the WordPress platforms. The presence of a domain name alongside a web hosting service has automatically given your website the edge of having multiple plugins available for your use on the WordPress.org channel. With WordPress.org, you have a wide range of plugins (paid and unpaid) with which you can increase and enhance the functioning of your website. On the other hand, a limitation hinders the application of plugins on a website with a WordPress.com domain. The degree of plugins that can be added to your website depends on your registered subscription plan. Those whose websites are operating the free, personal, or premium plans will only have the opportunity to use the default plugins. However, with an upgrade to either the business or e-commerce plan, you will have the capacity to install more plugins. 6. WordPress: WordPress is computer software designed to assist in the creation of websites. It branched into two; WordPress org and WordPress com. WordPress org vs com are two separate entities with the basic function of building a website. However, the website they create are independent of one another. These websites, although similar, are different with significant changes. WordPress.org will give you all the rights and control over your website. Whereas, WordPress.com will limit the control you have over your website. Sites created with WordPress.org will work according to your command, while sites created using WordPress.com will function based on its terms. 7. E-Commerce Features: Converting your website to a money-making platform is allowed when you set up your site with the proper tools. Using WordPress will guarantee you the chance to earn on your websites. WordPress.com has an e-commerce subscription plan allows you to successfully monetized your website by allowing you to sell goods and services, providing you with the appropriate SEO skillset, enabling payment acceptance, etc. All these benefits can be accessed by subscribing to the e-commerce plan with a $540 annual charge. WordPress.org fails to offer you the e-commerce feature because it is absent from its essential component. However, you can conduct some sale services on WordPress.org when you install third-party e-commerce plugins. These plugins will allow you to transform your site into an online store where money can be made. 8. SEO: Websites are made visible with the aid of SEO strategies. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a group of activities that increases the influx of traffic to your site by making it more visible on a search page. WordPress.com has in-built SEO properties that easily give your website a unique advantage to get noticed during search results. However, with a business and e-commerce plan in place, you can implement these SEO tools on an advanced scale. Your website will eventually become a standout location for information on a particular subject. Using WordPress.org will give you complete control of the SEO tool, which will allow you to make any altercation to improve how the SEO tool works. Websites with WordPress.org compete over who gets to be highly ranked and more accessible to the audience. 9. Blogging: WordPress was created generally to build blogs. It has, within its specifications, the required features to help you build a successful blogging site. With its comment management system, access to images, videos, and links, the dashboard for blog management, and a scheduling option for a blog post, it is well-equipped to help you create your website. WordPress.com ultimately operates as WordPress software. It is designed uniquely to facilitate blogging activities. Having a website built on the premise of WordPress.com will save you the extra cost of buying a hosting service. If you intend to have a website whose primary selling point is not blogging, then your best bet is to create the website on a WordPress.org platform. WordPress.org has a different outline. Your website will operate solely as you want it to without any interference. However, it also offers you the option of including a blogging section on your website. 10. Security & Backup: Protecting your files, contents, and data is a necessary action that must be performed on your website. By securing and backing up your files, you tend to keep a track record of all the happenings on your site and prevent hackers from gaining access to this information. WordPress.com will automatically back up your data and secure every file on your website with the most recent updates. There is no need for close monitoring because WordPress.com will handle all updates in its entirety. Your website will require only a little form of maintenance. WordPress.org will require you to secure your site and back up your files manually. It demands a high level of maintenance, with you being on guard to ensure that your website is not seized or corrupted by external factors. Securing and backing up your data manually is a time-consuming process that will hinder you from performing other duties. When a website on the WordPress.org platform is undergoing an upgrade, there is potentially a delay before gaining entry to the site. 11. Monetization Opportunities, Monetization, Rights: The reason for creating a website is significant to help you know which platform best soothes your goals. Making money off your website on a WordPress.com host is very much complex. You are restricted from making money on your website unless you subscribe to plans that accommodate making money. However, even with an upgrade to your website, you still have to split the proceeds of any financial activity on your website with WordPress.com. On WordPress.com, there is no room for membership sites and affiliate marketing. If your goal is primarily to make money from your website, then WordPress.org is the right platform for you. There are no restrictions on whatever means you choose to monetize your website, be it through membership sites, affiliate marketing, advertisements, etc. You are in absolute control of your website and can make as much money as you want. With the use of plugins for ads, you get to manage your WordPress dashboard effectively. Advanced Ads plugin 12. Customization Possibilities: Implementing unique features, designs, and themes to customize your website to your desired outlook is one of the benefits of having a website on the WordPress.org platform. WordPress.org gives you the leverage to adjust and change as many times as possible any feature, themes, and plugins on your site, depending on recent updates. WordPress.com hampers your ability to chop and change the outlook of your website. You have to make do with what is provided for you, depending on your subscription plan. 13. Storage: Keeping tabs and records of the daily activity on your site is an excellent way to help you improve the services your website provides. With lots of data being created, some information is bound to be lost or jumbled up. Fortunately, the presence of a hosting web service on your website with WordPress.org has made storing data easy. All generated data are stored in the hosting service server, which offers a large space to keep any form of data. WordPress.com limits the size of data you can store. Although, when you upgrade your website to any paid plan, you will be given considerable storage for your data's safekeeping. 14. Setup Process Compared: Setting up your website is necessary before it becomes operational. WordPress.com has an easy setup process that is neither time-consuming, nor financially unsettling. WordPress.com will provide a systematic way of creating your website without any ambiguity. You are one step closer to opening up your website with a functioning email,. Choose your preferred name for the website, then apply any of the available designs to your website. Then voila, your website is ready for use after following these steps. You can always upgrade the site to the paid plans offered by WordPress.com and get other exciting features to imbibe into your website. WordPress.org is slightly different. You must purchase a host and domain name before setting up your website. After the purchase, then you can go on to creating your website without delay. You get the advantage of setting up your website to look exactly how you want it without any restrictions. WordPress.org vs WordPress.com: A Comparison Chart WordPress.com (Free Plan) WordPress.com (Paid Plan) WordPress.org Software or Subscription Free Subscription Subscription Software Free $4 - $45 per month Requires a separate web hosting account - - Use a custom domain (URL) - Upload themes - Install Plugins - Edit backend codes (CSS) - Free themes (templates) Free plugins Accepts payments - E-commerce compatibility - Storage 3GB 6GB – 200GB Depends on the hosting service SSL Certificate Depends on the hosting service Advanced design customization - WordPress.com Ads - - Support - Via hosting company Stable hosting Depend on hosting company Remove WordPress.com branding - The cost of using WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Some specific standards and requirements come with using either WordPress.com or WordPress.org on your website. As a potential website owner, WordPress.com allows you to create a website for free, but it comes with diverse forms and limitations that can ultimately interfere with why your website was created. There is a big gap that showcases alongside creating a website with a free plan on WordPress.com; The site is created with a subdomain provided by WordPress.com. Your website will always have WordPress added to its name. Every Ad on a website is placed strategically to generate revenue from it. However, a free plan website on WordPress.com will not generate any money from Ads placed by WordPress.com, and there is no option to remove these Ads. The storage space allocated to a free plan website on WordPress is about 3GB which is insufficient to store your data and files. Therefore, your website needs to be upgraded to a plan with more extensive storage conditions. Making money on a WordPress.com website is reserved for those with higher subscription plans, such as business and e-commerce plans. The free plan website has access to only the default set of plugins and designs made available by WordPress.com. You do not have the opportunity to install plugins or themes except when you upgrade to a lucrative subscription plan. Upgrading your website to any subscription plan comes at a cost. For instance, the e-commerce plan will allow you to make money from your site when you have successfully subscribed with $14 monthly and pay for a custom domain for about $15 yearly. Installing new levels of themes, plugins, etc., is also tied to having a paid plan. With $300 annually, you will get signed up for the business plan, giving you access to install and use these new features. WordPress.org operates with a different method. Your website can become fully operational with as low as $35 and, in subsequent years, $50 to stay afloat. The website created on a WordPress.org platform must have a paid host and domain name. The paid hosting service will therefore ensure that you gain complete control of your website and allows you to use the website in any way you see fit. All rights, actions, and revenue are yours to conduct once your website is developed on a WordPress.org channel. Wrapping Up: Choose Which is Best For You The internet is filled with websites that serve different purposes. However, these websites are distinct from one another, following the platform on which they are created. Whether it is a WordPress.org or WordPress.com website, it does not change the website’s goal; rather, it enables the website to function better. Lookout for the best platform that offers you what you require then the creation of your website is near. If you decide to run a website solely to generate money, then a WordPress.org website is your best bet. It offers you different channels through which you can make money from your site by creating a membership site where you charge people for their content, running ads for companies at your desired price, accepting payment, allowing affiliate marketers to use your site at a set fee, etc. If your website mainly provide information and assist your audience in getting the news firsthand, then WordPress.com will help you achieve it. Websites focused on personal blogs, health blogs, etc., are suitable for the WordPress.com platform. With WordPress.com, your site will function in correlation to its intended use. If having control over your website is what you want, WordPress.org has got you covered. You will have absolute control over every action on your website, and you will be responsible for monitoring all that will happen on the website, including; installing plugin updates, themes, designs, and every other update your website will need. In contrast, WordPress.com will not give you control over your site. There is little or no chance that allows you to break any rule and regulation set by the WordPress.com platform. In the event you do, there is a high possibility of you losing your website. However, with WordPress.org, you are the one who makes the rules. NB: It is not a competition on which WordPress.com or WordPress.org is better; instead, it is a choice for you to make depending on which of these platforms is suitable for your website. Next Steps: What Now? The first step is to decide the type of website you want to create by identifying its purpose. Then, you conduct the necessary research to help you achieve your ideal website. If you settle for a WordPress.org website, search for a hosting company that will give you the best service for your unique site. If your choice is WordPress.com, get prepared to pay an upgrading fee to any subscription plan to enjoy its multiple amazing benefits. Set up the website account following the guides made available to you, then you are on your way to creating your website. Apply default designs, themes, and plugins to the site. However, if you are unsatisfied with the options given, you can always upgrade to a paid plan supporting additional features on the WordPress.com platform. While with WordPress.org, you can easily change these features without having to pay for them. You are always in control of your website when you use the WordPress.org platform. Therefore, ensure you keep the website running smoothly by performing its needed updates on time. WordPress.com automatically takes care of the updates, so you don’t need to be wary of using an outdated website. Useful Resources: https://wordpress.org/plugins/advanced-ads/ https://www.bluehost.com/special/wpbeginner?clickid=wTOwuSS7yxyITICV6dxUAzlaUkDQi62dv1oPQ80&irgwc=1&pb=affiliate_super&irpid=11535&source=IR&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_affiliate=mbalkhi&utm_affiliate_sys=IR&sharedid=wpforms&siteID=&iradid=-&utm_source=IR&utm_campaign=Awesome%20Motive%20Inc. https://wordpress.org/ https://hostadvice.com/ https://wordpress.com/pricing/ FAQs: Can I transfer my WordPress.com site to WordPress.org? Yes, you can. There is no holdback from transferring your WordPress.com site to WordPress.org. When this migration is performed, you begin to enjoy every benefit that is associated with WordPress.org sites. Can I Monetize Free WordPress.com Website? Unfortunately, you can not monetize your free WordPress.com website because WordPress.com restricts this type of website. You will need to upgrade the website from a free plan to a business or e-commerce plan before you can monetize it effectively. WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Which one is better for Ecommerce? Websites with WordPress.org hosting are better suited to the e-commerce feature. Using WordPress.org will allow you to monetize your website without any restrictions. Unlike WordPress.com which will require you to be subscribed to a specific plan before enjoying some of the benefits of e-commerce.