WordPress.com or WordPress.org?

If you’re looking to join the world of websites and blogging, you’ve probably heard of WordPress. It is the most popular CMS (Content Management System) platform making up almost 65% of the overall websites on the web and growing. Most likely because it’s FREE, open-source*, and maintained by a very large community of developers and designers. In addition, it is flexible, scalable and has a fairly easy learning curve that makes creating and managing websites easier, even if you’re not a tech whiz.

However, one should be aware that there are two main versions or “flavors” of WordPress, called WordPress.org and WordPress.com.

In this blog post, I’ll explain what WordPress is, the differences between these two versions, outline the pros and cons of each and help you decide which one is best for you. Let’s get started!

WordPress originated as a blogging tool and has evolved into a versatile tool for creating all kinds of websites, from simple personal blogs to complex e-commerce stores and corporate websites. Basically, it is platform that helps you organize your digital content.

As an open-source* content management system (CMS) it helps you create, edit, and manage the content on your website – like writing blog posts, adding images, and arranging the layout of the webpage.

Simply put…WordPress is the engine that powers your website.

Think of WordPress.com as living in a space rent free or sharing an apartment for a low monthly rental fee. You don’t worry about maintenance or the upkeep. You get to focus on just adding your “contents” with little to no cost of living. WordPress.com includes hosting and takes care of the technical stuff, leaving you to focus on creating and adding your “digital content”. You can either sign up for the free option or select one of the premium plans that offer more features.

Pros:

• Easy Setup: You don’t need to worry about hosting or technical setup.
• Security and Maintenance: WordPress.com takes care of security and updates.
• Free Option: You can start for free, which is great for beginners.
• Simplicity: It’s a hassle-free way to start blogging without the need for technical skills.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: Your customization options are more limited compared to WordPress.org.
• Ads and Monetization: Free plans display WordPress.com ads, and you can’t monetize until you upgrade.
• Domain Name: Free plans come with a subdomain (yoursite.wordpress.com), which can look less professional.
• Less Control: You’re bound by WordPress.com’s terms and can’t add certain plugins.

Think of WordPress.org as buying a piece of land and constructing your own house. With WordPress.org you download and install the software on your own web hosting. Like building a house you get to make all the decisions and have complete control to customize it however you want, add plugins to add extra features, and even change the code if you need more customization.

Pros:

• Total Control: You’re the boss. You have the freedom to design your website the way you want.
• Plugins and Themes: You can use thousands of plugins and themes to enhance your website’s functionality and appearance.
• Monetization: You can make money through ads, selling products, or any other creative way you can think of.
• No Restrictions: There are no limitations on the types of content you can publish.

Cons:

• More Responsibility: You need to handle your own backups, security, and updates, which requires some technical know-how.
• Costs: You’ll need to pay for hosting and a domain name.
• Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential to keep your website secure and up to date.

Choosing between WordPress.org and WordPress.com depends on your needs, goals, technical expertise, and budget.

WordPress.org may be better fit if you:

• Prefer full control and the ability of customization: Do you need or want to have complete control over your website’s design, functionality, and customization? With WordPress.org you have access to the source code, and can create a truly unique website that perfectly aligns with your vision, branding and mission.
• Are a business or need E-commerce: Are you running a business, e-commerce store, or a website that requires specific features and integrations? WordPress.org enables you to install e-commerce plugins like WooCommerce to build a robust online store.
• Want advanced features and plugins: Do you need advanced features and the ability to install a wide range of plugins? WordPress.org has thousands of plugins available, allowing you to add functionalities like membership systems, forums, event calendars, and more.
• Plan to monetization and have advertising: Are you planning to monetize your website through ads, sponsored content, or other means? WordPress.org  allows you to implement various monetization strategies without restrictions.
• Desire ownership of content and control of data: Do you want full ownership of your content and data and not subject to the terms and conditions of a hosting platform, ensuring you retain control over your online presence. WordPress.org is where you are the owner of your website and all of its content.
• Want to manage your SEO and Google Analytics: Are you serious about search engine optimization (SEO) and want to implement advanced tracking and analytics tools?  WordPress.org as it allows you to install, configure and manage these tools directly.
• You have development and coding skills or a developer: Do you have coding skills or access to developers? WordPress.org  enables you to modify the codebase to achieve highly specific functionality and customizations in both design and user experience (UX).
• Planning for long-term and need scalability: Are you planning for the long-term and foresee your website growing in complexity and size?  WordPress.org offers scalability and resources to handle increased traffic and content.
• Ready for the technical responsibility: Are you ready to be responsible for managing hosting, backups, security, and updates, which require a certain level of technical knowledge or willingness to learn or to hire a WordPress specialist to manage this for you? WordPress.org gives you full control of everything related to your site.
• Prepared for initial costs of investment: Are you ready to invest in hosting and a domain name, which can involve upfront costs? WordPress.org come with setup cost and ongoing cost for hosting and your domain(s).
• Can perform maintenance: Are you prepared to perform regular updates and security measures are essential to keep your site running smoothly? If not, choose WordPress.com otherwise I would go with WordPress.org.

WordPress.com might be a better fit if you:

• Prefer Simplicity: Are your new to website management and prefer a hassle-free setup? WordPress.com offers a user-friendly interface.
• Want Low Initial Costs: Do you want low or no initial costs? WordPress.com offers a free plan that lets you start without any upfront costs, making it suitable for personal bloggers and beginners.
• Don’t Want to Worry About Technical Details: Do you want to handle the technical details? With WordPress.com, hosting, security, and updates are taken care of for you.
• Don’t Require Advanced Features: Are you just looking for a simple blog or portfolio and don’t need extensive customization or features?  WordPress.com can be sufficient.

In the end, the choice depends on your specific needs, goals, and comfort level with managing various aspects of your website.

So, there you have it! Think of WordPress.com as a cozy furnished apartment, and WordPress.org as an empty lot where you can build your dream house. Assess your goals, preferences, and comfort level with tech, and choose the WordPress flavor that will best serve your online ambitions. Happy website building!

* Open-source means that the source code of a software program is made available to the public. Source code is the set of instructions written by programmers that tells a computer how to run the software. This means that anyone can view, modify, and distribute the code freely. The “openness” of the source code allows for collaboration, innovation, and transparency within the development community. In addition, open-source code often leads to better and more reliable software as a result of the collective efforts of many developers.