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If you want to create a blog, you must have been aware of WordPress. Plus, if you already have a blog, you may have heard that there are 2 kinds of WordPress, usually called “free WordPress and paid WordPress” in other words “WordPress.com and WordPress.org”
But which one should I use? What is the exact difference between the two? Why do we talk about free WordPress and paid WordPress? Does it give me the choice of using my domain name? Is WordPress.com free or paid service? Let’s find out the answers for them one by one. First of all, we will understand WordPress. What is it?
WordPress:
WordPress is a type of Content Management System (CMS), a ready-to-use platform that facilitates to creation and management of a website. WordPress is particularly focused on blogging; however, it can also be used to create a website. There are two versions of WordPress: 1. WordPress.com (Free WordPress)
2. WordPress.org (Paid WordPress).
1. WordPress.com: Free WordPress
AWordPress.com is a blog hosting site. It is a very large and popular website that let the visitors register there and create a WordPress blog for free in one or two clicks. Sometimes, it is called “free WordPress”. This platform is managed by the creators of WordPress (who take care of the technique, the security, the backups, etc). Registered members have to take care of their own blogs, feed their blog content.
2. WordPress.org: Paid WordPress
WordPress.org is application software, it means that users have to download it on their web host and use it after installation. In general, when you download software, you install it on your computer but here you have to install at a web host. The download of WordPress.org is free but the host, it is most often paid. For this reason, this version of WordPress is sometimes called “paid WordPress”. But, the fact is that WordPress is free but you have to pay your web host to install it. Ultimately, it costs money at your end.
Now, let’s talk about difference between them.
Difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org:
1. Technical aspect:
When we run a blog or a website, there are some technical aspects to take into account. We must ensure that the site is up to date to avoid any security problem and risk of hacking; it must be ensured that its site is up to date and fast to consult, without interruption of the service; you have to think about doing backups.
WordPress.com
The platform is responsible for making the necessary updates and technical improvements and you don’t have to take backups. Similarly, you do not have to manage the installation of WordPress: when you register, the general structure of your blog is already set; you just have to customize it according to your choice and start writing.
WordPress.org
You have to take care of your blogs or site. It’s up to you to handle all these aspects. You need to update WordPress when a new version comes out. If you are using plugins (a plugin helps you to add additional features to the “basic” WordPress), you also need to update them. You must think about making backups of your site. If there is a problem of the slowness of site, you should try to find the cause and contact to your host. As everything is manual, it’s up to you to manage the installation.
Conclusion – If you do not want to manage the technical aspect at all, WordPress.com can be the right choice for you. WordPress managed to host is another option in WordPress.org where all the technical aspects are handled by your web host including Backups of your site.
2. Prices:
With WordPress.com
Registration is free and you can create a blog without paying anything. By default, all free blogs have a URL of the type blogname.wordpress.com and offer 3 GB of space to store your files, photos, images of your blog, etc. You will have access to a selection of designs which are called as themes in technical language, more than dozens of free themes are available on the WordPress.com. WordPress will sometimes display advertising on your blog to finance its free service. In addition to it, WordPress offers you Jetpack Essential Features. Also there are different paying options open if you want to add more features to your basic free blog.
There are versatile plans and pricing options available with WordPress.
First there is personal subscription option. In India, the Personal WordPress subscription costs at Rs.250 per month, billed yearly – It allows you to have your own domain name, without “wordpress.com” in it. You will also enjoy direct support via e-mail and live chat. Moreover, WordPress will no longer display advertising on your blog.
Premium WordPress subscription at Rs. 350 per month, billed yearly – You can have your own domain name, direct assistance, no advertising, everything is personal. You will also have Advanced design customization, Unlimited premium themes offered by WordPress and will be allowed to monetize your site via the WordPress advertising program, WordAds.
The WordPress Business subscription at Rs. 850 per month, billed yearly – In addition to the features offered by the Premium plan, you will have access to unlimited storage space for your files, can install third party themes and plugins, install Google Analytics and other SEO tools for your site.
With WordPress.org
WordPress can run smoothly on basic hosting, provided you have the ability to create a database. If you have a more ambitious project (e-commerce site, etc.), it is better to adopt a slightly more powerful package. Most hosts will easily allow you to upgrade to the higher one during the year if necessary. In general, when you subscribe to accommodation, you are also offered a free domain name.
Conclusion-
If you want a simple free blog with your own domain name and you do not want to put your hands in the technique, if you want to have your own domain name WordPress.com may be right for you.
If you want to be able to further personalize your blog, have your domain name, have ambitions a little more “pro” for your site, choose WordPress.org from a host. They will charge you some dollars a year.
3. Customization of Themes:
Themes on WordPress.com
When you create a free blog on WordPress.com, if you want to do some changes from the themes then you can’t do anything. Because, you must have to choose from a selection of imposed themes (about 100 themes to choose from). You can also buy a Premium theme (about 200 themes to choose from).
Themes on WordPress.org
You are free of your choices! You can install a free theme or buy a paid theme from different themes sites. If you feel like it, you can even create your own theme from A to Z! Balance sheet – Great victory of WordPress.org, which offers you all the flexibility possible!
4. Customization of features:
WordPress allows all users to create a blog by inserting text, photos, allowing users to post comments, etc. Then, to extend these basic features, you have to install what are called plugins.
The features of WordPress.com
WordPress.com proposes in free version a list of plugins by default which corresponds to the most used plugins. You will have a basic statistics, the ability to create photo galleries and simple slideshows, to integrate sharing buttons on the most popular social networks, to display a Twitter or Facebook widget or to insert a contact form on your blog.
Plugins on WordPress.org
You can install all the plugins of your choice, whether free or paid.
Conclusion –
If the basic features offered by WordPress.com are right for you, you will not feel any frustration using this platform. On the other hand, if you need more advanced features for your project or want to use Google Analytics, you will quickly feel cramped and WordPress.org will reach you!
You’ll understand, WordPress.com is more suitable for blogs and non-professional sites, who do not want to worry about the technique, and need the basic features of a blog (write, illustrate, share on social networks). As soon as you want to push further customization, creating a custom design, adding features, analyzing your statistics in a sharp way, you will pay and WordPress.org quickly becomes more advantageous than a WordPress.com with a paid subscription.
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