WordPress.com versus WordPress.org
In my last post, I mentioned various blogging services available, including the service I am currently using at WordPress.com. Initially, it usually takes people a little while to fully understand the differences between the free, hosted service at WordPress.com and the paid, self hosted service at WordPress.org, so I’ve compiled a quick summary of differences between the services.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a freely hosted version of the open source package, where you can start a blog in seconds, without any technical knowledge.
According to the site, “[a]lmost everything on WordPress.com is free, and things that are currently free will remain free in the future, but we do offer paid a la carte upgrades for things like CSS editing and custom domains.” Through the upgrade option, WordPress.com also lets you increase the space of your blog.
As I wanted to get up and running very quickly, I decided to start out blogging, using WordPress.com. So far, I’ve been very pleased by how easy the WordPress.com service is to use as well as by the many professional themes available. By using the hosted WordPress service, I have been able to focus mostly on content, without worrying about the technical details. I have also been able to quickly build up search engine equity, which I have read takes a bit longer with self-hosted services.
However, even in the short while I’ve been blogging, I’ve already upgraded my WordPress.com service, as I wanted my own domain name, which to me seems more professional. For example, previously, this blog’s domain was pegmulligan.wordpress.com, but with the upgrade, which only costs $15.00 a year, it’s now pegmulligan.com.
According to the HubSpot post, 7 Beginner Blogger Blunders and How to Avoid Them, it’s best to get a “real” domain name, so you do not lose your link juice, if you ever change services later. “At least this way, if you decide to switch later, you won’t lose all the search engine optimization (SEO) that you’ve built up.”
In a webinar hosted by the Society for Technical Communication, Tom Johnson mentioned that when your needs require, it is possible to move your WordPress.com blog to WordPress.org. Johnson also stated that you can import Blogger and Movable Type blogs into WordPress, but the code does not always map exactly.
WordPress.org
If you are interested in applying WordPress Premium themes, or extending its functionality through its more than 4,000 plug-ins, then WordPress.org is the right service for you. Though the blogging software at WordPress.org is open source, it does require your own Web hosting service.
I was only a couple weeks into blogging, when I realized that long-term, I really want to move my WordPress.com blog to the WordPress.org service, to take full advantage of the Premium themes that would give my blog a better customized look and feel, more like a web site than a blog. Long-term, I also want to use the many available plug-ins there, including a well-known WordPress Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plug-in, which would help my blog’s Google ranking.
Choosing a Hosting Service. WordPress recommends these Web Hosting Options. In his STC-hosted webinar, Tom Johnson mentioned Lunarpages and DreamHost, as his favorite hosting services.
Installing WordPress. In his recorded webinar, Tom Johnson demos how easy it is to install the WordPress software. For complete instructions, see Installing WordPress.
Choosing Themes. Lots of free WordPress themes are available, as well Premium themes. According to Johnson, “the premium themes are usually more complicated. The code gets pretty advanced when you want to change a string.” New WordPress.org Users Beware: It is possible to blow away your entire blog site, if you are not careful about the changes you are making to the code.
Through the water cooler on Twitter (including recommendations from professional bloggers Chris Brogan and Darren Rowse), I’ve heard that Thesis is one of the best Premium WordPress themes available for non-coders. On Twitter, I’ve also heard good things about the Thesis Theme User’s Guide.
Using PlugIns. Over 4,000 WordPress plug-ins are available.
In the STC webinar, Tom Johnson mentioned examples of plug-ins that have been helpful to him:
- Akismet: Blocks spam.
- All in One SEO Pack: Optimizes your WordPress blog for Search Engines (Search Engine Optimization).Lets you make a generic title for Google, but a catchy title for your visitors.
- Audio-Player for Podcasts.
- Contact Form, with name & e-mail address.
- Favicon for Admin Page.
- Google Search Widget.
- WP Related Posts: Shows all related posts in your archives.
- Video Plugin: Lets you embed YouTube videos.
- WP Super Cache: Generates static html fies from your dynamic WordPress blog.
For an excellent WordPress resource, see a complete list of all the plug-ins Tom Johnson uses in his highly informative I’d Rather Be Writing blog.
Recommendation and Additional Resources
For most nontechnical users, I recommend a phased approach to blogging, concentrating first on building your site’s content, and learning basic WordPress functionality. When you start to outgrow WordPress.com and want the more advanced functionality, moving to WordPress.org will probably be a natural progression for you. However, if you want to avoid the web hosting fee and have no desire to understand the technical details, then the hosted service at WordPress.com can continue to serve you. For users who choose long-term to stick with the WordPress.com service, the available Advanced Services may help meet your evolving needs.
In the meantime, here are some helpful blogging resources:
- WordPress For Dummies: Explains how to create a hosted, self-hosted, or multi-user blog, explore plugins, and more.
- Blog Herald: Blogging best practices.
- Weblog Tools Collection: Latest WordPress themes.
- The WordPress Community: Home of the #1 podcast for WordPress-related news, tips and information.
Photo credit, nbachiyski
Related Links
- Choosing a Blogging Service
- WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
- Chris Brogan’s Post: Thesis is My Favorite Premium WordPress Theme
Peg Mulligan's Blog 
This is a great post. I just started another blog on .org and it is going to go live soon. I am going to mark this on my favorites so I can make sure I am not missing anything. Thanks.
Thanks for stopping by again, Therese, and for your tweet about this blog on Twitter. I’m glad the WordPress tips are helpful. Again, it’s really capturing “zen” or beginner’s mind, concerning blogging. I’m glad I’m keeping some “notes” here on my process, as I’m sure in time, I’ll forget my newbie state of mind and questions.
By the way, where is your blog? Even if our subject matter is different, it would be great to learn from each other. –Peg
No problem, my blog is at http://qhealthbeauty.wordpress.com, you should be able to click on my name on this comment and get to my blog, right? This is going to convert more into a personal blog, I am starting a PR blog and that will be live shortly.
Thanks,
Yes, I can access your Health and Beauty site, which I’ll look at more closely, and I look forward to the launch of your PR blog, too. In the meantime, thanks for dropping by again, and “see” you more, on Twitter. I especially liked the MarketingProfs stats, in the post you tweeted about today. Thanks again, –Peg
Great, it is actually no longer a health and beauty site which is why I am eventually going to move this over to a hosted site as well and change the name. It was meant to be a health and beauty site, but changed shortly after. I will add you to my feeds, and will make sure to tweet some more of those marketing studies, I get them in my in-box often.
I’ll be sure to take a look, both now, and as your site continues to evolve. Keep sharing those marketing study tweets, too. I’ve learned so much through case studies like the ones at MarketingProfs as well as the many webinars. I’ve learned about through Twitter.
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This article was excellent. I’m starting a tax blog, and I really am a “dummy” .This blog cleared up a lot of my questions. Thanks
Hi David,
I’m glad the post was helpful. It’s a bit daunting getting started, but once you dive in, I think you’ll like WordPress. Best wishes on your new blog…
–Peg
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Hey Peg,
just starting out. Found your comments clarifying and easy to understand. Now if I can just find all the resources you mention as easy, I’ll be a very happy puppy.
I’ll let you know when my site is live. And if you have the time then, I would value your feedback.
Your work is appreciated.
Thankyou on behalf of all new recruits.
Ciao.
Glad to be helpful. Blogging has been very rewarding for me this last year, both professionally and personally. I think you’ll enjoy it. I’d be happy to know when your site goes live. Best of luck in your endeavors…
i’m newbie…
i wanna make blog with wordpress. with this info, Now i’m very sure to use wordpress…
Thank’s for sharing….