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Did you know that there are actually two versions of WordPress? With so much information out there about the leading CMS (content management system) in the world, it can be tricky to figure out which one is right for you. Starting a blog with WordPress is easy, but not all versions are equal. The first thing to understand is that WordPress.com and WordPress.org are two separate things. While both have “WordPress” in their name, they are very different things. In this article, we’ll break down the primary differences between the two and help you decide which one is right for your blogging needs.
What is WordPress.com?
WordPress.com is a free-to-use blogging service. You don’t have to own the website, purchase a domain, or install any software. You can start a blog on WordPress.com by using your Facebook or Google account and have it up and running in a matter of minutes. You can also sign up with your email address and use a custom domain if you choose (purchased separately). The free version of WordPress.com doesn’t give you much in the way of customization. It comes with a very limited amount of themes and a small selection of widgets to help you customize your site. If you want to add any plugins or a shopping cart to your site, you’ll need to upgrade to the business plan, which will cost you $25 per month.
What is WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is a free open-source blogging platform. While there are many similarities between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, some key differences make WordPress.org a much better choice for most bloggers. The caveat is you have to supply your own hosting and domain, which leads to extra costs.
First, let’s look at the similarities. Both versions of WordPress are free to use, easy to install, and have a massive selection of free themes and plugins. They both have a built-in content manager that makes blogging simple and easy. WordPress.org and WordPress.com also have exceptional security, with millions of websites using both versions every day. So, what are the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org? Let’s break it down.
What are the Differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
In the battle between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org, WordPress.org wins. Why? Let’s break it down:
Security
The largest difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is security. WordPress.com’s security is top-notch. But WordPress.org’s is even better. WordPress.org runs on a completely different domain and is a much more established platform, making it much harder to hack. With WordPress.com, you’re also contributing to a larger network of users. It’s like being at a party with a million strangers. With WordPress.org, you’re getting cozy with a few hundred friends.
When you use WordPress.org, you have a completely private domain with no other users on your server. This makes WordPress.org significantly more secure than WordPress.com.
Customization
When you sign up for WordPress.com, you’re getting the bare bones of the platform. WordPress.org is fully customizable with the ability to add plugins, change themes, and add new functionality.
When it comes to customization, you have the option to customize a limited amount of WordPress.com. You can customize your design, functionality, and even your URL. However, with WordPress.org, you have a lot more freedom. You can customize everything from the design of your site to the functionality. This makes WordPress.org significantly more flexible in how you can use it. With the addition of page builders and plugins, you do not even have to know how to code.
Adding a shopping cart
With WordPress.com, you have to upgrade to the business plan to add a shopping cart.
WordPress.org has the necessary tools to add a shopping cart to your site with the help of the free plugin WooCommerce. WooCommerce has everything to could need to get started with an online shop, completely free.
Domain name
With WordPress.com, you’re stuck with the “WordPress” part of your URL.
With WordPress.org, you can use any domain name you want. With WordPress.com, you’re stuck with the “WordPress” in the URL.
Both WordPress.com and WordPress.org allow you to use your own domain. With WordPress.com, you can use a free domain with “WordPress” as part of your URL. Though with how cheap domain names are, we wouldn’t recommend this.
Final Words: Which version should you start with?
When it comes to WordPress.com and WordPress.org, it’s clear that the WordPress.org platform is the best choice. You get all of the great features of WordPress.com, plus more customization and control over your site. We recommend starting with WordPress.org.
Still not sure about which one to choose or need help getting your WordPress site up and running? Give us a shout to see how we can help get you set up on either platform.