Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

On this blog post I will explain the difference between Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org. I originally started my blog in Wordpress.com to see if it was going to be successful. When I noticed that using Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media platforms made it successful I switched to Wordpress.org.

This page contains affiliate links to products I use, love, and highly recommend. I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this blog post. Thank you for your constant support!

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What is the difference between Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org?

Think of it this way:

• Hosting website = an apartment
• Domain = address of the apartment you are renting

Wordpress.com:

Is basically like a free hosting website (an apartment). When you sign up and name your blog it will have the WordPress word included in the name. For example, mine was lifeismessyandbrilliant.wordpress.com. You have the option to buy the domain of your website to remove the “wordpress.com” part of your blog.The downside of using a free hosting website is how limited your options are. For example, you can’t put an advertisement or add plugins to your website. When you use wordpress.com, it uses its own advertisement in your blog to cover the cost of running your “free” blog.

If you are wondering what are plugins, think of it this way: hosting website (iPhone), plugins (apps that you download and put on your iPhone)

Wordpress.org:

You buy a subscription from a hosting website, like SiteGround (a different apartment). I definitelly recommend SiteGround. When you buy their subscription, you are renting their space to run your business (you are no longer using worpress.com (your old apartment) to run your blog.

The best thing about using wordpress.org is that you have complete control of your website. You can add ads and plugins.

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When Should I Buy or Switch to Worpress.org?

If you are thinking about monetizing or wanting full control of your website, my answer is, as soon as possible. My best advice is to sign up with SiteGround, buy the 12-month subscription (with the subscription, you get a free domain name for your website) and work on your blog.

The reason I recommend this is because when you try to move all your content from wordpress.com to wordpress.org (SiteGround), not everything is going to be migrated. I had to re-do my front page, fix my pages, and categories. For some reason, all my content was on the new hosting website, but it was disorganized.

If you decide to buy a hosting subscription, but you are lost in the process, use Fiverr. When I was trying to switch my blog from wordpress.com to wordpress.org I got lost in the process, my boyfriend told me to use Fiverr. Is a website where people offer their experience in any type of job for $5 or more (depending on how difficult the job is).

When you sign up you can either search for the word WordPress or you can create a request. You will receive different offers and you choose whichever you feel fits the job.

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What if I already bought the domain from WordPress?

That’s ok! You can still buy the subscription of a new hosting website, like SiteGround, and keep the domain name that you bought. Do not buy the $99 thing that WordPress offers you, is just a waste of money since you can’t add ads or plug-ins while you use wordpress.com.

If you are going to use your money wisely, buy a subscription from a hosting website and make your blog the way you want it to look.

If you have any other questions, please leave them in the comment section. I’ll be more than happy to answer your question!

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