With so many platforms out there, it can be hard to know which one is best for starting and monetizing your blog. WordPress is the most well-known blogging platform out there. However, there is often much confusion between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. This is your guide to understanding the differences between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org and which one you should choose. 

The Common Misconception

There is a common misconception that WordPress.com and WordPress.org are the same platform. The truth is that they are extremely different and when most people think of WordPress, they are actually talking about the robust platform, WordPress.org. It is important to understand the WordPress.org is the actual open-source software, whereas WordPress.com is a business that uses the WordPress.org software. 

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each as well as the differences between the two platforms and which one best fits your needs. 

Beneficial Features of WordPress.com

When you choose WordPress.com, the hosting is taken care of for you. There's no need to download additional software or pay hosting fees. Additional features include:

• Hundreds of website themes to choose from
• The ability to sync your content from your social media accounts such as Twitter and Facebook to your blog
• The ability to set up your blog in a short amount of time.
• Automatic updates and backups 

Disadvantages of WordPress.com

Although WordPress.com's simplicity makes it easier to use, it is this same simplicity that limits its capabilities. Disadvantages of WordPress.com include:

• Must upgrade from the free plan in order to customize your domain name. 
• The free plan does not allow any backend coding
• Only 3GB of space for free before you have to upgrade to a paid plan to get more space
• Must upgrade in order to remove ads from your website
• You are not allowed to sell ads 
• You can't upload custom themes or install plugins. If you purchase the business plan, there are certain plugins available to you
• Not compatible with Google Analytics, you are limited to their in-house analytics
• Lack of eCommerce features 

One of the major disadvantages of WordPress.com is that the administration can remove your website at any time at their discretion if they feel you are violating their terms of use. 

Beneficial Features of WordPress.org

WordPress.org is highly touted for its capabilities, robustness, and control users have over every aspect of their website. Benefits of WordPress.org include:

• WordPress is open source, which means it is free
• You own your website
• Feel free to add plugins to your website as you wish
• Monetize your website and run ads until your heart is content
• The ability to integrate eCommerce features including accepting payments
• Upload custom themes
• Use third-party analytics 

One of the biggest attractions of WordPress.org is the tremendous flexibility it offers users. 

Disadvantages of WordPress.org

With so many capabilities, it comes as no surprise that there aren't many downsides to using WordPress.org. Let's take a look at a couple of cons to using WordPress.org:

• You will need website hosting
• You are responsible for applying updates and running backups

Since WordPress allows the user to take complete control of their website, it means that running and maintaining the website is more time-consuming. This means you will either have to dedicate more time to the upkeep of your website or hire someone to do so. 

The Differences Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

WordPress.org is geared towards giving using complete control over the features of their website. Add as little or as many features as you want. You can even do your own coding with WordPress.org. Since WordPress.org is self-hosted, you own everything. This means your website can't be deleted for violating terms of service. 

WordPress.com is focused on offering users a simple and easy way to build their own blog. However, this platform is limited in its capabilities. Users aren't able to customize their websites and blogs like they could with WordPress.org. WordPress.com is great for those who are looking for simplicity. However, it is difficult to monetize your blog with this particular platform. 

Which Platform Should You Use?

While both platforms have their advantages, WordPress.org is the superior platform to start your very own blog. It's hard to beat its powerful features, flexibility, and the complete control you have over your very own website. Your blog is your passion and should, therefore, reflect your brand. WordPress.org allows you the freedom of making your blog your own and monetizing your blog using multiple streams of revenue. Unlike with WordPress.com, you do not have to share revenue made from ads you run on your WordPress.org website. 

Get Your Blog Started on the Right Foot

In today's fast-paced society, the idea of being able to spend more time with your family and not be a slave to your career is appealing. Who doesn't want to be able to work from anywhere in the world and make extra income to reduce the level of financial stress? Blogging is an excellent way to make this happen and start living your best life. 

Finally, I'm dedicated to helping you get your blog started off the right way. Learn how to build your platform, grow your audience, and monetize your passion! Have you already started your blog, but hit a roadblock? That's okay! Let me help you get your blog back on track! Contact me today for more information and start your journey to a successful blog!

With so many platforms out there, it can be hard to know which one is best for starting and monetizing your blog. WordPress is the most well-known blogging platform out there. However, there is often much confusion between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. This is your guide to understanding the differences between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org and which one you should choose. 

The Common Misconception

There is a common misconception that WordPress.com and WordPress.org are the same platform. The truth is that they are extremely different and when most people think of WordPress, they are actually talking about the robust platform, WordPress.org. It is important to understand the WordPress.org is the actual open-source software, whereas WordPress.com is a business that uses the WordPress.org software. 

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each as well as the differences between the two platforms and which one best fits your needs. 

Beneficial Features of WordPress.com

When you choose WordPress.com, the hosting is taken care of for you. There's no need to download additional software or pay hosting fees. Additional features include:

• Hundreds of website themes to choose from
• The ability to sync your content from your social media accounts such as Twitter and Facebook to your blog
• The ability to set up your blog in a short amount of time.
• Automatic updates and backups 

Disadvantages of WordPress.com

Although WordPress.com's simplicity makes it easier to use, it is this same simplicity that limits its capabilities. Disadvantages of WordPress.com include:

• Must upgrade from the free plan in order to customize your domain name. 
• The free plan does not allow any backend coding
• Only 3GB of space for free before you have to upgrade to a paid plan to get more space
• Must upgrade in order to remove ads from your website
• You are not allowed to sell ads 
• You can't upload custom themes or install plugins. If you purchase the business plan, there are certain plugins available to you
• Not compatible with Google Analytics, you are limited to their in-house analytics
• Lack of eCommerce features 

One of the major disadvantages of WordPress.com is that the administration can remove your website at any time at their discretion if they feel you are violating their terms of use. 

Beneficial Features of WordPress.org

WordPress.org is highly touted for its capabilities, robustness, and control users have over every aspect of their website. Benefits of WordPress.org include:

• WordPress is open source, which means it is free
• You own your website
• Feel free to add plugins to your website as you wish
• Monetize your website and run ads until your heart is content
• The ability to integrate eCommerce features including accepting payments
• Upload custom themes
• Use third-party analytics 

One of the biggest attractions of WordPress.org is the tremendous flexibility it offers users. 

Disadvantages of WordPress.org

With so many capabilities, it comes as no surprise that there aren't many downsides to using WordPress.org. Let's take a look at a couple of cons to using WordPress.org:

• You will need website hosting
• You are responsible for applying updates and running backups

Since WordPress allows the user to take complete control of their website, it means that running and maintaining the website is more time-consuming. This means you will either have to dedicate more time to the upkeep of your website or hire someone to do so. 

The Differences Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

WordPress.org is geared towards giving using complete control over the features of their website. Add as little or as many features as you want. You can even do your own coding with WordPress.org. Since WordPress.org is self-hosted, you own everything. This means your website can't be deleted for violating terms of service. 

WordPress.com is focused on offering users a simple and easy way to build their own blog. However, this platform is limited in its capabilities. Users aren't able to customize their websites and blogs like they could with WordPress.org. WordPress.com is great for those who are looking for simplicity. However, it is difficult to monetize your blog with this particular platform. 

Which Platform Should You Use?

While both platforms have their advantages, WordPress.org is the superior platform to start your very own blog. It's hard to beat its powerful features, flexibility, and the complete control you have over your very own website. Your blog is your passion and should, therefore, reflect your brand. WordPress.org allows you the freedom of making your blog your own and monetizing your blog using multiple streams of revenue. Unlike with WordPress.com, you do not have to share revenue made from ads you run on your WordPress.org website. 

Get Your Blog Started on the Right Foot

In today's fast-paced society, the idea of being able to spend more time with your family and not be a slave to your career is appealing. Who doesn't want to be able to work from anywhere in the world and make extra income to reduce the level of financial stress? Blogging is an excellent way to make this happen and start living your best life. 

Finally, I'm dedicated to helping you get your blog started off the right way. Learn how to build your platform, grow your audience, and monetize your passion! Have you already started your blog, but hit a roadblock? That's okay! Let me help you get your blog back on track! Contact me today for more information and start your journey to a successful blog!