WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Understand the key differences

What is WordPress.org?

WordPress.org is where you get the free WordPress software to build any kind of website you can imagine. It’s known as self-hosted WordPress because you download the software and then install it on a separate web hosting account that you own. This approach gives you 100% ownership and control over your website.

You can install themes and choose from a variety of plugins to make your site. The user is not limited in any way when choosing from a variety of themes and plugins, which can be significant if you are trying to stand out from the crowd. You will, on the other hand, be responsible for the hosting of your site.

If you’re wary of being self-hosted, know that there really isn’t much to be afraid of. There are many WordPress communities and forums dedicated to finding help for any issues that may occur. There are also a number of available resources on WordPress.org, both in the form of workshops and articles. Additionally, hosting companies offer managed WordPress services that can relieve you of some of those duties.

Key features and requirements

Using the self-hosted version of WordPress means you have no limitations. You are in complete charge of your site’s design, features, and how you make money from it.

Key features:

• Total ownership and control. You have full access to all your website’s files and code. You can make any changes you need without restrictions.
• Unlimited customization. You can use any of the thousands of free themes and plugins available or upload any custom or premium ones you purchase. This lets you change your site’s look and add powerful features like online stores, photo galleries, or contact forms.
• Freedom to earn money. You can run ads, sell products, charge for content, or use affiliate links. There are no rules on how you can monetize your site, and you keep all the profits.
• Scalability for growth. You choose the hosting plan that’s right for your budget and traffic. As your site becomes more popular, you can easily upgrade your hosting to handle more visitors.

Requirements:

While the WordPress software itself is completely free, you will need two things to get started:

1. A domain name (your website’s address, like yourwebsite.com).
2. A web hosting account (the online space where your website is stored).

Getting started with WordPress.org

Step 1: Secure your domain name and web hosting

Before you can build your website, you need two fundamental components: an address and a piece of land on the internet.

• Domain name (your address). This is what users will type into their browser to find you (e.g., yourwebsite.com). When choosing a domain, aim for something that is short, memorable, easy to spell, and relevant to your brand or topic. You will purchase this from a domain registrar.
• Web hosting (your land). This is the service that rents you space on a server to store your website’s files and make them accessible to the world. For WordPress, you will typically choose between two main types:
  • Shared hosting. This is the most affordable option and great for beginners. You share server resources with other websites, which is like living in an apartment building.
  • Managed WordPress hosting. This is a premium service specifically optimized for WordPress. The host handles technical tasks like security, daily backups, and software updates for you. It offers better performance and peace of mind for a higher price.

Many providers allow you to purchase both your domain and hosting in one bundle, which simplifies the setup process.

Step 2: Install the WordPress software

Once you have your hosting account, it is time to install the free WordPress.org software. Most modern hosts have made this incredibly simple.

The easy method: One-click installation

This is the recommended method for most users. Hosting companies provide tools in their control panel that install WordPress for you in just a few clicks.

1. Log in to your hosting account’s control panel. This is often called cPanel.
2. Find the WordPress installer. Look for an icon or section named “WordPress,” “Website,” or an installer like Softaculous.
3. Launch the installer. You will be guided through a simple setup wizard.
4. Fill in your site’s details. You will need to:
   • Choose the domain where you want to install WordPress.
   • Create a site name and site description (you can change these later).
   • Set up an admin username, a strong password, and an admin email. Do not use “admin” as your username for security reasons.
5. Click “Install.” The tool will automatically create the necessary database and install the latest version of WordPress.
6. Done! You will be given the URL for your website’s login page, which is almost always yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Step 3: Configure your basic settings

After installing WordPress, log in to your dashboard at yourdomain.com/wp-admin with the credentials you just created. Before you start adding content, it is crucial to configure a few basic settings.

1. Set your site title and timezone. Go to Settings → General. Make sure your site title, tagline, and timezone are correct. The timezone ensures that scheduled posts publish at the right time.
2. Configure your permalinks. Go to Settings → Permalinks. A permalink is the permanent URL structure for your posts and pages. For the best SEO results and user-friendly links, select the “Post name” option. This will make your URLs look clean, like yourwebsite.com/your-post-title.
3. Check discussion settings. Go to Settings → Discussion. Here you can decide if you want to allow comments on your posts and how you want to moderate them to prevent spam.
4. Delete default content. WordPress comes with a default “Hello world!” post and a “Sample Page.” It is best practice to delete these before you start publishing your own content. Go to Posts → All Posts and Pages → All Pages to trash them.

Step 4: Customize your site’s appearance and functionality

Now for the creative part: making the website your own.

1. Choose and install a theme. A WordPress theme controls the entire visual design and layout of your site.
   • Navigate to Appearance → Themes.
   • Click “Add New” to browse thousands of free themes from the official WordPress repository. You can filter by layout, features, or subject. Kadence is a good theme to start with.
   • Once you find one you like, you can Install and Activate it.
   • You can also purchase premium themes from various marketplaces and upload them via the “Upload Theme” button.
2. Install essential plugins.WordPress plugins are apps that add new features and functionality to your website.
   • Go to Plugins → Add New.
   • Here are a few essential types of plugins to get you started:
     • SEO. An SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math helps you optimize your content for search engines.
     • Security. A security plugin like Solid Security or Sucuri Security protects your site from hackers and malware.
     • Contact form. A plugin like WPForms or Contact Form 7 lets you easily add a contact form to your site.
     • Performance/Caching. A caching plugin like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache will significantly speed up your website.
     • Backups. A backup plugin like Solid Backups automatically backs up your site in case anything goes wrong.

With these steps completed, your WordPress.org site is set up and ready for you to start creating pages, writing blog posts, and building your online presence.