For a small business just starting to use the WordPress platform, choosing between WordPress.org and WordPress.com can be confusing. Here’s a brief guide that should help you make up your mind about which to use.
What’s the Difference?
WordPress.org and WordPress.com are two different platforms that use the same blogging software. The difference is that they are hosted differently.
WordPress.org Is Where You Get the Software
At WordPress.org you download the open-source blogging software that you then have to install on your own dedicated server. In other words, you have to handle the technicalities— the installation and the hosting—on your own.
- The Good: You may want to use the open-source software on your own server to be able to upload custom themes and plugins, as well as to tamper with the code yourself to build a truly unique website. To do all these, of course, you need to be a technical expert, or hire one.
- The Bad: The disadvantages of using WordPress.org software on your own server is that you need some technical knowledge, as well as a reliable web hosting provider. On top of that, you’ll have to handle yourself website backups and version upgrades.
WordPress.com Is Where You Get the Service
At WordPress.com you can set up your website and have it hosted by the people behind WordPress.com, through their own selection of hosting service providers. Most people create their website at WordPress.com because it’s simpler and easier than doing the hosting on their own.
- The Good: WordPress.com is the obvious choice if you want to quickly set up a website. All the technical aspects of website management, including software upgrades, backups, and security are handled for you, with your content being backed up automatically. Moreover, your blog will be on cloud hosting, meaning it will be on multiple servers, and so it will not go down because of a power outage or traffic spike.
- The Bad: The disadvantage of using WordPress.com is that you cannot edit the code of the platform, nor can you upload plugins or custom themes. However, for most small businesses just getting started with WordPress, these are not at all major issues.
Even if you choose to use WordPress.com, you can still own standalone domain, provided that you choose a dedicated hosting provider.
WordPress for Small Businesses—The Verdict
For most small businesses requiring a professional-looking website with plenty of features, WordPress.com is the perfect solution, provided that you get your own domain, that is www.your-business-here.com, instead of your-business-here.wordpress.com.
In time, once your business website develops and you’re ready to expand its features beyond what WordPress.com is offering, you can make the move to using WordPress.org’s open-source software on your own.