Want to start a blog on Wordpress? Wordpress is among the most popular blog sites, but bloggers have two options: Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org.
Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org offer the same blogging software, but the two Wordpress sites operate very differently. The differences between Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org will dramatically affect a blogger's ability to earn money blogging, and to utilize blog plugins or custom blog templates.
This article will highlight the differences between Wordpress.org and Wordpress.com, enabling a new blogger to pick the correct Wordpress site on which to start a blog.
Wordpress.com: A Free Blogging Site for Less Experienced Bloggers, Hobby Bloggers
For those who don't know how to create a blog, Wordpress.com is a good place to start. Wordpress.com is easier for the novice blogger to set up and start using, but Wordpress.com does have limitations that can limit a blogger's potential to earn money blogging.
Here's a look at the pros and cons of a Wordpress.com blog
- Wordpress.com offers free blogs with easy blog set up, automatic blog post back-up and automatic Wordpress software updates. Blogging on Wordpress.com is completely free.
- When a blogger sets up a blog, they can select from dozens of blog templates, but custom blog templates cannot be used on Wordpress.com
- Bloggers use Wordpress.com's blog hosting for free and the chance of a blog site outage is unlikely due to the blog server's capacity to handle high traffic volume.
- Wordpress.com does not allow bloggers to monetize a blog with Google AdSense advertisements, nor can bloggers get paid to blog via a pay per post program.
- Wordpress.com bloggers may not own their domain name. If this is the case, the blogger will potentially lose regular readers and the blog's earning potential if they decide to move the blog to a different domain.name.
It should also be noted that blogs that are eligible for the Wordpress VIP blog program on Wordpress.com can use customized blog themes, Google AdSense advertisements, and Wordpress plug-ins, which are otherwise only available on Wordpress.org.
Wordpress.org: A Good Blog Platform for More Experienced Bloggers Seeking to Make Money on a Blog
Wordpress.org offers more freedom for bloggers creating a blog using the Wordpress platform. In essence, bloggers use only the Wordpress software and they must purchase their own a domain name, a blog hosting plan and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) software. The upside? There are no restrictions on blog monetization, so Wordpress.org users are free to make money blogging!
Here's a look at what Wordpress.org has to offer bloggers seeking to start a blog:
- Wordpress.org bloggers must purchase a domain name (about $10 USD per year for registration), a blog hosting package (about $5 USD per month), and FTP software (about $25 for a one-time purchase of software like Fetch.)
- On Wordpress.org, bloggers can earn money from a blog using Google AdSense, ExitJunction or other blog monetization tools. Bloggers can also earn money blogging using a pay per post program.
- Wordpress.org users can alter blog code and upload custom blog templates or Wordpress plugins using FTP software.
- Bloggers using Wordpress.org must back-up their own blog posts and bloggers are responsible for updating Wordpress software if a new version is released.
- Wordpress.org bloggers may experience a blog site outage if they experience a sudden, unexpected surge in blog visitor volume, depending on the bandwith alotment associated with the blog hosting package.
It should be noted that Wordpress.org and Wordpress.com both utilize the same blogging software.
More Tips on How to Create a Blog With Wordpress
Wondering how to start a blog with Wordpress? Check out How to Pick a Blog Topic and How to Earn Money Blogging.
Check out How Do I Add an RSS Feed to a Wordpress Blog? for directions on RSS feed burning and how to add an RSS symbol to a blog.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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