What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org? And which version to choose to create your website? The identical name (only the extension changes) still creates a lot of confusion in users, the two versions are actually very different.
Of course, you can register the domain extension of your choice: choosing one of the two versions does not mean automatically opting for the .org or .com extension.
WordPress.org
WordPress.org (self-hosted) is free open-source software that you can download and install on your hosting or server to build your website, having full access to all files on your site.
By choosing the self-hosted version of WordPress, you can build any type of site, from a simple portfolio or showcase site to a more complex e-commerce that requires more resources.
To get started you will need:
- Domain
- Hosting Plan : Do you want WordPress already pre-installed?
And the domain is included for free in the first year with all our hosting plans .
The .org software supports thousands of themes and plugins, both free and premium, to customize the structure and graphics of your site and, at the same time, add new features.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com (hosted) is an online platform (free and by subscription) to build your website. This solution, however, imposes several limitations, in fact it does not provide:
- Control over your site’s files.
- Domain registration (you will use your site.wordpress.com).
- The purchase of the hosting space.
However, it is possible to opt for the subscription version which includes the custom domain and the management of the e-commerce platform.
All the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
Domain
- WordPress.org : the version requires the registration of a domain . The cost varies according to the extension chosen and with us the starting price is € 1 + VAT per year: remember that the domain is free the first year with the purchase of a hosting!
- WordPress.com : the version offers only sub-domains for free, i.e., for example, mysite.wordpress.com but, with a subscription , it is possible to customize the domain.
Hosting
- WordPress.org : the .org version guarantees you high flexibility and autonomy, being able to access all the files on your site. And the only thing you need is a hosting or a web space on which to host your site.
- WordPress.com: this is all provided directly by WordPress but this prevents you from having full access to all the site’s files, thus taking away the opportunity to modify the code, perform backups, transfer the site to another hosting or install plugins (if not with advanced plans).
SEO
- WordPress.org : you can configure your website to optimize it in total autonomy, by downloading the necessary plugins and choosing the various settings.
- WordPress.com: By not having access to all files and settings, the SEO optimization you can perform on your site will be limited.
Doing SEO is essential: a site optimized from an SEO perspective gives you more chances to position yourself in the top positions on search engines.
Plugins and themes
- WordPress.org : you will be able to download all the plugins you need and, if necessary, customize them by working on the codes, as well as with regard to the themes.
- WordPress.com : it will not be possible to install free plugins, such as YoastSEO, which is essential for the optimization of your website. Themes also cannot be customized.
Conclusion
In general, WordPress.org offers you greater flexibility and autonomy: having total control over the site files, it allows you to create a personalized and professional website, for any type of project . On the contrary, WordPress.com can be chosen by those who want to carry out an amateur project and have no particular ambitions of growth or earnings, precisely because of the numerous limitations.
