Free Blog Sites vs. WordPress.org

I am fairly new to the blogging community.  I have two sites one  (www.connectwithalicia.wordpress.com) the one your currently reading and  (www.tradingdimesfortime.gblogger.com) after setting up both of these sites it was brought to my attention that there are paid blog sites.  Having a paid site makes a “true blogging guru” seen as a serious writer with a WordPress.org behind the name or any other paid blog site. 

 

 

 

What is WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com?  

According to WordPress.com, Word Press was founded in 2003 and Word Press has grown to become the largest self-hosted blogging site in the world.  It is used by millions of people all over the world.   

What are the options one can use with the WordPress.com? 

This site is a free service which offers a beginning blogger ( like me) a chance to develop a site you can design on your own, and all with the added convince of being able to avoid paying the fees to having someone else build your blog site for you. 

Being a new blogger I have had challenges as I am sure you have too.   When you first establish your   name then you can proceed forward with developing your site.  The difference between a blog address   and a blog domain name gives you an edge in the development of the site with strategic solutions to meet your needs.   

WordPress.com gives you;  

Ecommerce, a Custom Site Address, Space, No Ads, Custom Design, Video Press, Premium Themes , Google Analytics, Support, 3 GB and it’s Free for Life. 

WordPress.com Premium gives you all of the above and 13GB, Direct email.   Costs $99 per year. 

 WordPress.com Business gives you all of the above with Unlimited Features, Live chat.  Costs $299 per year.

 WordPress.org 

Allows the blogger to set up a more professional website blog and have it hosted; which in turn gives the blogger more freedom to be creative with their content allowing them control what is being published. 

Features with WordPress.org include: 

 You’re the owner of your blog domain, Content Management System (CMS) software for free.  A CMS is a computer application that allows publishing, editing, modifying, and organizing, deleting, and maintaining content from a central interface (per Wikipedia). 

 Of course with the software comes the responsibility of hosting your site. 

 1 A web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to make their website accessible via the World Wide Web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server owned or leased for use by clients, as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center. 

Word Press has its own hosting site called Blue host.   Blue host is one of the largest and most trusted web hosting service providers.  

 

Of course then you will need to set up your theme, your plugin’s, how a reader can contact you, email list (if you choose to do one).  With WordPress.org the author has full control over what they are publishing and creating.  With WordPress.com you are limited and they monitor the content that can be published.  You can’t use third-party advertising, you’re limited on storage space and no FTP access to your files. 

  Which Word Press should you use? 

 First I recommend looking at the layout you want to create and then decide if you’re writing more for pleasure, to attract business, marketing a product, or more for informational purposes. 

 The one thing I have found with WordPress.com is that I can upgrade to WordPress.org at any time and still design the site the way I choose.  

Secondly choosing how to write your blog depends on your style.  Are you a colorful person?  Photographs make your articles pop and stand out to the readers. Be creative with it, don’t  follow what other people are doing.   

 My final thought.  —- Do what’s best for you and not what other people are telling you to do This is your project!  

 Gain The Advantage!