WordPress is web software that’s used to create a blog or website. It’s popular because it allows users to upload articles, pictures, and other content to a site without any technical knowledge of html, css, or other internet programming tricks. Once again, I’ve recently found myself in situations where I helped people set up blogs on WordPress.com, or had to straighten out some confusion about the requirements and procedure for setting up a free standing website, when to use the blog site and when you can’t.
The main thing to understand is that WordPress.com is a hosted blog service, meaning that all you have to do is sign up for an account and start blogging. They take care of the technical worries, like spam protection, backups, managing a web server, etc. The trade off is that they control what kind of themes, plugins, and widgets you can use on the site. If you want total control of your site, you’ll want to set WordPress up as a free standing site. That means that you need to get a domain name, webhost, and the latest version of WordPress software, and then install it on your server. Once that’s done, you can install whatever themes and plugins you want (or write your own if you have the programming and coding skills). WordPress.org is just a website with lots of in-depth information geared to WordPress users, developers, and programmers. It has links to download WordPress software, plugins, and themes (website templates), and lots of support forums and tutorials in case you like to learn by doing.
WordPress.com Pros:
The basic service is free. They offer premium features that cost extra, but are still pretty reasonably priced.
The blogging interface is already set up and waiting for you to start writing posts.
There are many ways to customize the site using themes and widgets.
WordPress.com Cons:
You can only use the themes, plugins and widgets that they approve. You can’t upload your own.
You won’t have FTP access to your site. If you don’t know what this is, or why you’d want it, WordPress.com is probably the system you want to go with.
Adsense, Yahoo, Chitika, TextLinkAds and other ads are not allowed on free WordPress.com blogs. However, if your site has over 25,000 page views/month, you can turn on AdSense ads if you agree to split the revenue 50/50 with WordPress.com.
Free Standing Site Pros:
You have total control over your site — you can install whatever plugins or themes you want (or make your own, if you have the skills).
You can run whatever ads you want and you don’t have to split the revenue with anyone.
There are plenty of professional designers who make custom sites that reflect your (or your company’s) philosophy, message and brand.
WordPress.org Cons
You have to spend money on a domain name (I recommend using your own domain on WordPress.com too. It costs more, but at least you’ll own your site’s name.) and web hosting and install WordPress on your site. However, many major web hosts now include sort of easy one-click installation script like fantastico or simple scripts so that you can get up and blogging in no time.
The learning curve is steeper, but if you want to learn, there are many WordPress blogs and tutorial sites for beginners.
Which option is more appealing to you? Drop me a line and let me know.
Here are some links if you want to explore further:
WordPress.org – A motherload of information about WordPress. Check out the showcase if you need some web design inspiration.
Smashing Magazine’s WordPress page – Articles from Smashing Magazine for all levels of designers and developers.
