Did you know WordPress powers over 30% of the websites on the internet?
One of the biggest misconceptions about WordPress is that it's just for blogging. However, you can create anything imaginable like a membership site, an online store, a blog (of course), a forum, an online course, and even an app! The possibilities of what you can create with WordPress are endless.
The best part about WordPress is that it grows with your business. Sure – out of the box it can seem overwhelming but beginners and even pros like myself use it to create beautiful and smart websites.
But what you probably didn't know is that there are 2 different types of WordPress. There's WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
WordPress is an open-source software licensed under GPL. This means anyone can repackage it and sell it without restrictions except that it must also be licensed under GPL.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
The company, Automattic, did just that and created WordPress.com which is basically a website builder similar to Wix or SquareSpace. The benefit is that it makes building a website using the WordPress software easier because the company handles all the hard stuff for you.
The problem with that is you are limited and sometimes restricted to what you can do with the software or you have to pay more for certain features like turning off adds or adding an online store.
Ok, so now WordPress.org has entered the chat. WordPress.org is where you download the WordPress software for free. However, in order to get your site on the internet, you must have a hosting company “put it online” for you.
Some popular WP hosts are Bluehost and Flywheel. The benefit of going the WordPress.org route which is what we call “Self Hosted” is that there are NO LIMITATIONS. If you can find a plugin or code it then ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
The downside to that is because your WordPress site is “self-hosted” meaning there is NO support team to chat or call is that you also need to know how to fix your site when it breaks or have someone on retainer who knows how to fix it.
Which WordPress Should You Choose?
So at the end of the day choosing which WordPress is right for you depends on how you plan to use it and how much control you want. My personal opinion is to go with WordPress.org. Yes, it does require a little more effort than your typical turnkey website builder but …
When it comes to flexibility and ownership … a self-hosted WordPress website (WordPress.org) is UNMATCHED. You literally never have to worry about jumping ship to another website builder because it's missing a feature or functionality.
Final Thoughts
A self-hosted WordPress site allows your website to scale and grow with your business. However, if you prefer an out of the box solution with minimal setup steps then WordPress.com may be a better choice for you. If cost is a concern then it's good to know that WordPress.com requires an upfront full-year payment to get started while most hosting companies accept monthly payments.
Still not sure which one may be right for you? Our Website Strategy Workshop is the best option to help you determine which one if any is best for your business. We take a deep-dive into who you are as a business, develop your customer personas, map your customer journey, and develop a site plan for moving forward.
***Disclosure: Keep in mind that some of the links on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
