WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: Which One Do You Need?

When you google “how to start a WordPress blog” you’ve probably noticed something confusing shows up.

There are two different WordPress websites!

There’s WordPress.com and WordPress.org. They sound almost identical but they are actually very different, and picking the wrong one can cause real headaches down the road, especially if you want to make money from your blog.

In this post I’m going to cover what each one is and which one you need to start a money making blog.

WordPress.com: The Hosted Version

WordPress.com is what’s called a hosted platform.

That means your blog lives on WordPress’s servers and they handle all the technical stuff for you: security, backups, updates.

You just log in and write.

Sounds convenient, right? It is, but there’s a trade-off.

With WordPress.com you have limited control over your blog.

• You can’t install just any theme or plugin you want.
• Your ability to customize your site is restricted depending on which plan you’re on.
• And most importantly for anyone who wants to monetize, your options are seriously limited until you’re on a higher paid plan.

Think of it like renting an apartment.

Everything is taken care of for you but you can’t knock down walls or paint the ceiling.

You’re working within someone else’s rules.

WordPress.org: The Self-Hosted Version

WordPress.org is where you download the free WordPress software and install it on your own hosting. This is the version we use here on Blogging After Hours and the one I recommend to every blogger who wants to build something real where you can own your site and make money after work!

With WordPress.org you own everything. Your content, your design, your data.

You can install any theme, any plugin, and customize your blog however you want. You also have full control over how you monetize it, display ads, affiliate links, digital products, all of it.

The trade-off is that you’re responsible for your own hosting, which means a small monthly cost and a little more setup upfront. But that’s exactly what we walk through in this series, and it’s a lot easier than it sounds.

Think of it like owning a house.

You can do whatever you want with it.

You just have to handle your own maintenance.

Which One Do You Need?

If you want to monetize your blog, and you’re here so I’m guessing you do, you need WordPress.org.

It’s the only version that gives you full ownership and the full ability to run ads, do affiliate marketing, sell products, and grow your blog into an actual business. It’s also what every major blogging course, income report, and success story you’ve ever read is built on.

The setup involves grabbing a hosting plan and pointing it to WordPress.org, which sounds technical but takes about 20 minutes. For this step I recommend grabbing your hosting on DreamHost for as low as $1.99 a month! If you haven’t done that yet head over to the Start a Blog series and I’ll walk you through it step by step.

The Short Version

WordPress.com means: the website is hosted for you, limited control, not ideal for monetizing

WordPress.org means: the website is self-hosted, full control, what you want if you’re serious about blogging

That’s it! And now you know.

Have Questions?

Drop them in the comments below. This one trips up a lot of people and there’s no such thing as a silly question when you’re just getting started.