Are you questioning whether or not you must use WordPress.com to launch your new weblog?
In case you are new to WordPress, then you might be curious why WPBeginner and different consultants advocate WordPress.org greater than WordPress.com. Whereas WordPress.com is straightforward to make use of, it comes with numerous pitfalls that you could be not discover if you first construct your web site.
On this article, we are going to clarify the restrictions of WordPress.com so to select the very best web site builder to your wants.
![What Are the Limitations of WordPress.com? What Are the Limitations of WordPress.com?](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/what-are-the-limitations-of-WordPresscom_-OG.png)
An Overview of WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
Earlier than we begin, let’s assessment the important thing distinction between WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
WordPress.org is an open-source content material administration system (CMS), which is a kind of software program used to construct web sites.
Open-source means the software program is freely obtainable for anybody to obtain and modify.
![The WordPress.org homepage The WordPress.org homepage](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-org-min.png)
![The WordPress.org homepage The WordPress.org homepage](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-org-min.png)
Whereas WordPress.org itself is free, you’ll need to pay for internet hosting and a website title to start out an internet site on this platform. That’s why WordPress.org can also be usually known as self-hosted WordPress.
Alternatively, WordPress.com is an internet site builder that’s primarily based on the identical WordPress software program as WordPress.org. It’s run by Automattic, the corporate based by WordPress founder Matt Mullenwegg.
With WordPress.com, customers don’t want to search out their very own internet hosting plan and set up the software program themselves. They’ll select a free plan or one of many obtainable paid plans, and Automattic will host their web site for them.
![New WordPress.com plans New WordPress.com plans](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/new-wordpress-com-plans-min.png)
![New WordPress.com plans New WordPress.com plans](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/new-wordpress-com-plans-min.png)
For newbie WordPress bloggers, having your internet hosting taken care of may appear to be a extra handy possibility.
Nevertheless, there are literally some drawbacks that you must take into account. Let’s undergo them one after the other. You should utilize these fast hyperlinks to skip to a particular matter:
Restricted Entry to WordPress Plugins
Whether or not you employ WordPress.com or WordPress.org, the core software program solely lets you create a easy private weblog or web site. Meaning you possibly can solely write content material, add pictures, publish your pages or posts, and that’s it.
There aren’t any built-in instruments to do particular issues, like add a contact kind or promote on-line. If you wish to use these options, then you’ll need to put in a WordPress plugin, which is like an app that extends the WordPress software program.
In WordPress.org, you get entry to 59,000+ free plugins for varied features. You may set up a web page builder to get extra customization choices to your net design or a Google Analytics plugin to trace your website efficiency.
![The WordPress.org plugin directory The WordPress.org plugin directory](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-org-plugins-min.png)
![The WordPress.org plugin directory The WordPress.org plugin directory](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-org-plugins-min.png)
These plugins are what turned WordPress from a easy running a blog platform to a robust and broadly used web site builder.
In the meantime, WordPress.com customers have restricted entry to those free plugins. For starters, you want to have a Creator plan or larger to have the ability to set up them. The plan itself prices $25 per thirty days, which is fairly expensive to start with.
You additionally can’t set up third-party premium plugins until you’ve a Creator plan or larger.
For those who use WordPress.org, then you possibly can set up any free or premium plugin, it doesn’t matter what. And when you use a internet hosting supplier like Bluehost, then you possibly can even get some must-have WordPress plugins pre-installed so to use them straight away.
![Bluehost offer for WPBeginner readers Bluehost offer for WPBeginner readers](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/bluehostnew.jpg)
![Bluehost offer for WPBeginner readers Bluehost offer for WPBeginner readers](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/bluehostnew.jpg)
The perfect half is that Bluehost’s most cost-effective plans are far more reasonably priced than WordPress.com’s Creator plan. They’ve additionally supplied an unique low cost for WPBeginner readers so to save much more cash!
Restricted Entry to WordPress Themes
WordPress themes are ready-to-use template information that customers can set up to design their web sites. This fashion, you received’t want any coding or design expertise to make your website look good.
With WordPress.org, you’ll have the liberty to choose from greater than 11,000 free themes or set up a premium theme of your alternative.
![The WordPress.org theme directory The WordPress.org theme directory](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-org-themes-min.png)
![The WordPress.org theme directory The WordPress.org theme directory](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-org-themes-min.png)
Nevertheless, similar to with plugins, WordPress.com customers’ entry to themes is proscribed. Whereas Free plan and Starter plan customers can use free themes, premium and third-party customized themes are solely obtainable for Explorer plan customers or larger.
In different phrases, in addition to the price of the premium theme, additionally, you will must pay $8 per thirty days or extra to have the ability to set up it.
In fact, the 11,000+ free themes obtainable are nice. However usually, premium themes include superior options, like extra customization choices and distinctive designs.
![Customize theme in the Customizer Customize theme in the Customizer](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/customize-theme-in-customizer.jpg)
![Customize theme in the Customizer Customize theme in the Customizer](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/customize-theme-in-customizer.jpg)
Even when you understand how to fashion your theme utilizing CSS, you can’t achieve this with WordPress.com until you’ve a Premium plan or larger.
Restricted eCommerce Options
On-line retailer options in WordPress.com are solely obtainable when you purchase the Entrepreneur plan or larger.
This plan prices $45 per thirty days and contains options like premium retailer themes, stock administration, limitless merchandise, and a 0% fee charge.
![The WordPress.com Entrepreneur plan landing page The WordPress.com Entrepreneur plan landing page](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-com-entrepreneur-min.png)
![The WordPress.com Entrepreneur plan landing page The WordPress.com Entrepreneur plan landing page](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-com-entrepreneur-min.png)
In case you are operating a small enterprise, then this price ticket can really feel a bit steep, particularly when in comparison with WordPress.org.
On WordPress.org, you possibly can set up the free WooCommerce plugin to promote on-line. Then, you possibly can promote a number of bodily and digital merchandise, get your storefront pages operating, and allow on-line fee strategies.
![WooCommerce landing page WooCommerce landing page](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/woocommerce-page-min.png)
![WooCommerce landing page WooCommerce landing page](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/woocommerce-page-min.png)
For those who want extra options, then there are tons of free and premium WooCommerce plugins obtainable to increase the core WooCommerce plugin. This fashion, you should buy and use the instruments you really want to maximise your small enterprise funds.
Restricted website positioning Options
SEO (website positioning) is among the most vital advertising ways for getting extra visitors to your web site. Each WordPress.com and WordPress.org have options that make optimizing your content material for engines like google simple.
For instance, each platforms embrace heading tags within the block editor. You should utilize these to create construction in your pages or posts and assist engines like google and customers navigate your content material.
![You Can Easily Add Heading Tags Without Code Using the WordPress Block Editor You Can Easily Add Heading Tags Without Code Using the WordPress Block Editor](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/headingsaddingheadinginblockeditor.png)
![You Can Easily Add Heading Tags Without Code Using the WordPress Block Editor You Can Easily Add Heading Tags Without Code Using the WordPress Block Editor](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/headingsaddingheadinginblockeditor.png)
In addition they have an alt textual content editor to offer extra context to pictures. Serps use this info to know what the picture is about. Display screen readers additionally learn the textual content out loud to visually impaired customers when they’re shopping the net.
What makes WordPress.com and WordPress.org totally different is the entry to website positioning plugins.
On WordPress.org, you possibly can simply set up a plugin like All in One SEO to get extra website positioning management. A few of this plugin’s options embrace the meta title and outline editor, on-page content material options, an inside linking assistant, and so forth.
![AIOSEO's landing page AIOSEO's landing page](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/aioseo-landing-page-edited-min.jpg)
![AIOSEO's landing page AIOSEO's landing page](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/aioseo-landing-page-edited-min.jpg)
In the meantime, you possibly can’t get entry to these options in case you are a free WordPress.com consumer. You’ll need the Creator plan ($25 per thirty days) to make use of Jetpack’s website positioning instruments and set up an website positioning plugin.
This makes it fairly onerous to optimize your content material and do technical website positioning, particularly in case you have a restricted funds.
That mentioned, all WordPress.com plans have an built-in Jetpack AI Assistant, which supplies 20 free requests to test errors in your WordPress weblog posts. Nevertheless, the suggestions received’t be particularly associated to website positioning.
![JetPack's AI writing assistant in WordPress.com's block editor JetPack's AI writing assistant in WordPress.com's block editor](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ai-assistant-feedback-min.png)
![JetPack's AI writing assistant in WordPress.com's block editor JetPack's AI writing assistant in WordPress.com's block editor](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ai-assistant-feedback-min.png)
You may as well see stats through Jetpack to guage your web site efficiency. Nonetheless, it’s not as in-depth as utilizing a Google Analytics plugin like MonsterInsights.
Restricted Monetization Alternatives
Monetization in WordPress.com has improved over time, nevertheless it nonetheless has some drawbacks in case you are trying to earn cash out of your web site.
Right now, all WordPress.com plans enable donations, ideas, fee buttons, paid content material gating, and paid subscribers. These choices are nice in case you are a content material creator who needs to supply members-only perks in your website.
That mentioned, you possibly can solely settle for PayPal funds in case you are on a Starter plan or larger. PayPal is among the most widely-used fee strategies on the web, so not having it might probably make you miss out on potential gross sales.
Plus, WordAds (WordPress’s commercial program) is barely obtainable for Explorer customers or larger.
![WordAds, WordPress' advertising program WordAds, WordPress' advertising program](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordads-min.png)
![WordAds, WordPress' advertising program WordAds, WordPress' advertising program](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordads-min.png)
What’s extra, WordPress.com takes fee charges out of your funds, which lowers your income. The speed ranges from 0% to 10%, and the cheaper your plan, the upper the charges.
Alternatively, WordPress.org places no restrict on the way you earn cash in your weblog or web site. Because of this, you possibly can have full management over your income.
You may as well be part of any promoting platform or use any on-line fee supplier you need. Listed below are some guides on how to do this:
Doable Web site Suspension (With out Warning)
Talking of restricted monetization, WordPress.com may take down your website when you don’t observe their phrases of service for promoting, amongst different issues.
The opposite guidelines are fairly customary, akin to avoiding spam and unlawful actions. Nevertheless, some customers have reported surprising suspensions with out warning.
Here’s what their user guidelines say: “Keep in mind that these are simply pointers — interpretations are solely as much as us. These pointers are usually not exhaustive and are topic to vary.”
Alternatively, WordPress.org doesn’t have such particular phrases or pointers. Because it’s free software program, the insurance policies depend upon the internet hosting supplier and server configuration. This presents customers extra flexibility, however you do must comply along with your host’s guidelines.
Restricted Branding Alternatives
One other limitation of WordPress.com is you don’t have full management over your web site’s branding.
You may customise your website’s look to some extent, together with altering the colour scheme, including a customized brand, and customizing the location’s structure.
Nevertheless, for Free and Starter plans, the extent of customization is proscribed. Relying on how you modify the theme’s fashion, you might get a notification that you’re utilizing a premium fashion and must improve to make use of it.
![WordPress.com's notification about upgrading to a higher plan to use a premium theme style WordPress.com's notification about upgrading to a higher plan to use a premium theme style](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-com-premium-style-min.png)
![WordPress.com's notification about upgrading to a higher plan to use a premium theme style WordPress.com's notification about upgrading to a higher plan to use a premium theme style](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wordpress-com-premium-style-min.png)
What’s extra, when you use the free WordPress.com plan, then you’ll have WordPress.com advertisements displayed in your web site.
On WordPress.org, you’ve far more flexibility in branding your website, and also you received’t have any advertisements proven in your web site until you place them there.
Plus, you should utilize and customise any theme obtainable. If you need extra customization choices, then you possibly can simply set up a web page builder plugin like SeedProd.
One perk of WordPress.com is it nonetheless permits using a customized area title in all plans. Paid plans additionally include a free area title for one 12 months. Nevertheless, this function is just not one thing new, particularly since many WordPress internet hosting suppliers like Bluehost provide it, too.
Restricted Efficiency and Safety
Like many different web site builders, WordPress.com presents a number of plans which you can buy as you construct what you are promoting. What’s difficult is that sure safety and efficiency options are solely obtainable when you improve to a particular plan.
For instance, solely Creator and Entrepreneur customers can use Jetpack’s real-time backup and uptime monitoring options. These instruments may also help be sure that your website is out there always, and you may restore it in case a catastrophe strikes.
Customers with lower-tier plans can’t use these options. They’ll’t set up their very own backup plugins to allow them, both.
Plans beneath Creator additionally don’t embrace an online software firewall, which is a fundamental safety function that the majority main internet hosting suppliers provide.
Many individuals select self-hosted WordPress.org to keep away from these issues. With it, they’ll select a internet hosting platform and purchase a internet hosting plan with the cupboard space, bandwidth, and different sources that go well with their wants finest.
If the internet hosting service doesn’t embrace sure instruments like backups, then the consumer can freely set up a plugin like Duplicator to allow it.
![Is Duplicator the right backup and migration plugin for you? Is Duplicator the right backup and migration plugin for you?](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/duplicator-backup-migration.png)
![Is Duplicator the right backup and migration plugin for you? Is Duplicator the right backup and migration plugin for you?](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/duplicator-backup-migration.png)
These causes make WordPress.org a way more scalable possibility than WordPress.com, particularly for a web-based enterprise.
When to Use WordPress.com As a substitute of WordPress.org
Generally, we advocate utilizing WordPress.org as a substitute of WordPress.com. That being mentioned, primarily based on our expertise, WordPress.com might be appropriate if:
- You need to create a free weblog with a WordPress.com subdomain – In case you are simply operating a private weblog and don’t have any intention of branding it, then a free WordPress.com web site might be a great possibility.
- You need a no-frills resolution to run a easy weblog or web site – On this case, you might not want any third-party plugins and could be pleased with the Free, Starter, or Explorer plan.
- You’re a content material creator or on-line enterprise proprietor who needs to make use of an all-in-one website-building resolution – WordPress.com’s Creator and Entrepreneur plans may be appropriate as they’re already tailor-made to those use circumstances.
- You want direct WordPress assist – With WordPress.org, the enable you to get usually comes from neighborhood boards, blogs like WPBeginner, or theme or plugin builders. In case you are a paid WordPress.com consumer, then you will get direct e mail or dwell chat assist.
Transferring From WordPress.com to WordPress.org
Whereas WordPress.com is nice for sure varieties of customers, many WordPress.org internet hosting suppliers provide options which have made this open-source platform a lot simpler to make use of.
For instance, internet hosting companies like Bluehost, Hostinger, and SiteGround embrace a one-click WordPress installer. This fashion, you received’t must arrange the platform manually. Simply click on just a few buttons, and you may log in to WordPress straight away.
What’s extra, in addition they provide pre-installed free plugins, so that you received’t have to search out plugins by yourself. As an illustration, Bluehost’s WordPress set up contains OptinMonster and WPForms, that are must-have WordPress plugins to develop your web site.
On high of that, many WordPress internet hosting suppliers provide plans which are extra reasonably priced than WordPress.com’s Starter plan, which prices $4 per thirty days.
Simply check out Bluehost’s presents beneath:
![Bluehost pricing plans Bluehost pricing plans](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bluehost-plans-new-new-min.png)
![Bluehost pricing plans Bluehost pricing plans](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bluehost-plans-new-new-min.png)
The perfect half is that WordPress.org doesn’t prohibit the way you earn cash out of your website or the plugins you possibly can set up in your WordPress account. This offers you full management over the actions and development of what you are promoting.
If you have already got a WordPress.com website however aren’t glad with it, then you possibly can migrate it to WordPress.org simply. You may learn our step-by-step information on easy methods to transfer your weblog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
Alternatively, take a look at WPBeginner’s free weblog setup service. This lets you purchase a internet hosting plan from certainly one of our trusted internet hosting companions, and in change, we are going to transfer your WordPress.com weblog without spending a dime.
We hope this text helped you study what the restrictions of WordPress.com are. You may additionally be desirous about our information on how a lot it prices to construct a WordPress web site and our record of the very best WordPress web site examples for inspiration.
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