So, you've decided you want to start a website. To keep things easy, you decide to use WordPress. It's effortlessto setup, has lots of themes, and you can be up and running in minutes. Now here's the difficultpart; do you go with a free WordPress site (www.WordPress.com/yoursite), or do you buy a domain and hosting, install WordPress, and have a hosted site (www.yoursite.com)? In this article we'll talk about the positives and negatives of each mixture.
One of the first things you should think aboutis the formof your site. Everyone wants a custom look - no one wants to be generic. In this instance, the free WordPress sites offer only inadequatetheme support. That is, you can't use custom or commercial themes, and you aren't allowed to revisethe CSS of the stock themes. The hosted version allows you to install any and every theme, and modify all aspects. This is unquestionablya plus for a hosted WordPress site.
Keeping with the draftof your site, you also want to deliberateplugins. WordPress plugins add functionality as well as altering the look of your WordPress site, and this is also an issue with the free version. While the hosted version allows full unhinderedaccess to any plugins, the free version won't permityou to upload any custom or commercial plugins. This may or may not disturbyou, but in most cases as you modify your site further you will find custom plugins wanted and needed. This is another plus for a hosted WordPress site.
Something else to care aboutis price. While it's clear how much a "free WordPress site" costs, you might want to consider how much you'd be spending if you went with hosted. First you would need a domain and hosting. Typically you can get a free domain when you buya year of hosting, but that hosting can run you $100 yearly, give or take a few dollars. After that you'll install WordPress, which is simple and free. You could theoretically stop here, and you'd only be out $100.
However, that's typically not the case. You'll find yourself wanting a nice theme, which will run you $20-$50. After you get it nice and pretty, you'll want plugins, and some of them can be costly. Buying a few good ones could run you a couple thousand dollars. At the end of the day, you're saving $300-500 by not using a hosted WordPress. In this case, I'll give the edge to the free WordPress sites, but I'm even hard pressed to do that with the limitations enforced.
There are also a few things you should deemfrom a business standpoint. For one, a free WordPress site does not allow you to pushads. If you ever plan on making money using ads, you'll certainlyhave to use a hosted WordPress. This may be a deal breaker for some. Also, you have to keep up with your site manually, as far as updating and keeping plugins and themes updated. If you go with a free WordPress site, everything is updated for you on their end, so it's very low maintenance.
At the end of the period, hosted WordPress vs. free WordPress sites really depend on what you call for. If you plan on making money, having your own domain name, or doing anything custom, a hosted WordPress is needed. However, if you just want a barebones site that you can throw your thoughts on, a free WordPress will serve you very well, and can save you up to $500. While it seems like they'd be comparable, they actually offer a very different set of features, so make sure you really sit down and think of what you call forbefore you make a decision.
One of the first things you should think aboutis the formof your site. Everyone wants a custom look - no one wants to be generic. In this instance, the free WordPress sites offer only inadequatetheme support. That is, you can't use custom or commercial themes, and you aren't allowed to revisethe CSS of the stock themes. The hosted version allows you to install any and every theme, and modify all aspects. This is unquestionablya plus for a hosted WordPress site.
Keeping with the draftof your site, you also want to deliberateplugins. WordPress plugins add functionality as well as altering the look of your WordPress site, and this is also an issue with the free version. While the hosted version allows full unhinderedaccess to any plugins, the free version won't permityou to upload any custom or commercial plugins. This may or may not disturbyou, but in most cases as you modify your site further you will find custom plugins wanted and needed. This is another plus for a hosted WordPress site.
Something else to care aboutis price. While it's clear how much a "free WordPress site" costs, you might want to consider how much you'd be spending if you went with hosted. First you would need a domain and hosting. Typically you can get a free domain when you buya year of hosting, but that hosting can run you $100 yearly, give or take a few dollars. After that you'll install WordPress, which is simple and free. You could theoretically stop here, and you'd only be out $100.
However, that's typically not the case. You'll find yourself wanting a nice theme, which will run you $20-$50. After you get it nice and pretty, you'll want plugins, and some of them can be costly. Buying a few good ones could run you a couple thousand dollars. At the end of the day, you're saving $300-500 by not using a hosted WordPress. In this case, I'll give the edge to the free WordPress sites, but I'm even hard pressed to do that with the limitations enforced.
There are also a few things you should deemfrom a business standpoint. For one, a free WordPress site does not allow you to pushads. If you ever plan on making money using ads, you'll certainlyhave to use a hosted WordPress. This may be a deal breaker for some. Also, you have to keep up with your site manually, as far as updating and keeping plugins and themes updated. If you go with a free WordPress site, everything is updated for you on their end, so it's very low maintenance.
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