At Searchwp, probably the most generally requested query by our customers is whether or not they need to use self hosted WordPress or get a Free WordPress.com blog. We've got coated this matter intimately and have mentioned professionals and cons of each choices. Nevertheless plainly we often get a comply with up query alongside the road of how are WordPress.com and WordPress.org associated? Which one is the official WordPress that everybody is speaking about? What is that this WordPress basis? If you happen to ever had these questions, then you might be in the appropriate place. On this article, we'll clarify what's the relationship between self-hosted WordPress (aka WordPress.org) and WordPress.com. Hopefully it will clear any confusion that customers keep in mind.
What's Self-Hosted WordPress (WordPress.org)?
WordPress.org is dwelling to the most well-liked Content material Administration System (CMS), WordPress. Based by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little in 2003, WordPress was initially a fork of one other running a blog software program known as b2 cafelog. WordPress was began as a running a blog platform nevertheless it has advanced into a strong publishing platform that goes far past easy running a blog. WordPress is an open supply software program which suggests anybody can contribute to it, use it, copy it, construct upon it and redistribute it with none restrictions. Over time WordPress grew, turned in style, and as we speak it's the mostly used publishing platform to construct web sites all through the world. Once you hear people speaking about WordPress at conferences, meetup teams, blogs, youtube movies, and different locations, then they're more than likely speaking in regards to the self-hosted WordPress. If you're desirous about creating an internet site or weblog on your firm, and also you need to use all of the cool plugins that you simply hear about, then you could use the self-hosted WordPress. Plugins are NOT allowed on WordPress.com.
Self-hosted WordPress is free for everybody to make use of in any means they like. Learn: Why is WordPress free? What are the costs? What is the catch?
What's WordPress.com?
WordPress.com is a proprietary weblog internet hosting resolution with limitations. Regardless of the identical identify, WordPress.com and WordPress.org are NOT instantly associated. WordPress.com does use the open-source WordPress platform at its core to energy all of the blogs they host, however they've restrictions similar to you can't add plugins, customized themes, and many others till you pay excessive premiums. Many customers use WordPress.com to get began, after which migrate over once they notice they need extra options, performance and management. Here's a information on how to move your blog from WordPress.com to self hosted WordPress.org.
WordPress.com is owned by an organization known as Automattic which was based by Matt Mullenweg (co-founder of WordPress).
How are WordPress.com and WordPress.org Associated?
They're NOT associated. The rationale why folks confuse the 2 collectively is as a result of they each have the identify WordPress, which is definitely a registered trademark owned by the WordPress Basis. One more reason for the confusion is that Matt Mullenweg (co-founder of WordPress) is the founding father of Automattic which owns the weblog internet hosting service, WordPress.com. Lastly, lots of the Automattic workers are common contributors of WordPress.org. Regardless of these widespread grounds, the 2 initiatives are completely totally different entities.
WordPress.org (aka self-hosted WordPress) is dwelling to the extremely extensible and highly effective content material administration system. On the opposite, hand WordPress.com is a service constructed upon the open supply WordPress at its core. WordPress.com doesn't give you the liberty to switch your supply code, or add your individual plugins, or prolong the options.
Replace March 26, 2013: If you happen to use Jetpack plugin, or WordPress.com Stats plugin, then you might be required to attach your self-hosted WordPress website to WordPress.com with a view to use their providers. By doing this, you do find yourself giving WordPress.com entry to a few of your information similar to stats (if you're utilizing the stats plugin).
What is that this WordPress Basis?
WordPress is a registered trademark owned by WordPress Foundation which is a non-profit group. The muse’s purpose is to guarantee that WordPress is freely out there, maintained, and developed. In their very own phrases:
The purpose of the muse is to make sure free entry, in perpetuity, to the software program initiatives we assist. Folks and companies could come and go, so it is very important make sure that the supply code for these initiatives will survive past the present contributor base, that we could create a steady platform for internet publishing for generations to come back. As a part of this mission, the Basis shall be accountable for defending the WordPress, WordCamp, and associated logos. A 501(c)three non-profit group, the WordPress Basis will even pursue a constitution to teach the general public about WordPress and associated open supply software program.
It is vital that we point out that WordPress basis is registered by Matt Mullenweg (co-founder of WordPress). The present particular person accountable for coping with WordCamps and different WordPress basis duties is an Automattic worker.
Why is there a lot confusion?
For one, folks usually affiliate .com websites to be official. Whereas on this case, WordPress.org is the official WordPress platform. One more reason for confusion is whenever you attend conferences like Blogworld or SXSW, then you definately discover one WordPress sales space that has Automattic on one aspect, and WordPress basis on the opposite.
Having a sales space like that make customers suppose that Automattic, WordPress, and WordPress basis are all related entities. This causes lots of confusion for brand new customers.
So What’s Proper For You?
We at all times suggest our customers to make use of WordPress.org aka self-hosted WordPress. It is rather straightforward to install WordPress, and you've got full management over your website. You possibly can add plugins, customized themes, monetize your website, create your individual membership website, and/or use one in all our WordPress tutorials to increase the performance with none restrictions.
Since there are such a lot of different folks acquainted with WordPress, it is extremely straightforward to get WordPress assist granted that you simply ask the appropriate questions. Learn our information on how to properly ask for WordPress support.
We hope that this text helped you perceive the connection between WordPress.org and WordPress.com, and cleared all confusions. When you've got one thing so as to add or ideas on this matter, then we encourage you to remark beneath.
