WordPress Blogging Platform

WordPress.org

For beginner, it is good to start with Blogger platform. At some point, if you realize that having a self hosted blog is important, then it is time to move on. Most popular blogging platform is WordPress. It is an open source blogging platform which you could customize to your needs and necessities. But you need a hosting account or dedicate a computer machine. Either of the choice, you are going to use WordPress Content Management  System (CMS) for your blog. Well, if you have to start with WordPress, then visit wordpress.org not wordpress.com. Both of them are different!

Difference between wordpress.org and wordpress.com:

Making it Black and White

It would be obvious to observe similarity between the two web address. Yet, both of them are different. Wordpress.org is Open Source project website where you could download the source code of the CMS, while wordpress.com is a website which implemented wordpress open source project act like Blogger service. In wordpress.com, you can create your own blog as we do in Blogger.com. So, if you wish to create your self hosted web blog, then start from wordpress.org.

To make it simple, wordpress.org has provided preferred hosting service who will provide one click install for WordPress. Bluehost, Dreamhost, Laughing Squids are the recommended WordPress hosting service.

WordPress.com is no less, it provide premium service for a cost. You can own your own domain name for your blog in wordpress.com. So, it is your choice when it comes to selecting the right platform. But it is highly recommended to own a self hosted web blog than wordpress.com. Practically, wordpress.com premium account will charge you little bit more than hosting service. Yet, you will find no hassle of blog management with wordpress.com. All you have to worry about is just writing good quality content for your web blog. The truth is each way has its own merits and demerits.

My personal opinion is it would cost less to own a self hosted blog than purchasing premium package from wordpress.com.

What if you don't find one click install?

It is fine to have other hosting services, but WordPress.org will not guarantee you with one click install. Unlike bluehost service, in which you could setup web blog in 20 minutes, other hosting services need you to upload the WordPress source code to the root of the web host.

Plugins:

The thing which made WordPress a buzz is plugins. For WordPress, you will find wide array of plugins that you might find it difficult select from the choices. Large number of web developers develop WordPress plugins. WordPress developer is most sought after job for any freelancer. 

For almost anything you will find plugin to get your job done in WordPress.

Moreover, you will have find more by yourself with your WordPress blog. To try blogging experience in WordPress it is good to start with wordpress.com.