back to course
Lesson 02 / 822%· free preview
1. Introduction to WordPress2/5
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
Two flavors of WordPress — one fully hosted, one self-hosted. Pick based on control vs convenience.
The split
| WordPress.com | WordPress.org | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hosted service by Automattic | Open-source software you install |
| Hosting | Included | You arrange (Hostinger, BigRock, etc.) |
| Free tier | Yes (with .wordpress.com subdomain + ads) | Free software, paid hosting (~₹150/mo) |
| Themes/plugins | Limited on free plans | Unlimited — install anything |
| Custom domain | Paid plans only | Always |
| Monetisation | Paid plans | Always allowed |
| Best for | Casual blogs, hobbyists | Pros, agencies, businesses, e-commerce |
Rule of thumb
- Picking WordPress for a real project? Almost always .org (self-hosted).
- This entire course teaches WordPress.org — the version 99% of pros use.
How to tell which is which
Open the Plugins menu in the dashboard.
- If you can install plugins → it's WordPress.org (self-hosted).
- If you don't see Plugins menu → it's WordPress.com free/personal plan.
Real-life Example
Most WP tutorials, agencies, and freelance jobs use .org (self-hosted) — .com is only suitable for casual blogs.
Important. If you want plugins, custom themes, or any monetisation freedom, you MUST go with WordPress.org. The .com free plan blocks all of those.
Key Takeaways
- .com — fully hosted SaaS by Automattic
- .org — self-hosted open-source software
- .org gives full plugin/theme control + monetisation freedom
- .com is friendly for casual blogs only
Interview Questions
Practice Questions
- Sign up for a free WordPress.com account — note what's missing (Plugins menu, custom themes).
- Compare the 4 .com pricing tiers — what unlocks plugins?
Pro Tips
- Tell clients '.org' upfront — saves migration headaches later.
- Migrating .com → .org takes 1-2 hours with All-in-One WP Migration plugin.
AI-powered recap
Quick recap quiz?
We'll generate 5 MCQs from this lesson and check your understanding instantly. Takes ~30 seconds.
Ready to move on?
// example library
Want more hands-on snippets in WordPress?
Browse 1 runnable example · across 1 chapter · short, copy-paste-friendly · grouped by topic
// deep-dive
Go deeper — hand-picked articles
Long-form guides, shortcuts, and mental models that won't fit in a single lesson.
// feedback.matters()
Did this lesson help you?