Web Design
How to Register a .com.au Domain
How to get a .com.au domain: eligibility, choosing a name, registering it, WHOIS privacy and the .au direct option if you have no ABN.
WordPress.com and .org use the same WordPress software but are run differently. WordPress.org gives you the free software to install on hosting you choose, so you control everything. WordPress.com is a paid hosted service that runs the software for you, with less control. For most business websites, a self-hosted WordPress.org site is the better long-term choice.
Is WordPress.com the same as WordPress.org?
No. They share a name and the same core software, which is why people mix them up, but they are different services:
- WordPress.org is the home of the free, open-source WordPress software. You download it and install it on your own web hosting (or your web developer does).
- WordPress.com is a company’s hosted service built on that software. You sign up for a plan, and it looks after the hosting, security and updates for you.
When someone searches “WordPress com org”, they usually want to know which of the two they actually have, or which one they should start with.
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
Here’s the difference between WordPress.com and .org in one table:
| WordPress.org (self-hosted) | WordPress.com (hosted) | |
|---|---|---|
| Software cost | Free | Included in the plan |
| Hosting | You choose and pay for it | Included, run by WordPress.com |
| Domain name | You buy and manage it | Free subdomain, or your own domain on paid plans |
| Themes and plugins | Any theme or plugin | Limited on cheaper plans; wider on higher plans |
| Updates and security | Your job (or your developer’s) | Handled for you |
| Control and ownership | Full control of files and data | Bound by WordPress.com’s plans and terms |
| Best for | Business websites that need to grow | Personal sites, blogs and simple starter sites |
Which is better, WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
It depends on what you need from the site. In the WordPress.org vs WordPress.com decision:
WordPress.com is better if you want a personal site or blog, you’re building it yourself, you don’t want to think about hosting, security or updates, and you’re happy to work within the platform’s limits.
WordPress.org is better if the site is for a business that needs to grow: you want any theme or plugin, online bookings or a shop with WooCommerce, full control over SEO settings and tracking, and the freedom to move hosts whenever you like. You’ll need hosting and someone to keep it updated, which can be you, your developer or a care plan.
For most of the businesses we work with, WordPress.org is the right choice. If you only need a simple online presence and want to do it yourself, WordPress.com, Wix or Squarespace may suit you better, and that’s fine.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org for business websites
Comparing WordPress com vs org for a business usually comes down to three things:
- Growth. If you’ll want bookings, payments, a shop, landing pages or marketing integrations later, self-hosted WordPress gives you the most room to add them.
- Ownership. With WordPress.org, your files and database sit on hosting you control, so you can move them any time.
- Maintenance. The trade-off is that someone has to update and back up the site. Our WordPress maintenance guide explains what’s involved.
What does each option cost?
In the WordPress dot com vs dot org cost comparison, the two charge in different ways:
- WordPress.com charges one plan price that bundles hosting, security and support. There’s a free plan with WordPress.com ads and a wordpress.com address, and paid plans that add your own domain, more storage and more features. Plans and prices change, so check the current WordPress.com plans.
- WordPress.org software is free, but you pay separately for hosting, your domain name, any premium theme or plugins, and the time to build and maintain the site. At Rock Solid Marketing, hosting starts from $400 + GST a year, and website care plans that handle updates and backups start from $275 + GST a month (minimum 6 months).
A self-hosted site can cost more to run than a basic WordPress.com plan, but you’re paying for control and room to grow rather than for a plan’s limits.
Can you switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?
Yes. Plenty of sites start on WordPress.com and move to self-hosted WordPress as they grow. Your posts, pages and media can come with you; your theme and settings usually need to be set up again on the new site.
How to migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress.org
- Buy hosting and install WordPress (from wordpress.org) on it.
- In WordPress.com, export your content. WordPress.com saves it as an XML file you can import into a self-hosted site (WordPress.com export guide).
- In your new site, go to Tools, then Import, choose WordPress and upload the file. Tick the option to download attachments so your images come across.
- Set up your theme, menus and plugins, and check every page.
- Point your domain to the new host. If you used a WordPress.com address, set up redirects from the old address if your plan allows it.
That’s how to transfer WordPress.com to WordPress.org for most small sites. For bigger sites, or if you want to keep your rankings safe, our website migration service can handle it.
How we build WordPress websites
Our website packages are built on self-hosted WordPress, so a business can add features as it grows instead of hitting a platform limit. The Standard package, for example, includes security and SEO plug-ins and a WordPress user manual, so you can make everyday changes yourself. Our web design packages start from $5,000 + GST and include 12 months of hosting, and our WordPress SEO service covers the search side.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress.org really free?
The software is free. You still pay for hosting and a domain name, plus any premium themes, plugins or developer time you need. At Rock Solid Marketing, hosting starts from $400 + GST a year.
Is WordPress.org harder to use than WordPress.com?
Day to day, they feel almost the same, because both use the same WordPress dashboard and editor. The difference is setup and upkeep: with WordPress.org, someone has to install it, keep it updated and back it up. Once that’s handled, editing pages and posts works the same way.
Which one do I have?
If you log in at wordpress.com, or your site address ends in .wordpress.com, it’s WordPress.com. If you log in at yoursite.com.au/wp-admin and pay a separate host, it’s self-hosted WordPress.org.
Is WordPress.com good for SEO?
It can be, especially on higher plans. Self-hosted WordPress gives you more control, though, because you can use any SEO plugin and fine-tune things like page speed and tracking.
Can I use WooCommerce on WordPress.com?
Only on some WordPress.com plans. On a self-hosted WordPress.org site you can install WooCommerce and run a full online store on any hosting that supports it.
The short version
WordPress.com and .org share the same software. Put simply, in WordPress org vs com terms: .com is hosted and simpler, .org is self-hosted and gives you full control. Pick WordPress.com for a personal site or blog, and WordPress.org for a business website you want to own and grow.
If you’d like a self-hosted WordPress site built for you, book a free 30-minute discovery call.
