1. You can't create a website for free. To create a site, you'll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting, which can cost up to $110 per year. You'll be interested to see How Much Does It REALLY Cost to Create a Website?
2. You need to set up WordPress before you can start logging into your WordPress dashboard. To save time and make logging in easier, you can purchase WordPress hosting , which comes pre-installed with WordPress. This way you can log into your WordPress site right away without any setup.
3. You are responsible for updating the core software, plugins, and themes of WordPress. However, updating your WordPress is as easy as clicking the Update button, so it's not too much work.
4. 4. You are responsible for backing up and providing security for your WordPress site. Luckily, there are tons of WordPress backup and security plugins that allow you to set up automatic backups and security. You should also read the ultimate guide to WordPress security.
Understanding WordPress.com
wordpress.com blogging platform
WordPress.com is a free website hosting service run by the same people who created WordPress.org.
WordPress.com lets you create a website for free. If you need more features, new zealand business email list such as support for custom domain names, more storage space, or design customization, you can upgrade to a premium WordPress.com plan .
WordPress.com hosting service has 5 plans:
A limited free plan
Personal: $4 per month
Premium: $8 per month
Business: $25/month
E-commerce: $45 per month
Company: Custom prices
Advantages of WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a good platform for students and amateur bloggers who need to create a free blog . Here are some of the advantages of using WordPress.com:
1. Free : You don't have to buy a domain name or web hosting to start a free blog. Instead, you can use a free WordPress.com subdomain.
2. 2. Easy Setup : Setting up a free WordPress blog is as easy as creating an account on WordPress.com and specifying your website name and URL.
3. Easy maintenance : You don't have to update WordPress or take care of backups yourself.
Cons of WordPress.com
WordPress.com hosting comes with many limitations. These are:
1. No Identity:
With the free WordPress.com platform, you can't set up a custom domain name for your site. While you can set up a free subdomain for your blog, the downside is that subdomains aren't easy for end users to remember.
For example, here's what the URL for a free WordPress.com site looks like: http://yoursite.wordpress.com/
As you can see, you'll be using WordPress.com as your domain name. Since the domain name doesn't represent your brand, you lose your identity, making your site look unprofessional.
2. There is no monetization :
You are not allowed to monetize your free WordPress.com blog with direct ads or any ad networks like Google AdSense . You also cannot make money with affiliate marketing. If you have a high traffic site, you can apply for their advertising program called WordAds where you share revenue with WordPress.com.
3. Without plugins :
Unlike self-hosted WordPress, the free WordPress.com does not allow you to install WordPress plugins on your site. If you want to enhance your WordPress site with plugins, then you may want to consider upgrading your plan.
4. Limited customization :
You cannot upload a custom WordPress theme to a free WordPress blog. Only a limited selection of WordPress themes are available with the free plan.
5. No third-party scripts :
WordPress.com does not allow you to install third-party scripts on your site, such as Google Analytics. For user tracking, you will have to rely on WordPress.com's limited statistics.
6. 6. Restrictions:
When you create a free blog on WordPress.com, you agree to WordPress.com’s Terms of Service. Their terms come with a bunch of restrictions that could hinder your website’s growth down the line.
7. Unreliable
Without your consent, WordPress.com can delete your blog at any time if it deems you have violated its Terms of Service. This makes WordPress.com less trustworthy. Nothing worse can happen to your site than losing your hard-earned reputation and your site itself.