WordPress themes - your choices

WordPress.com or WordPress.org - the difference!

WordPress is free open source blogging software that enables you to easily start your own weblog (or blog as it is commonly called).

There are two options available, firstly WordPress.com and secondly wordPress.org.  Whilst the software is the same, with WordPress.com everything is taken care of such as hosting, whereas with WordPress.org you will need to install the software on your own servers (or with a third party provider).  WordPress.com is a good starting point if you are new to blogging and WordPress.org is ideal for those wishing to progress and have more control.

The benefits of WordPress.com is that it is free and easy to set up and there is a choice of over 70 themes.  You do not have to dowload software, pay for hosting or manage a web server. The set up, upgrades, spam, backups and security etc are all taken care of.  Posts are automatically backed up and your log in is secure (SSL).  The servers are also secure and are able to handle high volumes of traffic. You do not need your own domain name as you will get a URL such as "myname.wordpress.com".

However, with WordPress.com you cannot use custom themes, change the PHP code, nor can you upload plugins.  What WordPress.com does allow you to do is to blog for free!

Once you have become an experienced "blogger" or if you want more flexibility with your blog then you can move on to WordPress.org.

The software is free, however you will need to install it on your own server and will need your own domain name.  Themes and plugins can be uploaded, the database can be edited and the PHP source code can be modified if needed.  You can even run adverts and GoogleAds to generate revenue.

WordPress.org requires a good web host.  More technical knowledge is required to set up and run it as you are responsible for stopping spam and handling backups. Upgrades must be done manually when a new version is released. If you get a huge surge in traffic your site may go down unless your hosting setup is robust. Having said that, hosting your own WordPress software can be rewarding as well as fun.

You can choose from a wide range of themes, many of which come with popular plugins and other features such as social network links, etc.

Many themes are free, but remember other people may have the same one as you.  Free themes do allow you to change your theme as often as you like from the ones you have downloaded. Some free theme providers have a "donate" button so that you can help support them in their ongoing development of free themes; a dollar to the coffee fund is always welcome and shows appreciation for their hard work!

Many providers of free themes provide online support (some will charge for this) and will, for a small fee, tweek the theme to make it more personalised to you or your business.

Premium themes are ones that you pay for and usually have more features than the free themes; you will pay anything from $20 upwards.  They are available for everyone, so will not be totally unique to you, however premium themes will not be as abundant as free themes.

If you require a customised theme then that will cost you; you will of course be the only person with that theme and it will be more complex than free or premium themes, whilst still working on the WordPress principle.

You may like to design your own WordPress theme, or have it professionally designed.  If you do this, then the design will need to be programmed by a coder so that it will work with WordPress.

I hope this article has clarified some points with regard to WordPress.com and WordPress.org, as well as the different levels of themes available.

Happy blogging!