When Do I Need a Host for My WordPress Site?

Have you wondered about the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org? Here we talk about the major differences between the two and when it may be time to switch to WordPress.org.
WordPress has become one of the most used content management systems due to its simplicity. But many people wonder what the limitations are for a WordPress site, and when they will need to purchase web hosting services.
The blogging revolution has really taken off over the last few years. It is estimated that there are over 152 million blogs on the internet, with a new blog being created every half a second according to wpvirtuoso.com. With this kind of growth, people wonder what the different options are for their blog, and whether or not they need to be paying for additional services.
WordPress is a content management system, meaning it’s an application that gives you the freedom to publish, edit and modify content. While there are many different options if you’re starting a blog or website, WordPress seems to be one of the most popular choices due to its easy-to-use features and ability for growth.
There are two different options when you are using WordPress: you can stick with WordPress.com, which will host your blog or site and basically do everything for you, or you can switch to WordPress.org, and have the freedom to customize and form your website exactly how you want it.
Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each:
WordPress.com
Pros: WordPress.com is perfect for those wanting a simple site that is easy to maintain. WordPress basically takes care of everything from the design to how it will be hosted on the internet. Security is taken care of, and you won’t need prior knowledge about coding, design or anything else techie.
Cons: You will not have very many options to customize your site. You can use WordPress’s templates, but you will not have the freedom to put whatever you’d like on your site. Plugins, advertisements and ecommerce are limited with WordPress.com
WordPress.org
Pros: WordPress.org allows you to do whatever you’d like with your site. You won’t have limitations with what you’re trying to include.
Cons: Technical knowledge and maintenance are required in order to keep your site running. You will need to purchase web hosting as well. VPS.net WordPress Cloud Hosting offers unlimited bandwith and a 99.9% uptime guarantee, making it a clear choice for all WordPress sites.
You can compare the two options to when you decide to leave your parents’ house. When you’re living with your parents, they will generally provide you with heat, water, food, and anything else you may need to survive. If the pipes break in your bathroom, your parents will probably hire a plumber and get it taken care of. Sounds like a good deal, until you want some freedom. If you’re living with your parents, you are obliged to live by their rules. You may not be able to make all of your own decisions, and you’ll be limited on what you can and can’t do. This is your WordPress.com.
When you move out of your parents’ house and into your own apartment, you gain all sorts of freedom. If you want to change up the design of the apartment and rearrange the furniture, you go right ahead. If you decide to throw a party, you don’t even have to ask permission. Don’t like the carpet? Go ahead and change it! However, if the air-conditioning breaks, you’re going to have to fix it yourself, or find someone who can. This is your WordPress.org.
As you can see by this example, most people are going to prefer to have the freedom of being on their own. Even if something breaks in your new apartment, help is usually only a phone call away. It works the same way with web hosting. If you have any questions as you switch over to WordPress.org, our VPS.net 24/7 support is ready to answer all of your questions. Even if you don’t have much technical experience, our staff is always willing to walk you through anything that you’re working on with your WordPress site.
Look to VPS.net  for all of your WordPress Cloud Hosting needs. No matter the needs of your blog or website, VPS.net has a perfect plan you.