Is wordpress a web host? I'm so sorry to ask, but I'm really confused…!
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I am very new to all this! I have been googling and reading for a couple of hours, but still confused I’m afraid. I’m sorry if this should be really obvious.
I need to set up a fairly simple website.
I have registered a domain with GoDaddy and I know what my content will be.
I understand that I need to:
1) design/build the pages and
2) arrange for the site to be hosted.
Lots of people have recommended WordPress to me. I understand that WP is focussed on blogs, but I’ve read the blog v. site discussions on the forum and it seems that WP will also be fine for a more static site.
But I still can’t understand if WP is a host or just a builder. So do I find a host elsewhere and then create the pages on WP? Or vice versa? Or…???
Nor can I understand how my existing domain fits into all this.Feeling pretty stupid :-/
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No need to feel stupid, it’s a very common point of confusion. Partially because WordPress is a host and a platform.
The short answer is you can create an account on WordPress.COM and have your blog hosted here. The hosting is free, they take care of all the security and backend things. You are able to map the domain you purchased, although there is a fee for that and other upgrades. There are also are restrictions on the types of sites you can host here, as well as some rules about security and some types of selling.
WordPress.ORG is the home of an open source platform that you can download and “self-host” at the web-host of your choice. It doesn’t have the restrictions of WordPress.com, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities, and requires more tech savvy.
This article outlines the differences quite clearly:http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/
This article is good for helping you choose which one is right for you: WordPress.com and WordPress.org .
Hope that helps clear things up for you!
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Lizthefair, it’s so kind of you to answer. Never had such a quick answer on any forum!
I hadn’t even noticed the .org and the .com distinction on WordPress. I will read the article now and hope that the fog clears a bit…
One thing I must ask though: you say at the top that WP is a host and a platform. – Now not sure what ‘platform’ means. Does it refer to the page/blog builder software?
Thanks again.
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glad to help. Yes, when I say platform (or if someone else says CMS) they mean basically the same thing you mean when you say “page/blog builder software.”
happy reading!
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Hi again to LiztheFair and anyone else out there,
Can I ask a bit more please?…
I’ve read the article you recommended and I more or less get it. So if I click on “sign up for a free blog” on WP.com, I’ll be making a blog or static page to which I can add content and change the look using whichever templates and features are available on the platform offered by the basic (free) plan. In this case I will be using WP as both a platform and a host, is that right??
Is it possible to start out like that and build up my content initially keeping the pages visible only to me while I construct them and then work out during that process whether I need either an alternative host or an alternative platform?
If I then realised that I would be better off upgrading to WP’s premium plan or keeping the content and layout but using another host (eg the ones recommended by WP), would that then be possible?
Thank you, thank you for any advice.
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Your understanding is correct.
As for your questions–yes, it is possible to set your site to “private” while you work on it. I believe it’s one of the questions the service asks during the setup process. If not, or if you change your mind about your privacy settings later, you can change them in your dashboard. (It sounds like you haven’t signed up yet so aren’t familiar with the dashboard, so I’ll hold off on specific instructions until you’ve had a chance to look around).
If you decide later you want to upgrade the site you built at WordPress.COM you can buy upgrades either individually as you need them, or in packages like the premium plan you mentioned. You could also import your work into a self-hosted site running software from WordPress.ORG.
The WordPress.COM staff produced a great tutorial resource designed to get you up and running. I believe you will find it very useful: http://learn.wordpress.com/
Best of luck, and let me know if you have any additional questions.
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Thanks again Liz. You’re so kind to help. I’m just going to have to take the plunge and learn by doing I think. I daresay I’ll be back rootling around the forum before long though…
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