Site building vs site hosting

• 

  mrmyerstkd · Member · Jul 31, 2026 at 7:48 pm

  • Copy link
  • Add topic to favorites

  If I build a website in wordpress and start the personal plan using a custom domain name, will i need separate hosting services or will the result be fully functional and visible online with just the wordpress personal package?

• 

  benitoalba · Member · Jul 31, 2026 at 9:26 pm

  • Copy link

  Hi @mrmyerstkd,

  Yes, if you build the site on WordPress.com and choose the Personal plan, WordPress.com hosts it, so you won’t need a separate hosting service. You can use a custom domain name, and the site will be publicly visible once you launch it.

  If you’re registering a new domain, an annual Personal plan includes an eligible domain free for the first year, monthly plans don’t include that offer, and the domain renews at its standard price afterward.

  That should leave you free to focus on building your site without arranging separate hosting.

• 

  alejandrourena07 · Staff · Aug 1, 2026 at 3:37 am

  • Copy link

  Hi there!
  
  Thank you for reaching out! If you build your site and then purchase a personal plan it will be hosted at WordPress.com so you won’t need to host the site somewhere else, it will be available and functional. If you purchase a monthly plan you will get the site, however if you purchase an annual plan you will get the site and a free domain with it for one year, which you will need to renew annually in order to keep it.
  
  If you already own a custom domain for the site, then by all means, you can connect that domain to the site following this guide: Connect a domain name to WordPress or if you would prefer you can transfer that domain to WordPress.com as well following this guide: Transfer a domain to WordPress
  
  If there’s anything else we can do for you, don’t hesitate to contact us back. We’re always happy to help!