Trying to assess whether to move to a WP.com plan
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I am currently building a blog on WP hosted by Bluehost. I am taking over production of a podcast and need to host that. I was looking at hosting sites like Libsyn and Simplecast but, after listening to a podcast last night where Matt Mullenweg mentioned unlimited bandwidth for podcast hosting on the business plan, I am looking at WP for that too. I would also like a small commerce area. I really just want to chat with someone to find out exactly what is (and isn’t) included in the business.commerce plans – and, yes, I have looked at the info on the compare plans page! I suspect WP may be the one-stop shop I need but I don’t want to get caught out with multiple extra add ons. Does anyone know if I can actually speak to customer support without signing up for a plan first? I have been going round in circles trying to find out and it seems you can only access support by getting a plan but I don’t know if I want/need the plan without talking to someone first! Going a bit nuts!
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Hi there,
On WordPress.com we provide hosting for free, with unlimited bandwidth, for an unlimited number of sites. Our upgrade plans are optional and add additional features.
Podcasting is possible on all WordPress.com sites, including free, but on the free plan you’d need to host the actual audio files somewhere else, like SoundCloud, for example. Hosting audio files for a podcast directly with us is possible from our Personal Plan upwards – that plan comes with a total of 6GB storage.
The Business Plan comes with unlimited storage space, and if you want to run an ecommerce site that plan also allows you to install ecommerce plugins like WooCommerce.
I really just want to chat with someone to find out exactly what is (and isn’t) included in the business.commerce plans
Can you please be a bit more specific? There are endless possibilities of what can be done with the WordPress software. Some are possible on WordPress.com, some would require you to run your own installation. It’s quite impossible to list everything :)
I don’t want to get caught out with multiple extra add ons
What you see on our plans page is what we offer. Specifically in this context, the ability to install plugins. However, if you want to use a premium plugin, or a paid theme created by another company, that is a separate cost which you’ll pay directly to that company.
Please let me know if you have any more questions about this.
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Hiya
Thank you so much for replying, I appreciate it.
Maybe I could confirm a few specific queries?
I think the Business Plan (BP) is the level I need to get the unlimited right? On the podcast I mentioned, Matt talked about needing the BP to get the unlimited bandwidth for podcasts. I am currently trying to set things up with a BlueHost hosting plan, paid theme and then a podcast host. The way Matt was talking made it sound like the WP BP could be a one stop shop which would obviously be way easier – kind of like Squarespace but with the flexibility of WP plugins?When you sign up for the BP are you limited to one website with that or multiple?
Same question for podcasts – can I host multiple podcasts on one site? and further podcasts with their own website? (dependent on first question I guess!)
You mentioned that only free plugins are free. One example was JetPack – that is listed in your plans but is this simply the free plug in that is available to any WP user? or the premium plan?
So I could have a small commerce page on the BP? I wouldn’t need to get the Commerce Plan?
What about domain specific emails? Is that an extra? I don’t see anything in the plans about emails.
I really want to get this right and feel like this might be the way to do it rather than have plans here there and everywhere! Also, I imagine that the support will be more helpful/easy when everything is in one place?
Many thanks for your advice.
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One plan covers one site, but as far as I’m aware you could host multiple podcasts on it.
Our Business plans include Jetpack’s highest plan, so no worries there. However it doesn’t include other paid plugins.
So I could have a small commerce page on the BP? I wouldn’t need to get the Commerce Plan?
Sure. You could even have a small plan with Simple Payments if you don’t need a cart solution:
https://en.support.wordpress.com/simple-payments/What about domain specific emails? Is that an extra?
We offer Google’s G-Suite for $50 per address per year, or we’d be happy to help you configure any of these mail providers:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/domains/add-email/I hope that helps!
Noting too, once you’ve got your plan, you can access chat based support here:
http://wordpress.com/help/contactCheers :)
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One plan covers one site, but as far as I’m aware you could host multiple podcasts on it.
That’s great as I need 3 or 4 on one site.
I appreciate that I can access live chat when I sign up but the problem is I just needed some questions answered to see if I wanted to sign up! So the final decider is how easy it is to move and existing podcast (over 50 episodes) across. Podcast hosting sites have import help – is there anything like that here?
Thanks again.
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Possibly! We have a number of importers. If you’ll let us know where the podcasts are currently, we’ll look into this for you.
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Thank you. They are on Libysn Pro account. The podcast is currently produced by someone else but is being transferred to me at the end of the year.
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There is an RSS feed I believe, yes. That is then used in a player on the website. Libsyn hosts the podcast but it can be played via a link elsewhere. That is what I will need to transfer because the account will be closed. Or is that not what you meant? Sorry, I am limited somewhat in my knowledge of the details.
Basically, I need to move an existing podcast and host new ones in addition on a website that acts as a hub with a blog and a small shop. I think that the Business Plan can do this but need clarification before I sign up because if it can’t then it won’t work for me. I appreciate that I need to sign up to really access the best support but you can see that I also need to clarify whether I can do what I need to do before I sign up! Chicken and egg problem :)
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Hi there,
That’s what @supernovia meant, yes.
If you’re on our Business Plan you should be able to use an RSS importer plugin to migrate your content to the site. I have no way of testing to make sure this will specifically work with LibSyn content, though, but if it doesn’t we offer a full refund for 30 days after purchase.
On our Business Plan you will then also be able to use any podcasting plugin to create the feeds for the podcasts you want to host, and you will be able to install a paygate/subscription system, or an ecommerce plugin for an online shop on the same site.
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Thank you. It sounds like this is going to check all the boxes. The fact that I can get a refund if not seals the deal. Thank you all for your help. :)
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By the way, I found this article on The Libsyn Support site on how to migrate its content over to WordPress: https://support.libsyn.com/kb/wordpress-onpublish/
Hope that helps as well!
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Thank you. I am being told by other people now that there are all sorts of things I can’t do on your platform but I don’t think they are right. I know you aren’t impartial but these are concerns:
– limited plugins
– something about no backend code and file access
– can’t upload themes that aren’t listed
– no membership-only areas on site
– no advertising
I am stressing out now! -
– limited plugins
– In general, our plugin options are vast, but it does depend on what plugin you are looking for. There are some plugins that we don’t recommend due to security reasons. Do you know what type of plugin you are in need of?
More information can be found here:
– something about no backend code and file access
– That is true. We do not allow FTP or backend access for security reasons:
https://en.support.wordpress.com/ftp-access/
However, depending on what you are trying to do, you most likely won’t need access to the backend.
– can’t upload themes that aren’t listed
– Not true. You can upload any custom theme that you prefer:
https://en.support.wordpress.com/themes/uploading-setting-up-custom-
themes/
– no membership-only areas on site
– Also not true:
https://en.support.wordpress.com/tutorials/build-a-membership-website-tutorial/
– no advertising
– Also, not true:
There are several advertising options for WordPress.com:
Hopefully this helps! Let us know if you have any questions.
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Very helpful, thanks. I was having a panicky meltdown moment after a “helpful” conversation with a friend. I have since spoken to my brother in law who is a web designer who put my mind at rest. I will be signing up shortly. Thanks for your help :)
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