Why would I want to self-host when wordpress.com provides free hosting?
-
I am trying to understand if I need to self-host or if I can simply use the free hosting service for my small business. Also trying to understand if I need to download the desktop app or can I just use the browser to create my new website. What are the benefits of the desktop app versus browser? What are the benefits of self hosting versus free hosting?
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
-
Many people want to have full control over their sites, other want to have e commerce sites and this turn key multi-user blogging platform does not suit their needs.
Please start by reading this comparison I will link to below. WordPress.COM and WordPress.ORG are completely separate and have different username accounts, logins, features, run different versions of some themes with the same names, and have separate support documentation and separate support forums. Read the differences here http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/
-
There is no e-commerce capability here. There is no secure payments system here at wordpress.COM and you cannot add a shopping cart to sites hosted by wordpress.COM. See: Moving to Self-Hosted WordPress
https://move.wordpress.com/E-commerce plugin options have been removed here at WordPress.COM. Secure payment systems are not available here at wordpress.COM. You need a wordpress.ORG install. Please read this https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/e-commerce-22?replies=17#post-2575955
Provided you are selling only what you yourself make or a service that you personally provide on a wordpress.COM site you have two options.
(1) PayPal – Know that the only instructions that will work for posting a PayPal donation button on a WordPress.com blog are found here http://en.support.wordpress.com/paypal/
Note that the PayPal email link is not supported and PayPal customization options are not supported either https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/paypal-button-41?replies=12#post-2517229 This is not likely to be changed any time soon, if at all.(2) If you set up an eCommerce site somewhere else online you can create a custom menu http://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/ and include a custom link to that site in it. http://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/#adding-custom-links
Some bloggers create a contact form https://en.support.wordpress.com/contact-form/ on a page and after the people have made a PayPal donation they provide the link to a private page for downloading files. Maybe that will work for you.
http://en.support.wordpress.com/pages/
http://en.support.wordpress.com/pages/page-visibility/ -
What are the benefits of the desktop app versus browser?
It’s my opinion that the answer is none. I blog only on a desktop using a browser. I also use only the classic editor. I’m old school and have predate the support docs as well as all support staff except one being on staff.
-
Thank you for your prompt response. This really helps with my decision and I will review the documentation you have provided. In regards to e-commerce availability, I will be utilizing/integrating with Bookeo, a third party scheduling and reservation (booking) system. On Bookeo’s site, they provide instruction on how to integrate using a wordpress widget/plugins to accomplish this. Can this be done on wordpress.com or do I need wordpress.org (i.e. self-host)?
http://help.bookeo.com/customer/portal/articles/347548-wordpress-integration
-
You need to self host a wordpress.ORG site. There is no FTP access to wordpress.com blogs and no blogger installed plugin capability. Those exist only on wordpress.ORG software installs and no upgrade alters that reality.
No FTP access http://en.support.wordpress.com/ftp-access/
No blogger installed plugins http://en.support.wordpress.com/plugins/See: Moving to Self-Hosted WordPress
https://move.wordpress.com/ -
Re-reading your response above, I guess you had already answer my question with your second option for e-commerce i.e. setting up an e-commerce site somewhere else and creating a custom link?
-
On Bookeo’s site, they provide instruction on how to integrate using a wordpress widget/plugins to accomplish this. Can this be done on wordpress.com or do I need wordpress.org (i.e. self-host)?
There is no FTP access to wordpress.com blogs and no blogger installed plugin capability. Those exist only on wordpress.ORG software installs and no upgrade alters that reality.
No FTP access http://en.support.wordpress.com/ftp-access/
No blogger installed plugins http://en.support.wordpress.com/plugins/See: Moving to Self-Hosted WordPress
https://move.wordpress.com/
- The topic ‘Why would I want to self-host when wordpress.com provides free hosting?’ is closed to new replies.
WordPress.com Forums 