WordPress vs WordPress.org vs WordPress.com
As you try to decide where to host your IDOL Portfolio, you read about something called WordPress. If you researched WordPress you may have noticed that some places mention WordPress. org and some places mention WordPress.com. And if you tried to figure out...are those the same or different, you probably read horror stories about one or the other. This is where many new IDOLs give up and build their portfolio on Google Sites.
Google Sites will do the job for most new IDOLs. But WordPress has some great advantages that make it worthwhile to get past the confusion so you can truly consider if it is the right platform for you.
WordPress
Let's start with WordPress - just plain WordPress with no .org or .com.
WordPress is program, or application, that runs on an internet server. This is the program lets you build your website and it creates the files that people see when they visit your site - it lets you arrange things on the page, and upload images for your logo, and set the colors for your brand. WordPress is the application that makes it all possible.
WordPress.org
WordPress the application is an open source software project - which means lots (and lots) of volunteers help to create and maintain it. The project was initially created by, and is still directed by, an organization named WordPress.org. They are a not-for-profit company that oversees the project and gives direction to the volunteers.
If you have your own internet server you can download the WordPress application from WordPress.org and install it for yourself. This is called self-hosting and is not for the technology-challenged. It requires advanced knowledge of things like installing programs on servers (which is _not_ the same as installing programs on your laptop) and configuring internet programs to be secure.
WordPress.org does not offer a way for you to build a website through them. They do not offer web hosting. They only offer the application (and other things) for you to download. They do have documentation and community message boards for you to get help about using WordPress (the application).
WordPress.com
Because their mission is to make it easy for people to publish websites, the WordPress.org folks created WordPress.com. This is the branch of the company that lets you build a website without having to install WordPress (the application) yourself. This is called managed hosting - you pay them each month and they manage WordPress (the application) for you. They get it installed and configured; they keep it up to date; they make sure it is secure; they back it up - all you do is make the pages look the way you want them to look.
The good news is that they even have a free account so you can get started with no investment. The bad news is that the free account has some limitations that make it impractical for your portfolio. The main limitations that affect what you want to do are:
🔹 No custom domains - your website cannot be "www.YourName.com", it can only be "YourName.wordpress.com"
🔹 It will contain WordPress.com ads on the pages
🔹 You cannot install plug-ins or themes (this alone is a deal breaker)
🔹 You have no control over search engine optimization (SEO) - these are the techniques used to get your site ranked better in search engine results
Naturally - all of these limitations can be removed by subscribing to a paid account plan. Here is the WordPress.com plan comparison page where you can see just what features are available at each paid plan level.
WordPress at other hosts
So - how does a new IDOL get themselves a good website without spending a fortune? Easy - get your managed hosting from somewhere other than WordPress.com.
There are hundreds (probably thousands) of web hosting companies, and many of them offer WordPress (the application) as a "one-click install". That is - they have their system automated so that with just a few clicks the system will install and configure WordPress for you. Just like WordPress.com, they will install updates and make sure it is secure and do backups for you. You only need to build your site, impress the potential employers and land that IDOL Dream Job.
Here are some other hosts that have good reputations for WordPress hosting. Check them out - Im sure you can find one that fits your budget.
🔹 WordPress.org has a page of recommended web hosts. This is a good place to start.
🔹 The IDOL courses Academy example site MyIdolPortfolio.com runs on IONOS. The Basic IDOL Portfolio Set Up lesson shows how to create an account and choose WordPress at this host.
🔹 One of the WordPress tutorials in the Academy recommends using HostGator. They are well known and would be a good choice.
Hopefully this has helped clarify the different names for WordPress and has given you information to help decide if you want to use WordPress for your IDOL portfolio.
As always - if you still have questions, bring them to the IDOL courses Academy Facebook Group.