Why to use WordPress.com

[Ryan]

Just out of interest, I've been mucking around with a WordPress.com blog this evening.

The conclusion I've come to, is that if you are just wanting to have your own blog, don't want to monetize it and don't desperately need any extra features unavailable to WordPress.com users then the best option is to go with a WordPress.com blog. The only problem I can see is that there doesn't seem to be an easy way to backup your data and you have to keep the link back to WordPress.com on your site.

If you purchase the no-ads option (US$30/year) and the domain option (US$15/year I think) then you have everything you would have wanted on your own hosting account except that you don't have such a wide range of themes to choose from. So that's only US$45/year which is a lot cheaper than any good quality hosting package will cost, particularly if you receive huge amounts of traffic.


Do any of you have sites hosted on WordPress.com?

I'd consider shifting my personal blog to it, but I like to keep it hosted on my own account as I often use it as a test bed/demo for my own code and I receive so little traffic to it that it doesn't really cost me anything to host it myself (beyond the cost of the domain name).

[andrew]

I decided to move one of my blogs to WordPress.com - http://funwithopinions.wordpress.com I really just wanted a better idea of what .com offered so decided to try it for a while.

[andrea_r]

Nope.

I have a login there mostly so I can check out the backend features for people who ask or want things "like wp.com".

[dancole]

As of now, I would not use or recommend wordpress.com to anyone because of the lack of quality themes they offer. It's really sad. I think they should offer all the themes avaible in the wordpress.org theme directory. I'm even thinking about contracting Matt about this problem.

[itsananderson]

I think the reason they probably don't just throw all the themes in the repository in there is they're afraid some themes might have security vulnerabilities that would open WP.com up to hackers. Plus not all themes support WP MU properly.

The no-ad thing surprises me. Where does WP.com have ads? I don't remember there being any, but then again its been a while since I really did much with .com

[andrea_r]

I think the reason they probably don't just throw all the themes in the repository in there is they're afraid some themes might have security vulnerabilities that would open WP.com up to hackers. Plus not all themes support WP MU properly.

It's more like they need to standardize each theme before they roll it into their setup. (making sure they all have wp_footer & are localized properly are two issues) Way more themes work fine with WPMU now than used to. At one time, it was only themes using Ohz's theme options page builder. now? Not so much.

The biggest issue with themes are ones that depends on plugins to function - plugins that WP.com may not use, and themes with things like "edit sidebar.php to change this author bio".

The no-ad thing surprises me. Where does WP.com have ads? I don't remember there being any, but then again its been a while since I really did much with .com

I think it's been at least two years they've shown ads. They don't show if you're logged in or a regualr, and they pretty much only show if you come in via google. When they do show, they are plastered.

[petermello]

I've been using wordpress.com for one of my blogs since December 2006 without any issues. Sea-Fever blog However, I am thinking of moving it to a self hosted WordPress installation because I want a little more flexibility than WordPress.com offers. I think .com is a great platform for a new blogger or someone who really only needs the basics.

[itsananderson]

I think it's been at least two years they've shown ads. They don't show if you're logged in or a regualr, and they pretty much only show if you come in via google. When they do show, they are plastered.

Wow, I'm not sure how I missed that. I guess I've just always been logged in when I came to a WordPress.com blog. Interesting to know!

[dancole]

Wow, I'm not sure how I missed that. I guess I've just always been logged in when I came to a WordPress.com blog. Interesting to know!

Or do you use Firefox? I believe they've said that ads don't show if you use Firefox.

[McGarityDotMe]

Besides a limitation on theme selection, moving from a WP.org to .com solution would limit your ability to use plugins and embed iFrames.

The former is obvious -- plugins do some amazing things with your blog presentation and functionality.

The latter might not be a big deal, but it did impact a blog I was working on for a non-profit (they wanted to embed a widget from a map site, but the widget uses an iFrame that was stripped out automatically)