So here’s the deal… I was having major trouble getting a new WordPress.org database set up on my web host. I wanted to add a new blog to go along with a new project. (www.PrintYourOwnBunco.com) Frustration. Hair pulling. Hours slipping through my fingers.
I decided that I would stop the insanity and just use a free WordPress.com site. Cool. Got it all prettied up and organized.
Then I showed it to a friend who does a lot on the internet. Here is what she said, “Move your blog away from wordpress.com – if you intend to make any $$$ they’ll pull it out from under you – happened to me.”
Well YIKES! I certainly don’t want to spend all this time and energy building a blog to have someone pull the plug on it one day! (It is probably in the fine print somewhere but I was unaware of that subtlety between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.)
So the lesson you can learn from my mistake and hours I will never get back is this: before setting up a new blog, read the fine print. Some things to consider when making the decision:
- Will the blog be purely informational or related to selling products or services?
- How much flexibility do you want and need as far as the design and options?
- How much do you want to learn? (Don’t forget you can outsource getting things up and running …)
I love WordPress. Most of my internet marketing friends and networking contacts prefer it to most other blog platforms. But know which one to choose.
- fast & easy setup
- free
- apparently only for non-profit creating blogs
- self-hosted (you have to register and maintain a URL and get the nuts and bolts on your site)
- more variety of themes, widgets, bells and whistles (mostly free when you are up and running)
- the better option if income is part of your blog strategy
Now I know and you do too! Here’s to your creative success and informed blog creation choices!
– Tara
I just now the difference between org and com in WordPress. I should think migrate from blogspot to WordPress.
Thank you in advance.
I also learned the hard way, and I was actualy making pretty good money when the plug was pulled on me. Loads of links, and all of a sudden, it was gone. I now have several blogs, but use them more like pure ads and they make a lot of money.
People are oversold on not making selling obvious selling. Making money online is fairly simple if you stick to the basics, and a blog on wordpresses system is not the way to go.
Buy the URL, get the hosting and build your empire.
Great post.