cultivate logo

Did You Know There Are Two Different Versions of WordPress?


It can be confusing, but “WordPress” can actually be used to refer to two very different content management systems. WordPress.com and WordPress.org are both platforms for creating websites, built by the same company, running very similar-looking software… but there are some major differences between the two. One version of WordPress gets flack for being inflexible but applauded for its simplicity; the other version is difficult for newcomers but gives web developers unlimited control over their projects. Do you know which version your website was built with?

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a “hosted platform,” which means that the servers are managed by Automattic (the company behind WordPress). This means that users do not need to worry about purchasing their own hosting or managing their own servers. This version of WP provides a user-friendly interface and a variety of templates to choose from. However, customization is limited and there are some restrictions on the use of plugins (third party apps).

Easy Setup “No Code” Content Editing Limited Aesthetic Control Low Compatibility

WordPress.org

WordPress.org, on the other hand, is an open source self-hosted platform that anyone can download for free. Users most purchase their own hosting and install the CMS on their assigned server. Since the files are located on their own server, users of this version have unrestricted control over their website and can customize it to their liking. The user has full access to the vast library of WordPress plugins, and can create and/or install custom themes and plugins.

Infinite Customization “No Code” Content Editing Supports 3rd Party Tech Choose Your Own Server Complex Setup Requires Advanced Coding Knowledge

Using WordPress for Professional Website Development

WordPress.com is a hosted platform that is easy to use and great for beginners, but is much too limited for professional web designers. The “dot org” version provides the necessary flexibility and control for developers who have the skills to handle their own hosting and management. At Range Marketing, we exclusively use the open source version of WordPress for clients and internal tools. Our proprietary technologies and advanced coding methods are unsupported by the hosted version.

Do I Really Need WordPress?

In short: Yes. WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS (content management system). Almost 42% *of all of the websites on the internet* are built in their platform. Over thirty millions sites rely on their technology. While it may be imperfect, WordPress supports more third party connections than any other platform. Web designers have almost no choice but to be familiar with WordPress! Building websites in any other system will inevitably limit your client in terms of connectivity to other technologies. According to BuiltWith, no other CMS has anywhere near the usage that WordPress does:

CMS Technology Live Websites Market share
WordPress 30,462,105 41.28%
Wix 4,565,423 7.03%
Squarespace 2,750,270 4.24%
Joomla! 1,580,832 2.44%
GoDaddy Website Builder 1,624,154 2.50%
Weebly 1,019,509 1.57%
Duda 705,120 1.10%
Blogger 672,560 1.05%
Drupal 562,655 1.03%
Jimdo 486,843 0.76%

Mobile Content Management

Another (often forgotten) feature of WordPress is that the CMS is fully responsive: It works great on mobile! If you want to publish a blog post, remove a coupon, mark a product as “out of stock,” or edit text on your homepage, you don’t need to be sitting in front of a computer. You can log into the WordPress editor from any smartphone or tablet to take full control over your content. Your updates will instantly publish to the front end of your site. Managing content on-the-go is a great feature for small business owners who need to make unscheduled changes.

What Do WordPress.org Sites Look Like?

Quick answer: Anything you want! Unlike the “dot com” version, developers using WordPress technology on their own servers have unlimited control over website aesthetics. WordPress simply powers the content editor, some of the security functions, and database management behind their own custom designs. All of the visual elements can be coded by your web designer allowing your website to look and feel however you choose. Here are a few examples of custom-designed websites our team built around the world’s most popular CMS:

Recent Articles

Back to Blog
Web Design & Development

How to Keep Bots from Spamming Your Contact Forms
With the rise of artificial intelligence, spam bots are getting even more difficult to fend off. You may have already...
Discover More
Blog SEO Web Design & Development

A Comprehensive Guide to Domain Changes
Any seasoned SEO professional will tell you that changing your domain name will have purely negative SEO consequences. Even if...
Discover More
SEO Web Design & Development

What is Lazy Loading?
Lazy loading is a growing trend in web design. It’s gained popularity since Google started showing a stronger emphasis on...
Discover More

Dominating Competition with SEO-Infused Websites

A beautiful website is only as effective as its visibility. That’s why our approach to web design and development, intertwined with proprietary SEO best practices, creates the foundation for dominating your market. We seamlessly integrate search engine optimization into your website’s architecture, ensuring it ranks well on Google and other popular search engines. Our team employs proven on-site and off-site SEO strategies—optimizing the site’s architecture, key elements, page speed, and mobile responsiveness are just some of the basics you can expect when working with Range. The result? A website that not only captivates your audience but also attracts organic traffic.

More About SEOView all services

Stunning Website Design & Development

As a business owner in today’s digital culture, you absolutely need a website to reach customers. Your website should not only look nice, but also help you achieve your unique goals every single day. At Range Marketing, we’ll custom build your beautiful, mobile-friendly website with a focus on conversions, without losing sight of your brand ideals and goals.

More about webView all services

Headless E-Commerce

Harness the power of native/headless e-commerce to take your dispensary’s online presence to the next level. Unlike traditional platforms, headless e-commerce gives you the freedom to custom-brand your menu, seamlessly integrate shopping CTAs throughout your entire site, and unlock more robust SEO benefits. This flexibility allows you to craft unique, seamless shopping experiences across all devices and touchpoints. Plus, with our AI-driven Cannaboost product, you can supercharge your site’s SEO performance while keeping it fast, responsive, and visually stunning. If you’re aiming to scale your business or outpace the competition, headless e-commerce delivers the agility and innovation you need to thrive in the modern cannabis market.

More about HeadlessView all services

Captivating Content That Ranks

In the SEO world, content is still king, and we know just how crucial it is in today’s digital landscape. Beyond stunning design, our website development services include top-tier content creation and integration. We craft SEO-optimized content that doesn’t just look good but speaks directly to your target audience, driving engagement and results.

View all services

Data-Driven Insights for Informed Decisions

Data-driven decision-making is at the core of our web design and development strategy. We provide real-time dashboard analytics to give you actionable insights into your website’s performance. Our customizable dashboards offer a comprehensive view of key metrics, such as traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates. This empowers you to make informed adjustments and optimizations, ensuring that your website continues to evolve and meet your business objectives effectively.

View all services

We Can’t Wait to Meet You.

We will take a close look at your business and your current website. One of our experts will contact you with informed analysis and a plan to grow your business. Request a free analysis:

(716) 240-9140

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Company Logo 1
Company Logo 2
Company Logo 3
Company Logo 4

Our results speak for themselves! Book Now!Free website evaluation

We drive traffic & leads to small businesses.

Enter your company's information below: