Which WordPress Plan is Best for Blogging? Unlock Your Perfect Choice!

When it comes to choosing a WordPress plan for your blog, it can be complicated.

Since all the WordPress plans were built specifically for different purposes and websites of different sizes.

Many bloggers, especially beginners get stuck at this point because they’re not sure which plan to choose or maybe which plan is the right one for their website. 

Well, I’m here to guide you and help you make the right decision, so you can get your blog up and running as soon as possible.

We will be answering a lot of questions in this post such as which WordPress plan is best for blogging? What are the best web hosting providers? 

We will be going deep into each of the WordPress plans, checking the pros and cons, so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.

I’m so excited to get started, and if you’re ready, let’s jump right into it.

TL;DR

Understanding WordPress Plans

Before we start talking about WordPress plans, I need to address something that would most likely confuse a lot of new bloggers.

Well, I know it confused me a lot and I have seen many of my students make mistakes with this.

It’s the difference between WordPress.com and Self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org)

WordPress.com is a hosted platform that offers various plans with different features which we’re going to talk about in this post. 

On the flip side, self-hosted WordPress gives you complete control over your site but requires you to handle hosting and website maintenance. 

This can be the best option if you don’t want a large corporation controlling your business.

But first, we will focus on WordPress.com plans, as they’re always the starting point for many bloggers.

WordPress.com offers different plans to suit different needs and budgets, This will help you make the right choice:

Now, each of these plans comes with its own set of features, limitations, and price points. 

But which WordPress plan is best for blogging? 

It’s a great question, I will give you a simple answer but we will still go deeper into each one to help you understand and choose the one that aligns with your goals: 

If you’re a new blogger, the Premium Plan offers a lot of great features, customization options, and monetization capabilities without breaking the bank. 

Yes, you heard me right. For the price of a cup of coffee, you can have your blog fully set up.

It provides a free domain name, removes WordPress.com ads, allows for monetization through WordAds, installs plugins, and offers advanced design tools.

Now let’s talk about the factors you should consider when choosing the right WordPress plan for your blog.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a WordPress Plan

Choosing the right WordPress web host plan is like picking the perfect pair of shoes. Like literally, it is.

It needs to fit just right, be affordable enough for you to maintain each month, and have good designs to give your blog this professional look so that people can take you more seriously.

So here are the key factors you must consider:

Your Budget

Let’s face it, we all have to work within our financial limits. With each plan, having more or fewer features, you might be tempted to go for the paid plans that have bigger capabilities. 

If you can, go for it but this is not a one-time thing, you need to know that before your blog starts making money, you need to fund it by yourself.

So you need to go through the WordPress pricing and consider how much you can invest into this blog?

Then choose your plan around that figure.

Your Blogging Goals

Are you blogging as a hobby, or do you dream of turning it into a business, or maybe you want to start online stores? 

If you’re looking to turn this into a business which is what you should be doing, then you need to go for a plan that gives you more control of your blog.

But, if you just love to write, or you want to use it as a personal journal where you write things about your daily life, then the free plan is the best choice for you and also it’s completely free.

Technical Expertise

How comfortable are you with the technical side of running a website? 

If you have zero knowledge of coding languages like CSS, HTML, and PHP, you might want to go for plans that don’t require additional customizing.

Or, you can outsource it to freelancers if you have enough budget. Look don’t be frightened by this stuff, you might every so often experience a bit of technical ‘pain in the buttness’… but mostly it’s plain sailing. When you do experience it… here’s probably the best lesson I could give you… outsource the issue to someone on a site like Fiverr.com for about $8 to fix it…

It will save you a massive headache and make you love what you are doing.

Desired Features and Customization Options

Do you want to create a unique look for your blog? Want to make it stand out and go wow… or maybe you are planning to sell products or services? 

If you’re starting a blog as a business, this will help you think more as a business person. What do you actually need from your blog?

Since you need to stand out from your competition to get noticed by your audience, then you have to consider going for the plans that have the features you need, so that you don’t get stuck later trying to upgrade your plan.

Now that we’ve gotten the ball rolling, we will go through each one of the plans from the free plan to the e-commerce plan.

Detailed Analysis of WordPress.com Plans for Bloggers

Free Plan: The Starter Kit

Features and Limitations:

The Free Plan is like the starting point. If you just love writing and want to learn how to write keep a consistent writing schedule or just for practice, I will recommend the free WordPress plan. 

It gives you a taste of what WordPress has to offer without any financial commitment. 

You get access to a selection of free themes, basic customization options, and 3GB of storage space. 

But your site will display WordPress.com ads, and your free domain will be a subdomain of WordPress.com (yourblog.wordpress.com) which can be annoying and unprofessional if you’re building a blogging business.

Also, it doesn’t have any spam protection, which is pretty bad.

Pros and Cons for Bloggers:

Personal Plan: A Step Up

Key Features:

The Personal Plan is the first paid WordPress hosting plan.

Now you start getting great features, such as:

Cost Analysis:

At around $4 per month (billed annually), the Personal Plan is an affordable upgrade from the WordPress Free version. 

The free domain for the first year (usually around $15-$20) makes it an even better value.

Is it a Suitable WordPress plan for Bloggers?

This plan is good enough for bloggers who want a more professional-looking site without ads. 

It’s great for personal blogs, portfolio sites, or any businesses that want a clean, simple website presence where they can share more information with their customers.

Premium Plan: Our Recommended WordPress Plan For Bloggers 

The Premium Plan is where things start to get exciting for serious bloggers. In addition to all the features of the WordPress Personal Plan, you get:

Monetization Options:

With the Premium Plan, you can start earning money from your blog through WordAds, WordPress.com’s advertising program. 

This is very important especially for bloggers who are taking their blogs as a real business.

WordPress Premium Plan Vs WordPress Personal Plan:

While the Personal Plan removes ads, costs a little bit of money, and gives you a custom domain, the Premium Plan is even better with additional customization, designs using the premium WordPress themes, and most importantly monetization. 

If you’re serious about growing your blog and making money from your blog, the extra features of the Premium Plan can be well worth the additional cost.

WordPress Business Plan

The Business Plan makes things even much better, and now you’re having even more control of your business. 

It includes everything in the Premium Plan, plus:

SEO Tools and Plugins:

With access to SEO tools and the ability to install WordPress plugins, you can boost your blog’s visibility in search engines. 

This means more people can find your blog post in Google search and can check out your website.

It’s important for you as a blogger if you’re looking to grow your audience and attract more traffic to your website.

When to Consider This Plan for Blogging

This plan is ideal for professional full-time bloggers, small business owners who use their blog as a major marketing tool, or bloggers who want complete control over their site’s functionality and design.

This simply means if you’re interested in having a blog that you optimize to rank higher in the search engines and get traffic from Google, create more awareness of your business, and sell your products and services, then this is the best WordPress hosting plan for you.

WordPress eCommerce Plan

As the name implies, includes everything in the Business Plan, plus powerful tools for running an online store. This includes:

If you’re a blogger who’s expanding into selling physical or digital products, courses, or services, and you need an all-in-one platform that includes an online store, it provides all the tools you need to turn your blog into a complete online business.

Self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) for Bloggers

Although WordPress.com offers a range of convenient plans, it also has a lot of limitations which makes some bloggers prefer the ultimate flexibility and control of a self-hosted version of WordPress blogs. 

With self-hosted WordPress, you can customize every aspect of your site, install any plugin or theme you want, and even modify the core WordPress code if you have the technical know-how.

We will go into full detail and also compare it to the WordPress hosting plans to give you well-rounded information to help you make your decision.

Pros of Using a Self-hosted WordPress

Can You Use WordPress.org Directly?

No, you cannot host a website directly on WordPress.org. 

WordPress.org is the home of the WordPress open-source software that you can download and install on a web host. 

To use WordPress.org, you must have a custom domain name and a web hosting service where you can install and run the WordPress software.

Best Web Hosting Providers for WordPress

When building a WordPress site, choosing the right hosting provider is very important for your site’s performance, security, and overall user experience. 

Below are some best hosting companies that not only specializes in WordPress and have a fast hosting plan, they also have great customer support in case you run into any issues which happen all the time:

Cost Considerations

When going the self-hosted route, you’ll need to factor in costs for:

WordPress.com Plans vs. Self-Hosted WordPress

Ease of Use

If you’re new to blogging, WordPress.com is super easy to use, that’s why many beginners consider it the best blogging platform (I don’t).

They take care of all the technical stuff like web hosting and updates, so you don’t have to worry about it. 

On the other hand, self-hosted WordPress gives you more control but comes with a steeper learning curve but that doesn’t mean that if you’re a non-techie you can’t handle it. 

But, you’ll need to handle things like hosting plans and updates on your own, which sometimes might be tricky at first. In my training on how to make money blogging, I show you how to do all of this very slowly.

Flexibility and Scalability

When it comes to doing whatever you want with your site, self-hosted WordPress is the clear winner (AND MY FAVORITE).

You can customize it as much as you like using premium themes and custom plugins. WordPress.com is more limited, but as you move up to the more expensive plans, you get more options to play around with.

Cost Analysis for Different Blogging Stages

If you’re just starting out, WordPress.com can be cheaper, especially if you don’t need all the fancy features. 

But as your blog grows and you need more, self-host WordPress websites will save you money in the long run, especially if you’re okay with handling some of the technical stuff yourself or hiring a programmer to take care of it… which is rather easy when you use Fiverr.com.

Support Options

With WordPress.com, you get email support with any paid plan, and if you upgrade to higher plans, you even get live chat support. For self-host WordPress, the kind of support you get depends on your hosting service...

All of the hosting companies I mentioned have great support, so you are in good hands. I make it my duty to find the best hosting for beginners… why? Because it makes the teaching process so much easier lol… yep… I’m NOT a Techy… so I need good support to help me too.

That’s why I gave you the list of our best WordPress web host providers to choose from with excellent customer support.

Also, there’s a huge community of WordPress users and developers out there who can help if you get stuck.

Special Considerations for Different Types of Bloggers

New Bloggers and Hobbyists

If you’re just starting out, the Free or WordPress Personal Plan on WordPress.com is a great way to start your blogging journey especially if you’re not interested in turning into a business.

These plans are super easy to use, don’t require much technical know-how, and you can get it up and running as quickly as possible.

Professional Bloggers and Content Creators

As a professional blogger, if you’re planning to make money from your blog, you’ll need more advanced features for sure. 

You should consider going for the Business or Premium Plan on WordPress.com (not my first choice) or a self-hosted WordPress site (my first choice) to make it even more professional. 

These options give you more tools to help you better monetize your blog.

Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

As a small business owner or entrepreneur, you might be interested in creating a blog that complements your business or maybe you’re building an eCommerce site, you’ll want something more robust. 

In my opinion and experience a self-hosted WordPress site will give you the tools to integrate your blog with your overall business strategy.

Freelancers and Portfolio Websites

If you’re a freelancer, you definitely need a website to showcase your work and attract new clients, the Personal or Premium Plan on WordPress.com might be all you need. 

But as your business grows and you want to offer more advanced features or sell services directly from your site, you should look into the Business Plan or a self-hosted WordPress setup.

Essential Features for Bloggers Across All Plans

When it comes to building a successful blog, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of.

It doesn’t matter which plan you choose, these features are important for making your dream of turning a blog from just a hobby to a profitable business a reality:

Mobile Responsiveness:

With more people accessing the internet using their mobile phones than ever before, having a mobile-responsive design is non-negotiable. 

Thankfully, all WordPress.com free themes are mobile-responsive, and the most popular premium themes for self-hosted WordPress also do as well.

So depending on which plan you’re using, you need to be aware of this.

SEO Optimization Capabilities

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is important if you want your blog to be visible in the search engines, so you reach more people.

WordPress.com has built-in SEO features that can be limited, while self-hosted WordPress users can install powerful SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, RankMath, etc.

Social Media Integration

Sharing your content on social media is a great way to grow your audience and drive more traffic to your website. 

Look for easy social sharing options in your chosen plan or theme that integrate into your website without blocking your content.

Analytics and Performance Tracking

Understanding your audience and how they interact with your content is key to growing your blog. 

WordPress.com offers built-in stats, while self-hosted WordPress users can use Google Analytics for more detailed insights about their own blog and site visitors

Upgrading and Migrating Between WordPress Plans

As your blog grows, you might find that your current plan isn’t enough anymore. Here’s a breakdown of when and how to upgrade:

When to Consider Upgrading

You should think about upgrading your plan if you’re starting to hit the limits of what your current plan offers. 

For example, maybe you’re running low on storage space for your images and videos, or you want to add more custom features to make your blog stand out. 

Another big reason to upgrade is if you’re ready to start making money from your blog, and you need the tools that allow you to do that.

Process of Migrating from One Plan to Another

If you decide it’s time to upgrade to WordPress.com, don’t worry—this is usually a very easy process. Here’s how it works:

Go to Your Dashboard: First, log in to your WordPress.com account and go to your WordPress dashboard. 

This is the main area where you manage your site.

Choose a domain name: You can either choose a domain or click on decide later to move to the next step.

Choose a New Plan: Look for the option to upgrade your plan. 

WordPress.com will show you different plans with details on what each one offers. Pick the one that fits your new needs.

Upgrade with a Click: Once you’ve picked a plan, you can upgrade with just a click or two. 

WordPress.com will guide you through the payment process, and once that’s done, your site will be automatically upgraded.

Automatic Content Transfer: The best part? You don’t have to worry about losing any of your blog posts, images, or settings. 

All your content and customization will transfer over to the new plan automatically. It’s like moving to a bigger house without having to pack a single box!

Migrating from WordPress.com to Self-Hosted WordPress

If you’re ready for even more control and flexibility, you might decide to move from WordPress.com to a self-hosted WordPress site. 

This process can be a little complicated if you’re doing it for the first time, but I’ll walk you through it step by step:

Pick a Hosting Provider: First, you’ll need to choose a web host provider from the list above such as Dreamhost, Hostinger, A2 Hosting, or Cloudways. 

Once you sign up with a host, they’ll help you install WordPress on your new site.

Export Your Content from WordPress.com: Now, you need to get all your content from WordPress.com. 

Go to your WordPress dashboard, find the “Tools” section, and click on “Export.” 

Choose the option to export “All Content” so that everything from your posts and pages to your media files is included.

Import Your Content to Self-Hosted WordPress: After exporting, head over to your new self-hosted WordPress site. 

Log in to your new site’s WordPress dashboard, go to the “Tools” section again, but this time click on “Import.” 

From the next page, scroll down and look for WordPress, this is the tool we will be using to import the website. Install and run the WordPress Importer tool.

You’ll be prompted to upload the export file you just downloaded from WordPress.com. Once you do, WordPress will start importing all your content.

Set Up Your Theme and Plugins: After your content is imported, you’ll need to set up your theme and install any plugins you want to use. 

This part might take a bit of time, but it’s also where you can really customize your site to make it your own.

Check Everything: Before you go live, take a few minutes to check that everything looks right. Make sure all your posts, images, and links are in place. 

If something seems off, you might need to tweak a few settings or contact your hosting provider for help.

Go Live! Once you’re happy with how everything looks, it’s time to go live. Your new self-hosted site is now ready to show off to the world!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Picking the right WordPress plan for your blog is important, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re just starting out as a beginner or just blogging for fun or maybe you’re an experienced pro ready to level up, there’s a WordPress plan that can work for you.

The key is to choose a plan that matches your goals, budget, and how comfortable you are with tech stuff. 

Well for the tech stuff, WordPress is actually built for non-techies and even when it comes to technical stuff, you can find a lot of help online or just hire someone to get it done.

Don’t worry about getting it perfect right away, you can always start small and upgrade as you grow using this post as a guide. 

That’s the great thing about WordPress software, it’s flexible. 

You can switch plans,  but if you can start with a Self-hosted WordPress website from the start, good for you. I highly recommend you do that.

If you found value in this post, let me know how it helped you in the comment section below, I will be happy to hear from you.