What is WordPress used for?

WordPress.com is a hosted software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that lets you build a website using WordPress building blocks. However, whereas WordPress.org is open-source software and can be hosted anywhere, WordPress.com is built on the WordPress.org framework but comes with managed hosting for an easier-to-run site. If that sounds limiting, though, you’ll be surprised. When asking yourself, “What is WordPress.com used for?” know that the answer is, “Pretty much anything you want.”

Also, more than 38% of all websites on the internet are built using WordPress, which goes to show you that the platform can be used to create just about any type of site you need. In this article, we’re going to explain, in detail, the answer to, “What is WordPress.com used for?” First, though, we’re going to cover the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, plus the benefits of going with the managed hosting version.

Why is WordPress.com Better Than WordPress.org?

For some users, WordPress.com is a much better hosting choice than WordPress.org. If you want to know, “What is WordPress.com used for?” you have to first understand how the platform differs from the open-source alternative. Here are the benefits you get from WordPress.com that you don’t necessarily get from WordPress.org:

What is WordPress.com used for: Managed Hosting

With WordPress.com, you don’t have to worry about downloading WordPress software, finding and paying for hosting or managing a server. You can focus on creating your website and adding great content to it, while WordPress.com takes care of everything else. Yes, self-hosting / self-managing has some perks, especially if you’re tech-savvy (and in that case, consider WordPress.org), but for many users, WordPress.com has even more perks. The fact that WordPress.com is a fast, secure, managed host, completely built-in, is a benefit, not a drawback. Plus, WordPress.com servers are optimized for WordPress – and only for WordPress.

What is WordPress.com used for: Security

WordPress.com goes to great lengths to keep your information private and your website safe. Here are just a few ways they do that:

• Monitor activity and traffic for anything suspicious.
• Strong encryption for all sites.
• Regularly run firewalls and security tests.
• Dedicated security team protects your data.

For a more in-depth explanation of all the security WordPress.com handles, visit this page.

What is WordPress.com used for: Support

With WordPress.com, you get backups, hosting and security right out of the box. And if you want a custom domain name, you can easily upgrade to get one. Also, WordPress.com websites come with expert support, and you can also dive into the forums to ask questions and find answers. That’s one of the huge differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org – WordPress.com has actual staff available to help you, while WordPress.org is run by volunteers, and its open-source nature means you have to be a lot more independent when it comes to building and running your site.

One of the best things about WordPress.com is that backups will be automatically handled for you. And if you need even more backups, you can do it manually. Plus, with the paid Business and eCommerce plans, you can download full site backups whenever you want. WordPress.com’s servers are already safe, but you can take backups into your own hands if you’re more comfortable with that, too.

What is WordPress.com Used For? 7+ Type of Users, Projects and Websites

Whether you have personal or professional goals, WordPress.com can help you create the perfect site for your needs. And if you want to monetize your site now or later, you can use WordAds, which is WordPress.com’s ad program that can bring in ad revenue. (Also, if you have a Business plan, you can use Google AdSense.)

WordPress.com is an excellent choice for all sorts of users. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, this will start to answer the question, “What is WordPress.com used for?” Common users include:

• Bloggers
• Photographers
• Plumbers
• Restaurateurs
• Artists
• Doctors
• Shop owners

…and just about anyone who needs a WordPress site for personal or professional reasons. WordPress.com has tons of themes and plugins that you can use to design and add functionality to your own website. Plus, if you have the Business plan, you can upload your own themes and plugins, too.

However, note that techies who want full control over their code should host their own WordPress.org installation.

Let’s get a little bit into each category in order to answer, “What is WordPress.com used for?” for each use case.