Difference Between Hosting a Website on WordPress.com and Hosting Within an NGO
When setting up a website, one of the key decisions is whether to host it on WordPress.com or manage hosting within the NGO’s infrastructure. Each option has its own advantages and technical considerations.
1. WordPress.com (Managed Hosting)
WordPress.com is a platform that provides hosting and automatic site management. It offers different plans, including free and premium tiers, depending on the features needed.
Important Note on Custom Domains:
- In the free plan, WordPress.com does not allow the use of a custom domain. Websites are hosted under a subdomain like
yoursite.wordpress.com. - To use a custom domain (e.g.,
mysite.org), a paid plan (at least the Personal tier) is required. - With a paid plan, you can connect an external domain and manage DNS settings, but with some limitations.
2. NGO Hosting (Self-Hosted)
Hosting within the NGO means using the organization’s own servers or a third-party provider where WordPress.org is installed, allowing for more control and customization.
Comparative Table
| Feature | WordPress.com | NGO Hosting (WordPress.org) |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very easy, no setup required | Requires setup and maintenance |
| Initial Cost | Can be free or paid | Depends on server infrastructure |
| Customization | Limited (restricted themes/plugins) | Fully customizable |
| Custom Domain | Requires a paid plan | Fully controlled by the NGO |
| Full Control | Limited | Complete |
| Security | Managed by platform | NGO IT department responsible |
| Maintenance & Backups | Included | Must be managed manually |
| Scalability | Limited | More flexible |
| Support | Depends on the plan | NGO IT support |
| DNS Management | Handled by WordPress.com | Managed by the NGO |
| Firewall Protection | Standard security measures | Can implement advanced firewall settings |
| Data Privacy | Hosted externally, subject to WordPress policies | Hosted internally, complying with NGO regulations |
| Compliance | May not fully align with NGO policies | Can be fully controlled for compliance |
Key Technical Considerations
DNS Management
- WordPress.com manages DNS settings, making it easy to set up but offering limited customization.
- NGO hosting allows complete control over DNS configurations, enabling advanced settings and integrations.
Firewall and Security
- WordPress.com includes basic security measures, but advanced configurations are restricted.
- NGOs can implement enterprise-level firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and stricter access controls.
Infrastructure and Reliability
- WordPress.com ensures uptime but does not offer full server customization.
- NGO-managed hosting can optimize performance based on specific organizational needs.
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