I really love and appreciate all the goodies in your blog. Thanks you are a wonderfully generous human being.

My question:
Is there a difference between setting up a free blog on WordPress and using WordPress on another host?

When I look at your site, I am looking at a normal website with a normal URL that you have purchased, right? Then you use the WordPress software on your host to make it easier to edit your website, right?

Whereas, a free blog on WP would be hosted as a part of the WP site and my page would just be an extension of their URL, right?

What is the relationship of my index/homepage to the rest of my blog in each system…or is this question dumb because WP looks after all of that?

Is it as simple as downloading a WP theme, buying a URL and loading it all onto a host which has WP on Cpanel? Then just using WP to do all the editing? – Brian

Thank you so much Brian it is good to know that the information has been helpful. Yes there is a big difference especially when it comes to building your reputation and generally professionalism. When you use WordPress.com most times, you get a name.wordpress.com. This is not so good for business as it just doesn’t look very professional. It’s no different than hosting your web page on Geocities. If you are in business you should not broadcast that you’re using freebie utilities (though there’s nothing wrong with that) to promote your business.

Next, when you decide to move to your own domain, you will lose all your hard work building link backs to a wordpress.com URL. Because you don’t own that URL you’re essentially building link backs and credibility for them not for you. That is why I prefer to host my own WordPress. The premium version of WordPress does allow you to put your own domain on a blog hosted by them. That will remove most of the issues mentioned. However, when it comes to themes and plugins, you are limited.

When you host your own blog (from WordPress.org) you can install any imaginable theme out there and also all sorts of plugins that make WordPress a joy to use. The down side, you have to maintain the blog. Updates and securing the blog becomes your responsibility.

When you install WordPress, there is no need for you to create index pages. It’s all taken care by WordPress however, if you want a static home page like I do at https://TechBasedMarketing.com/ then you will need to write a Page inside WordPress and setting that as your Home Page it is all very easy. Here are the steps you need to set up a website powered by WordPress.org script.

1. Get a host. If you don’t want to mess with manual installation, find a host that has Fantastico or their own one click installers. My recommendation – MomWebs, HostGator or DreamHost.
2. Install WordPress. If you’re lost, you can get help from your host.
3. Find a theme you like. I have a theme up for grabs, you can download it free if they suit you.
4. Upload and install the theme. Directions here.
5. You’re all set. Now, just start adding content.