So you have been hearing a lot about Wordpress, and you want to know what all the fuss is all about.

WordPress is a blog publishing application and content management system.

As of September 2009, Wordpress is used by 62.8 million websites in the US and 202 million websites worldwide.—Wikipedia

What Is A Blog?

theblog

This is a Blog!

A Blog is just a type of website that is frequently updated with articles (“posts”) on topics that the Blogger wants to write about.

Wordpress is one of the most popular Blogging applications, and it is available in two different versions:

  • The Wordpress.com version
  • The Wordpress.org version

Both versions use the same FREE Blogging Software.

Wordpress.com

Wordpress.com is the version I call the “newbie” version.

If you are an absolute Beginner Blogger, this would be the version I would recommend to you because it is so easy to set-up and use.

Additionally your Blog is hosted for free by Wordpress.

Free and Free. What’s not to love?

The major drawbacks of this version?  You will not be able to monetize your Blog directly with advertisements and Banners, and customization of your Blog is extremely limited.

But if your goal is to set up a quick hobby, family, or even a simple business Blog – you can do it easily with Wordpress.com

There is nothing for you to buy – just set up an account and BLOG!

Wordpress.org

Wordpress.org is the version I call the “professional” Wordpress.

It is referred to as the “self-hosted” version – because you will need to find a Web Host for your Blog.

You will also need to register your own Domain Name.

However, you will also have much more control over your Blog!

With the .org version you will be able to:

  • Upload & Customize Various Blog Themes
  • Add Plug-Ins and Custom Widgets
  • Monetize your Blog with Advertisements
  • Alter your Blog in any way imaginable!

If you will be using your Blog as a way for you to make money online with Google Adsense or other forms of advertising – you will need the self-hosted version of Wordpress (the .org version).

Then you will need to set-up your Hosting account and install the software on your Host Server.

I’ll show you how to do this in later posts.

For tips on making money with your Blog, visit ProBlogger.net.

Afterwards, you can get ideas for your Blog by browsing tons of them at BlogCatalog.com.