WordPress is available in two main forms: the hosted version on WordPress.com, which offers both free and premium subscriptions, and the self-hosted version, referred to as the installation type, where users set up WordPress through web hosting services, such as FastComet.
Previously, if you created a new site on the hosted WordPress using the free plan, you could start your blog with a free domain in the format example.wordpress. However, it appears that opening new sites using the free plan has recently been restricted.
Existing sites created under the free plan are still functioning normally, but establishing new ones seems to be currently impossible. It's uncertain whether this is a temporary issue or part of a trend to eliminate the free plan entirely, so we need to keep an eye on the situation.
Is the Free Plan on WordPress.com Discontinued? Here's What You Need to Know
If you're looking to start a blog for free, you can opt for the free plan on WordPress blogs on WordPress.com. However, the free plan comes with numerous limitations.
- Customization restrictions (CSS, JavaScript, PHP, etc., are not allowed)
- No connection to personal domains
- Adsense monetization is not permitted
WordPress.com pricing plans are frequently updated. Currently, there are five options listed on the pricing page: Personal, Premium, Business, Commerce, Enterprise.
Additionally, you can click on the "start with our free plan" section to begin the process on the free plan. However, clicking the free plan link now redirects you to a screen prompting domain selection (either registering a new domain or connecting an existing one).
By selecting Use Existing Domain, you can enter a domain you already own.
As a test, I tried entering a random domain name and clicked the Continue button. (You can connect any desired domain, including basic domains or subdomains. However, to run a site using a subdomain on WordPress.com, a separate subscription plan is required.)
If you click the Select button on the above screen, a payment page appears.
When I started with the free plan and entered a domain, it automatically prompted me to subscribe to the premium plan. π₯
Choosing to register a new domain from the domain selection screen also does not allow for free use. Originally, the free plan did not permit domain connections. The requirement for domain connections seems to enforce a paid plan.
After searching for and selecting a domain, it will be registered on WordPress.com.
Choosing a .blog domain incurs a registration fee of $22, but it seems to be discounted to $2.20 for the first year. This cost is strictly for domain registration, and to operate the blog, you need to click the Add to Cart button for upgrades and subscriptions to a paid plan (which here refers to the Personal Plan).
If you opt for a paid plan, the domain registration fee is waived for the first year.
In summary, whether you register a new domain or use an existing one in the domain selection screen, it appears that a paid plan is necessary to run a new blog on WordPress.com.
For current users, existing sites under the free plan can be used as is, but for setting up new sites, a paid plan is similarly required.
Hosted WordPress vs. Self-Hosted WordPress
WordPress comes in both hosted and self-hosted varieties, with installation type typically referring to running WordPress via a hosting provider.
For cost-effective web hosting, options such as FastComet and ChemiCloud provide competitive advantages for shared hosting. Notably, ChemiCloud has introduced servers in Seoul for faster speeds in South Korea. FastComet offers a server in Tokyo, which provides decent speed, albeit slightly slower than ChemiCloud.
In South Korea, hosting providers like Cafe24 allow you to run one site per package, whereas services like FastComet offer larger disk space, traffic, and the ability to manage multiple sites for better value.
For users of the hosted WordPress, only the Business plan and above permits Adsense ads, while the self-hosted version imposes no such limitations.
If you intend to properly manage a blog, a self-hosted WordPress setup might be the better option. The hosted WordPress variant is laden with restrictions, which may limit your capabilities.
For those seeking a free blogging solution, alternatives include Tistory, a free blogging system available in South Korea.