Overview
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) and blogging tool for building websites. This article is an overview of WordPress — the difference between WordPress.org (self-managed, and the version used at DreamHost) and WordPress.com, and how WordPress is available at DreamHost on Shared, Managed VPS, and Dedicated plans, and on managed DreamPress.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) and blogging tool for creating websites and personal blogs. Visit wordpress.org for further information on what WordPress is and what you are able to build with it.
DreamHost works closely with WordPress to bring you the most up-to-date features. As such, the newest version of WordPress is always available in your DreamHost panel.
What's the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress offers two versions of its product: WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
WordPress.org
This site provides free, open-source software you can download to build your site. However, you must then choose a hosting company to host the site, and you'll also be responsible for personally managing your website content (updates, security, themes, plugins, database, etc.).
DreamHost WordPress sites use a customized version of WordPress.org code and provide everything you need to get started.
WordPress.com
This is the official WordPress hosting site, which handles just about everything for you. However, its features are much more limited than those of the free code you can download at WordPress.org. For example, these plans do not allow direct access to modify the website code and email is unavailable, so you'd need to purchase an email hosting plan at another company.
Which should I choose?
If you plan to grow your site over time, customize it, or make money from it, WordPress.org (installed at DreamHost) is the better choice.
If you're running a very simple website that you do not plan to monetize and don't mind WordPress branding and advertisements, WordPress.com is a good choice.
How is WordPress available at DreamHost?
WordPress is available at DreamHost on the following hosting plans.
Shared, Managed VPS, and Dedicated plans
The first option is to purchase a Shared, Managed VPS, or Dedicated hosting plan. If you purchase one of these plans, you can then install WordPress using the DreamHost WordPress installer.
DreamPress
The second option is to purchase a DreamPress plan, DreamHost's custom-managed WordPress hosting plan. This is an upgrade from shared hosting, designed with added benefits such as server robustness, caching, and memory management. If you purchase this plan, WordPress is automatically installed for you.
How do I migrate my site to DreamHost?
See this article for a list of migration options if your WordPress site is currently hosted at another company.