Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! The WordPress software (WordPress.org) is 100% free and open-source. However, you'll need to pay for a domain name (about $10-$15/year) and web hosting (from $3/month) to run your site. WordPress.com offers a limited free plan with their hosting included.

WordPress.org gives you the free, self-hosted software to install on your own hosting — you have full control. WordPress.com is a hosting service that includes WordPress, with varying plans from free to enterprise. For full flexibility, most users choose WordPress.org.

No! You can build a complete WordPress website without writing any code. The block editor, themes, and page builders let you create and design pages visually. Coding knowledge helps with advanced customization, but it's not required to get started.

A basic WordPress site typically costs $50-$100/year: domain (~$12/year), hosting (~$5/month), and optionally a premium theme or plugins. You can start for less with budget hosting and free themes. Premium plugins and custom development increase costs.

WordPress core software is very secure and regularly updated. Most security issues come from outdated plugins, weak passwords, or poor hosting. By keeping everything updated, using strong passwords, and installing a security plugin, WordPress sites can be extremely secure.

Free themes are great for getting started — they're tested and approved by WordPress.org. Premium themes offer more features, dedicated support, and regular updates. For most beginners, a free theme like Astra or GeneratePress is an excellent starting point.

Key steps include: use a lightweight theme, install a caching plugin (like WP Rocket), optimize images before uploading, use a CDN, and choose a quality hosting provider. We cover this in detail in our performance guides.

Yes! You can export your content from WordPress.com and import it into a self-hosted WordPress.org site. This is a common path for users who start on WordPress.com and later want more control and flexibility.

Gutenberg is the modern block-based editor introduced in WordPress 5.0 (2018). Instead of a single text field, content is built using individual blocks — paragraphs, images, headings, galleries, and more — that can be rearranged and styled independently.

Always update to the latest version as soon as possible. WordPress core updates are thoroughly tested and often include security fixes. Enable auto-updates for minor releases. For major releases, test on a staging site first if you have a complex setup.