It is often something completely overlooked by anyone thinking of setting up a Blog. But it really will make a difference which WordPress platform you use; and you have a choice of two - WordPress dot ORG or WordPress dot COM. So how do you decide which WordPress to use?

Here's how the two different types of WordPress compare.

The WordPress dot COM platform is totally online. It's already setup for you when you register and of course it's free. (It's a bit like Google's 'Blogger' in that respect.) You just sign up and get going with your blog. Takes only a few minutes. You don't need to worry about buying your own domain name or hosting for it; you simply need to choose a name which isn't already in use and learn how to use and write to it (called 'posting'). Your blog will have a URL such as http://yourblog.wordpress.com/  - 'yourblog' being your chosen name.

The downside is you are totally beholden to the WordPress dot COM site, restricted to using the tools and enhancements it provides and heaven forbid, if the whole site goes down, so does your Blog.

On the other hand, WordPress dot ORG is the preferred platform (of the two versions) of most internet professionals. But it takes some work to get set up and running.

You need to download the WordPress installation file, unzip the folder, buy a domain name, find a web hosting company and then upload and install WordPress. You then must maintain and upgrade the installation yourself. Your blog can have a URL like http://www.yourblog.net  - 'yourblog' being whatever your domain name you have chosen.

The WordPress dot ORG option is not nearly as difficult as it sounds. Many web hosts will help and advise, or even do all the setting up for you. You can often install it yourself if your host has Fantastico (but need to check it uses the latest version). Below I direct you to some really good videos where the whole process is explained in fine detail.

The plus side of the dot ORG option is that you have total control. You can maintain your blog system yourself, back it up, download a copy for safekeeping and easily install any extras you want (plugins, themes etc) using FTP. You also benefit from it being called whatever you choose. You can migrate it from one host to another and keep the domain should the need arise.

The downside for this option is the need to upgrade your installation as and when WordPress issues a new version - which can be all too frequently. I set up a new blog last week using Fantastico, but that was the last but one version. I then had to upgrade it to the latest which has today been superceded by yet another version.

If you don't want to, or can't do all this for yourself then you will likely need your hosting company to do it for you - and pay them every time. Every upgrade will require any non-widget or plug-in code to be reinstalled, (eg ClickBank Ad Rotator is one I use), so you need to a) keep track of what they are, and b) make sure you know how to re-install them.

The bottom line is - WordPress dot COM - all online, not much for you to set up; dot ORG - on your own domain and hosting, you are responsible for maintenance and upgrading (even if you get someone to do it for you). Yes, there are plugins which can do the upgrading, but there's always an element of risk.

I am all for people getting started blogging as quickly as possible, so at this stage it shouldn't be an issue about which WordPress to use. Just get started with WordPress dot COM so that you can get the hang of it. Blogger is even more basic. There's also a more secure feeling being part of the WordPress online community - and they will make sure the system stays up and running.

However, once you know better what you are doing and where you want to go with your blog, and especially if you want to make money from it, or run a serious hobby or interest blog, then you don't really have an option. The choice of which WordPress to use comes down to dot ORG.

Having said all that, I can see a value in using both platforms for WordPress as well as Blogger - and have them all interlinking to each other - great SEO (as long as the topics are related).

I hope you have found this article about which WordPress to use helpful. Obviously there is an awful lot more to it than my very simplified explanation.

You can find a lot more help about setting up your blog on my own new AcmeWeblog. (That's not a cartoon of me on there, by the way!)