Should I switch to WordPress.org or Blogger to use my .co domain?

Seeking Advice
1

I bought a .co domain thinking I could use it on WordPress.com for free, but I realized I need a paid plan. Since I still wanted to use my .co domain, I tried iframing my WordPress.com site, but it’s causing problems:

  • The .co site loads, but the URL paths don’t show properly (.co doesn’t display /about, /blog, etc.).
  • I think this is affecting SEO—Google Search Console says it’s verified, but I’m not sure if my site is being indexed correctly.

Since I really want to use my .co domain, I’m considering switching to WordPress.org (self-hosted) or Blogger to avoid paying for WordPress.com’s custom domain plan.

My main concerns:

  1. Is WordPress.org too hard for a beginner? I’ve heard it’s more technical, and I don’t have experience with hosting.
  2. How easy is it to move my blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org? Will my posts and formatting transfer smoothly?
  3. Would Blogger be a good alternative? I like how my WordPress.com site looks and I’m not sure if Blogger will let me customize as much.

This is just a personal blog for fun, so I don’t want to spend a lot of time setting things up or dealing with complicated hosting. I’m also in high school and don’t have a job right now, so I’m trying to avoid anything that costs money.

What’s the best free option for using my .co domain?

2

If you want full control and plan to keep your blog long-term, go with self-hosted WordPress. It’s more flexible than Blogger and gives you room to grow beyond a simple personal blog.

3

  1. WordPress.org can be a bit technical, but most web hosts have one-click installations that make it easier.

  2. Moving from WordPress.com to WordPress.org is pretty straightforward—lots of guides available.

  3. Blogger is very limited in design and customization compared to WordPress.

4

Self-hosting WordPress gives you more flexibility and control. Many hosting providers offer support if you need help setting it up.

5

If you want to run WordPress.org, check the sidebar for recommended hosts. Many offer easy setup with your own domain.