WordPress Direct or WordPress.org -- Which do you prefer?

[Iris]

I participated in Ed Dale's 30-day challenge and installed WordPress Direct on my WordPress.org c-Panel. I did not upgrade after the challenge and I'm not sure if I want to continue using WordPress Direct.

If you have any experience with WordPress Direct, what are the advantages over WordPress.org other than having SEO automatically plugged-in for you? Would it be to my advantage to uninstall WordPress Direct for more flexibility? Would the "uninstall" cause me any problems or is there anything I need to be aware of that could go wrong?

I have one blog post on that blog. Would I lose it?

Your assistance with this issue will be greatly appreciated.

[Eren Mckay]

I would recommend not getting wordpress direct. Haven't used it but some spammy peeps are using it so I just would stay from it. (Sorry if this offends anyone:eek:). Nothing wrong with the software but anything that has a footprint you have to run from. Anyhoos- self host your own wordpress blog my friend - there's no going wrong if you do that :).
Blessings,
Eren

[TraciKnoppe]

Wordpress.org

[WAHumor]

Iris, you're an Elite member. Have you joined the November Elite Challenge for Link Building?

If you haven't, DO so. Lynn's making it easy! Whoda thunk, huh??

Being in the Elite (http://www.wahumor.com/sswtelite.php) is soooo sweet!!


Dan

[Iris]

Good morning, everyone!

Eren: Thanks for that "heads-up" because I wasn't aware of their problem with spammers.

Traci: I originally set my blog up on the WordPress.org platform but installed WordPress Direct as directed by Ed Dale's 30-Day Challenge. I did not upgrade to the paid version of WordPress Direct after the challenge ended and I don't really see any advantage to using it vs. WordPress.org. I'm learning so much about SEO and link building through Lynn, I think I'd be doing myself a disservice by using WordPress Direct. However, I would love to know if I would incur any issues UNINSTALLING WordPress Direct from my HostGator C-Panel?

Dan: Oh, yes -- I've joined the SSWT November 2009 Challenge and I'm real excited about it!!!! I've already written my blog post using my long-tail keyword phrase. I will be writing another version of that same post to submit to eZineArticles.com. I'm in the process of setting up Aweber to start building my list. I see you have really gotten into it, too and that's GREAT!!! We just need to keep plugging along, following Lynn's instructions and the advice of other experienced Elite Members -- we can't go wrong! Let's just think positive >>>> "I know I can . . . I know I can!" and JUST DO IT!!!!!

Ya'll have a wonderfully productive weekend!

[retta719]

Definitely can't go wrong with WordPress.org. I really don't understand the point of Wordpress Direct, it seems like it actually complicates something that isn't so hard.

[Iris]

Yes, I've reverted back to WordPress.org. I just bypass WordPress Direct and login to WordPress.org as usual. I also deleted the WordPress Direct plugins to avoid any issues or conflicts with my WP plugins.

WordPress Direct is a software that completed a lot of steps for you, in terms of SEO and submission of blog posts to directories, etc. However, with the right training - like what we're covering now with Lynn, we're able to do those same tasks with confidence ourselves.

[nar321]

Glad to hear it Iris. WordPress direct might be a little easier to set-up, but with a customized theme and plug-ins your going to always having to wait on the developers for any upgrades or risk messing up your site if you upgrade to the latest WP and the WordPress Direct Theme causes something to break.

[yuri21]

I think WPD is more for those who aren't that technically-skilled and who prefer to have someone help manage their sites. I haven't set up a site yet but I would not use WPD as they seem to charge a lot per month.

Also, I wouldn't set up the infrastructure of my site with a script that I know little about.

[Iris]

I knew shortly after Ed Dale's 30-Day Challenge ended that I wanted to revert back to using only WordPress.org on my blog. The blog has been sitting idle until now. So, I began to question the issues I may run into if I uninstalled it. After visiting with HostGator and WordPress Direct, I now know that I don't have to uninstall it, just login using my WordPress.org info.

The vast amount of software and code generated specifically for WordPress is impressive. The plugins and themes created specifically for WordPress are the best!

If it had not been for Ed Dale's 30-Day Challenge using WordPress Direct, I never would have installed it on HostGator. It does do a lot of things to save you time and may be a good program for someone just getting into internet marketing with very little knowledge about blogging, some money to invest, and very little to time to build their blog -- it may be a good investment for them, based on their needs.

However, I know WordPress.org is the only program for me TODAY!

I appreciate all the advice and feedback you guys have offered. Thank you.

[annalaurabrown]

wordpress.org hands down, they are the best and you can add all kinds of helpful plugins.

[PpcJen]

I can see using WordPress Direct if you have a lot of sites.

Because they have one main dashboard for all your sites, you can add posts, update kw, add plugins, delete things, view blog traffic and statistics, etc. all from one place.

But if you only have one or two blogs, with only a few posts, I don't see the point.

I have been wondering why they recommend it in the 30DC. I thought most people who do the 30DC are brand new and only have one site. But I don't want to get into that here. It just seems odd to me.

[Iris]

Good point, Jen . . . most people who participate in the 30-Day Challenge are newbies who only have one site. So why promote WordPress Direct during the challenge? It should be reserved for a more advanced "30-Day Challenge for IM'ers with 3 or more blogs or websites".

Ed Dale's 30-Day Challenge was very motivational and educational. However, several tools promoted during the challenge delivered a lot more than the average participant needed. It's like giving someone a jackhammer to crack a black walnut when a good old-fashioned hammer would do the job nicely and efficiently!

[Lynn Terry]

(because there's profit involved)

I'm glad you made the switch. I have concerns (http://www.clicknewz.com/1837/no-real-shortcuts/) about WPD.