WordPress.org distributes the open-source WordPress software; a self-hosted site needs separate hosting and the owner handles more configuration and maintenance. WordPress.com is a hosted service with hosting included; available features depend on the current plan. Check plan rules before assuming plugins or themes are available.

1. List needs: site pages, custom domain, forms, store, user accounts or integrations.
2. Compare responsibilities: hosting, updates, backup, security and support.
3. Check current plan limits and total costs before choosing.
4. Use a test site or staging copy for changes when your host provides one.

Exercise: Write a decision note for a simple portfolio site, stating who will manage updates and backups.

Begin with a small structure: Home, About, Services or Projects, Contact, and any necessary privacy information. Use clear navigation and page headings. In WordPress, pages hold relatively stable information; posts often hold dated updates. With an active block theme, the Site Editor can manage templates, styles, navigation, headers and footers.

1. Choose a theme that is readable on mobile and supports the layout you need.
2. Create core pages with focused titles and one clear purpose each.
3. Use headings in logical order and meaningful link text.
4. Preview at desktop and mobile widths; check contact links and forms.

Exercise: Sketch a five-page sitemap and draft the main heading and action for each page.

Plugins add functions, but they also require updates and can cause conflicts. Install only what you need from a trusted source. On self-hosted WordPress, plugins can be installed through Plugins > Add New or uploaded as a ZIP. Make a current backup before updates or major changes, and check the site afterward.

1. Keep a record of your theme and plugin purpose.
2. Back up the site and database using your host or a trusted backup process.
3. Update in a controlled order; test key pages and forms after each major change.
4. Remove unused plugins and accounts you no longer need.

Mini-project: Build a local/test portfolio outline with three pages, mobile-friendly text and a maintenance checklist. Do not make changes to a live site without owner approval and a backup.

Revision: WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress.org are different service models. Themes shape presentation. Plugins need care. Back up before risky updates.