WordPress.com, the free blog hosting service from the creators of open source blogging software WordPress, has announced a new hosting package for high-profile, high-traffic bloggers. WordPress.com VIP Hosting "allows these folks to piggyback on our WordPress.com infrastructure, getting the benefits of what we've built without the limitations of a free WordPress.com account around theme editing and javascript." It provides load-balancing across WordPress.com's many servers, SSL administration, Subversion access for template editing, the ability to use WordPress plugins that don't require database table modifications, and no limitations on JavaScript or advertising. The service allows users to have their own domain names (rather than example.wordpress.com), but requires a "Powered by WordPress.com" logo. Currently WordPress.com is only courting "existing high-profile publishers or startups" that it has "a good deal of confidence in," and the price reflects that: $250 per month with a one-time $500 setup fee.

[Via Matt Mullenweg]