WordPress is a (CMS), a software used to build, modify and maintain websites.
It is the most popular CMS on the market, as it is used by the 65.2% of the websites whose CMS we know. This translates to the 42.4% of all websites, almost half of the Internet.
Let’s briefly go over the top four reasons why WordPress is so popular:
- Is free– Although users will need to get hosting and a domain name before they can start using it, WordPress itself is completely free to download and use.
- It is flexible and customizable: WordPress has many uses, from the and a to building a . WordPress also supports community developers. Therefore, there are many theme and plugin options available in the official WordPress library and third-party portals.
- It is a scalable platform: WordPress can handle websites of any size as long as it has the necessary resources. There is no need to migrate to a different platform once the website starts to grow.
- It is relatively easy to use– Compared to manually programming a website from scratch, WordPress requires much less technical knowledge. Although the code can be modified, it is possible to create beautiful and fully functional websites only through the graphical user interface.
This article will give you an in-depth look at WordPress. We’ll cover the differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com, what exactly WordPress offers, and the types of websites that can be created with the platform.
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What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open source CMS for building any type of website. In technical terms, WordPress is written in PHP and works with a MySQL or MariaDB database. Its features include plugins and themes, among others.
Difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com
If you search for WordPress on Google or another search engine, you will find two related websites: . This can be confusing for newcomers as both sites have similar names but differ in their purpose and target audience.
wordpress.org
WordPress.org allows you to download free content management system software to run a self-hosted version of WordPress.
To create a website with WordPress.org, you must first purchase a . The type and quality of the chosen hosting plan will determine the performance of your website.
This way, users can have more control over the web server space they rent from the .
The self-hosted version allows you to take advantage of the full potential of WordPress. Users can search for and install any WordPress theme or plugin they want, even ones they have created themselves.
WordPress.org is great for users who value flexibility, customization, and who plan to expand their websites in the future.
wordpress.com
WordPress.com is a web hosting company that uses the WordPress content management system for all the blogs it hosts. Unlike its self-hosted counterpart, WordPress.com manages the web servers that store its users’ websites.
Users who sign up for the free service have to use a domain type yourwebsite.wordpress.com. To use a custom domain, you need to upgrade to a paid plan.
The free version also has other limitations. For example, users cannot install WordPress plugins or themes.
In general, hosted WordPress.com is more suitable for users who want to build a website quickly and don’t care about limited flexibility and customization.
Note: If you want to know more about WordPress.org you can read our tutorial on resources for .
WordPress Features
WordPress is a feature-packed content management system. In the following sections, we will go over the most important WordPress features.
Administration and configuration panel
The WordPress admin panel allows administrators and authorized contributors to modify and maintain a WordPress website.
The default way to access the WordPress dashboard is to go to yourdomain.com/wp-admin e with the username and password set during the WordPress installation process.
The admin panel contains all the website management features like content editor, theme customizer, plugins and widgets. We will review each of them in the following sections.
In the panel you also find the Settings menu, which allows you to configure the basic options of the site, such as changing the and .
Important: In case you have forgotten the password to access the WordPress control panel and the recovery function does not work, you can change it in the site’s database using .
content editor
The content editor or text editor is where users can add, edit and publish WordPress posts and pages. Learning to use the WordPress content editor will be very easy if you are already familiar with word processors like Microsoft Word.
The latest version of the editor, , makes creating content in WordPress even easier.
The Gutenberg editor allows users to add blocks, i.e. content components that include various text and media formats as well as design elements. For example, users can easily add one of images to a post using the appropriate block.
After creating the content, it is possible to assign , one and one to the post or page using the settings sidebar. Many of these sidebar tweaks can have a positive impact on SEO.
Theme customization
The customizer allows users to customize their theme or design template. Users can make various changes, such as uploading a logo, modifying the navigation menu, and setting a custom home page.
Each theme has different degrees of customization. Keep in mind that if a , the customization options will likely be limited. Premium WordPress themes typically offer great customization, functionality, and support.
Consider installing a page builder plugin to make the design process more fluid and intuitive. Page builders add drag and drop functionality to the theme editor, which is great for beginners. Some examples of page builder plugins are .
Plugins and widgets
The are plugins that extend the functionality of a WordPress website. Using the , users can add features that are not present in the core WordPress software. Many of the plugins are by developers from the WordPress community.
The official directory currently contains more than 58,000 plugin. There is a WordPress plugin for just about any situation: to strengthen site security, improve speed, increase search engine optimization, add forms, and much more.
When it comes to pricing, there are free and premium WordPress plugins. Free plugins usually offer basic functionality, while paid plugins have more features and may include customer support.
Here are some of the ones to install on a WordPress website:
- WooCommerce: is an open source WordPress plugin that adds e-commerce functionality, useful for online stores.
- Visual : is a drag and drop page builder plugin that offers pre-built elements, simplifying the process of designing a WordPress site.
- Yoast SEO: Adds SEO indicators to the WordPress text editor, which helps articles rank better in search engine results pages (SERPs).
- Wordfence Security: is a firewall and security plugin that protects a WordPress site from malware, spam, and other malicious attacks.
On the other hand, they add extra content and structure to a web page. WordPress has several widgets by default, such as archives, gallery and recent posts, and users can add more by installing plugins.
What kind of websites can I create with WordPress?
WordPress is an extremely versatile platform that you can use to create many different types of websites. In fact, the possibilities are endless, but we have compiled some of the most common ways to use them to give you a better idea.
blogging
WordPress started out as a blogging tool and is still one of the most prevalent use cases for the platform. can have many benefits. It is a form of personal expression and a way to connect with others and .
The success of a blog depends on several factors. It is essential to choose the right one, choose the most suitable one, write quality content and promote it properly.
Briefcase
Artists, photographers, musicians, writers, and other creative professionals frequently use WordPress to build their . An easily accessible online portfolio can greatly increase your chances of landing jobs and projects.
There are several available on the official WordPress directory and on third-party sites. Premium portfolio themes often include additional features like clip art galleries, lightboxes, and portfolio grids.
commercial sites
WordPress is very popular with businesses of any size, from small to large. If you have a business, WordPress is an excellent platform to create your business site.
Building professional-looking business sites is easy with a variety of premium and free themes and plugins for almost any feature.
charity sites
WordPress is also the platform of choice for many charities, churches, and non-profit organizations. This is due to its low operating and maintenance costs, as well as its relatively low learning curve. Some features, such as donation plugins, are perfectly suited to the needs of these organizations.
Online stores
Whatever you can think of, WordPress will be ready for it. Users can start selling products by installing WordPress eCommerce plugins.
the most popular WordPress eCommerce plugin, implements crucial features for online stores, such as shopping carts, checkout pages, one-click refunds, marketing tools, an order management system, and other plugins.
Popular sites using WordPress
Let’s go over some popular websites built with WordPress and examine how you can apply its features and design tricks to your site.
The New Yorker website uses serif fonts to achieve a look…
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