What Is WordPress Explained for Beginners. WordPress, at its core, offers a straightforward and popular means of creating your own website or blog. Remarkably, it powers more than 43.3% of all websites on the Internet, highlighting its prominence as a web platform.
On a somewhat technical note, WordPress is an open-source content management system licensed under GPLv2. This essentially means that anyone can utilize or modify the WordPress software at no cost. A content management system simplifies the management of crucial website elements, like content, without necessitating programming knowledge.
In essence, WordPress makes website creation accessible to everyone, including those who aren’t developers.
What Can You Create with WordPress
While WordPress originally served as a tool primarily for creating blogs, it has evolved significantly over the years. Today, due to core code enhancements and a vast ecosystem of plugins and themes, you can design virtually any type of website with WordPress. This includes:
- Business websites
- eCommerce stores
- Blogs
- Portfolios
- Resumes
- Forums
- Social networks
- Membership sites
- And much more
Distinguishing WordPress.org and WordPress.com
The primary difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com lies in the hosting aspect:
- WordPress.org, often referred to as self-hosted WordPress, is free, open-source software that you can install on your own web host to create a fully customized website.
- WordPress.com, on the other hand, is a for-profit, paid service powered by the WordPress.org software. While user-friendly, it offers less flexibility compared to self-hosted WordPress.
In most cases, when people mention “WordPress,” they are referring to the self-hosted WordPress.org version. If you seek complete ownership of your website, self-hosted WordPress.org is typically the preferred choice.
WordPress Origins and Its Development
WordPress was conceived as an independent project back in 2003, stemming from a prior project known as b2/cafelog. Today, WordPress is a product of collaborative efforts from a vast community of contributors. Although its history has many chapters, it has grown into the most popular solution for creating diverse websites.
Who Utilizes WordPress?
WordPress finds application among individuals, large corporations, and everything in between. Notably, the very site you’re currently visiting is powered by WordPress. Prominent entities, such as Whitehouse.gov, Microsoft, and The Rolling Stones, also use WordPress for their websites.
Why Opt for WordPress?
There are compelling reasons to choose WordPress for your website, regardless of its type. Here are some of the key advantages:
- WordPress Is Free and Open Source: While you may incur hosting costs, the WordPress software itself is free and open-source. This is in contrast to platforms like Squarespace that charge for software access.
- WordPress Is Extensible: You can easily customize your website thanks to a vast array of themes and plugins. Themes alter your website’s appearance, while plugins enhance its functionality. There are over 50,000 free WordPress plugins and 5,000 free themes, along with numerous premium options.
- Easy Installation: Setting up WordPress is user-friendly and can be done with a few clicks. Many web hosts offer pre-installation, making it hassle-free even for beginners.
- Flexibility: WordPress accommodates virtually any website type. You can extend its capabilities by adding plugins like bbPress for a forum or BuddyPress for a social network.
- Accessible Support: Due to its popularity, WordPress users can easily find assistance through blogs, tutorials, forums, Facebook groups, and professional developers.
In summary: What Is WordPress Explained for Beginners
WordPress stands out as a versatile and user-friendly platform, making it an ideal choice for diverse website needs. Whether you’re building a blog, an eCommerce store, or any other website type, WordPress offers a robust solution.
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