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What is WordPress?

By   ·  2 minute read

Even though WordPress has been around for over 10 years, there’s still a large number of people that don’t know what it is. In this article, I will explain some of the key components of what WordPress is and why you should be using it.

Let’s begin, so what is WordPress exactly?

Well, the short answer is WordPress is the simplest and most popular way to create your own blog or website. In actuality, WordPress is the core of over 33% of all Websites on the internet.

But to get a more technical, WordPress is a Open Source Content Management System that is licensed under GPLv2. This means that anyone can simply use or modify the WordPress software for no cost – Yes for free!

In the end, WordPress is accessible to anyone that wants to build a blog or website.

By now, I’m sure you’re asking yourself what is a Content Management System?

A content management system in it’s simplest form, is a tool that makes it easier to manage important assets of your website for marketing. Its core functions are:

  • Indexing, search, and retrieval – This function indexes all data for access through search functions. This allows users to search more specifically by author, keywords, or publication dates.
  • Format management – This function allows you to edit your pages and posts easily with a built-in word editor.
  • Revision Control – This function allows you to revert to an older version of previously published content.
  • Publishing – This function allows your page or post to go live.

Now that you have an understanding of what a Content Management System is, we will get back to what WordPress is.

What kind of sites can you create with WordPress?

You can go in many different directions when creating a WordPress website. For example, its the most popular way by far, to create an eCommerce store. If you’re not interested in creating an eCommerce store that’s ok you have many options including:

  • Business website
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
  • ECommerce
  • Forum
  • Social Network
  • Membership Site
  • Anything you can imagine

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org

This should help you have a better understanding of WordPress and the differences between these 2 websites.

WordPress.com: This is a For-Profit paid service. It is powered by WordPress.org software, it’s easy to use, but you will lose the flexibility of the Self-Hosted WordPress.

WordPress.org: This is often referred to as the Self-Hosted WordPress. It is the free, open-sourced WordPress software that you can install on your web host. You can create a website that 100% to your needs.

So Who Uses WordPress?

WordPress is used by individuals, small businesses, big businesses, and everybody in between. In fact, we use WordPress! The website you are currently viewing is powered by WordPress.

The Reasons You Should Be Using WordPress

Remember in the beginning I said, “I would explain some of the key components of what WordPress is and why you should be using it.” Well, we have reached that point in this article for me to give you the reasons you should be using WordPress.

  1. WordPress is free and open sourced
  2. WordPress is extendible with themes and plugins
  3. WordPress is easy to install
  4. WordPress is flexible
  5. WordPress help is easy to find through – Blogs, Tutorials, Forums, Social media groups, Developers, and you can always seek out paid help if needed.

What is WordPress Conclusion

In the end, WordPress is made for anyone that has basic program, HTML, and CSS knowledge that want to build a blog or website. The best part is it’s free to install and use.