What Is WordPress?

A detailed explanation of WordPress and how it can be used to create a great website.

A woman in her 20s who is reading on her phone with her laptop next to her.

Summary

WordPress is one of the most popular website content management systems in the world. It is used to create and take care of websites, with many easy-to-use DIY features, plus there are lots of specialists and developers out there who can help you with it. It’s great for businesses, not-for-profits, e-commerce, creatives and individuals. It was initially released in May 2003 and continues receiving regular development and support. WordPress is free and open-source, with an extensive range of free and premium plugins that can extend its functionality.

What Is WordPress and How Can I Use It to Make a Website?

WordPress is a content management system (CMS), used for the creation and management of websites.

WordPress is available as the self-hosted free and open source CMS, available from wordpress.org. Self-hosted means that you require a web host to store your website files. There’s also the WordPress.com paid option, which is more restrictive than using the self-hosted version of WordPress. Generally, when people mention they’re using WordPress, they mean the self-hosted version. This post primarily focuses on the self-hosted version, too.

What Types of Websites Can I Make With WordPress?

WordPress can be used to power many different types of websites, including:

  • Commercial websites
  • Brochures
  • E-commerce
  • Online courses
  • Forums
  • Social networks
  • Membership sites
  • Galleries
  • Blogs
  • Personal websites

Is WordPress Good for a Business Website?

Yes, WordPress can be incredibly effective, powerful and fast for a business website. It’s great for a startup or small business. It’s also great for large companies and enterprise projects with a national or international target market.

It can be designed to look incredible too. Full-screen images, background videos and elegant minimalistic interfaces are all possible with WordPress.

The History of WordPress

WordPress was initially released in May 2003. Originally used more for just blogging, it has now transformed into a complex system capable of being used for a e-commerce site, a business site or other complex systems.

Is WordPress Secure?

When set up properly, WordPress can be incredibly secure. WordPress plugins add great security features, like multi-factor or two-factor authentication (MFA and 2FA).

Anti-spam features exist for WordPress that can reduce or eliminate your contact form spam.

Getting Help with Your WordPress Website

If you need help setting up a WordPress website or want a hand improving your existing site, then a WordPress developer or web developer could help you there.

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