What is WordPress? A Beginner’s Guide (2022 Edition)

10 Jan, 2024
WordPress
What is WordPress

What is WordPress? At its core, WordPress is the most popular and quickest way to create websites and blogs.

More than 38% of all the websites on the Internet run on WordPress.

Yes, WordPress is most likely used on one out of four websites that you visit.

Technically speaking, WordPress is an open-source Content Management System licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPLv2).

That’s right; the WordPress software is entirely free to download and use.

Content Management Systems help you manage many aspects of your website without coding knowledge.

What Types of Websites Can WordPress Make?

Years ago, WordPress was mainly used for blogging instead of more traditional websites.

But that isn’t true anymore.

Today, thanks to the changes in WordPress’s core code and its extensive ecosystem of plugins and themes, you can design any website with WordPress.

WordPress powers millions of business sites and blogs. Indeed, the most popular way to build online stores is using WordPress.

WordPress enables you to create:

  • Blogs
  • Business sites
  • Online stores
  • Resumes
  • Portfolios
  • Social networks
  • Forums
  • Membership sites

What Are the Differences Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

Here is the difference between both WordPress versions in short.

  • WordPress.org is often referred to as self-hosted WordPress. You can install the free, open-source WordPress software on any web host to create your website entirely.
  • WordPress.com is a for-profit, paid service based on the WordPress.org software. Although it’s easy to use, you lose much of WordPress’s flexibility hosted on your server.

When people say WordPress, they are referring to WordPress.org, which is self-hosted.

In most cases, self-hosted WordPress.org is the best option if you want your website truly yours.

One web hosting subscription and a domain name is all it takes to get started with self-hosted WordPress.

Rovity is the fastest-growing premium shared WordPress hosting service in India.

Come and experience the power of premium NVMe SSD servers in the cloud.

Who Invented WordPress?

Back in 2003, WordPress was created as a standalone project.

Since WordPress is open-source software, a large community of contributors is involved in its development today.

But if we go back to its origins, Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little have collaborated to create WordPress.

Matt Mullenweg has mostly been the face of WordPress since then.

Matt is also the founder of Automattic, the for-profit company behind WordPress.com.

WordPress has had a long history between its founding in 2003 as a blog platform and today.

WordPress has advanced and become the most popular solution to create any web page thanks to its contributors and a large community.

Who Is Using WordPress?

Individuals, large businesses, and everyone in between are using WordPress!

On a quick note, we use WordPress! Well, right now, you are looking at a WordPress site.

Many well-known companies use WordPress, as well. Here are some of our favorites:

The White House

WordPress powers the official Whitehouse.gov website.

Microsoft

WordPress powers Microsoft’s official blog. It also uses WordPress to power blogs for Windows, Skype, and other products.

Why Should You Use WordPress?

Ok, so the White House and Microsoft aren’t the only places that use WordPress; about 38.8% of all websites use it as well.

But what about you? Why would you use WordPress?

Well, there are plenty of reasons to use WordPress regardless of the type of website you want to create. Here are a few big ones.

You tried all those expensive WordPress caching plugins and subscribed to highly-priced managed WordPress or managed VPS services. Still, you can’t see your WordPress website loading within a few milliseconds? Have you lost all hope?

I have written How to Turbocharge Your WordPress Site in 4 Easy Steps guide to help you cut down your hosting subscription cost and make your WordPress website fly like a rocket.

Take these 4 easy steps and boost your WordPress website performance that it deserves. Then cut down on your hosting costs and see your SEO skyrocket.

WordPress Is Open Source and Free

WordPress has the advantage of being open source and free software.

The WordPress software will never cost you anything except hosting fees.

On top of that, you can also find plenty of free plugins and themes to customize your website’s look and function.

WordPress Is Extendable

WordPress’s ecosystem of themes and plugins allows you to easily modify your website even if you aren’t a developer.

  • Themes – these mainly change the look of your website.
  • Plugins – these primarily change the way your website functions. A plugin can be a small component, such as a contact form, or a large one, such as an e-commerce store.

WordPress has over 50,000 free plugins and 5,000 free themes, as well as tons of premium options.

WordPress Is Simple to Install

Do you need to be a tech guru to build a website?

Think again!

You can install WordPress on your site by clicking a few buttons.

Smart web hosts like Rovity offer a one-click WordPress installation feature.

WordPress Is Very Flexible

WordPress is great because it can create pretty much any website. We’ve touched on this already.

Even better, your site can also grow with you.

Adding a forum to your WordPress site is easy – add the bbPress plugin!

Do you want to add a social network? Not a problem! Just install the BuddyPress plugin.

You can always adapt and evolve – you’re never locked into one function.

WordPress Help Is Easy to Find

Due to WordPress’ popularity, it’s easy to find support if you have any problems.

Here are some ways to get help.

  • Forums
  • Facebook Groups
  • Blogs
  • Tutorials
  • YouTube

There are many developers that you can turn to for free and paid support if you need it.

Are You Not Convinced Yet?

Aren’t you convinced that WordPress is the best platform to build your website?

Click here to learn ten reasons why you should use WordPress.

What Is WordPress? It’s the Best Website Building Platform

WordPress is one of the most popular web-building platforms for a reason. WordPress is an excellent option if you want to develop any website from a blog to an e-commerce store.

Just remember that WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress.org are not the same things.

In most cases, self-hosted WordPress.org is the best choice to build a website.

The WordPress.org self-hosted platform gives you much more control and access to the WordPress community’s perks and benefits.

We can’t wait to find out how you intend to use WordPress!

Jafar Muhammed

Jafar Muhammed has 10+ years of experience in WordPress, web hosting, domain names, DNS, CDN, server administration, etc. He is an open web advocate. He is the CEO of Rovity, the fastest-growing premium shared hosting startup in India.