WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) written in PHP and MySQL. It powers over 34% of all websites on the internet. With a user-friendly interface, WordPress has made website creation and management easier for business owners and bloggers who may not have vast programming knowledge.
WordPress stands out from other website builders due to its flexibility, ease of use, and customisation options. It is the go-to choice for creating sites by individuals, small and large businesses, and non-profit organisations. With WordPress, you can create any website, from simple blogs, portfolios, and eCommerce stores to complex websites like social networks and forums.
How did WordPress come about?
WordPress was initially born out of the desire to create a blogging platform. In 2001, the developers of the b2 blogging software stopped its development. In 2003, Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little released the first version of WordPress as a fork of b2. WordPress has come a long way from being just a blogging platform to a full-fledged CMS that can support eCommerce, business websites, and enterprise websites.
The software has undergone significant updates to keep up with the latest industry changes. Its updates have focused on improved security features, theme and plugin development, and regular updates to bring the platform’s latest features to users.
How does the technology behind WordPress work?
WordPress uses PHP and MySQL to retrieve its data from a database, allowing it to store content like posts, pages, and comments. The software uses a page builder to help users create customised pages and themes to make their sites visually appealing. The page builder ‘s drag and drop functionality offering endless customisation options for your website.
The use of themes on WordPress allows businesses to create a design that is tailored to their business needs. WordPress also supports plugin functionality, which makes it easy for businesses to add custom functionality to their website without any programming knowledge. With over 58,000 WordPress plugins, businesses can create custom forms, calendars, forums, or even manage their customer relationship management seamlessly.
How has WordPress evolved in recent years?
In recent years, WordPress has undergone significant updates to keep up with the latest industry changes. Its updates have focused on improved security features, theme, and plugin development and regular updates to bring the platform’s latest features to users.
The release of Gutenberg in 2018 was significant and brought a new editing experience to WordPress users. Gutenberg is a block editor that gives users greater control over their content, allowing them to create complex pages and layouts easily. WordPress has also improved its security features, making it a more secure platform for users.
Recently, the company has released WordPress 5.8, named Tatum, which comes with several advanced features. It includes template editing and block-based widgets, allowing users to customise their website more easily.
What are the advantages of WordPress?
WordPress has numerous advantages that make it a popular choice for website creation. Some of the benefits of using WordPress include:
Non-stop development: WordPress is continually evolving, and developers worldwide create new plugins, themes, and widgets to enhance its features and functionality.
Independence: WordPress users have complete control over their website content, design, and features. They can modify website design, create custom functionality, and migrate their website to another server whenever they want.
External systems: WordPress can easily integrate with external systems like Google Analytics, PayPal, Mailchimp, and many others. This allows for easy tracking and seamless operation of the website.
Fast, flexible, and economical: WordPress makes it easy for users to create websites quickly with minimal coding or software development experience. This makes it an economical and flexible option for small businesses and individuals looking to create a website.
What can you use WordPress for?
WordPress is a versatile CMS that can be used for all types of websites, including:
Blogs: As WordPress’s roots are in blogging, it is a great platform for creating blogs of all types.
Business Websites: WordPress’s flexibility makes it perfect for creating business websites, such as portfolios, eCommerce stores, directories, and more.
Social Networks: WordPress can be used to create social networks, forums, and intranet platforms.
Non-Profit Websites: WordPress is the ideal platform for creating non-profit organisation websites and fundraising sites.
E-Commerce websites: With the availability of plugins for WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads, one can create powerful eCommerce websites effortlessly.
Do other large companies use WordPress?
Yes! Many large companies worldwide use WordPress as their website platform. Let’s take a look at some enterprises and international WordPress websites that use WordPress.
International WordPress Websites:
- The official website of the White House is built using WordPress.
- The Microsoft News Center is powered by WordPress.
- Sony Music‘s website is built using WordPress.
Dutch WordPress Websites:
- Kunstspot is the go-to platform for art enthusiasts in the Netherlands. The website is built using WordPress.
- Amsterdam Fashion Week is a bi-annual event that celebrates fashion and design in the Netherlands. Their official website is built on WordPress.
- De Balie is a well-known cultural organization in Amsterdam that hosts various events and conferences. Their website is built using WordPress.
WooCommerce is another popular WordPress plugin that businesses worldwide use to create their eCommerce stores. Notable brands that use WooCommerce include Singer, Weber, and oVertone.
Conclusion
WordPress is an ideal platform for businesses and individuals looking to create unique and powerful websites. It offers flexibility, customisation, ease of use, and endless functionality to create personalised websites for all types of businesses, no matter the size.
Whether you want a simple blog or an eCommerce store, the flexibility and ease of use make it a popular choice. WordPress is a continually evolving platform, making it even more attractive to users who seek a platform that stays updated with technological changes. Consider WordPress as a viable option in creating your next website or blog.
