This is a detailed article on the Introduction to WordPress and will help you gain an understanding of what WordPress is, what WordPress is about, types of WordPress, and lots more even if you’re a complete beginner.
In our previous WordPress Tutorial topic, we addressed the guidelines/roadmap to become a WordPress Developer in 2024. In this article, we are going further to explain what you need to know to get started with WordPress (as a website designer) in 2024.
Let’s get started!
What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open-source (FREE) Content Management System (CMS) based on PHP and MySQL that you can use to build websites of all kinds ranging from online stores to simple blogs without needing to learn how to code (i.e. when you become a WordPress Designer). According to the stats on W3tech, WordPress powers over 40% of the websites on the internet as of December 7th, 2023.
Who created WordPress?
WordPress was developed by Matt Mullenweg in 2003 as an open-source software. Automatic Inc. is the parent company (founded in 2005) that manages the premium version of WordPress (wordpress.com).
What can WordPress be used for?
Initially, WordPress’s purpose was to be used as a blogging platform. But now and because it is an open-source project (has lots of developers improving it every minute of the day), WordPress can be used to build all kinds of websites from simple blogs to a very complex online store or forum.
If you are a business person, have an organization, or are a hobbyist, you can use WordPress to build your online office space. See the top websites that are built using WordPress below.
Top websites built on WordPress CMS
The below-mentioned are some of the websites built on WordPress. Which is your favorite?
- eBay
- Sony
- GM
- UPS
- Forbes
- CNN
- Reuters
- The NYT
- Samsung
- IBM job site
- TechCrunch
- Techcabal (Nigeria)
- Nairametrics (Nigeria)
- Punch News (Nigeria)
- Facebook Newsroom
- Usain Bolt’s website
- And thousands of others.
Types/Kinds of WordPress
WordPress is in two kinds, namely WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
WordPress.org is the downloadable, open-source software while wordpress.com is the premium version. It has a free version but you have to pay to have access to the premium tools. Alpha Web Tips tutorials will mainly be on wordpress.org. The next article will discuss more on the differences between the two.
Who can use WordPress?
WordPress can be used by anybody. Whether you’re a business owner, an organization, or an aspiring business owner, WordPress is the perfect platform you can use to showcase your business, ideas, or services to the global market.
Benefits of using WordPress
Below are the benefits of using WordPress for building websites for your clients (as a website developer) or as a business owner.
- All your site information is under your control if you use WordPress.Org.
- It’s a feature-rich blogging and content-making platform that gives you complete control to curate, modify, and publish.
- The platform is scalable and businesses have control over their database.
- It’s easy to manage and edit multimedia, such as photos, videos, and gifs.
- It’s easy to extend the site’s functionality by installing plugins, extensions, integrations, and themes.
- Super SEO friendly and ensures websites rank high in search engines.
- With as little as $150 (if you are using free a theme and plugins), you can design your website on WordPress.org (or hire Alpha Web Consult to handle it for you. Starting from $300).
Things needed for WordPress development
To use WordPress (the .org version.), you need these:
- Web hosting: The server space to host your website’s contents
- Domain name: Your website address e.g. www.alphawebconsult.com
- Theme: There are thousands of free and paid themes but I recommend using a custom theme (built solely for your business). You will know the reason in our future article.
- Plugin: To add functionalities to your website.
Wrapping up the introduction to WordPress for all levels
To build an amazing website in 2024, you do not need to learn how to code. You can become a WordPress designer and build cool websites for yourself or your clients (as a freelancer). This introduction to WordPress has introduced you to what WordPress can do in 2024. Get ready to become a WordPress expert soon.
The next article will be on WordPress.com vs WordPress.
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