WordPress enables thousands of websites to be made every day with little effort. But what is WordPress, and how does it work? In this post, we will explain what WordPress is and how you can utilize it to create websites easily.
Understanding WordPress: The Basics
Put simply, WordPress is a software program that makes it possible for you to build and maintain websites with relative ease. WordPress is among the Content Management Systems (CMS), which is essentially a system that aims to assist users in managing website content without requiring specialized technical expertise.
Prior to the arrival of WordPress in 2003, creating a website involved hiring a programmer or a web developer. Creating a website could only be achieved through hand coding, a process that was costly and took a long time. WordPress changed all this by introducing a visual interface for creating websites without the need to know how to code. The revolution enabled anyone, regardless of a computer science degree, to create a website from scratch.
The cherry on top? WordPress is free! Rather than a complicated and confusing backend, WordPress boasts a simple-to-use dashboard, making it user-friendly for beginners and pros alike.
The Popularity of WordPress
WordPress is the clear leader in the CMS arena. WordPress now hosts approximately 43% of all websites on the internet. That implies that almost half of all websites are running on this system.
Why do people use WordPress so widely? The answer is because of its flexibility and limitless possibilities. WordPress provides users with the ability to download and install themes and plugins to customize their websites as they want. If you need a business website, a blog, an e-commerce website, or a portfolio website, WordPress allows you to create and manage them quickly and easily.
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
If you have looked for WordPress on the internet, you might discover two sites: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Allow us to clarify the difference.
- WordPress.com : A service where you can host a website for free on WordPress’s hosting. Free websites do come with limitations, though, like not being able to install plugins, which hinders customization. You need to pay for a paid account (at least $25/month) to be able to utilize premium features.
- WordPress.org : You can download the WordPress software from here for free and install it on your own hosting provider. Self-hosting provides you with complete control of your website, so you can install plugins, themes, and other features as required.
Choosing the Right WordPress Hosting
The majority of website owners use self-hosted WordPress since it is versatile. Rather than going to WordPress.org and downloading the software manually, the majority of web hosts offer one-click WordPress installation. This is easy and convenient to install your website.
If you use the free version of WordPress.com, you are restricted from using it to your full advantage unless you upgrade and pay for it. However, hosting services such as Hostinger, Bluehost, and SiteGround enable you to install the complete version of WordPress for $2 to $8 monthly. This is cheaper than upgrading to WordPress.com but with greater function and versatility.
The Power of WordPress Themes and Plugins
One of the main reasons why WordPress has been so successful is the huge collection of plugins and themes. Plugins enhance your site’s functionality by enabling you to add features such as contact forms, SEO optimization, and security measures. Themes allow you to style and design your website without coding.
By combining and arranging plugins and themes, you can create a completely customized website to fit your needs. A few of the most popular plugins include:
- Elementor – A drag-and-drop page builder
- Yoast SEO – Optimization of your site for search engines
- WooCommerce – Converts your website into an online store
- Wordfence – Offers protection and security from threats
5 websites that provide free WordPress themes
1- WordPress.org
The official WordPress repository offers a vast collection of free themes suitable for various types of websites. (fr.wordpress.org)
2- WordPress.com
In addition to its hosting services, WordPress.com provides a selection of free themes that users can easily integrate into their websites. (wordpress.com)
3- Grace Themes
This site features a collection of free professional WordPress themes, designed for different industries with modern designs and advanced functionalities. (gracethemes.com)
4- CyberChimps
CyberChimps offers over 50 free WordPress website templates, easy to use and import without requiring coding skills. (cyberchimps.com)
5- Blocksy
Blocksy provides free starter site templates for WordPress, designed with attention to detail and based on modern trends. (creativethemes.com)
Conclusion
WordPress is the most widely used CMS for a reason. It enables anyone to create professional websites effortlessly, for personal, business, or e-commerce purposes. The biggest distinction between WordPress.org and WordPress.com is freedom of hosting—self-hosting provides boundless customization, yet WordPress.com is limited unless upgraded. If you’re determined to create a website, we strongly suggest a self-hosted WordPress option and a well-known hosting provider such as Hostinger, Bluehost, or SiteGround. This will provide you with complete control of your website for a fraction of the price of WordPress.com’s premium plans. Want to learn more? Check out our Ultimate WordPress Guide for Beginners, or walk with us through our Step-by-Step Website Building Tutorial to create your own site from scratch. Good luck site building!
