WordPress: An Open-Source CMS for All Types of Websites

What is WordPress?

WordPress (WP) is the world’s most popular content management system. As of May 2023, this CMS powers over 63% of all websites with a known CMS, and this figure is steadily increasing. Furthermore, about a third of the top-visited websites globally run on WordPress.

WordPress was intended exclusively for blogs and “information websites” during its development phase. Developed with an open-source philosophy, WordPress allows everyone to customize it to their needs. As a result, the CMS has rapidly gained popularity and users have actively begun creating extensions, widgets, and plugins.

In a very short time, WordPress has developed into a versatile tool that enables the creation of a wide variety of websites, from simple one-pagers to comprehensive corporate websites and online shops.

What Types of Websites Can Be Built with WordPress?

• Blogs. Originally a blogging platform, WP continues to be the go-to choice for bloggers for its quick setup and comprehensive blogging tools.
• Portfolios. Freelancers, artists, photographers, musicians, writers, and other creative individuals often use it to create online portfolios. There are numerous free portfolio templates available that offer a variety of functions – from galleries to banners and contact forms.
• Corporate Websites. WordPress is an optimal platform for company websites. Small and medium-sized companies favor it and it is becoming increasingly popular among large corporations as well. The CMS provides extensive customization options and functionalities, enabling entrepreneurs to tailor their websites precisely to their requirements.
• Charity websites (NGOs). Given its affordability and ease of use, it’s no wonder that this CMS has gained popularity among charities and churches. Thanks to WordPress, more and more non-profit organizations are on the Internet today.
• Online shops. Combined with the WooCommerce plugin, WP facilitates the creation of online shops with essential functionalities. From product presentation to payment processing, WordPress / WooCommerce offers a solid foundation to efficiently run a small to medium-sized online shop.

WordPress Plugins and their Application

The WordPress plugin marketplace is arguably the largest among all CMSs, boasting around 59,000 free extensions in the official directory. Here are some examples of application areas for which specific plugins are used:

Online Shop

WooCommerce stands out as one of WordPress’s most extensive and comprehensive plugins. This transforms the original blogging/website system into an online shop.

WooCommerce is free and expands a website with the necessary online shop functionalities not only in the front end but also in the back end. However, it is important to note that not all extensions are compatible with WooCommerce. In this case, it is advisable to call in a professional.

Multilingualism

For example, through the plugin WPML, WordPress becomes a powerful CMS that facilitates the internationalization of websites and makes it possible to address people in different languages. WPML also supports WooCommerce, among other things, which makes it possible to create and manage multilingual online shops.

Search Engine Optimization

Another application area for WP extensions is Search Engine Optimization (SEO). For example, the plugin Yoast SEO offers tools to improve website visibility in search engines. It allows optimizing metadata, creating XML sitemaps, analyzing content, and implementing best SEO practices.

Performance improvement

Cache plugins enhance loading times and overall website performance. It is designed to optimize speed by creating static HTML files of the pages, thereby reducing server load. Among many WP plugins, there are several that offer different caching settings.

Form creation and interaction

To enhance website interaction, the Contact Form 7 plugin is invaluable. This plugin allows users to easily create contact forms, surveys or registration forms and seamlessly integrate them into the website, enriching the overall user experience.

The rise to headless CMS

WordPress is a highly powerful CMS capable of supporting an API-first approach, thus qualifying as a so-called headless CMS. With this approach, WordPress can be expanded to include a progressive web app or a Single Page Application (SPA) and, as a result, easily compete with other technologies that are considered more modern. This capability also allows full use of Google Web Vitals for performance optimization.

Even though WordPress isn’t inherently API-first, professional web agencies can still skilfully use it. However one will need extensive knowledge of WP and software development in general.

Advantages of WordPress

• Free. WordPress itself is free, which means there are no license fees. Costs only arise for additional development or plugins.
• Unlimited possibilities. Thanks to many extensions, different functionalities can be easily integrated.
• Flexibility in appearance and functionality. Thanks to a wide range of themes, you can change the front end of the website as desired in the web design and implement various widgets on the website.
• Easy management. Thanks to the widespread use of this CMS and global collaboration, the backend has been designed to be intuitive for every user and does not require deep technical knowledge.

Conclusion

WordPress is a world-leading content management system that is the basis for various websites, from blogs and online portfolios to company sites and online shops. With a strong community, numerous plugins, and customization options, this CMS offers a flexible and user-friendly design. Free, customizable, and easy to use are its main advantages.

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