WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that enables anyone to build and manage websites without any issues.
Initially, a blogging platform, the WordPress software currently assists users in the launch of different types of websites, including not only blogs and portfolios but also online shops.
how to use WordPress was presented by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little in 2003.
WordPress gets utilised as a CMS in 43.5 percent of all websites today. The simplicity and the powerful global community are evidences of its popularity. Besides, the huge variety of themes and plugins of this platform turn it into a very universal tool.
How does WordPress work?
- The functionality of WordPress is achieved through the PHP-based core and MySQL database where the content and the settings are stored. When a person goes to your site the software retrieves information out of the database, puts the design of the theme on it and then sends the final page to the visitor.
- So what are the key parts that make WordPress go? Let us have a closer look:
- Core files. The PHP code that runs WordPress is the engine which deals with user login, content management and basic features.
- Database. Both stores all your content, user data, plugin settings, and configuration. MySQL or MariaDB is used in WordPress.
- Themes. customize the appearance of your site. WordPress uses the layout and style of your chosen theme on your content.
- Plugins. Include new functions on your site, like SEO tools, contact forms or online store capability.
What is WordPress used for?
Officially, you can make any kind of site using WordPress. Not sure how people use WordPress? There are some of the typical types of sites created with the CMS:
- Personal blogs. Originally beginning as a blogging platform, WordPress has strong inbuilt functionality when it comes to creating blog posts, managing content categories and moderating comments. With its customizer user-interface, a WordPress blog can be handled even by a novice.
- Portfolios. A portfolio theme and a gallery WordPress plugin lets any professional present his or her works in the most beautiful way.
- Business websites. WordPress also includes all the key business functionality such as contact forms, bookings and client testimonials, handy to both enterprise and small business websites.
- Online stores. With the help of plugins such as WooCommerce, WordPress can also be transformed into a full eCommerce business with directories of products, shopping carts, and secure payment portals.
- Membership sites. WordPress user management functionality, combined with third-party plugins, can support subscription models, paywalls and member directories.
- News platforms. It is news delivery friendly because the platform offers simplified publishing and editing, and they also have flexible user roles.
- Nonprofit websites. WordPress allows donation system, events calendar and volunteer management, thus it can be used by charity organizations.
- Forums. Forum plugins allow discussing topics, creating profiles, and interacting with each other and can assist you in creating an interactive online environment.
- Hospitality websites. To manage hotels or vacation rentals, there are WordPress plugins that can make reservations, rooms, prices, and communication with the guest much easier.
- Event websites. Plugins can be used to add event listing and ticket sales, sponsor promotion, and interactive venue maps, and social media integration can be used to gain more visibility.
- Job boards. Job boards can be developed through plugins that help the HR professionals manage job postings, applications and profiles of the candidates
What websites use WordPress?
Millions of websites are created on WordPress, so, what about checking some of the most popular ones and identifying the best design practices we can discover about them:
NASA
The official NASA site is powered by WordPress so as to bring the space exploration, science and technology near to the people. This is one of the sites that demonstrate the capability of WordPress in presenting complex content to its visitors with an engaging and informative flow.
The site is well designed with easily navigable tabs of news, missions and resources. It puts special focus on how flexible the CMS is in presenting data intensive contents without making the user interface confusing.
It also has search and filtering options to allow users to discover information on targeted missions or topics of interest fast. Although WordPress has a search widget, which you can add to your site, you can enhance its capabilities by installing Ivory Search plugin.
Disney General Entertainment Press
The second remarkable site based on WordPress is Disney General Entertainment Press. It demonstrates a large media library and press resources with the help of WordPress, emphasizing the possibility to work with a broad range of multimedia content by means of this platform.
The site is well-designed in order to make navigation easy. This enables the users to locate the pictures, videos and the descriptions of various Disney undertakings that interest them, fast and in quality.
As a way of capturing the attention of visitors, the site home page has implemented a hero image slideshow component. It is useful in advertising the current series as each image is clickable and redirects the visitors to the corresponding TV show official page. This kind of content can be replicated with the help of such plugins as MetaSlider.
Nalgene
The products of Nalgene labeled as the original water bottle company are sold through an online storefront that is WordPress and WooCommerce powered. This site demonstrates the plugin capability to offer a native and powerful shopping experience.
The product page includes such useful information as the large product photos of the high-quality, the summary of the main features, and the customer reviews. The WooCommerce Variation Swatches and Photos add-on allows picturing various color scenarios with ease and selecting the preferred product variation.
Products that complement one another may be suggested with the help of a Frequently Bought Together feature on the WordPress site to facilitate a rise in sales. This will help motivate the customers to browse further through their products which will enhance their shopping cart value and customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
WordPress will be a content management system to assist you in creating a non-coding site. It allows you to build any kind of site, such as blogs, online shops, company pages, and membership sites – because there are plenty of WordPress themes and plugins. And, the set up of a new location is simple.
The term, in its turn, tends to indicate the self-hosted WordPress.org, the open-source software. Meanwhile, hosted WordPress.com is a freemium web builder product, provided by Automattic.
