WordPress is a CMS

A content management system (CMS) allows a site owner to edit and add site content using a suite of online tools which are accessible via a secure login. Specific tools vary from one CMS to another, but most provide for the insertion and placement of text, images, video, and hyperlinks. While content will vary from page to page, the usual convention is to reserve the header and footer regions which hold universal components such as navigation and contact information.

Most CMS systems consist of a “core” code system that can be modularly augmented in function (Plugins) and styled via a series of template files (Themes). Core code provides the systems’ basic functionality and individual installations are customized through the chosen Theme and collection of Plugins. In order to work, a CMS needs to be published on a webhost as a series of files and scripts that interact with a connected database. A major advantage of a CMS over static web pages is that content and settings are largely stored in a database and therefore the site can be restyled and reconfigured without needing to regenerate the content all over again.

WordPress is Open Source

Proprietary systems such as Wix, Weebly, Squarespace and a panoply of less recognized and abandoned systems may have their place, but I do not recommend their use. Generally speaking, these systems require a specific webhost, limit the scope of possible customization and are primarily sustained through the monetization of the platform.

An Open-Source code is unencrypted, unobscured and accessible to modification and enhancement. Like many Open-Source systems, WordPress is supported by a group of core engineers who are substantially supplemented by a community of developers and users who field test, troubleshoot, and enhance the system through Plugins and Themes. An Open-Source system is intentionally built to encourage customization and enhancement.

WordPress can be self-hosted (and usually is)

WordPress has two distinct identities: WordPress.com is a paid hosting service where managed WordPress sites can be published; WordPress.org Is the not-for-profit entity that provides for the free download and use of the WordPress software.

WordPress is the most popular platform for websites

I have personally built sites in WordPress (since the 2.0 series), Drupal, Joomla, PHP Fusion, Zen Cart, Movable Type, Alfresco, Blogger, plain HTML, and a many of drag and drop hosted systems and have found WordPress to be the best overall choice. In 2022 WordPress powered over 43% of every active website and since 2011 it has increased its’ market share by an average of 12% a year. The wide use of WordPress means that the supporting community is huge and the pressure to continually improve and enhance the system will remain substantial.

WordPress core code provides two distinct post types, two taxonomy systems and built in queries that use those taxonomy systems to display groups of posts attached to a specific taxonomy term.

The WordPress community supports site developers via a substantial knowledgebase and a quality tested collection of plugins and themes which can be found at wordpress.org

Any type of website can be built in WordPress

WordPress will celebrate its’ 20^th year in 2023 and has matured over the years into a publishing platform capable of handling any web project. The WordPress platform can handle anything from a simple five page site to a complex cross referenced knowledge base with thousands of pages which also incorporates ecommerce and subscription content.