WordPress in its simplest terms is a content management system, also called a CMS. It helps to structure and display content creating a website that users can interact with. WordPress was originally only for blogging, but as time has gone on it has become more robust. It is not a functional and flexible platform that allows amateurs and pros to make amazing websites.
WordPress is also very useful because it is open source. This means that it is open to the public to create new software, and plugins to further the usability of the CMS. All of these resources make it really easy and convenient to find solutions to common problems. In most situations, there will already be a plugin that will solve the issue you are facing.
On top of all of this built-in flexibility, WordPress is also very easy to use. It can be picked up by beginners and used within minutes, however, it does take some time to master. WordPress allows us to create powerful websites without having to dig into computer code or deal with behind-the-scenes technicalities. Designing a website is more about designing and less about technical knowledge than it has ever been.
Did you know that more than 40 percent of the world’s websites are built on WordPress? Companies like BBC America, Sony Music, and The Walt Disney Company have joined this movement as well as millions of mom and pop shops and locations. This proves that it really is a CMS that can be used by anyone for any project. If you are interested in seeing more examples of WordPress websites then click here.
How To Use WordPress
So how do users actually interact with WordPress? Luckily it is very simple. WordPress is broken up into three major parts:
- Themes
- Plugins
- Widgets
Together with these 3 tools creators are able to build just about anything they can imagine. This is possible because there are millions of themes and plugins out there. All of which enables WordPress Developers to create different solutions and projects. So between all of these combinations, there is really no limit to what can be accomplished with WordPress.
What are WordPress Themes?
WordPress themes are simply visual settings laid out by the theme developer. These themes can range from being very simple and minimal to extremely complex. Based on what you are creating there will be a theme out there that will work best for you and your efforts. Using a theme allows us to easily set a professional look to the website without having to create every bit of the style by hand. This can work to save a massive amount of time when designing a website. Allowing you to focus on bigger issues like website content and flow.
What are Plugins?
Plugins are a way to further customize and perfect the theme. A theme is meant to control the large-scale features of a website, but plugins can handle the smaller, more refined tasks. A great example of this would be a plugin like Autoptimize which optimizes images and improves website load time. By using a great theme and then picking plugins to solve your individual problems you can add just about anything on your website that you can imagine.
What are Widgets?
Widgets are the smaller pieces of your website that allow for better user interactivity. This category covers the other parts of your website including your sidebars, footers, and headers. All of these parts are incredibly useful for tying your site together and creating content that is easy to follow and interact with. These widgets can also be further optimized with the theme choice and plugins as well.
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In Conclusion
WordPress is an amazing software that opens up the world of website creation to everyone. Not only does it make it easier for beginners to get started but it also makes it easier for pros to do what they do best. It is a sandbox of possibilities and a chance for anyone to create the site of their dreams. On top of all of this WordPress is completely free and so are many of the plugins and themes available. It is the future of website design and an elegant simplification of complex computer code. If you are interested in getting started on WordPress now is a great time to do it. If you have any further questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact us for any additional help.