What is WordPress?

WordPress is a content management system or CMS for short.

It allows users to effortlessly manage pretty much all aspects of their site from an admin panel (oppose to rummaging around in the code).

Starting out as a simple blogging platform on 27 May 2003, it has since grown to be one of the most popular CMSs around with one third of all websites powered by it.

Why is WordPress so popular?

There are two main reasons as to why WordPress is so popular, which we’ll look at below.

It’s really user-friendly

WordPress has a super simple admin dashboard. All the information you need is clear and laid out neatly. It’s not fancy, it’s just simple and straightforward.

The developers have really paid attention to the KISS motto – Keep It Super Simple.

The back office (admin panel) allows users to effortless create and manage posts, pages, menu items, site users and much, much more.

Extendability & customisation

This reason is perhaps more for web developers, but is still a very valid point.

WordPress has over 50,000 plugins (external software) that can turn an ordinary WordPress site into an online shop, marketplace, auction house, forum and members portal – just to name a few!

There are also over 7,000 themes (templates) that allow for a wide range of styles and layouts.

On top of that, providing you’ve got a background in web development, it is relatively straightforward to create your own plugins & themes with plenty of documentation in its codex.