The WordPress Content Management System
WordPress is an open-source content management system with excellent architecture. It is written in PHP database, server-MySQL, and licensed by the GNU GPL version 2 license. The system allows the administrator to make different modifications; from adding a theme to installing suitable plugins, and more.
The CMS idea first came into light in 2001, when Michel Valdrigi initiated its development. Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg also became contributors. Two years later, Valdrigi quit the project. Thus, WordPress is said to be authored by Matt Mullenweg. The non-profit WordPress Foundation owns the “WordPress” trademark rights.
Features
WordPress offers SEO-friendly and customizable platform with responsive themes. It is built to be of high performance at all times, alongside an advanced security system that protects users. It allows administrators to manage their websites, as well as the media files, from anywhere and at any time. Users can choose from over 54,000 plugins to design their websites to suit their preferences.
The primary functionalities of WordPress are available for free. The archive is available for download at Download wordpress. There are numerous language options to choose from. The installation process is fast and easy – direct installation to almost any domain takes only a few minutes. WordPress supports almost all hosting providers around.
Using WordPress does not require any serious background knowledge. Even a novice can create a WordPress blog with little or no help, thanks to the convenient, user-friendly, and organized admin panel. WordPress is quite popular – you will find tons of resources on the internet to help you if you ever get stuck.
WordPress also offers open access to codes. This is why developers and tech enthusiasts with the knowledge of JavaScript, PHP, CSS, HTML, find it easier to create tons of free and paid tools and functions.
The functionalities of WordPress
Here is a list of the critical functionalities WordPress offers:
- Creating, editing, and deleting of static pages like the Contact and About pages, as well as posts.
- The flexibility to write personalized URLs or choose from various formats available.
- RSS, search, tags, and categories support.
- A versatile online image editor that can zoom, rotate, and crop photos.
- Easy-to-use WYSIWYG text editor that is available in two modes – HTML and Visual.
- A vast database of ready-to-use templates that eases the creative process.
- A vast collection of different plugins and widgets for customization.
- Extensive comments-centered features, including tree format, disable/enable, and maximum number per page, among others.
You only need to master the primary features and functionalities and use the standard and essential plugins to get the job done on WordPress.
Main components of WordPress CMS
What constitutes the primary components of WordPress CMS are the Media File, Comments, Widgets, Topics, Plugins, and Posts and Pages. Here is an extensive look at each of these components.
Posts and Pages
Posts are found on the blog of the WordPress site. The blog comprises constantly changing content targeted at visitors. The arrangement of the posts is usually chronologic. The feature comes handy for news dissemination. The dynamic content is stored and retrieved whenever there is a need.
There is always a title alongside the main text for every WordPress page. However, these are different from posts. Pages are ideal for creating information pages and static content, for instance, an About page, a feedback form, a contact page, and similar static pages. Since these pages are static, the publication dates are usually absent in RSS feeds.
Themes
The best part of WordPress themes is that they are ready-made and ready-to-use. The theme is what defines the visible part and design of a WordPress site. There are different theme providers on the internet. You may also create a unique theme specially for your internet resource. We recommend to use one of the popular themes for WordPress created by Themify.
Plugins
What a plugin does is to improve a WordPress site capability, as well as that of the installed theme. These software add-ons (plugins) can be installed to create novel features on the site, for example, creating a subscription form on the site or a gallery without writing scripts or codes. Once the plugin is discovered via the admin panel or WordPress’ official website, the admin can upload it to the site directly.
Widgets
What a WordPress widget brings into the mix is the capability to add more information: images, product groups, scripts, texts, audio, video, and others, to various areas of the websites. This makes it easy for visitors to find relevant information on the site. Widgets empower users to interact and control the design and structure of a WordPress theme. Common widget spots include the header, footer, sidebar, or designated widget areas on web pages.
Comments
A blog is literally incomplete without Comments. It is an interactive feature that allows users to discuss with you and with other users by leaving comments. Comments can be (de)activated for each page or each post. An administrator can edit connected comments, mark them as spam, or delete them altogether using the comments panel.
Media Files
Media files comprise images the Admin uploads on their WordPress site. The media engine duplicates each image for multiple uses while creating a small copy of the same. This helps to keep the website light and fast.
What can we get from the WordPress CMS?
WordPress is ideal for almost any type of project, helping administrators create highly customizable websites with little or no stress.
Personal Blog
Starting a personal blog is an excellent idea for experts looking to share knowledge. Most personal blogs are created with WordPress, thanks to its simplicity and seamless management. A personal blog owner can easily add images and videos, tags, categories, and, more importantly, text.
Business Site
WordPress allows business owners to create a website for their company without investing a lot of money. The admin will only have to install a theme, plugins, create the right pages – Home, Contacts, Services, About, and others, and fill in the desired content.
Information Site
WordPress is ideal for creating an information website, including news site, cooking site, location-based site, or any other site that passes information to visitors.
Online Store
WP is great for creating online stores. There are several plugins dedicated to this, including the famous WooCommerce plugin. Such plugins ensure the easy configuration of all components of an e-commerce setup, including payments and shopping carts, among others.
Sales and Landing Pages
WordPress is the favorite content management system among online marketers. It helps to create excellent sales and landing pages for all types of services and products. Plus, it takes little or no technical expertise, thanks to its flexible configuration.
Portfolio
Professionals can create impressive portfolios on WordPress using dedicated plugins and themes to showcase their reports, cases, and works.
Final Thoughts
WordPress holds unlimited potentials, such that discussing all of them will be practically impossible. However, this article has focused on the primary tools and features of WordPress. From our discussions, it is clear why WordPress is regarded as the most convenient, effective, and affordable site content management system out there. WordPress is a perfect CMS for any type of website, facilitating administrators set up highly customizable sites with little efforts and knowledge of programming.