PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor. It’s a widely used, open-source scripting language that’s especially popular for building websites and web applications. If your site is built on WordPress (which powers more than 40% of the web), then PHP is working behind the scenes—whether you realize it or not.
In simpler terms: PHP is the language that powers the logic of your website. It tells the server what to show, what to fetch from the database, and how to dynamically build each page before a visitor ever sees it.
What does PHP actually do?
When someone visits your website, PHP runs on the server, not in the visitor’s browser. It:
- Pulls content from a database (like blog posts, product info, or user data)
- Processes form submissions (e.g., contact forms or logins)
- Loads templates and plugins in WordPress
- Builds dynamic pages based on conditions (like language or user preferences)
For example, when you click on a blog post, PHP decides which content to display, how it should look, and sends the final result to your browser as a standard HTML page.
Why should business owners care?
Even if you’re not writing code yourself, understanding what PHP is—and how it fits into your site—can help you make better decisions. Here’s why it matters:
- It powers WordPress
WordPress core, themes, and most plugins are written in PHP. So any updates, features, or bugs often come down to how PHP is written or behaves. - It’s crucial for custom features
Want a custom booking form? Dynamic product filtering? Tailored client dashboards? All of these rely on PHP. - It can affect performance
Poorly written PHP can slow down your site. Well-optimized code means faster load times and better user experience. - It plays a role in security
Outdated PHP versions or insecure code can open up your site to hacks. That’s why updating PHP (and your plugins/themes) is not optional—it’s essential.
What about PHP versions?
PHP is regularly updated, with each version bringing performance improvements and security fixes. As of now, many modern hosts support PHP 8.1 or newer. Running on older versions (like 7.4 or earlier) can:
- Make your site vulnerable to attacks
- Cause plugins to break
- Hurt your site’s speed and compatibility
Keeping your PHP version current is a technical task, but it’s one of the easiest ways to boost performance and security.
Common PHP-related tasks
For WordPress site owners, PHP might come up when:
- A developer writes a custom plugin or theme
- You see a “PHP error” on your site (usually due to a conflict or syntax issue)
- You’re advised to upgrade your PHP version for better speed or compatibility
In all these cases, knowing what PHP is helps you speak the same language as your developer—and avoid blindly approving (or ignoring) changes.
Bottom line
PHP is the engine room of your WordPress site. You don’t need to code it yourself, but knowing what it does—and why it matters—helps you manage your website more confidently, avoid common issues, and collaborate better with your developer.
