WordPress is the world’s most widely used Content Management System (CMS). It powers over 40% of all websites on the internet1—from small business sites and blogs to major news platforms and ecommerce stores.
But let’s strip the buzzwords for a second.
WordPress is a tool that lets you build and manage your website without needing to code everything from scratch. It gives you a dashboard where you can add pages, publish blog posts, upload images, install plugins, change your design, and more—all through a (mostly) user-friendly interface.
It’s open-source, flexible, and endlessly extendable. That’s what makes it so powerful—and so popular.
How WordPress works
At its core, WordPress is software that runs on a web server. It handles:
- Content creation and storage
- Page structure and navigation
- Themes and templates (your site’s look and layout)
- Plugins (extra features like forms, SEO tools, or booking systems)
- User roles and permissions
- Updates, security patches, and media management
You log in through a backend interface (like yourdomain.com/wp-admin) where you manage everything behind the scenes.
WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com
This confuses a lot of people:
- WordPress.org is the self-hosted version. You install it on your own hosting, giving you full control. It’s what most professionals use—and it’s the version I recommend for serious businesses.
- WordPress.com is a hosted platform with more limitations. It’s easier to get started with but restricts customization, especially on free plans.
If you’re building a business website, you almost certainly want the .org version.
Why WordPress is so popular with businesses
- It’s scalable
Start with a simple brochure site. Add ecommerce, membership, or multilingual features later. - It’s cost-effective
The core software is free. Most functionality can be added with plugins (free or premium) and themes. - It’s customizable
Designers and developers can build custom themes or plugins tailored to your business needs. - It’s SEO-friendly
With the right setup, WordPress gives you control over URLs, meta tags, schema, internal linking, and more. - It has a massive ecosystem
Tens of thousands of plugins, themes, and integrations are available—plus a huge global support community.
But it’s not plug-and-play
Despite what some hosting companies promise, WordPress still needs:
- Ongoing maintenance (updates, backups, security)
- Performance optimization
- Design and content strategy
- Technical expertise for more advanced customizations
If you treat WordPress like a “set it and forget it” platform, things can break—or worse, become a security risk.
Common use cases
- Company websites and landing pages
- Blogs and content hubs
- Online stores (via WooCommerce)
- Booking or appointment systems
- Membership sites
- Digital portfolios
Bottom line
WordPress is a solid, future-proof choice for most business websites—especially if you want flexibility without being locked into a proprietary system. But like any tool, it depends on how it’s used. When set up and maintained properly, WordPress can grow with your business and give you the control you need to own your online presence.
