What is WordPress?

What is WordPress?

In straightforward terms, WordPress is free software that is used to build websites.

WordPress is the most widely used self-hosted blogging application on the Internet. Don't let the "blogging application" description fool you though, as WordPress is not just a tool used to blog. Over the years, as the WordPress software has grown and matured, web designers began using it to develop standard websites. You too can use WordPress to develop your website, regardless of whether it is a blog or a website for your business.

What is a blog?

We've tossed the term "blog" around a few times already, so let's make sure we're all on the same page. "Blog" is a combination of the terms, "web log". A blog is a website that is usually run by one individual where personal and/or professional articles are written and published. Blogs are designed to be interactive. Users can leave comments on what the author has written, and the article's topic can continue on in discussions within the comments.

Back to WordPress, you said it's free?

That's right, WordPress is 100% completely free. There's no one time fee or trial version, it's free and open source. WordPress is heavily community driven, and the "community" aspect is very important to WordPress users. There are 100's of people around the world that help not only to develop the software, but to write documentation and assist in the WordPress Support Forums.

How exactly does WordPress work?

This is probably one of the more important questions, and the easiest to answer. WordPress is installed on your hosting account. Installation is a breeze, we can help if you need it, and it'll be over before you know it. After you have WordPress installed, log in, write your content, and click publish. With WordPress running on your hosting account, you can log in from any computer with Internet access.

Ever hear of WordCamp?

We keep mentioning how great WordPress is and how commonly used it is. While it's easy to throw a term like "popular" around when describing an application, WordPress is indeed popular. WordPress users around the world organize conference where they get together to discuss everything WordPress. These events are attended by every type of user in the WordPress community, from average users to developers of the software. When was the last time you were excited to be invited to an event all about any software you use on your computer?

If you wish to see a total list of the courses in this class go to 101: Wordpress- Getting Started Guide.  To proceed to the next course, please click on What Can I Build with Wordpress?