Essential WordPress Tips for 2025 Success

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that enables you to create and host websites. It features a plugin architecture and a template system. This guide is designed to assist new users in understanding what WordPress is, how it operates, and its various applications.

If you’re in search of a manual to learn about WordPress and its capabilities, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll discover numerous detailed resources that can also help you chart a course for your project if you choose to pursue it further.

When you research WordPress online, you’ll likely encounter descriptions that highlight it as an entirely open-source and highly versatile content management system.

If you’re just starting out, terms like “open source” and “content management system” may not be very clear. So, here’s a more accessible overview of how it functions.

WordPress: A Short History

The story of WordPress began in 2003 when developers Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little set out to create a new blogging platform based on discontinued software known as b2/Cafe log. After initially abandoning the project, they decided to revive it and continue its development on their own terms.

The first version, 1.0, was launched in January 2004 and looked quite different from the content management system we recognize today. Nonetheless, it included many of the fundamental features we still utilize, such as an easy installation process, custom permalinks, a user management system, and comment moderation capabilities.

Since its inception in 2004, WordPress has experienced remarkable growth and evolution. Today, this open-source project is developed, overseen, and managed by a passionate community of thousands of members worldwide.

It has become a rapidly expanding content management system, with new versions released every two to three months, each introducing new features and security enhancements.

What is a content management system?

As previously mentioned, WordPress is a content management system (commonly referred to as a CMS). To understand what this entails, we first need to clarify what websites are and their functionality.

When you enter a website address (like getfullidea.com) into a web browser (such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Safari), your computer connects to another computer known as a server via the Internet and requests to access the code stored at that specific location (the web address you provided).

The browser then retrieves this code and displays the corresponding web page. What’s crucial to note is how this code was stored in a particular spot on the server: it was placed there by someone or something. There are two methods for accomplishing this:

• The code was handwritten and then uploaded to the server manually;
• This process was carried out using a Content Management System (CMS).

A Content Management System (CMS) is software that operates in your browser, enabling non-technical users to easily store, organize, and publish new web content without needing any programming skills. This positions the CMS as a solution that sets itself apart from traditional static web pages.

WordPress, as a CMS, handles the complex coding by writing to and managing its database, allowing you to publish any content without needing to understand the technical details happening on the server.

Essentially, WordPress is an application that provides a user-friendly (and some might say intuitive) interface for individuals to create, edit, and manage their websites.

How to use WordPress:

So, how exactly do you use it? The main purpose of WordPress is to empower individuals, regardless of their background or location, to publish their content online in various formats and in real-time.

Are you looking for a straightforward website that features a series of blog posts along with a sidebar showcasing the author’s biography and some images from your Instagram?

That’s easy! Or perhaps you need a cutting-edge eCommerce site to sell handmade bags, complete with a payment system that allows customers to purchase from anywhere in the world?

That’s also achievable! Maybe you want to develop a website for a service-oriented business, offering customers the ability to make online reservations for hotels or restaurants?

No problem at all! With WordPress, you can create any type of website you desire, and the best part is that it enables you to do it yourself, eliminating the need to hire a potentially costly web designer.

WordPress: Who Uses It

Believe it or not, you’ve likely encountered it numerous times. How can I be so certain? Because it currently powers over 36% of all websites worldwide.

Not only does it support one in four sites globally, but it’s also utilized by well-known brands such as Microsoft, Rolling Stone, Sony, Il Fatto Quotidiano, and many others.

It’s far from just a tool for manual tasks; websites built on this CMS cover a diverse array of formats, from personal blogs attracting a few hundred visitors weekly to multinational companies receiving tens of millions of visits each week.

Differences Between WordPress.org and WordPress.com

WordPress is a widely-used platform for creating blogs and websites. However, a common question among new users is the distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. A quick search on Google will show these two sites at the top of the results.

If you’re just starting out, it might be unclear which one to choose. While it may seem logical that both platforms should be similar, they actually differ significantly. The key takeaway when comparing WordPress.org and WordPress.com is this:

• .org is a product;
• .com is a service.

Although both platforms allow you to create a website, they do so in distinctly different ways. To simplify it: opting for WordPress.org is akin to purchasing a car, while choosing WordPress.com is more like renting one for an extended period.

When you own a car, you bear all the responsibilities, including maintenance, ensuring it operates correctly, changing the oil, and ensuring it’s safe to drive.

In contrast, when you rent a car, you use it daily, but all maintenance is the responsibility of the rental company. This may seem appealing at first, but it also means you can’t modify the car in any way without the rental company’s approval; you simply use it as is.

In summary, if you:

• Desire full control over your website;
• Require the site for business purposes (this is crucial!);
• Wish to implement a custom design (or engage a web designer for it);
• Are comfortable with terms like hosting and domain names;
• Want the freedom to customize your website as you like.

…Choose WordPress.org. Click here.

However, if you:

• Create a website quickly and don’t care about extra features;
• Are a beginner and prefer to create a site independently;
• Need a website for a personal task;
• Agree to limited control over your site.

…then select WordPress.com. Click here.

WordPress: User-Friendliness and Scalability

WordPress’s widespread appeal is partly due to its user-friendly nature. Once you complete the straightforward installation, you’ll find a control panel (dashboard) that is both well-designed and simple to navigate.

However, the true advantage of WordPress isn’t just its user-friendliness; paradoxically, its greatest strength lies in its remarkable scalability.

Rather than being a restrictive platform with limited core functions, WordPress is built to accommodate a wide array of additional features through themes and plugins.

WordPress: Key Features

Here are the key features of WordPress:

• Enhanced functionality through plugins
• Access to thousands of themes for customizing site layout and design
• Use of SEO-friendly slugs (URLs) via permalinks
• Ability to create pages
• Option to write articles
• Management of categories and tags
• Trackback and Pingback functionalities
• Gutenberg block editor for formatting text and designing layouts
• Automatic system updates
• User and role management
• Support for multi-site setups
• Capability to build e-commerce sites using dedicated plugins
• Opportunities for SEO optimization through specialized SEO plugins

These are just some of its many capabilities.

WordPress Themes and Plugins

As a content management system (CMS), WordPress allows you to add or modify your website content at any time. However, without specific guidelines on how to arrange this content on a web page, it won’t be viewable. A WordPress theme provides these essential guidelines. When you install WordPress, a default theme is activated, offering a basic framework for displaying content, enabling you to immediately see a version of your site.

This is just the starting point, as WordPress separates your site’s content from the instructions on how to present it (i.e., the theme). This means that the way you choose to display your content is flexible; as long as the theme meets certain criteria, you can select any one you like. You have the option to create your own theme or hire a web agency to design one for you, but the exciting part is that there are already tens of thousands of themes available to choose from.

While themes focus on content presentation, you might find that you need more functionalities than the default WordPress offers. Whether you need a slider, a contact form, or more complex features like e-commerce capabilities, plugins make that possible.

Plugins are collections of instructions that add extra features and functionalities. They are essentially coded files that can be uploaded to your server via the admin dashboard, allowing WordPress to perform a wide range of tasks. Similar to themes, there are thousands of plugins available. To explore the vast array of options, check out our post on the best WordPress plugins. You’ll discover that the possibilities are nearly limitless, constrained only by what others have developed and made accessible for use.

Flexibility

As previously mentioned in this WordPress guide, when it was founded in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, WordPress was primarily a straightforward platform designed for one specific type of website: blogging.

Every project has to start somewhere, but it didn’t take long for its capabilities to expand. Today, it has evolved far beyond just a blogging tool.

With the added functionality of plugins, it has become incredibly versatile software capable of powering nearly any kind of website. Due to its easy extensibility, many people consider it to be one of the most adaptable content management systems ever created.

WordPress is Open Source

You might be curious about who develops WordPress. To clarify this, we first need to understand the concept of open source.

In the context of software, open source refers to a licensing model where the copyright holder allows anyone the rights to study, modify, and distribute the software for any purpose.

This means that no single entity truly ‘owns’ WordPress; instead, it is developed and maintained by numerous volunteers, many of whom are funded by companies that have a vested interest in its continued development.

Additionally, due to its open-source nature, thousands of individuals contribute to WordPress daily in various capacities. This collaborative effort not only enhances the overall user experience but also ensures that it remains high-quality software.

Here are several advantages of being part of a large and engaged community:

• There are thousands of free themes to select from;
• There are tens of thousands of free plugins accessible;
• There is a growing selection of high-quality premium themes and plugins that offer various features and excellent support;
• New versions are regularly launched;
• There is a notably active community forum;
• And it is available in all major languages.

What is the cost of WordPress?

While WordPress itself is free due to its open-source nature, there are additional expenses to consider when establishing a website. For instance, you’ll need to pay for server space, as the hosting services that provide this space are known as “hosting providers.”

Additionally, you will need to purchase a domain name for your website, which typically costs around €10 per year. Reputable domain providers include Namecheap and OVH, or you can opt for a WordPress hosting service that includes domain registration.

You may also want to invest in a premium theme, which usually ranges from $50 to $70, typically as a one-time expense.

Benefits and drawbacks of using WordPress

WordPress offers numerous advantages, making it one of the most popular platforms for those looking to create a website without programming skills. It is also an excellent option for developers due to its high level of customization.

Here are some key points to consider:

Pro

• Low cost – You only need to pay for the domain and web hosting. WordPress, along with many plugins and themes, is free.
• Simple installation and update process – Unlike other content management systems, it requires no complex configurations, and updates can be done with a single click.
• Easy management: You don’t need programming skills to handle daily tasks like writing and editing pages and posts, uploading and modifying images, managing users, adding menus, and installing plugins and themes.
• Custom Design – With thousands of pre-made themes available, you can easily create a design that suits your niche, such as specific themes for restaurants, medical offices, small businesses, food bloggers, and more.
• Custom Features: You can enhance WordPress’s default capabilities by adding new plugins tailored to various tasks, from search engine optimization to event booking.
• Community – WordPress has a vibrant global community and support forum. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions, assistance is readily available.
• Open-source – You can use WordPress software without any cost, and there are no fees required.

Security Concerns:

• WordPress powers more than 36% of all websites, making it a common target for hackers. Nonetheless, you can minimize this risk by adhering to fundamental safety maintenance practices.
• External Content: Many plugins and themes are developed by third parties and may contain vulnerabilities. Always read the descriptions and reviews before adding a new plugin or theme, and if you have any doubts, seek advice from the community.
• Website Performance: Having too many plugins on your WordPress site can lead to slower loading times. However, this issue can often be remedied by using a caching plugin.

Is WordPress the right choice for you?

WordPress is a flexible platform that has rightfully become the most widely used content management system online. It’s the system I utilize for the majority of the websites I create and the one I recommend to friends and clients, though it has its limitations—no solution is flawless.

Ultimately, the decision about which platform suits your needs and project is yours to make. Consider various factors such as your level of experience, budget, and the specific project you’re working on.

There are also several excellent hosted blogging platforms worth exploring. Besides WordPress.com, platforms like Tumblr and the adaptable Squarespace are great alternatives. Medium, founded by Blogger and Twitter’s Evan Williams, is another popular option that many users prefer. For bloggers, I suggest Ghost, which is a lighter platform than WordPress as it eliminates unnecessary features.

While WooCommerce is not only the leading eCommerce plugin, it also serves as the most popular eCommerce platform online, powering numerous online stores despite alternatives like Shopify. However, remember that WordPress shouldn’t automatically be your go-to choice for a project simply because it offers various features.

Take discussion boards as an example. By using plugins such as bbPress or wpForo Forum, you can easily integrate a discussion forum into your WordPress site.

While these plugins work well for small forums, there are superior options available, such as MyBB, phpBB, vBulletin, XenForo, Flarum, and Vanilla Forums. In summary, while WordPress themes and plugins provide extensive functionality, it does not always mean it is the optimal solution. Carefully assess all your options to select the most suitable platform for your new web project.

Conclusion

It is fair to say that WordPress is a highly robust platform for creating nearly any type of website. It is suitable for both small and large sites, user-friendly, and when combined with themes and plugins, it stands out as one of the most adaptable content management systems available.

Additionally, it boasts a vibrant community and is both free and open-source. The possibilities are endless, making it simple to begin, learn quickly, and seek assistance from various resources.

This thorough WordPress guide has familiarized you with the key features of this popular website-building tool, enabling you to pursue your project independently.