Exploring the world of WordPress open source software: 30 questions answered
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WordPress is a leading open-source content management system(CMS) that powers millions of websites worldwide. But what exactly is it, and how did it all start? WordPress was first released in 2003 as a blogging platform. Over the years, it has evolved into a comprehensive CMS used by businesses, bloggers, and developers alike. The beauty of WordPress lies in its flexibility and ease of use, making it a favourite among both beginners and experts.
The origins and growth of WordPress open source software
The co-founders of WordPress are Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. Their vision was to create a platform that allows anyone to publish content on the web with ease. Since its inception, WordPress has grown exponentially, thanks to a vast community of developers, designers, and users who contribute to its development. This community-driven approach has ensured that WordPress remains up-to-date with the latest web technologies and trends.
WordPress is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This open-source license encourages collaboration and sharing, fostering an environment where developers can build upon each other’s work. The GPL also ensures that WordPress will always remain free, giving users peace of mind when choosing it for their projects.
WordPress open source software statistics
WordPress website builder is a leading open-source content management system (CMS) that has significantly impacted the web development landscape since its inception in 2003. Here are some key statistics and insights about WordPress:
Market share and usage
WordPress powers approximately 43.4% of all websites on the internet, making it the most widely used CMS globally. Among websites with a known CMS, WordPress holds a dominant 62.7% market share. It is used by 50.9% of the top 1,000 websites and 52.4% of the top 10,000 websites, showcasing its popularity among high-traffic sites. There are over 33 million live websites using WordPress, with an additional 29 million sites having used it historically.
Growth trends
WordPress has seen consistent growth in its market share over the years. For instance, its market share increased from 13.1% in 2011 to 43.2% in 2022. Despite a slight decline in market share in 2023, WordPress continues to be the leading CMS, with a steady increase in usage among new websites.
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The role of the WordPress community
The WordPress community plays a vital role in its ongoing development. Contributors from around the world volunteer their time and skills to improve the software, create new features, and fix bugs. This collaborative effort includes not only developers but also designers, translators, and users who test new releases and provide feedback. By participating in the community, anyone can help shape the future of WordPress.
WordPress is open-source software, licensed under the GPLv2 or later, which allows users to run, study, modify, and distribute the software freely. The platform is supported by a large global community of developers, designers, and volunteers who contribute to its continuous development and improvement. Over 225 companies contributed to the WordPress core in 2022, highlighting the collaborative effort behind its development.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
Many people wonder about the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a hosted service that offers a simplified version of the software, making it easy for users to start a blog or website without worrying about technical details. WordPress.org, on the other hand, provides the full version of WordPress software that you can download and install on your own web server. This self-hosted version offers more flexibility and control, allowing you to customise your site extensively.
Installing WordPress on a local server
If you decide to go the self-hosted route, installing WordPress on a local server is a great way to start. This involves setting up a local development environment on your computer, which allows you to build and test your site before making it live. There are several tools available, such as XAMPP or Local by Flywheel, that make this process straightforward. Once your local server is set up, you can install WordPress by downloading the software from WordPress.org and following the installation instructions.
Understanding WordPress block themes
Themes are an integral part of WordPress, defining the look and feel of your website. A WordPress block theme controls the layout, design, and overall appearance of your site. There are thousands of free and premium themes available, catering to a wide range of styles and purposes. Whether you want a minimalist blog, a corporate website, or an online store, you can find a theme that suits your needs.
Installing and activating a theme in WordPress is simple. From your WordPress dashboard, you can browse the theme directory, preview different themes, and install the one you like with just a few clicks. Once activated, you can further customise the theme to match your preferences. This might include changing colours, fonts, and layout options, as well as adding your own logo and images.
The power of WordPress plugins
Plugins are another powerful feature of WordPress, allowing you to extend the functionality of your site. Whether you need to add a contact form, improve your site’s SEO, or integrate social media, there is a plugin for almost every need. Plugins can be installed directly from the WordPress dashboard, making it easy to enhance your site’s capabilities without writing any code.
Installing a plugin is similar to installing a theme. From the dashboard, you can search for plugins in the directory, install them with a single click, and activate them to start using their features. It’s important to keep your plugins updated and only install those from reputable sources to ensure your site remains secure and performs well.
Utilising widgets in WordPress
Widgets in WordPress provide a way to add various features to your site’s sidebar or other widget-ready areas. These can include things like recent posts, search bars, social media feeds, and more. Widgets are managed from the WordPress dashboard and can be easily added, removed, or rearranged to suit your needs.
The WordPress Customiser is a tool that allows you to tweak your theme’s settings in real-time. From here, you can make changes to your site’s appearance and see the results instantly. This includes options for site identity, colours, menus, widgets, and more. The Customiser makes it easy to personalise your site without having to dive into code.
Navigating the WordPress dashboard
The WordPress dashboard is your control centre for managing your website. It provides access to all the tools and settings you need to create and maintain your site. The main components of the dashboard include posts, media, pages, comments, appearance, plugins, users, tools, and settings. Each section offers a range of options to help you build and manage your site effectively.
Creating a new post in WordPress is straightforward. From the dashboard, you can navigate to the Posts section and click on ‘Add New’. This opens the post editor, where you can add your content, format it, and publish it. You can also add categories and tags to organise your posts and make them easier for your readers to find.
Organising content with categories and tags
Categories and tags are essential for organising your content in WordPress. Categories are used to group related posts, while tags provide a way to describe specific details of your posts. By using categories and tags effectively, you can help your readers navigate your site and find the content they’re interested in more easily.
Pages and posts are two fundamental content types in WordPress. Posts are typically used for blog entries and are displayed in reverse chronological order. Pages, on the other hand, are used for static content like your About or Contact pages. Understanding the difference between these two content types will help you organise your site more effectively.
Managing user roles and permissions
Managing user roles and permissions is important for maintaining control over who can access and modify your site. WordPress offers several predefined user roles, including Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, and Subscriber. Each role has different capabilities, allowing you to grant the appropriate level of access to your team members.
Creating and using custom post types
Custom post types allow you to create different types of content beyond the default posts and pages. This is useful for sites that need to display different kinds of content, such as portfolios, testimonials, or products. Custom post types can be registered using code or with the help of plugins, providing a flexible way to organise your content.
Adding custom fields in WordPress
Custom fields add additional information to your posts, pages, and custom post types. These fields can be used to store metadata, such as author information, ratings, or event details. By creating custom fields, you can add more depth and functionality to your content, tailoring it to your specific needs.
Getting to know the Gutenberg editor
The Gutenberg editor is a block-based editor introduced in WordPress 5.0. It allows you to create complex layouts using blocks for different types of content, such as paragraphs, images, videos, and more. The Gutenberg editor makes it easier to create rich, media-rich posts and pages without needing to know any code.
Optimising your WordPress site for SEO
Optimising your WordPress site for SEO is essential for attracting more visitors from search engines. This involves using proper on-page SEO techniques, such as optimising your titles, headings, and content, as well as improving your site’s speed and performance. There are also several plugins available, such as Yoast SEO, that can help you with your SEO efforts.
Securing your WordPress site
Securing your WordPress site is vital to protect it from hackers and malware. This includes keeping your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up-to-date, using strong passwords, and implementing security plugins. By following best practices and using security tools, you can significantly reduce the risk of your site being compromised.
Backing up your WordPress site
Backing up your WordPress site regularly is essential to ensure you can recover your data in case of an emergency. There are various plugins available that can automate the backup process and store your backups in a secure location, such as cloud storage. Having a reliable backup strategy gives you peace of mind and protects your hard work.
Migrating your WordPress site to a new host
Migrating a WordPress site to a new host can seem daunting, but with the right tools and steps, it can be done smoothly. This involves backing up your site, transferring your files and database to the new host, and updating your domain settings. There are plugins and services available that can assist with the migration process, making it easier and less stressful.
Understanding WordPress hooks
WordPress hooks are a powerful feature that allows developers to modify or extend the functionality of the core software without altering its source code. Hooks come in two types: actions and filters. Actions allow you to add or change functionality at specific points, while filters let you modify data before it is displayed or processed.
Creating a child theme in WordPress
Creating a child theme in WordPress is a recommended practice if you want to customise an existing theme. A child theme inherits the functionality of the parent theme and allows you to make changes without affecting the original theme files. This makes it easier to update the parent theme without losing your customisations.
Leveraging the REST API in WordPress
The REST API in WordPress provides a way for developers to interact with the platform programmatically. This allows you to create, read, update, and delete content on your site using HTTP requests. The REST API opens up possibilities for building custom applications and integrating WordPress with other systems.
Contributing to WordPress core development
Contributing to WordPress core development is a rewarding way to give back to the community. There are many ways to get involved, from writing code and fixing bugs to translating the software and helping with documentation. By contributing, you can help improve WordPress for everyone and gain valuable experience and recognition in the process.
Conclusion
WordPress’s open-source model, extensive community support, and dominant market share make it a powerful and flexible CMS choice for a wide range of web development needs. Its continuous growth and widespread adoption underscore its significance in the digital landscape. Whether you’re a beginner looking to start your first blog or an experienced developer building complex websites, WordPress offers the tools and community support to help you succeed. By understanding the basics and exploring its many features, you can make the most of what WordPress has to offer.
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.org – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme Directory
wordpress.org/themes – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
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Kyra Pieterse
Author
Kyra is the co-founder and creative lead of MaxiBlocks, an open-source page builder for WordPress Gutenberg.
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