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Does anyone still use WordPress?


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WordPress Getting Started

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a content management system, or CMS, that lets people create, manage, and publish content online without needing advanced technical skills. It offers a variety of themes and plugins to customise websites, making it a popular choice for everyone from bloggers to small businesses and large companies. Since it started in 2003, WordPress has become a flexible and user-friendly platform that powers millions of websites around the world.

Is WordPress dying?

Reasons why people think WordPress is dying

More competition

WordPress in Google Trends

Another reason is what we see on Google Trends. If you look at search interest for WordPress-related topics, there’s been a decline since 2015. This might suggest that people’s preferences are shifting, or it could be due to new technologies and marketing strategies from competitors. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that fewer people are actually using WordPress or that it’s less effective.

Security concerns

Security concerns also play a big part. WordPress has had its share of security vulnerabilities, making it a frequent target for cyberattacks. Users need to be proactive, using strong passwords, keeping everything updated, and using security plugins to lower the risks. Even though these security issues are a concern, other CMS platforms face similar threats.

WordPress market shares

When it comes to market share, WordPress remains the dominant CMS, but it has seen slight declines due to the rise of other platforms. In 2023, its market share was 0.2% lower than its peak in 2022. While this shows it faces competition, WordPress still holds a significant portion of the market.

Performance issues

Perception of outdated design

Another factor is the perception of outdated design. Some people feel that despite WordPress’s many themes and customisation options, its websites often look outdated. Competing platforms highlight modern, visually appealing templates and user-friendly interfaces, which attract those who prioritise design aesthetics.

WordPress-theme-builders-walkthrough
WordPress theme

Why WordPress is popular

WordPress’s popularity can be attributed to several key factors. Its flexibility and scalability make it suitable for a wide variety of websites, from small personal blogs to large corporate sites. The extensive library of themes and plugins allows users to customise their sites to meet specific needs without requiring extensive coding knowledge. WordPress features a user-friendly interface that is accessible to beginners and experts alike. The strong community support, including forums, tutorials, and documentation, adds to its appeal.

Blogging

Business websites

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E-commerce

Portfolios

News and magazine sites

WordPress is a robust platform for news websites, capable of handling large amounts of content and high traffic. Themes like Newsmag and plugins like WP Rocket improve site performance and layout. Major news sites like BBC America and The New York Times use WordPress, benefiting from its scalability and ease of content management.

Educational websites

Educational institutions use WordPress for schools, universities, and online courses. Learning management system (LMS) plugins like LearnDash and LifterLMS facilitate course creation and management. Educational sites like Open University and Coursera’s blog leverage WordPress to deliver educational content effectively.

WordPress-theme-builders-walkthrough
WordPress theme

Membership sites

Non-profit and charity websites

Non-profits and charities benefit from WordPress’s features, including donation plugins, event management tools, and volunteer sign-up forms. Themes like Charity and plugins like GiveWP provide the functionality needed for non-profit websites. Organisations like Amnesty International and Greenpeace use WordPress to manage their online presence and engage with supporters.

Forums and community sites

WordPress facilitates the creation of discussion forums and community sites through plugins like bbPress and BuddyPress. These tools improve community interaction and engagement. Examples include the WordPress.org support forums and the Creative Commons community site, which leverage WordPress to foster communication and collaboration.

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Personal websites and blogs

Individuals use WordPress to build personal brands, showcasing achievements and hobbies. Themes like Ashe and plugins like Elementor allow for personal customisation. Personal blogs and websites, such as Katy Perry’s official website, demonstrate how WordPress can be used to create engaging and personal online spaces.

Niche websites

WordPress supports specialised use cases such as recipe sites, book review sites, and travel blogs. Themes like Foodica and plugins like WP Recipe Maker cater to niche markets. Niche sites like Pinch of Yum (food blog) and The Points Guy (travel blog) illustrate how WordPress can be tailored to specific content types.

Multisite networks

WordPress Multisite allows the management of multiple websites from a single installation. This feature is useful for educational institutions and corporate networks. Large networks like WordPress.com and BBC America’s regional sites use WordPress Multisite to efficiently manage multiple websites.

Custom applications

Conclusion: is WordPress dying?

More info

WordPress-theme-builders-walkthrough
WordPress theme

FAQs on the Current State of WordPress in 2024

Does anyone still use WordPress in 2024?

Yes, WordPress is still widely used in 2024. It powers over 45.8% of all websites and holds 64% of the CMS market, demonstrating its continued popularity and relevance.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, manage, and publish content online without needing advanced technical skills. It offers a variety of themes and plugins for customization, making it suitable for blogs, business sites, e-commerce platforms, and more.

Is WordPress dying?

Why do some people think WordPress is dying?

What makes WordPress still popular?

WordPress remains popular due to its flexibility, scalability, extensive library of themes and plugins, user-friendly interface, and strong community support. It is suitable for a wide variety of websites, from small blogs to large corporate sites.

Is WordPress still recommended for websites?

Yes, WordPress is still highly recommended for a wide range of websites. Its customizable nature, extensive plugin ecosystem, and robust community support make it a top choice for professional and personal sites alike.

Are there security concerns with WordPress?

While WordPress has had security vulnerabilities, these are actively addressed through regular updates and a vigilant community. Users need to be proactive by using strong passwords, keeping everything updated, and employing security plugins.

What types of websites are best suited for WordPress?

WordPress is suitable for various types of websites, including blogs, business websites, e-commerce stores, portfolios, news and magazine sites, educational websites, membership sites, non-profit and charity websites, forums, personal websites, niche websites, multisite networks, and custom applications.

What are the alternatives to WordPress?

Alternatives to WordPress include Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace, which offer more straightforward, all-in-one solutions that appeal to users seeking simplicity over customization.

Is there still demand for WordPress developers?

Is WordPress worth the investment?

Yes, WordPress is worth the investment considering its cost-benefit ratio. While there are costs associated with premium themes, plugins, hosting, and maintenance, WordPress offers excellent value for money, particularly for those needing advanced customization.

Is WordPress easy to use?

WordPress is known for its user-friendly interface. Beginners can benefit from a vast array of resources, tutorials, and community support, while experienced developers appreciate the extensive customization options and control.

Can I build a professional website with WordPress in 2024?

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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Author-Kyra

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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