What is WordPress? A guide to the web platform

What is WordPress? A guide to the web platform
What is WordPress? A guide to the web platform

WordPress is a platform that enables the creation of websites without requiring traditional code writing, making web development more straightforward and functional than classical programming. Originally developed in 2003 as a derivative of an earlier project called b2/cafelog, WordPress was created by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. While it was initially designed for blog creation, the platform has evolved significantly to support the development of any type of website, including corporate sites, e-commerce stores, portfolios, and blogs. A significant indicator of WordPress’s global expansion is that approximately 40 percent of all websites currently online have been created using the platform.

Two versions: WordPress.org and WordPress.com

WordPress exists in two distinct versions with different management characteristics. WordPress.org is open-source software installed on personal hosting, giving users complete ownership and control of their website. WordPress.com, conversely, is a service provided by the company that allows site creation but sacrifices some of the flexibility available with the .org version.

Development and community

As open-source software, WordPress is continuously updated and improved by a large community of developers. Matt Mullenweg has become the primary face of WordPress and founded Automattic, the company that operates the WordPress.com service as a commercial enterprise.

Frequently asked questions

What types of websites can be created with WordPress?

WordPress can be used to create corporate sites, e-commerce stores, portfolios, blogs, and many other types of websites.

What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?

WordPress.org is open-source software installed on your own hosting with complete ownership and flexibility, while WordPress.com is a hosted service provided by the company with less flexibility.

Who created WordPress?

WordPress was created in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little as a derivative of the b2/cafelog project.

From the Cultural Heritage Online community archive, originally shared by Alberto Rubin in 2021. Editorial text © Cultural Heritage Online.

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