WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) used to
create websites, blogs, business websites, portfolios, and online stores.
Learning Objective:
After completing this lesson, you will understand what WordPress is,
why it is used, and what types of websites you can create with it.
1. What Is WordPress?
WordPress is a free, open-source content management system.
It allows users to create and manage website content without
needing to write all the website code manually.
WordPress is primarily built using PHP and commonly uses a
MySQL or MariaDB database to store website information.
Definition of WordPress
WordPress is software that helps you create,
edit, organize, and publish website content through an
administration dashboard.
2. Why Do We Use WordPress?
WordPress makes website development and content management easier.
You can create websites with limited coding knowledge.
You can publish articles and blog posts.
You can change website designs using themes.
You can add features using plugins.
You can manage pages, images, and other media.
You can create business websites and online stores.
You can update website content through the dashboard.
3. What Types of Websites Can You Create?
Business Website
Display your company information, services,
contact details, and business portfolio.
Blog Website
Publish articles, tutorials, news, and educational
content.
Educational Website
Share course information, learning materials,
lessons, and student resources.
Online Store
Sell products online using WordPress with
an e-commerce plugin such as WooCommerce.
4. Important WordPress Terms
Term
Meaning
CMS
Content Management System; software used to manage website content.
Theme
Controls the visual design and layout of a WordPress website.
Plugin
Adds features or functionality to a WordPress website.
Dashboard
The administration area used to manage a WordPress website.
Post
Content commonly used for blog articles and news.
Page
Content commonly used for About, Contact, and Services pages.
Hosting
A service that stores website files and makes a website accessible online.
Domain
The web address people use to visit a website.
5. How Does WordPress Work?
WordPress uses website files, a database, and a web server
to display website content to visitors.
Basic Working Process
A visitor opens your website in a browser.
The web server processes the website request.
WordPress uses PHP to generate the requested page.
Website content may be retrieved from the database.
The browser displays the resulting page to the visitor.
6. WordPress.com and WordPress.org
There are two commonly discussed ways to use WordPress:
WordPress.com:
A hosted service that provides website hosting and WordPress tools.
WordPress.org:
The website where you can download the WordPress software
to install on compatible hosting or a local development environment.
We will study the differences between WordPress.com and
WordPress.org in the next lessons.
7. What Do You Need to Start?
A computer or laptop.
A modern web browser.
For local practice, a local server environment such as XAMPP.
For a live website, a domain name and suitable hosting are commonly needed.
Basic knowledge of using files, folders, and the internet.
Note:
You do not need to master PHP, HTML, or CSS before starting
WordPress. These skills become useful when you want to customize
your website or develop your own themes and plugins.
8. Example: An Educational Website
Suppose you want to create a website for a computer training institute.
WordPress can help you publish:
Home page with institute information.
Courses page with course details and fees.
About Us page.
Contact page with contact information.
Blog posts containing computer tutorials.
Admission or contact forms using suitable plugins.
9. Practical Assignment
Practice Task
Write the definition of WordPress in your notebook.
List five types of websites you can create with WordPress.
Explain the difference between a theme and a plugin.
Write three advantages of using WordPress.
Plan the main pages for a computer institute website.
10. Lesson Summary
WordPress is a free, open-source content management system.
It is primarily built using PHP.
It commonly uses MySQL or MariaDB for database storage.
Themes control design, while plugins add functionality.
WordPress can be used for blogs, business websites, educational sites, and online stores.
You can practice WordPress locally or deploy it on suitable hosting.