What is WordPress, and what is it used for?

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a widely used open-source content management system that originated in 2003 as a simple blogging platform. Over time, it has evolved into a powerful tool capable of creating websites of all types. Built using the PHP programming language and backed by a MySQL database, WordPress’s open-source nature allows anyone to modify and customize it to suit their needs.

Technical aspects of WordPress

WordPress supports a wide range of plugins and themes, making it highly customizable. There are thousands of free and premium plugins available, allowing users to expand the functionality of their websites, whether they are building eCommerce platforms, social networks, or forums. Themes make it easy to change the site's appearance with just a few clicks.

The platform operates on a "modular integration" system, meaning users don’t need to write code to add new features. This simplicity makes WordPress ideal for non-technical users, while experienced developers can use it to build complex websites from scratch.

WordPress architecture and technical foundation

WordPress’s power lies in its developer community and open-source nature. The platform is written in PHP and operates with MySQL or MariaDB databases. Understanding WordPress architecture allows developers to use it more efficiently.

• Template system: WordPress themes control the visual appearance and user experience of a site. While developers can use ready-made themes, they can also create custom ones from scratch. Frameworks like Sage, Underscores, and Roots provide minimal codebases, giving developers full control and simplifying optimization.
• Database management: WordPress stores most of its content in a MySQL database, with data interactions occurring through queries. Tools like WP-CLI and Query Monitor help developers optimize database loading and speed up query performance.

Building websites with WordPress

For developers, creating a WordPress website involves several stages. Each step focuses on optimization and functionality integration. Let’s look at these steps in more detail.

• Choosing hosting and servers: The first step is selecting the right hosting provider for your site. Servers like Nginx, Apache, or LiteSpeed work well with WordPress. LiteSpeed, in particular, is recommended for its optimized performance with WordPress, offering enhanced site speed through the LiteSpeed Cache plugin.
• Selecting themes and plugins: The theme is critical for the site’s appearance and functionality. Minimalist themes can help make the site faster and lighter. Themes like Sage and Underscores give developers the flexibility to create custom designs and add necessary functionality. Plugins extend the site’s capabilities, but too many can slow it down, so it’s important to use only essential plugins like RankMath SEO, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), and WooCommerce.
• Custom post types (CPT): By default, WordPress allows content creation through posts and pages. However, custom post types let you create specific content types like "Projects" on a portfolio site, simplifying site management. This can be done using the register_post_type function.
• Caching and performance optimization: Caching is crucial for speeding up your site. Technologies like Object Cache, Page Cache, and Browser Cache can be implemented in WordPress. Tools like Redis, Memcached, and Varnish improve database request speeds. Additionally, using a CDN (Content Delivery Network) can greatly enhance site performance.

Advantages of WordPress websites

WordPress offers many benefits, making it a popular choice for website development:

• Open-source: Developers have full control over the platform.
• Vast ecosystem: Thousands of free and premium plugins and themes are available, making it easy to expand the site’s functionality.
• SEO-friendly: WordPress is designed with SEO in mind, and plugins like Yoast SEO and RankMath can further enhance its SEO capabilities.
• Scalability: WordPress is suitable not only for blogs or simple websites but also for complex eCommerce platforms and corporate web applications.
• Ease of use: Even non-technical users can easily manage a site through the admin panel.

Disadvantages of WordPress websites

However, WordPress has its limitations and challenges, especially at a professional level:

• Security vulnerabilities: Its popularity makes WordPress a target for hackers. Plugins and themes can introduce security risks.
• Performance issues: Too many plugins can slow down the site. Poorly optimized sites may face performance problems.
• Database load: Sites with large amounts of data may slow down over time, so it’s important to regularly optimize the database.
• Compatibility issues: WordPress updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues with plugins and themes, potentially affecting site performance.

Is WordPress suitable for corporate websites?

WordPress may not always be the best solution for corporate websites. While it offers all the necessary functions for early-stage websites, as businesses grow, they may encounter challenges with customization, SEO optimization, and site speed. In such cases, specially developed solutions for corporate websites might be more appropriate.