WordPress: The Story You Shouldn’t Miss Out

WordPress has been around for a while dominating the web development space. And it has become the top preferred web building platform both to the users and developers. You already know that. But have you ever asked yourself-

-How WordPress accomplished this feat?

-How WordPress reached this height, hopping down the hills of obstacles?

Yes, there are stories. Stories of limitations and challenges. Stories of struggle and glory. Stories of dreams and reality.

And I’m here to share the ins and outs of WordPress, team & community behind it and more. So, let’s dive into the first part today.

WordPress History- The Best CMS ever in Existence

When you hear the word ‘WordPress’- what is the first thing that comes to mind? To some it is the most popular blog creation platform to others It is the greatest CMS platform or the foremost website building platform. The picture is much broader than that, in any sense.

If you have ever been on the internet, chances are you must have at one point or the other heard of or visited a WordPress based site. Today it’s powering over 34% of the entire web!

Some see WordPress as a platform used in website development, some also see it as a powerful tool that powers our blog and website, while to others Its just some technical word on the Internet. However, WordPress is much bigger than that, what I already said. Let’s start with some basic questions about WordPress.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is one of the best things that happened to the internet since the invention of the internet. Almost everybody knows what WordPress is. However, for the sake of those who might be hearing this for the first time or who might be wondering what is WordPress or what it is used for?

I will dive straight to everything you need to know about this revolutionary tool. 

WordPress is an online website creation tool and the most popular blog and website building platform. Covering over 34% of all the websites on the internet.  It is a sophisticated tool that provides users with robust functionalities to create dynamic and start of the art websites without writing a single code. 

Think of WordPress as one of the most popular, easy to use and free website builder. With WordPress, you can build any kind of website from static to dynamic websites.

WordPress is the easiest and most popular website creation platform which can be used to create sites like online stores, blogs, corporate websites, forums, classifieds, etc.

The most interesting thing about WordPress is it is an open-source Content management system that is it is free to use and anyone can modify or edit the source code at software at any time.

WordPress Definition (Bonus Point)

WordPress is a free open source content management system used in creating websites and blogs. WordPress is an open-source content management system which means that anyone can use edit or modify the WordPress software for free at no cost.

While a content management system is an application that is used to create, manage, edit, organize and publish contents without the knowledge of programming.

What is WordPress Used for?

In case you are wondering, what is WordPress used for? In simple terms, WordPress is basically used for building and developing websites without knowledge of programming.

WordPress uses a ‘What You See Is What You Get’ (WYSIWYG) interface to create creates websites.

It doesn’t matter whether it is a simple blog or a more complex e-commerce site, WordPress comes in handy. It uses a simple drag and drop button to create web applications, which makes web design easier for non-coders. By now you should have an idea of what WordPress is used for.

Who Made WordPress and how Long has It been in Reality?

WordPress was launched in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little and the system was further improved through the help of several other WordPress Community developers and contributors.  Now WordPress has grown to become the biggest website building application in the world. 

WordPress was developed from the fork of a previous project called b2/cafelog. This was made possible when Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little decided to form a partnership to create what would now be the biggest website design application the world has ever seen. Which is currently powers over one-third of the Worlds. 

WordPress was first released in 2003 as a Blog creation platform but this platform. Over the years it has been upgraded to becoming not just a blog creation platform but content management systems to build more sophisticated websites. Thanks to its numerous contributors and developers who have created the world’s best website builder. 

Types of Websites You Can Build with WordPress

Since WordPress is an open-source software it offers flexibility, efficiency and ability to build complex programs. Although it started off as a blog creation platform, now WordPress has moved from that simple blog creation tool to a more complex and robust content management system.

WordPress can be used to create any kind of website, these includes:  

•  Blogs
• Membership site
• Corporate websites
• E-commerce Online Stores
• Forums
• Social Network
• Dating Site
• Classifieds
• Job Portals
• Portfolio and Gallery
• Business Directory
• Deals Website
• School Websites etc

Actually, WordPress can be used for virtually any kind of website you can think of. 

How Does WordPress Work

WordPress is built using the PHP programming language, MYSQL, javascript, and HTML. The PHP is used to create the WordPress core files while MySQL is the database used to store the WordPress files.

WordPress uses the core PHP codes to create dynamic actions on your WordPress site. These actions come in the form of instructions which is then carried out on the server every time you make a request.

Once you log in to your admin dashboard, you will notice everything about WordPress is built to work on two important properties which are plugins and themes. WordPress Works using the support of Themes and plugins to create beautiful designs and functionalities of your WordPress website.

WordPress uses third-party plugins and themes to improve or increase the overall functionality of your WordPress website. 

WordPress Plugins- A Short Introduction

WordPress plugins offer more functionality and allow users to access more functions within WordPress. Plugins are features that give your WordPress site superpowers to build an incredible website.

Plugins allow users to extend and maximize the functionalities of WordPress giving you access to more features on your WordPress website.

Plugins are created to create custom features to address specific needs.  Some of these functionalities include creating contact form support, e-commerce functionality, speed, gallery, search engine optimization, etc. 

How Do WordPress Themes Serve You

Themes provide WordPress users with the flexibility to change the feel and look of a WordPress site without writing a single code or altering the WordPress development code.

You can easily install a theme from the WordPress directory or download it from a third party WordPress site. 

Now, let’s find out the answers to this simple yet powerful question.

Why WordPress?

There are countless logics behind using WordPress rather than other CMS platforms. Check out some topmost reasons to use WordPress as a priority basis.

WordPress is The Most Popular Content Management System

WordPress remains the biggest Content Management (CMS) which currently powers more than a quarter of the world’s websites. It has over Seventy-Five Million active websites running on WordPress from around the world. This is one reason you may want to consider WordPress. Seventy-five million users cannot be wrong. 

WordPress is Open Source and Free to Use

It is completely free to use there are no signup charges to use WordPress because it is an open-source content management system that offers users the ability to download, edit, update and improve the program without additional cost and it also allows third-party plugins to integrate with it. 

It’s easy to Use and Customize

WordPress offers easy to use, convenient and customizable features that allow users to create a beautiful and astonishing website without writing a single code. WordPress offers easy drag and drop buttons that makes customization easy, fast and effective for website users and developers.

WordPress is Easy to Set Up and Manage

Apart from its many functionalities, WordPress is also easy to set up making it less technical for non-programmers to use and manage.

WordPress Offers Really Lots of Functionality

Another amazing reason why you should use WordPress is that it is inbuilt with many functionalities that make website development fun and much easier. 

WordPress is Safe and Secured

WordPress is also one of the safest and secured website creation platforms offering a safe and secure web building experience. WordPress also offers several plugins that help secure and protect your WordPress site against any form of threats. 

And Finally, WordPress is SEO Friendly

WordPress content management system core was built with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in mind which makes it easy for the site to be search engine friendly. It also supports so many SEO plugins that make it easy for your WordPress site to rank high in search engines. 

WordPress.com & WordPress.org- What’s The Difference

There are two versions of WordPress, the self-hosted www.wordpress.org and the WordPress hosted www.wordpress.com. 

Self Hosted

The Self-hosted WordPress which can be downloaded at www.wordpress.org is a free open source WordPress that can be installed on your own web host rather than the WordPress server. This means you host WordPress on your own server and it offers more extensive functionalities. 

WordPress Hosted

The other version is the wordpress.com which offers a domain and hosting of your WordPress site within the WordPress community. However, it is less technical than Self Hosted WordPress. This is good for beginners. 

Difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

WordPress.com does not require technical skills however, some technical skills are required when using WordPress.org.

In WordPress.com the hosting is automatically done for you while the WordPress.org you are required to set up the domain and the hosting

WordPress.org provides more flexibilities than the WordPress.com

WordPress Timeline: A 16 Years Journey from 2003 to 2019

This is the story and the journey of WordPress from 2003 to 2019. 

2001 – b2 Cafelog was launched 

2003 

WordPress 0.7 Gold 

May 27, 2003 

b2/cafelog was forked to create WordPress 

2004 

Version 1.0 (Davis)

January 3. 2014

Introduction of browser Installation, permalinks, multiple category support, comment moderation, XFN support, import functionality, Atom support

Version 1.2 Mingus

May 22, 2004

Introduction of support plugins, password encryption.

2005 

Version 1.5 (Strayhorn)

Theme system was introduced and this was the beginning of the introduction of static pages the template/theme system. WordPress was becoming a full-fledged Content Management Systems. 

Version 2.0 (Duke)

December 31, 2005

A new backend User Interface was Introduced and a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor offers a better way of formatting texts, image upload, improved posting, etc

2007 

Version 2.1 – Ella

January 22, 2017

Fixed security issues, the interface was redesigned, spell check and autosave were introduced and upgraded content management options.

The version 2.1 witnessed the addition of several features like autosave, a new User Interface (UI), spell check and switch between the code and content editor. 

Version 2.2 – Getz

May 16, 2007

Widget support for templates, atom speed was updated and also speed optimization for WordPress sites

Version 2.3 Dexter

September 24, 2007 

A new taxonomy system for categories was introduced, update notification and tagging, it also witnessed the addition of pretty URLs 

2008 

Version 2.5 – Brecker

Mar 29, 2008 

A total overhaul of the dashboard and an improved WordPress  dashboard widget was introduced, shortcode API and a new UI design was developed, It also features a multi-file upload system, improved editor, extended search and plugin systems

Version 2.6 – Tyner

The Post revision, word counts, image captions, theme previews were introduced making it easy to track changes in real-time. 

Version 2.7 – Coltrane

It features automatic upgrades and built-in plugin installations, a newly designed interface with sticky posts, comment paging and replies, new API and other bulk file management.

2009

Version 2.8 – Baker

June 11, 2009

A single click Theme installer was added, it also witnesses some widgets and theme improvements, new widgets API, the overall speed of blog post, screen option was also added for better user experience

Version 2.9 – Carmen

December 18, 2009

This version witnessed the introduction of an inbuilt image editor, undo/ trash feature to retrieve images, bulk plugin update,  it also features video embed, SSL support and HTTP request among others.

2010

Version 3.0 – Thelonious

June 17, 2010 

It came with a custom post type, taxonomies, custom menus, backgrounds, A new default theme called Twenty Ten was added, WordPress MU and WordPress were merged to create a Multisite functionality to manage multiple WordPress websites.

2011 

Version 3.1 – Reinhardt

February 23, 2011

A new admin bar was added which is displays on every page when you are logged in. 

Version 3.2 – July 4, 2011 – Gershwin

This feature improved the efficiency of WordPress by making it faster and lighter to load. A new theme was introduced called Twenty Eleven. The comment moderation page was improved. The writing mode was upgraded to an easy to use seamless one. 

Version 3.3 – Sonny

December 12, 2011     

The upgrade focused on making WordPress easy to use for beginners and it also has a welcome message and instructions that make it easy for first-timers to use. It also offers a drag and drop uploader and improved functionality for touch, tablets, and mobile.

2012

Version 3.4 – Green

June 13, 2012 

This update features theme customization and the ability to preview themes in real-time before applying them. It also comes with twitter embed and addition of HTML codes to your WordPress and other minor improvements. 

Version 3.5 – Elvin

June 13, 2012

It features the new Twenty Twelve Theme, it also offers retina display for high-resolution images, the media manager we upgraded to manage images and video better.

2013

Version 3.6 – Oscar

August 1, 2013

The update came with the introduction of a new default Twenty Thirteen theme, improved admin user interface, A smart autosave and a built HTML player for audio and video.

Version 3.7 – Basie

October 24, 2013

The updates introduced enhanced language support, stronger password metering, automatic updates, and automatic installation and maintenance.

Version 3.8 – Parker

December 12, 2013

The admin panel dashboard User Interface was rebranded, WordPress became mobile responsive that is loads well on mobile, desktop and tablet, It also witnessed the addition of Twenty Fourteen Theme as the default WordPress theme.

2014 

Version 3.9 – Smith

April 16, 2014

It witnessed the introduction of improved visual editor, media management and live widgets. 

Version 4.0 – Benny

September 4, 2014

It comes with improved writing and formatting options, WordPress became Compatible with PHP 5.5 and MySQL 5.6, automatic youtube and twitter embed functionality. 

Version 4.1 – Dinah

December 18, 2014

It came with a new and Improved Twenty Fifteen Theme and a distraction-free editor. 

2015 

Version 4.2 – Powell

April 23, 2015

It features a new “Press This” feature, emoji and character support and also an updated customizer

Version 4.3 – Billie

August 18, 2015

Improved mobile experience, Improved security, stronger password and the live menu preview directly from the customizer. 

Version 4.4 – Clifford

December 8, 2015

It featured new embedded posts feature, responsive images, and a Twenty Sixteen Default theme. 

Version 4.5 – Coleman

April 12, 2016

Inline linking was added to WordPress, shortcuts, live responsive preview in the customizer.

Version 4.6 – Pepper

April 12, 2016

It added some formatting shortcuts, native fonts and other updates

Version 4.7 – Vaughan

December 6, 2016

It features a default Twenty Seventeen Theme, video header support and a PDF custom preview, custom CSS and offers multiple languages

Version 4.8 – Evans

December 6, 2016

It comes with an improved WYSISYG text widget and editor, it also comes with different exciting widgets (video, images, audio, and text).

Version 4.9 – Tipton

November 16, 2017

This update comes with an improved theme customizer, better user experience, error reporting within the WordPress admin, autosave revision and better menu option

Version 5.0 Bebo

December 6, 2018

This update is one of the biggest since the invention of WordPress. It offers a new block Editor known as Gutenberg which changes the way WordPress operates. IT also features a new Twenty Nineteen default theme. 

Version 5.1 Betty

February 21, 2019

This WordPress version features improvements in the block editor and an upgraded PHP version 

Version 5.2 – Jaco

May 7, 2019

This new update involves a site health check, new block directory, etc 

Significant Facts You Should Know about WordPress

WordPress powers over 34% of all the websites online.

There are over 50,000 free plugins in the world.

Automatic the company behind wordPress.com is worth over 1.16 Billion dollars.

WordPress is a multi-language platform available in over 68+ language

It is the most popular content management systems in the world

WordPress dominates 76.4% of Content Management System market

It is open-source software and it is free to use content management system

WordPress was built using PHP, MySQL, Javascript, and HTML

It has over nine billion plugin downloads

All WordPress releases are named after Jazz artists!

WordPress comes in two versions, the WordPress.com and WordPress.org

There are over Seventy-Five Million WordPress sites on the internet

How to Install WordPress- Explore this Awesome Platform with no Time!

Gone are the days where you have to write series of programs, have the knowledge of HTML, CSS, Javascript, MySQL, etc to create a simple blog but with the introduction of WordPress, users can create any form of websites at the click of a button.

To install WordPress is as simple as registering for Facebook.

Just follow the simple instructions and click the necessary buttons. Log in via your FTP or CPanel host. Locate the WordPress Installer to install. 

Click on the WordPress Installer, once it loads, Click Install

Once it installs, it will load a form, fill the fields as required

Once you are done filling the information, Click Install 

It will take a minute or two, once it has been installed, you will get a notification, promoting you of the installation.

Congrats, you have just installed A WordPress site

You can then login with username and password 

Introducing WordPress in a New Way

This is the first one from my series of articles on WordPress. In this post, I have tried to cover- What is WordPress, How does WordPress work, WordPress history & timeline, WordPress plugins, WordPress Themes, WordPress.com vs org, Why we should use WordPress, How to get started with WordPress and more.

I believe this was helpful for you to know, understand and experience WordPress and beyond. Let me know your experience and do share your opinion about this revolutionary web platform in the comment section.

In the next post, I’m going to cover the team behind WordPress and Matt Mullenweg himself! So, keep in touch and do subscribe to my newsletter now!