What is WordPress? A Beginner’s Guide to the World’s Most Popular Website Platform

When I first began my digital life as a freelancer, I did not know what platform to choose. I attempted everything ranging from custom coding to drag-and-drop software. But the day that I learned about WordPress was the day I was free. Both of my companies NKM Digital and Design IQ are now powered by WordPress, and I’ve assisted hundreds of students, freelancers, and startups in doing the same.

If you’re curious about what WordPress is, how it functions, and if it’s the best site for you, then you’ve come to the right place. Throughout this in-depth and individualized guide, I’ll demystify everything in plain language, just as I do when tutoring students through Learn with NKM.

Let’s begin.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is an open-source, free Content Management System (CMS) where you can build and maintain websites without having to code. First released in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, WordPress began as a blogging site but has grown to become the foundation of the contemporary web.

Today, more than 43% of all websites on the web are built with WordPress, from news sites, to online shops, portfolio sites, and online courses.

In other words: WordPress is your online canvas. It provides you with all the tools you need to build a website, your way.

What is WordPress Used For?

When someone asks me what is WordPress used for, I commonly reply, “Everything.”

Here are just a few of the things you can create with WordPress:

1. Blogs

It began as a blogging platform, and it still does.

Many of the world’s best bloggers trust WordPress to produce, structure, and publish content.

2. Business Websites

From international companies to local bakeries, WordPress hosts all sorts of business websites. At Design IQ, we build SEO-friendly, professional websites using WordPress for our clients.

3. eCommerce Stores

With plugins like WooCommerce, WordPress transforms into a powerful online store. I’ve helped clients build entire shops that generate thousands in revenue monthly.

4. Portfolios and Resumes

Freelancers, photographers, and artists love WordPress for showcasing their work in a sleek and responsive manner.

5. Online Courses (LMS)

Via tools such as LearnDash and Tutor LMS, you can make your WordPress website a full-fledged learning management system. Learn with NKM utilizes this too.

6. Membership Sites and Communities

If you desire to create a membership-based community or gated content site, WordPress is all the flexibility you require.

7. News Portals and Magazines

Large publications such as The New Yorker and TechCrunch run on WordPress.

In brief: If you dream it, you can WordPress it.

WordPress for Newbies: Why It’s the Best Place to Begin

When I lead newbies through creating their initial site, I begin with WordPress. Here’s why:

1. No Coding Necessary

You don’t have to be a programmer. With some clicks, you can build pages, insert content, and add new functionality.

2. Drag-and-Drop Builders

Page builders such as Elementor, WPBakery, and Gutenberg make designing a breeze. If you can drag and drop, you can design!

3. Inexpensive for Everyone

The main software is free. You just need a domain and hosting, which only costs as little as $2/month.

4. Limitless Tutorials

There are countless tutorials on YouTube, blogs (such as this one), and forums. You’ll never be stuck.

5. Monster Plugin Library

There’s a plugin for all. Need to include a contact form, enhance SEO, or speed up your site? There’s a plugin for it.

In the early days of building my first blog in 2015, I was feeling overwhelmed. But WordPress made it all easier. Now, I see the same confidence bloom in my mentee students.

WordPress.org vs WordPress.com: What’s the Difference?

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is:

“Nilesh, do I use WordPress.org or WordPress.com?”

Here’s the difference:

Feature	WordPress.org	WordPress.com
Hosting	Self-hosted (you purchase hosting)	Hosted by WordPress
Customization	Full control (themes, plugins, code)	Limited customization
Monetization	Fully permitted (ads, eCommerce, etc.)	Limited unless on premium plans
Cost	Free software (you host it)	Free basic plan, paid upgrades
Best For	Businesses, blogs, freelancers	Hobby bloggers, personal use

My Recommendation:

Always use WordPress.org. It provides full control, greater flexibility, and you absolutely own your content.

At NKM Digital, we only develop sites on WordPress.org for this very reason.

Benefits of WordPress: Why It’s Still the #1 CMS in 2025

And even after 20 years, WordPress is still the best. Here are some reasons why I (and millions of others) adore it:

1. Open Source and Free

You’re not tied to a subscription plan. You are completely free.

2. Highly Customizable

Thousands of themes and 50,000+ plugins let you personalize every detail of your site.

3. SEO-Friendly

WordPress has a design that makes it easy for Google to comprehend your content. And then there are plugins such as RankMath or Yoast that make on-page SEO extremely simple.

4. Responsive Design

Most contemporary themes have mobile-friendliness by default.

5. Strong Community Support

WordPress boasts a worldwide community. There are forums, blogs, events, and meetups throughout the year.

6. Safe and Secure

With regular updates and security plugins, your site stays protected.

7. Scalable

Start small and grow big. WordPress is capable of handling thousands of pages and heavy traffic.

I’ve built one-page websites for students and full-scale eCommerce platforms for businesses—all on WordPress.

How WordPress Works

You might be wondering: What happens behind the scenes?

Here’s a beginner-friendly breakdown:

1. Hosting + Domain

You purchase a domain name (yourwebsite.com) and hosting (space on a server).

2. WordPress Installation

Most hosts provide one-click WordPress installation.

3. Dashboard (Backend)

You gain access to a dashboard where you can:

• Create posts & pages
• Install themes
• Add plugins
• Manage comments

4. Themes and Plugins

Themes determine the appearance of your site. Plugins provide additional functionality.

5. Frontend

What visitors see when they visit your site.

WordPress vs Other CMS Platforms (Wix, Webflow, Framer)

Let’s compare WordPress to those:

Feature	WordPress	Wix	Webflow	Framer
Ease of Use	Beginner-friendly	Very easy	Moderate	Developer-focused
Customization	Unlimited	Limited	Advanced	Advanced
SEO	Excellent	Good	Great	Moderate
Ownership	Full control	Hosted	Hosted	Hosted
Plugins	50,000+	Limited	Integrations	Limited

My Take:

• Use WordPress if you desire total control, flexibility, and elbow room to grow.
• Use Wix/Webflow for drag-and-drop, basic sites.
• Use Framer if you’re a designer/developer building interactive sites.

How to Build Your First WordPress Website: A Quick Guide

Here’s how to build your first WordPress site in less than an hour:

Step 1: Get a Domain and Hosting

I suggest Hostinger, Bluehost, or SiteGround.

Step 2: Install WordPress

Most hosts have a one-click installer.

Step 3: Select a Theme

Use a free theme such as Astra or Neve to start.

Step 4: Install Important Plugins

• Elementor (page builder)
• RankMath (SEO)
• WPForms (contact form)
• UpdraftPlus (backup)

Step 5: Add Your Pages

1. Home
2. About
3. Services/Portfolio
4. Contact
5. Blog

Step 6: Customize and Launch

Need a step-by-step guide? See our post: Build a WordPress Website from Scratch in 2025

Final Thoughts: Why I Still Recommend WordPress in 2025

Whether you’re a student, freelancer, or business owner—WordPress is the tool that can bring your online vision to life.

It’s how I began, it’s what I continue to use, and it’s what I coach.

At Learn with NKM, we assist everyday beginners to build their very first WordPress website. Because I personally know: creating something of your own establishes confidence, clarity, and clients.

If you were curious about what is WordPress, I hope this tutorial gave you all the insight you require.

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