WordPress is a dynamic and ever-evolving open-source content management system (CMS). Since its inception in 2003, it has transformed the landscape of website creation. Millions of people now use this versatile tool, a simple blogging platform, to build e-commerce stores and corporate websites.
This post takes a closer look at the foundation of WordPress, its evolution and purpose, why it has become the go-to choice for so many web creators, and the installation and Setup.
History and Evolution
WordPress emerged from the collaborative efforts of Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, who sought to create a user-friendly platform for bloggers. Born out of a fork of the b2/cafelog blogging software, WordPress quickly gained traction for its simplicity and flexibility. Over the years, it has undergone numerous iterations and updates, continually adapting to the changing needs of its users.
Purpose and Functionality
At its core, WordPress is designed to democratize web publishing, empowering individuals and businesses to share their ideas and creations with the world. Its user-friendly interface simplifies content creation, editing, and publishing without requiring extensive technical expertise. Using WordPress is a seamless experience managing your online presence, whether you’re a seasoned developer or a novice blogger.
Why Web Creators Prefer WordPress
Open-Source Nature
One key pillar of WordPress’s success is its open-source ethos. As an open-source project, WordPress’s source code is open to everyone for use, modification, and distribution. This collaborative approach has created a thriving community of developers, designers, and enthusiasts who contribute to its growth and development. From themes and plugins to core improvements, the WordPress community plays a vital role in shaping the platform’s evolution.
Flexibility and Extensibility
What sets WordPress apart is its unparalleled flexibility and extensibility. Users can personalize their websites by selecting from a myriad of themes and plugins, tailored to their preferences and requirements.
Themes control the visual appearance of a site, while plugins add functionality, ranging from e-commerce and SEO to social media integration and beyond. WordPress has everything you need to bring your vision to life, whether you’re creating a personal blog, an online store, or a corporate website.
User Base and Market Share
WordPress’s popularity is undeniable. It boasts a substantial market share in the CMS landscape and powers a diverse array of websites across the globe, from bloggers and small businesses to major corporations and media outlets. Its accessible feature set and user-friendly interface have contributed to its widespread adoption and growth.
Continuous Development and Updates
WordPress remains at the forefront of innovation in the ever-changing world of the web. Regular updates and releases ensure the platform stays secure, stable, and up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. Whether addressing security vulnerabilities, fixing bugs, or introducing new features, the WordPress team is committed to delivering a top-notch user experience.
Hosted and Self-Hosted WordPress Blogging
WordPress is unequivocally the most prevalent content management system (CMS) currently in use. It has attained nearly 60% of the market share for content management systems, making it the most widely adopted system on the market. The software’s continuous evolution has resulted in the creation of countless blogs, and its popularity continues to rise daily.
The software’s ease of use and constant improvements have contributed significantly to its widespread popularity. Notably, its appeal lies in its user-friendly interface, which facilitates content management, making the process more accessible and streamlined. Users can customize and tailor websites to specific needs, making them versatile for content publishing.
There are 2 types of WordPress
a. The hosted WordPress (WordPress.com) and
b. The self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org).
Hosted WordPress is a service provided by WordPress that allows a user to publish their blog on WordPress’ platform either at no cost or for a fee. Conversely, self-hosted WordPress involves the user hosting their blog utilizing web-hosting services from a provider such as Bluehost and registering their domain name for a specified period of time.
To self-host a WordPress blog, the user must first purchase web-hosting services from a reputable provider. This process involves selecting a suitable hosting plan and registering a domain name for a specified period of time.
Self-hosting gives users greater control and flexibility over their blog’s design and access to a wider range of customization options. However, it also requires the user to assume responsibility for site maintenance, including backups and security measures.
In contrast, hosted WordPress provides users with an easy-to-use, pre-configured platform that allows them to focus on content creation and publishing. This option is best for users who want a hassle-free experience without much customization.
Why Self-Hosted WordPress Blogs Reign Supreme Over Hosted Services
Multiple Streams of Income
Suppose you use the hosted WordPress, Google AdSense, and other advertising programs. In that case, they will never agree to partner with you for advert placement, thereby losing money on a daily basis.
WordPress offers its advertising program (WordAds), which mandates adverts appear on your hosted blog without the option for removal. However, the program may not pay you the actual value of the traffic generated.
Furthermore, free-hosted WordPress doesn’t allow you to promote and sell affiliate products due to the violation of its terms and conditions.
Any attempts to do so may result in the full suspension or termination of your blog, accompanied by several warnings.
Regrettably, this may result in losses to your content and your followers, causing significant damage to your blog assets that took time to build. If there is an opportunity to back up, it’ll cost money, perhaps more than what you must’ve spent initially to host your WordPress blogging.
Customization and Design
The use of a premium theme on free-hosted WordPress is not feasible. A theme is fundamental to your blog website’s appearance, layout, and functionality. It is the vehicle through which your intended concept can be visualized and customized to satisfy your preference.
Though your content is paramount, it has the potential to boost your blog’s trustworthiness and credibility. In fact, a study underscores the importance of quality and relevance.
But beyond content, the design of your blog is a critical consideration. A well-designed blog can enhance its credibility and trustworthiness.
A confusing blog interface can significantly impact the user’s experience, making it crucial to present information in a direct, logical, and organized manner. A blog that meets the reader’s preferences in a professional and customized manner will significantly improve their trust and credibility, thereby enhancing your business growth and value.
A self-hosted WordPress blog is the ideal solution to achieve this objective. The premium themes on the platform offer superior design, navigation, layout, and user experience. With a self-hosted WordPress blog, you can create a theme that aligns with your design concept, resulting in a unique and personalized look for your blogging.
Better Features and Functionality
At its core, WordPress is designed to democratize web publishing, empowering individuals and businesses to share their ideas and creations with the world. Its user-friendly interface simplifies content creation, editing, and publishing without requiring extensive technical expertise. Using WordPress is a seamless experience managing your online presence, whether you’re a seasoned developer or a novice blogger.
This post takes a closer look at the foundation of WordPress, its evolution and purpose, why it has become the go-to choice for so many web creators, and the installation and Setup.
Some key milestones in the history of blogging include:
There are features and functionality necessary for your blog growth. You’ll be missing them while still using the free-hosted WordPress.
They are:
1. Community building is vital, and the use of social media networks and email subscribers can aid in achieving this goal.
Creating personal relationships with potential customers is a critical aspect of the sales process, and community building can be highly beneficial in this regard with a self-hosted WordPress blog.
2. Search engine configuration is another crucial factor in developing a successful blog.
Self-hosted WordPress blogs offer a superior solution for managing search engine settings. Optimizing your posts for search engines can generate free traffic.
Search traffic is considered one of the highest-quality traffic sources available and can be an affordable way to drive more traffic to your site.
A free-hosted WordPress blog is unlikely to rank competitively on search engines in a highly competitive market. In contrast, a self-hosted WordPress blog can provide higher rankings for your blog posts, resulting in superior blog traffic.
3. A self-hosted WordPress blog also offers the functionality of building quality landing pages. A landing page is an essential feature that can be used to convey specific information about your product or service. This type of web page is designed with a single clickable call-to-action button, such as “Sign up now” or “Order now,” and is used to communicate messages during marketing campaigns.
A landing page can be vital to your blog’s growth, and a self-hosted WordPress blog is the ideal platform for creating one. In contrast, a free-hosted WordPress blog lacks this feature and functionality, which is critical for business growth.
4. Finally, a self-hosted WordPress blog offers the ability to create a beautiful contact page that visitors can use to send private messages.
The process is simple: complete a few blank spaces and click the send button. However, this feature is not available with a free-hosted WordPress blog.
In conclusion, the above tools and functionalities of a self-hosted WordPress blog are essential for the growth and development of a successful blogging business.
Great Autonomy
If you desire complete autonomy over your blog, a self-hosted WordPress blog is an optimal choice. This platform enables bloggers to customize their blogs and set terms and conditions.
The greatest advantage of a self-hosted WordPress blog is the complete control and authority you will possess over your blog. The apprehension of an individual or organization deleting or suspending your blog is eliminated, and as the owner, you can define your regulations and terms. You have the liberty to pursue your objectives, and such freedom is the hallmark of a self-hosted WordPress blog.
Powerful and Professional Brand
The lion is the king of the jungle thanks to its unique combination of qualities. Were other animals to recognize and cultivate their potential, they too could become powerful, standing out amidst the jungle’s chaos.
In the world of blogging, it is imperative that your content be both distinct and elegant. Achieving this requires creating high-quality content that reflects your unique personality.
To this end, a self-hosted WordPress blog is an exceptional tool for offering a professional appearance while you focus on creating content that aligns with your brand.
What You Need to Start a Self-Hosted WordPress Blogging
To initiate a self-hosted WordPress blog, two prerequisites must be fulfilled: a domain name and a web hosting service.
A domain name serves as a unique identity representing your blog and enabling visitors to access it. Before registering your domain name, it is recommended that you compile a list of three to five names, arranged in order of preference, to ensure that you have alternative options at your disposal in the event that your first choice has been claimed.
Several significant factors influence the choice of domain name.
Firstly, it is crucial that your domain name accurately represents your brand and blogging subject.
Secondly, if your blog is for-profit, it is advisable to register your domain name with a .com extension; not-for-profit or governmental organizations may use .org and .gov extensions, respectively.
Thirdly, it is recommended that your domain name have two to three syllables and be as brief as possible.
Fourthly, refrain from incorporating hyphen symbols into your domain name, which may result in confusion and a negative user experience.
Lastly, aim to make your domain name memorable and simple to recall, as this will increase the likelihood of visitors returning.
The second requirement for a self-hosted blog is a web hosting service. This is akin to purchasing land upon which to erect a physical office or shop.
Web hosting provides storage space for all your blogging activities, including email, databases, and content files. As a result, it is critical that your hosting service provider can ensure the security of your storage space against attackers.
Bluehost is a web hosting provider that has been in operation for over 14 years. They offer quality hosting services to businesses of all sizes.
Benefits Of Using Bluehost Web-Hosting
Apart from the 50 GB storage space, which is the most basic package and offers excellent value for your money, Bluehost provides several additional benefits, as follows:
1. Unlimited bandwidth for traffic, which instils confidence and prepares you adequately to commence your blogging enterprise.
2. Bluehost offers free domain name registration. However, your domain name remains Bluehost’s property and comes with stipulated terms and conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to acquaint yourself with the terms and conditions or purchase your domain name, which grants you full power and control over your domain name. Free domain name registration is valid for the first year only, after which you are required to pay.
3. Bluehost offers a free SSL certificate, which is a critical feature that protects, blocks, and guides your blog information from hackers and attackers. Additionally, it is beneficial when processing credit card payments. A blog with an SSL certificate can be identified by a padlock sign on the address bar.
4. Bluehost allows you to create up to five customized and professional email addresses.
5. You can create up to 25 sub-domain names, such as shop.yourname.com, forum.yourname.com, among others.
6. With Bluehost, you can install WordPress with just one click, enabling you to start blogging immediately by publishing quality content. This feature is particularly advantageous if you need more technical know-how to set up and design a WordPress blog.
7. Bluehost has an exceptional customer support service system. To contact customer service, you can visit their website or call their phone number.
Guide for Setting Up a WordPress Blogging
Upon acquiring your domain name and Bluehost web hosting, you can proceed to install WordPress with just a single click. Once successfully installed, you will receive a message of congratulations.
To access your new blog, click on the URL http://yourblogname.com. This is the front end of your website, which your visitors will see.
For further blog setup, configuration, settings, design, and customization, the administrative region is where you should proceed. Its web address is http://yourblogname.com/wp-admin.
You can create and publish your blog posts in the administrative region. To begin blogging, hover over the post menu and select “Add New.”
This will take you to a new page where you can compose your post.
The first horizontal space is for your post title, while the ample space below it is for the content of your post.
Once you have completed typing your content, you can click on “Publish” if you are satisfied with everything.
Here is your newly published blog post.
You now understand why commencing your blog with a self-hosted WordPress is highly advantageous. It enables you to have multiple streams of income, greater autonomy, and the ability to customize and design your blog according to your vision.
Additionally, there are numerous added features and functionalities. Begin your profitable blogging business on a firm foundation.
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