Two Minute Graphic Design Tips: How Does WordPress Work?

As a web designer I regularly work with folks who have heard of WordPress, but don’t understand what it is, how it works, or why to use it. That’s a lot to describe in a two minute blog post, so allow me to dispense with the intro and dive right in.

At it’s heart WordPress is a Content Management System or CMS. A CMS allows people who don’t write code to make website changes that would otherwise require a developer. With a CMS the time required to update a web page or post can drop from hours to minutes.

Nearly all website hosting services accommodate the installation of WordPress. Installation usually requires little more than clicking a button. Upon installation a set of files is downloaded to serve as a foundation upon which to build your new site. It’s not necessary to get technical here as these files are almost never seen or accessed by WordPress users.

The WordPress CMS is accessed via the WordPress Admin Area (see the image below). From the Admin Area a user can add everything from words and pictures to plugins and themes.

Plugins and themes are where WordPress really makes a name for itself. Plugins are like mini-applications that add functionality to your website. Let’s say you would like to add a set of registration forms, extra security against hackers, or a live chat function to your site. For each one of these and an almost endless array of other needs, WordPress offers a selection of plugins which allow your site to perform the desired action.

While plugins are more about function, themes are more about the look of your site. A theme is a collection of page templates designed to give your site a cohesive look. Whether your site is meant to promote insurance sales or an indie rock band there is a theme amongst the thousands available that will help you create the look you desire. After selecting a theme it can be further customized to conform to your specific requirements.

This combination of themes, plugins and the WordPress CMS add up to an immensely powerful and effective tool for crafting websites. This is why WordPress has become the world’s favorite CMS platform. An astounding 37% of all websites on the internet which use a CMS are powered by WordPress.

If you’re a small or medium business wondering if you should be using WordPress to power your site, the answer is almost definitely yes.

That being said, I would like to offer a word of caution. Building sites with WordPress can be a daunting task. The Admin Area is not always intuitive. Also, it is not uncommon for even experienced users to become mired in the complexities of coaxing an unfamiliar plugin to play nicely with other components. In other words, don’t expect to jam-out a website between dinner and bedtime, especially if you’re a novice.

I hope this provides a bit of illumination about WordPress and how it works. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. I would love to hear your thoughts.