WordPress FAQs The Basics of WordPress

I receive lots of questions about WordPress, it’s themes, plugins, functionality and more to the point, why I use it. Here are a few common WordPress FAQs and answers around the basics of WordPress. I will follow up with deeper insights in future posts. Submit your questions.

Answering your WordPress FAQs
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What is WordPress?

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) based on PHP and MySQL. It is an open-source platform that allows users to easily create and manage websites. WordPress was first released in 2003 and has since become one of the most popular CMSs in the world, powering millions of websites. It is known for its flexibility and user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for users to create and manage their websites without any technical expertise.

Here is a simple breakdown of the WordPress CMS:

What are WordPress pages?

In WordPress, pages are used to publish static content on your website. This can include information about your business, your products or services, your contact information, and any other content that does not change frequently. Unlike posts, which are used to publish blog entries or other regularly updated content, pages are meant to provide information that remains largely unchanged. Pages are typically organized in a hierarchical structure, with a main page acting as the top-level page and any sub-pages nested underneath it. You can create, edit, and manage pages using the Pages menu in the WordPress dashboard.

What are WordPress posts?

In WordPress, posts are used to publish regularly updated content on your website, such as blog entries or news items. Posts are typically organized in reverse chronological order, with the most recent post appearing at the top of the page. Posts can be assigned to categories and tags to help organize them and make it easier for users to find related content on your website. You can create, edit, and manage posts using the Posts menu in the WordPress dashboard. Posts can also be commented on by users, allowing for a conversation or discussion to develop around the content of the post.

What are WordPress plugins?

WordPress plugins are pieces of software that can be added to a WordPress website to extend its functionality. They provide additional features and capabilities that are not included in the core WordPress software, such as contact forms, forums, and e-commerce capabilities. Plugins are created by WordPress developers and are typically free to use. They can be installed on a WordPress website through the Plugins menu in the WordPress dashboard. There are thousands of plugins available, so you should be able to find a plugin that provides the specific functionality you need for your website.

What are WordPress themes?

WordPress themes are designs for WordPress websites that determine the appearance and styling of the site. They control things like the layout, color scheme, font, and other visual elements of the site. Themes are made up of a collection of files, including templates for the different pages on the site, style sheets, and images. WordPress comes with a default theme, but there are thousands of additional themes available that can be installed to change the look of the site. You can choose and install a WordPress theme through the Appearance menu in the WordPress dashboard. Bespoke WordPress developers like Warren can build their own bespoke WordPress themes, for a much higher quality website.

What are WordPress tags used for?

In WordPress, tags are used to help organize and classify posts. They are keywords or phrases that are assigned to posts, and they provide a way to group similar posts together and make it easier for users to find related content on your website. For example, if you have a blog about travel, you might use tags like “vacation,” “destination,” and “sightseeing” to classify your posts. You can create and manage tags using the Tags menu in the WordPress dashboard. Users can also click on a tag to view all of the posts that have been assigned that tag, allowing them to easily find similar content.

What are WordPress categories?

In WordPress, categories are used to group similar posts together and organize them in a hierarchical structure. They provide a way to classify posts and make it easier for users to find related content on your website. For example, if you have a blog about travel, you might create categories for different regions of the world, such as “Europe,” “Asia,” and “North America,” and assign your posts to the appropriate category. You can create and manage categories using the Categories menu in the WordPress dashboard. Users can also click on a category to view all of the posts that have been assigned to that category, allowing them to easily find similar content.

WordPress FAQs: Submit your question

WordPress is my life, ask away and your question may feature in future posts.