WHAT IS WORDPRESS?

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Ecommerce SEO Services and have developed comprehensive guidance on What is Wordpress? What is Wordpress Used For?.

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, manage, and publish websites without needing advanced technical knowledge. It provides a user-friendly interface where you can design pages, upload content, and customise your website’s appearance using themes and plugins.

Originally launched in 2003 as a blogging platform, WordPress has evolved into a powerful and flexible website builder. Today, it powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, from personal blogs to large corporate sites and online shops.

This article explores what WordPress is, how it works, and the many ways it’s used by businesses, creators, and developers worldwide.

How WordPress Works

WordPress is open-source software, which means it’s free to use, modify, and distribute. Anyone can download it and create a website hosted on their own server or through a hosting provider that supports WordPress installations.

The platform is built on PHP and uses a MySQL database to store content. Its structure is designed for simplicity users can create pages, publish blog posts, and manage media like images and videos without touching code. For those who want deeper customisation, the open-source nature of WordPress makes it highly adaptable through plugins and themes.

WordPress can be accessed through two main versions:

  • WordPress.org: The self-hosted version that gives users full control over their website, including customisation, plugins, and monetisation options.

  • WordPress.com: A hosted version that simplifies setup and management, ideal for beginners who prefer a managed solution with limited customisation.

What Is WordPress Used For

WordPress is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for almost any type of website. Below are some of the most common uses.

1. Business Websites

Many small and medium-sized businesses use WordPress to build professional websites that showcase their services, team, and contact information. Its wide range of themes allows companies to create branded designs quickly, while SEO plugins help improve search visibility.

2. Blogs and Personal Websites

WordPress started as a blogging tool, and it remains one of the best platforms for publishing articles and updates. Its built-in content management features make it easy to organise posts, categories, and tags. Writers, journalists, and thought leaders use WordPress to build audiences and share their expertise.

3. Ecommerce Stores

With plugins like WooCommerce, WordPress can transform into a fully functional online shop. WooCommerce allows users to manage inventory, process payments, and handle shipping. It’s popular among ecommerce businesses because it combines flexibility, scalability, and low setup costs.

4. Portfolios and Creative Sites

Photographers, designers, and artists often use WordPress to showcase their work online. Visual themes and gallery plugins make it easy to present images and videos in professional layouts.

5. Membership and Subscription Sites

WordPress can be configured to manage paid memberships, online courses, or exclusive content. Plugins like MemberPress and LearnDash allow users to create secure, subscription-based websites that generate recurring income.

6. Nonprofit and Community Websites

Charities, schools, and community groups use WordPress because it’s cost-effective and easy to maintain. Donation tools and event management plugins make it ideal for promoting causes and organising activities.

7. News and Magazine Websites

WordPress’s publishing tools are perfect for media outlets and online magazines. Many large publishers use it to handle multiple authors, categories, and publishing schedules efficiently.

Why WordPress Is So Popular

Several key features make WordPress the platform of choice for millions of users:

  • Ease of use: Its simple dashboard and intuitive controls make it accessible for beginners.

  • Customisation: Thousands of free and premium themes let users tailor their site’s design to match their brand.

  • Plugins: With over 50,000 plugins available, you can add virtually any feature, from SEO optimisation to email marketing integration.

  • SEO-friendly structure: WordPress is built with clean code and allows for easy optimisation, helping websites rank better on search engines.

  • Community support: A vast global community provides tutorials, forums, and resources for troubleshooting and development.

These strengths make WordPress suitable for both individuals managing simple blogs and large businesses with complex online needs.

The Benefits of Using WordPress for SEO

WordPress is often praised for being SEO-friendly out of the box. Its structure allows search engines like Google to crawl and index content easily. Popular SEO plugins, such as Yoast SEO and Rank Math, make it simple to optimise pages, add metadata, and monitor performance.

Other SEO advantages include:

  • Customisable URLs for cleaner, keyword-rich links

  • Mobile-responsive themes for better user experience

  • Fast loading speeds when properly optimised

  • Built-in blogging features that support regular content updates

For businesses investing in SEO, WordPress provides the ideal foundation for long-term organic growth.

WordPress for Ecommerce

One of WordPress’s greatest strengths is its ability to support ecommerce. WooCommerce, the leading ecommerce plugin, turns a standard WordPress site into an online store capable of selling physical or digital products.

WooCommerce supports a wide range of payment gateways, tax configurations, and shipping options. It also integrates with marketing tools, analytics platforms, and social media channels, making it a powerful choice for growing online businesses.

At Lillian Purge, we often recommend WordPress and WooCommerce for ecommerce clients because they offer flexibility and scalability while remaining affordable.

Is WordPress Secure

WordPress is secure when managed properly. Like any website platform, it requires regular updates to the core software, themes, and plugins to protect against vulnerabilities. Reputable hosting providers also offer additional layers of security, such as SSL certificates and firewalls.

Many firms choose to work with web developers or maintenance services to ensure their WordPress sites remain secure and fully updated.

Final Thoughts

WordPress is much more than a website builder it’s a flexible, scalable platform that empowers businesses, creators, and organisations to grow their online presence. From simple blogs to large ecommerce stores, it provides the tools needed to design, publish, and manage websites with ease.

Its combination of user-friendliness, customisation, and SEO capability makes WordPress one of the most powerful and enduring website platforms available.

At Lillian Purge, we help businesses get the most from their WordPress websites by combining SEO best practices with ecommerce strategy. Whether you’re launching a new site or improving an existing one, we ensure your WordPress platform delivers visibility, performance, and growth.

We have also written in depth articles on Should I use Wordpress or Squarespace? and What Wordpress Theme? as well as our Wordpress Hub to give you further guidance.