Features That Make WordPress Appealing
Open-Source & Free – WordPress is open-source, meaning it’s free to use, modify, and distribute, with a vast developer community supporting it.
Ease of Use – WordPress has a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners without coding knowledge.
Flexibility & Customization – With thousands of themes and plugins, users can create any type of website, from blogs to eCommerce stores.
Open-Source or Paid?
- WordPress is open-source software, meaning it’s free to use, modify, and distribute.
- However, costs can arise from hosting, premium themes, and plugins for additional functionality.
Who Developed It?
- WordPress was originally created by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little in 2003 as a fork of the b2/cafelog blogging platform.
- It is now maintained by Automattic (Mullenweg’s company) and a large global community of developers.
How Long Has It Been in Use?
- WordPress has been around since May 27, 2003, making it over 20 years old.
- It has grown from a simple blogging tool into the most widely used CMS, powering over 43% of all websites worldwide.
Ownership & Licensing
- WordPress operates under the GNU General Public License (GPLv2+), ensuring it remains open and free for all users.
Business Model
- While WordPress.org is free and open-source, WordPress.com offers managed hosting services with paid plans.
- Users can self-host WordPress for full control or opt for WordPress.com for convenience.