Websites using WordPress Default

Okay, let s break down WordPress, focusing on the default experience (meaning the core WordPress.org software, not WordPress.com s hosted services) and then cover its revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

WordPress Default (WordPress.org - Self-Hosted)

• What It Is: WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS). It s software you download and install on your own web server. It s primarily used for creating websites and blogs, but its flexibility allows for building much more complex online platforms.

• Key Features:

  • Content Creation and Management: Easy-to-use editor for creating posts and pages.
  • Media Management: Upload and manage images, videos, and other media.
  • Themes: A vast library of themes to change the look and feel of your website.
  • Plugins: Extends functionality with thousands of plugins, adding features like e-commerce, SEO, contact forms, etc.
  • User Management: Control user roles and permissions.
  • Customization: Highly customizable with code for developers.
  • SEO Friendly: Built with SEO best practices in mind.
  • Large Community: Huge support and development community.

• Default Overview (User Experience):

  • After installation, you ll find a relatively clean and straightforward interface.
  • The main dashboard allows quick access to writing posts, managing pages, comments, and updating plugins.
  • The visual editor makes it easy for non-technical users to create content.
  • You ll need to select a theme to define your website s appearance.
  • Functionality depends on installed plugins, requiring you to choose and configure those that meet your needs.
  • By default, it s a blogging engine, but it can be adapted to pretty much any website using its themes and plugins.

Revenue (For WordPress Core and the Ecosystem)

• WordPress.org (Software): The core software itself is free and open-source. There s no direct revenue from the core software for Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com).
• Ecosystem: The vast ecosystem around WordPress generates significant revenue. This includes:
  • Themes: Premium themes sold by developers, marketplaces, and theme shops.
  • Plugins: Premium plugins sold by individual developers and companies, some with subscription models.
  • Hosting: Web hosting companies make revenue by providing servers for WordPress sites.
  • WordPress Services: Developers, designers, marketers, and consultants make money from WordPress-related services.
  • Training and Courses: Many educators offer courses on using and developing for WordPress.
  • Related Businesses: Businesses like domain registrars benefit from the growth of WordPress.
• How it benefits Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com): WordPress.org software is maintained by the community but led by Automattic. While the software itself is free and open source, its popularity benefits the growth of WordPress.com (Automattic s hosted blogging platform), which is a revenue generator for the company.

Alternatives to Self-Hosted WordPress

• Hosted Platforms (SaaS):
  • WordPress.com: A hosted service from Automattic (the same company behind WordPress.org) that offers an easier setup, but with some limitations compared to self-hosted WordPress.
  • Squarespace: Known for its design-focused templates and ease of use, but less flexible than WordPress.
  • Wix: Another drag-and-drop website builder, user-friendly but often with performance limitations.
  • Shopify: Primarily for e-commerce sites, excellent for online stores but less general purpose.
• Other CMS Platforms:
  • Joomla: Another open-source CMS, often chosen for complex websites.
  • Drupal: A powerful open-source CMS favored by enterprises and developers.
  • Ghost: A lightweight blogging platform, preferred for content focus.

Pricing (For Self-Hosted WordPress)

• WordPress.org software: The software itself is free.
• Hosting: This is where you will pay. Costs vary based on your needs.
  • Shared hosting: Cheapest option ($3-$10/month), good for beginners and small sites.
  • VPS hosting: More expensive ($20-$100+/month), better for higher traffic and customization.
  • Managed WordPress hosting: Specific to WordPress ($20-$100+/month), offers enhanced security, speed, and support.
• Domain Name: You need a domain name, typically around $10-$20/year.
• Themes & Plugins: Free themes and plugins are available but often premium ones are required for specific features, costing from $0-$200+ depending on purchase model (one-time or subscription).
• Development and Design: If you hire a professional, expect to pay hourly rates or project fees.
• SSL Certificate: Generally, free with your hosting provider but can be paid ($5-20+ a year) if not provided.

Customer Care Details (For Self-Hosted WordPress)

• No Direct Support: There is no direct support from the WordPress.org team for the core software. You are self-reliant on troubleshooting your site.
• Community Support:
  • WordPress.org Forums: The main resource for free help from other users.
  • Stack Overflow: Technical questions can be answered by developers on Stack Overflow.
  • Facebook Groups and Communities: Many communities exist on social media.
• Theme and Plugin Developers: If you use premium themes or plugins, their developers often provide direct support.
• Web Hosting Provider: Your web hosting provider can assist with server-related issues.
• Freelance/Agency Support: You can hire professionals for WordPress support and maintenance.
• Important Note: The quality of support can vary, depending on the theme/plugin you purchased and the hosting you selected. If you want fast and helpful support you will likely need to pay for it through themes, plugins or web hosting.

In Summary

• WordPress.org: A powerful, free, and flexible CMS with a massive ecosystem.
• Revenue: No direct revenue for the core software, but significant revenue is generated around the WordPress ecosystem.
• Alternatives: Plenty of hosted and other CMS options to consider based on needs.
• Pricing: The core is free, but costs are involved for hosting, domain, and sometimes themes/plugins.
• Customer Care: Primarily through the community, but paid options are available.

If you re considering using WordPress.org, it s essential to understand that it s a DIY platform. You need to be prepared to manage the technical aspects of hosting, security, and plugin updates. The reward is a highly customizable and powerful website at a lower cost if you are willing to put in the work. If you re looking for ease of use and all-inclusive support, WordPress.com or another hosted platform may be a better fit for you.