What is WordPress? A Guide for Small Business Owners

If you’re researching options for your business website, you’ve undoubtedly encountered the name “WordPress.” You might know it’s popular—powering over 43% of all websites—but what exactly is it, and more importantly, is it the right choice for your business?

This beginner’s guide breaks down everything you need to know about WordPress in straightforward, business-focused terms, helping you make an informed decision about your online presence.

What Exactly is WordPress?

At its simplest, WordPress is a content management system (CMS)—software that lets you create, manage, and modify content on a website without needing to know how to code.

Think of it like this: If your website were a book, WordPress would be the publishing company that handles the printing, distribution, and editing tools, while you focus on writing the content.

The Two Types of WordPress: Understanding the Difference

This is where many beginners get confused. There are actually two versions of WordPress:

WordPress.com (The Hosted Version)

A fully managed service like Wix or Squarespace
WordPress handles hosting, security, and updates
Easier to start but with limitations on customization
Various pricing tiers from free to enterprise

WordPress.org (The Self-Hosted Version)

Free, open-source software you install on your own web hosting
Complete control over every aspect of your website
Requires you to manage hosting, security, and updates
What most people mean when they say “WordPress”

For business websites, WordPress.org is almost always the recommended choice because it offers full ownership and unlimited flexibility.

Why WordPress Dominates the Web

1. It’s Free and Open-Source

The WordPress software is completely free to use. You only pay for hosting, a domain name, and any premium themes or plugins you choose.

2. No Coding Knowledge Required

With WordPress, you can:

Add and edit pages with a visual editor
Upload images and documents with drag-and-drop
Manage your entire site through an intuitive dashboard
All without writing a single line of code

3. Unlimited Customization

Through themes and plugins, you can make your WordPress site do almost anything:

Themes control your website’s design and layout. There are thousands available, from free options to premium designs.

Plugins add functionality to your site. Think of them as apps for your website. Need contact forms, SEO tools, or e-commerce capabilities? There’s likely a plugin for that.

4. Built for Search Engines

WordPress is naturally SEO-friendly, with clean code structure and numerous SEO plugins (like Yoast SEO) that help you optimize your content for Google.

5. Grows With Your Business

Start with a simple brochure website and easily scale to:

E-commerce stores with WooCommerce
Membership sites
Learning management systems
Business directories
And much more

What Can You Build With WordPress?

Business Websites: Professional sites with services, about pages, and contact information.

E-commerce Stores: Using the WooCommerce plugin, you can create full-featured online stores.

Blogs and Publications: WordPress started as blogging software and remains excellent for content publishing.

Portfolios: Showcase work for creatives, agencies, and freelancers.

Community Sites: Forums, social networks, and membership sites.

Event Sites: Conference pages, wedding sites, and event management.

The WordPress Dashboard: A Quick Tour

When you log into WordPress, you’ll see an administrative area called the Dashboard. Key sections include:

Posts: For blog articles and news updates
Pages: For static content like Home, About, Services
Media: Your image and file library
Appearance: Where you manage themes and menus
Plugins: To add new functionality
Users: For managing team access

The interface is designed to be intuitive, similar to using a word processor.

Understanding Key WordPress Terminology

Theme: Controls the design and layout of your site
Plugin: Adds specific features and functionality
Widgets: Small blocks that perform specific functions, often in sidebars or footers
Shortcodes: Small codes that let you embed complex elements easily
Permalinks: The permanent URLs to your individual pages and posts

WordPress for Business: The Real Costs

While the software is free, running a professional WordPress site involves some costs:

Web Hosting: $3-$30/month depending on your needs
Domain Name: $10-$15/year
Premium Theme: $50-$200 (one-time)
Premium Plugins: $50-$300/year for various functionalities
Maintenance: Either your time or hiring a professional ($50-$200/month)

Total first-year investment typically ranges from $500-$2,000 for a professional business website.

Common Misconceptions About WordPress

“WordPress is Just for Blogs”

While it began as blogging software, WordPress has evolved into a full-featured CMS capable of powering any type of website.

“WordPress Sites All Look the Same”

With thousands of themes and unlimited customization options, your WordPress site can look completely unique.

“WordPress Isn’t Secure”

The core WordPress software is very secure. Most security issues come from poor hosting, weak passwords, or outdated plugins/themes—all manageable with proper maintenance.

“WordPress is Hard to Use”

The learning curve is relatively gentle, especially with the modern block editor that works similarly to popular page builders.

When WordPress Might NOT Be the Best Choice

While WordPress is incredibly versatile, consider alternatives if:

You need a very simple one-page site (a basic builder might be easier)
You have no time for any maintenance whatsoever
You need a highly specialized application that other platforms are built for
Your team is already trained on and happy with another platform

Why Businesses Choose Our WordPress Services

While WordPress is designed to be user-friendly, creating a professional, effective business website still requires strategy, design expertise, and technical knowledge. Our web design studio specializes in: