If you’re new to web design and don’t want to dive straight into programming, WordPress is one of the best places to start. It’s free, open-source, and powers a massive share of the internet. In this post, we’ll break down what WordPress is, why it’s so widely used, its pros and cons, and how it stacks up against other website builders.
What Is WordPress?
As the official site puts it:
“WordPress is open source software you can use to create a beautiful website, blog, or app.” (wordpress.org)
Launched in 2003, WordPress has grown from a simple blogging tool into the world’s most popular content management system (CMS). It’s built with PHP and MySQL, and while developers can push it to extreme levels of customization, beginners can launch a site without touching a line of code.
WordPress by the Numbers
WordPress isn’t just a tool for hobby bloggers. Current statistics show its dominance:
- 43.4% of all websites run on WordPress (W3Techs, 2025)
- That’s over 810 million sites powered by WordPress worldwide (Search Logistics, 2024)
- Among sites using a CMS, WordPress holds about 60.7% market share (W3Techs, 2025)
Those numbers make one thing clear: WordPress isn’t going away anytime soon.
Why Beginners Love WordPress
If your goal is to build websites without heavy coding, here’s why WordPress stands out:
- Quick start — Install it, pick a theme, and you’re live in minutes.
- Thousands of themes and plugins — Add design options and features with a few clicks.
- Scales with your skills — Start no-code, grow into advanced customizations later.
- Massive community — Endless tutorials, forums, and help when you get stuck.
- Budget-friendly — Core software is free. You only pay for hosting and optional premium tools.
The Drawbacks You Should Know
No platform is perfect. Here are the trade-offs:
- Needs hosting and maintenance (updates, backups, security).
- Can slow down if overloaded with plugins or a heavy theme.
- Advanced customization requires coding (PHP, JavaScript, CSS).
- Occasional plugin/theme conflicts.
- A big target for hackers, so security best practices are a must.
WordPress vs. Other Website Builders
How does WordPress compare to alternatives like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, or Joomla?
| Feature | WordPress | Wix / Squarespace | Shopify | Joomla / Drupal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low (hosting + domain) | Monthly subscription | Higher for eCommerce | Free, but dev-heavy |
| Ease of use | Easy with page builders | Very easy | Easy for stores | Steeper learning curve |
| Customization | Huge (themes, plugins, code) | Limited | Focused on eCommerce | High, but technical |
| Best for | Blogs, sites, stores, anything | Small business sites, portfolios | Online stores | Complex, dev-driven sites |
Bottom line: WordPress offers more freedom and scalability than most “drag-and-drop” builders, while still being beginner-friendly.
Final Thoughts
WordPress is a smart choice if you’re starting out in web design. It’s approachable for beginners, endlessly flexible as you grow, and supported by a massive community. If you’re serious about building websites without coding, WordPress is a powerful launchpad — one that can carry you from your very first blog to complex, professional projects.