Are you a web professional who is thinking about learning WordPress?
WordPress is famous for a reason, but you might have also encountered arguments against it.
And you’re left with the question, “Should I learn WordPress?”
Hi, I’m Carol, a WordPress programmer and software instructor. Now, I study education and job trends to help you decide what to learn to advance your career.
WordPress is free, open source, easy to use, and powerful.
This article will examine the pros and cons of learning WordPress.
TL;DR:
WordPress is worth learning because of its many benefits, which include the following:
- It is easy to install
- It is time-saving
- It is easy to use
- It is free to use
- It has highly customizable designs
- Has highly customizable behaviors
- Is SEO-friendly
- It is responsive and mobile-friendly
- Is scalable
- Has a supportive community
- Has support for multiple content types
- It is free to extend its open-source code
- It is accessible in many languages
- Has lucrative career opportunities
Why is WordPress so Popular?
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to create and manage websites without any coding knowledge.
It is built on PHP and uses a MySQL database to store content.
With its user-friendly interface, extensive plugins, and theme ecosystem, WordPress has become one of the most popular platforms for building websites.
There are several reasons why WordPress has gained immense popularity in the web development community.
Firstly, it is easy to learn and use, making it accessible to beginners and non-technical users.
Secondly, it is free and open-source so you can download, install, and modify it according to your needs without licensing fees.
Additionally, WordPress offers a vast collection of plugins and themes that allow you to customize the design and functionality of your website without writing a single line of code.
Benefits of Learning WordPress in 2023
1. WordPress is Easy to Install
Setting up a WordPress website is a straightforward process that can be completed in simple steps.
Many web hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installations, making it easy for beginners to get started.
2. WordPress Saves Time
Learning WordPress can save you a significant amount of time in web development.
With its intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality, you can quickly create and customize your website without extensive coding.
Whether you are a freelancer building websites for clients or a business owner managing your online presence, the time-saving benefits of WordPress cannot be understated.
3. WordPress is Easy to Use
WordPress is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all technical levels.
You don’t need to be a coding expert to create a stunning website with WordPress.
The platform provides a simple and intuitive way to build and manage websites, allowing you to focus on your content and design rather than getting lost in complex coding languages like HTML, CSS, and PHP.
4. WordPress is Free to Use
One of the most significant advantages of WordPress is that it is entirely free to use.
You don’t need to purchase any licenses or pay any subscription fees.
This makes it an affordable option for individuals and businesses looking to establish an online presence without breaking the bank.
5. WordPress Has Highly Customizable Designs
WordPress offers a wide range of customization options, allowing you to create a unique website that perfectly aligns with your brand or personal style.
You can customize the design of your website by choosing from thousands of pre-designed WordPress themes or by creating your custom theme using HTML, CSS, and PHP.
Additionally, you can extend the functionality of your website by installing plugins that add new features and functionality.
WordPress themes are pre-designed templates that determine the look and feel of your website.
They allow you to customize the design of your website without the need for extensive coding.
Choose a theme that suits your needs, install it, and customize it according to your preferences.
With thousands of themes available, you will find one that matches your vision.
WordPress provides users with numerous customization options to tailor their websites to their specific needs and preferences.
With thousands of themes and the ability to create custom designs using HTML and CSS, you can create a unique and visually appealing website.
6. WordPress Has Highly Customizable Behaviors
WordPress provides users with immense flexibility in design, functionality, and content.
WordPress can accommodate your needs and preferences, whether you build a personal blog or an e-commerce store.
WordPress plugins are add-ons that enhance the functionality of your website.
From SEO optimization to e-commerce integration to social media sharing, there is a plugin for almost every feature you can imagine.
Installing and activating plugins is a straightforward process, and they can significantly expand the capabilities of your WordPress site.
WordPress boasts an extensive library of plugins and features that expand the capabilities of your website.
From contact forms to e-commerce integration to social media sharing, there is a plugin for almost every feature you can imagine.
7. WordPress is SEO Friendly
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for improving the visibility of your website in search engine rankings.
WordPress is designed with SEO in mind, making optimizing your website for search engines easy.
From customizable permalinks to meta tags to XML sitemaps, WordPress provides the tools and plugins to optimize your content and improve your website’s ranking in search results.
Search engine optimization (SEO) drives organic traffic to your website.
WordPress offers a range of SEO plugins and features that simplify optimization, allowing you to improve your website’s visibility in search engine rankings.
8. WordPress is Responsive and Mobile-Friendly
In today’s mobile-first world, having a mobile-friendly website is essential.
WordPress themes are designed to be responsive, meaning they adapt and adjust to different screen sizes and devices.
This ensures your website looks great and functions correctly on mobile devices, providing an optimal user experience for your visitors.
9. WordPress is Scalable
WordPress can scale with your needs, whether starting a personal blog or building an e-commerce empire.
It is suitable for small websites with a few pages and large, complex websites with thousands of pages.
As your business or project grows, you can quickly expand your WordPress site without significant redesigns or migrations.
Supportive Community
WordPress has a vibrant and supportive community of users, developers, and contributors.
Numerous forums, blogs, tutorials, and resources provide guidance and assistance for beginners and advanced users.
If you run into any issues or have questions, you can rely on the WordPress community to help you find solutions.
WordPress has a helpful and active community of users, developers, and contributors who provide support and guidance.
From forums to documentation to meetups, numerous resources are available to help you learn and improve your WordPress skills.
10. WordPress Supports Multiple Content Types
WordPress is not limited to just text-based content.
It supports various content types, including images, videos, audio files, and documents.
This makes it a versatile platform for creating websites like blogs, portfolios, online stores, and multimedia galleries.
WordPress lets you easily incorporate multimedia into your website, including images, videos, audio files, and documents.
This provides a rich and engaging experience for your website visitors.
11. WordPress is Free to Extend (It is Open Source)
WordPress is open-source software for anyone to use, modify, and distribute freely.
This openness fosters collaboration and innovation, making WordPress a constantly evolving platform.
12. WordPress Grants Access to Many Languages
WordPress is available in numerous languages, making it accessible to users from different regions and cultures.
If you are creating a website in a language other than English, WordPress provides the necessary tools and resources for localization.
13. WordPress Offers Lucrative Career Opportunities
As WordPress continues to dominate the web development industry, there is a high demand for professionals with WordPress skills.
Whether you want to work as a freelancer or join a web development agency, learning WordPress can open up lucrative career opportunities.
Reasons Not to Learn WordPress
I’m afraid I have to disagree with most of these, but some people argue against learning WordPress.
1. WordPress’ Appearance Can Be Boring
Some argue that WordPress websites look generic and unprofessional, mainly if you use free templates or themes.
2. WordPress Attracts Malware
WordPress is an open-source platform, meaning anyone can create plugins or themes. Unfortunately, some plugins and themes may contain malware or other security vulnerabilities that can compromise your website.
3. WordPress Requires Some Technical Knowledge
While WordPress is relatively easy to set up, it does require some technical knowledge to maintain and update. This can be time-consuming and frustrating for beginners.
4. Some WordPress Plugins Don’t Deserve Your Time
Not all plugins are created equal, and some may not be compatible with your website or may even harm your website’s credibility.
Should Web Developers Use WordPress?
If you’re looking for a profession that’s in demand, then you should know that WordPress is incredibly popular.
Learning WordPress provides web developers with a competitive edge in a vast marketplace.
- WordPress is the most popular content management system on the web, used by over 43% of all websites and 63% of all content management systems (CMS) as of September 2023 (source)
- 63,729,318 websites use WordPress (source)
- At this moment, there are 1,184 Wordcamps scheduled in 393 cities in 65 countries on six continents (source)
- TechCrunch, Time, and the New Yorker use WordPress, as do millions of other sites.
Whether you are a professional web developer or someone interested in the field, considering WordPress as part of your skillset can be a wise decision.
Many businesses and organizations use WordPress as their preferred CMS, and being familiar with the platform can make you more attractive to potential clients and employers.
As businesses and individuals increasingly rely on websites and online platforms, a growing demand for skilled web developers who can create and maintain functional and visually appealing websites exists.
Should Students Learn WordPress?
Learning how to use WordPress in school provides students with a valuable set of skills that go beyond web development.
By acquiring WordPress skills, students can develop organization, data analysis, influence, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Additionally, learning WordPress can open up new opportunities in the digital world and provide students with valuable skills for future careers.
WordPress offers several unique features and benefits, making it an ideal platform for learning in a school environment.
Firstly, it is user-friendly and relatively easy to learn, making it an excellent choice for students new to web development.
Secondly, it has a large and supportive community that provides ample resources and support for beginners.
Finally, WordPress is widely used in the industry, so learning how to use it can provide students with valuable skills for future careers.
Skills Learned Using WordPress
Learning how to use WordPress can teach students valuable skills that extend beyond web development.
While coding and technical abilities are essential, WordPress fosters organization, data analysis, influence, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Organization Skills
Working with WordPress requires organization skills to keep track of website content, plugins, themes, and updates.
Students can develop a structured approach to website management and learn to prioritize tasks effectively.
Data Analysis
WordPress provides various analytics plugins and tools that help users understand website performance and visitor behavior.
By analyzing these data points, students can gain insights into audience preferences and make informed decisions for website improvement.
Influence
Creating and managing a WordPress website allows students to cultivate their online presence and build influence within their chosen niche.
Students can develop their brand and expand their network through content creation and engagement.
Communication
WordPress offers various communication features like comments, contact forms, and social media integration.
Using these tools, students can practice effective communication with website visitors and engage in meaningful discussions.
Problem-solving
While working with WordPress, students may encounter technical challenges or face design-related issues.
FAQs about learning WordPress
Is learning WordPress difficult?
Learning WordPress is relatively easy, especially with its user-friendly interface and extensive documentation.
Should I learn WordPress?
Learning WordPress can be highly beneficial if you want to build websites, especially if you are interested in web development and creating websites.
What can I use WordPress for?
WordPress is a versatile platform that you can use to build websites for various purposes, such as personal blogs, business websites, online stores, and more.
Is WordPress free to use?
Yes, WordPress is free to use.
It is an open-source content management system (CMS) that anyone can download and use without cost.
Is it worth learning WordPress?
Absolutely! Learning WordPress can be extremely valuable for web developers as it is one of the best and most popular CMSs used to build websites.
What are some reasons why I should learn WordPress?
There are several reasons why you should learn WordPress.
Firstly, it’s free and open-source, so you can learn and use it without any financial burden.
WordPress has a vast community and ample resources, making finding support and learning from others easier.
Moreover, WordPress is a widely used platform, so being proficient in it can open up opportunities for freelance web development or even full-time job opportunities.
Do I need to know how to code to use WordPress?
You don’t necessarily need to know how to code to use WordPress and build basic websites.
However, having some HTML, CSS, and PHP knowledge can significantly enhance your ability to customize and extend WordPress websites.
What will I learn if I start learning WordPress?
When you start learning WordPress, you will learn the basics of WordPress, how to install and set it up, manage content, customize themes, use plugins, and more.
You’ll also learn about WordPress development to become a WordPress developer.
Is WordPress the best platform to build websites?
While other platforms are available to build websites, WordPress is widely considered one of the best.
It is a popular content management system used to create websites, and some of the most popular websites are built using WordPress.
Is WordPress a programming language?
No, WordPress itself is not a programming language.
It is a content management system built on PHP, a popular server-side programming language.
However, learning WordPress can involve learning some PHP to customize and extend its functionality.
How do I start learning WordPress?
To start learning WordPress, explore free online tutorials, watch video courses, join WordPress communities, and practice building your WordPress websites.
There are plenty of resources available that can help you get started on your learning journey.
