What is WordPress?
By Tom · Last reviewed · 2 minute read
WordPress is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) that lets you create and manage a website without writing code. It launched in 2003 as a blogging tool and has grown into the world's most popular website platform, running over 40% of all websites.
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Why use WordPress for your business?
WordPress is a sensible choice for businesses that want control, flexibility and long-term value from their website.
You own your website
Unlike Wix or Squarespace, your WordPress site belongs to you. You can move it to any host, change anything, and you're never locked in.
Flexible
With tens of thousands of plugins and endless ways to customise it, WordPress can do almost anything, from a simple brochure site to a complex booking system.
Good for SEO
WordPress gives you full control over the SEO basics. Many top-ranking websites use it because of its search-friendly structure and tools like Yoast.
Cost-effective in the long run
Setting it up costs more than a DIY builder, but WordPress has lower ongoing costs and doesn't charge transaction fees on sales.
Huge community
With millions of users worldwide, help is always available, and updates, security fixes and new features are released regularly.
Grows with your business
Start with a simple site and add features as you need them: online shop, members' area, booking system and more.
WordPress vs other platforms
How WordPress compares with popular website builders for UK businesses.
| Feature | WordPress | Squarespace | Wix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | £10 to £25 (hosting only) | £12 to £36 | £13 to £35 |
| Own your website | Yes, completely | No, the platform owns it | No, the platform owns it |
| Customisation | Almost unlimited | Limited to templates | Limited to templates |
| SEO control | Full control | Basic | Basic |
| Online shop | WooCommerce (free) | Built in (extra cost) | Built in (extra cost) |
| Learning curve | Moderate | Easy | Easy |
Squarespace and Wix are easier for beginners, but WordPress offers better value and flexibility for businesses that want to grow online. For a fuller comparison, see WordPress vs Squarespace.
WordPress for Welsh and UK businesses
WordPress is particularly well suited to Welsh and UK small businesses. Here's why businesses across Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and beyond choose it:
- Local SEO. WordPress makes it easy to target searches like "plumber Cardiff" or "restaurant Swansea" with proper schema markup and location pages.
- UK hosting. You can host a WordPress site on UK servers for faster loading and simpler data protection.
- Bilingual websites. Plugins like WPML and Polylang make it straightforward to build a Welsh and English website.
- Local support. WordPress is the most popular platform, so it's easy to find a local developer (like me) for support and updates.
- Good value. A WordPress website from me is £800, with half to start and half when you're happy and it's live, plus hosting and care from £10 a month.
See my WordPress websites for what's included.
Questions people ask
Is WordPress free to use?
Yes, WordPress itself is free to download and use. You'll still need to pay for web hosting (typically £10 to £25 a month for good UK hosting) and a domain name (around £10 to £15 a year). Premium themes and plugins can cost extra, but thousands of free ones are available.
What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?
WordPress.org is the free, self-hosted version: you download the software and install it on your own hosting, which gives you complete control. WordPress.com is a hosted service with various paid plans; it's easier to set up but more limited. For business websites I recommend WordPress.org for its flexibility and because you own it.
Is WordPress good for small businesses in Wales and the UK?
Yes. WordPress suits Welsh and UK small businesses because it gives you a professional website at a sensible cost, lets you update your own content easily, has strong SEO tools for local search, and has a huge range of themes and plugins. Most importantly, you own your website and aren't locked into one platform.
How does WordPress compare to Squarespace or Wix?
WordPress offers more flexibility and ownership than Squarespace or Wix. Those platforms are easier for complete beginners, but WordPress gives you more control over SEO, more ways to customise your site and lower long-term costs, and you actually own your website. With Squarespace and Wix you're essentially renting your site and are limited to their features.
Is WordPress secure?
WordPress itself is secure when it's kept up to date. Problems usually come from out-of-date software, weak passwords or badly written plugins. With proper maintenance (regular updates, security tools, an SSL certificate and good hosting), WordPress is very secure. My care plans take care of the hosting, backups, monitoring and security for you.
Can I update my WordPress website myself?
Yes, and that's one of WordPress's biggest advantages. The dashboard lets you update text, images and pages without any coding knowledge. I'll show you how to manage your own content when your site goes live, and for bigger changes you can always ask me.
How long does it take to build a WordPress website?
Most sites I build are live about two weeks after our first call, including design, building, adding your content and testing. Bigger sites with custom features take longer. You'll get a clear timeline at the start.
What is a WordPress theme?
A WordPress theme controls how your website looks: its colours, fonts, layouts and design. Themes can be free or paid. I use the Bricks builder, which lets me create a design of your own rather than using a ready-made template.
What are WordPress plugins?
Plugins are add-ons that extend what WordPress can do. There are around 60,000 free plugins in the official directory, covering things like contact forms, SEO, security and online shops. I choose plugins carefully for reliability and speed, and only use what's needed so your site doesn't slow down.