WordPress.org, your own
Free software you install on your own hosting. Full control, any theme, any plugin. This is what we build on.
WordPress in plain words
WordPress is the free system behind a large share of all websites. It lets you change text, photos and pages yourself, without writing code. Once you know what controls what, the rest is easy.
- About 4 in 10websites run on WordPress
- Freeopen source software
- No codeneeded to edit content
What controls what
On the left, a small WordPress website. On the right, the admin menu you see after you log in. Tap any part of the website to see where you change it, or tap a menu item to see what it controls. Start with the logo or the menu.
From the blog
WordPress.org or WordPress.com
Two things with almost the same name. Most business websites use the first one.
WordPress.com, hosted for you
A paid service run by Automattic. Easier to start, with limits on plugins and themes on the cheaper plans.
Either way, yours
Your content can be exported and moved, as long as you keep backups and own your domain.
The basics in plain words
Learn these eight and you can find your way around any WordPress website. Hover or tap any item to see the details.
- Pages for content that stays
- Posts for dated articles
- Categories and tags for posts
- Paragraph, image and button blocks
- Patterns for whole sections
- Or a page builder such as Elementor
- One active theme at a time
- Block themes use the Site Editor
- Child theme for custom changes
- Cookie banners, SEO, shops
- Fewer is better
- Only from trusted sources
- Compress photos first
- Alt text on every image
- WebP and AVIF are smaller
- Administrator, Editor, Author
- The lowest role that works
- Two-factor login
- WordPress, themes and plugins
- Old plugins are the usual way in
- Back up before big updates
- Every day, stored elsewhere
- Test a restore now and then
- Keep about 30 days
Start in five steps
A simple website can be live in a day. Doing it well takes a little longer.
- Step 1
Hosting and a domain
A host with a current PHP version, SSL and daily backups. See hosting.
- Step 2
Install WordPress
Most hosts install it in one click. Choose your language and a strong password.
- Step 3
Choose a theme
Fast, light and well supported. Fewer features usually means a faster website.
- Step 4
Add your pages
Home, Services, About and Contact first. Posts can come later.
- Step 5
Secure and maintain
Updates, backups and two-factor login, checked every month. See website maintenance.
Four expensive WordPress mistakes
- A plugin for every little thingEach one slows the site down and adds risk.
- Never updatingOld plugins are the most common way attackers get in.
- Pirated themes and pluginsFree copies of paid ones often hide malware.
- No backupsOne bad update away from losing everything.
Questions about WordPress
Is WordPress free?
The software is free. You pay for hosting and a domain, and sometimes for a premium theme or plugin.
Is WordPress safe?
Yes, when it is kept up to date, uses a few trusted plugins, has strong logins and is backed up every day. Most hacked WordPress websites were simply not updated. See website security.
Can I edit my website myself?
Yes, that is the main reason to use WordPress. Text, photos, pages and posts can all be changed in the admin without any code.
Should I choose WordPress or Wix?
Wix is quicker to start, but you rent it and can only use what Wix offers. WordPress takes a little more setup, and in return you own the website and can take it to any host or developer.
Can you build or take over our WordPress website?
Yes. We build new WordPress websites and take care of existing ones. See WordPress development.
Stuck with your WordPress?
Tell us what is not working. We look at it and come back with what we would fix first.