WordPress is currently the most popular blogging platform. This self-hosted blogging platform now boasts of over 72,250 out of the top 1 million websites today. To date, no other CMS system comes close to it in terms of popularity and it is expected to set the pace for all the other blogging platforms.
So, where can we attribute this phenomenal success and popularity of WordPress? This blogging platform was formally launched in 2003, and it immediately achieved stellar status. Since its launch, WordPress has been consistently growing on a month-to-month basis. Experts attribute this impressive performance to the flexibility, reliability and simplicity of the CMS system. A greater part of its success can be credited to its more than 12,000 plugins and nearly 1,500 themes. Anyone can build almost anything on their site, from shopping sites to forums. In addition to this, the SEO concerns are adequately addressed by WordPress, and you can easily promote your site at Google when you use this popular blogging platform.
However, we need to know and understand the distinction between WordPress and WordPress(dot)com. WordPress is the open source CMS system that you can download for free at WordPress (dot) org. On the other hand, WordPress (dot) com is a free blogging service that makes use of the WordPress software. The self-hosted WordPress is used by those who have a more advanced set of requirements in their websites.
2011 is expected to be another banner year for WordPress. It is well-entrenched at the top spot and is perceived by many as the best choice among all the blogging platforms used by companies and professionals. There are about 4 million sites that are using WordPress. It is the hands-down leader and the situation is not expected to change anytime soon.
The huge and continued success of WordPress can be attributed to several factors. A lot of people who have tried other blogging platforms usually revert back to WordPress. And the main reason why most people prefer WordPress over the blogging platforms is its unmatched functionality.
WordPress is known for its endless stream of functional plugins, which can be downloaded, installed and utilized on the fly. Whatever your requirements are in your website, there is a strong possibility that you have a bevy of plugins which you can download and use to enhance the capabilities and features of your website. These plugins can be easily activated through the WordPress site’s admin section.
Customizing your website is almost a child’s play with WordPress. With literally thousands of WordPress themes, you will surely find one that perfectly matches your requirements and preferences. There are WordPress themes that offer single-column 2-column or 3-columns as well as different color combinations, graphics and flash elements.
WordPress is not a hard nut to crack. You can easily perform the installation of WordPress through the cPanel. The entire process can be completed in a couple of minutes and once the WordPress blog is installed, you are all set to go.
Source by Darren W Chow
