You see it all the time, the words, “Powered by WordPress”, at the bottom of websites you visit and blogs you read.
But what does that really mean?
Although it may mean different things to different people, I’ll share with you what it has meant to me.
But before I get into it, I’d like to take a few steps back and start with some basics.
If you’re unfamiliar with WordPress, let me help you understand.
WordPress is a blogging tool and a content management system. Although WordPress was originally developed for the purpose of blogging, at a time when good blogging platforms were nonexistent, it has evolved to become one of the most popular platforms for building websites.
In 2013 WordPress celebrated its 10th birthday and it is currently being used by 21.5% of all websites.
21.5% of all websites might not sound like a very big number, especially when you know there are close to a billion websites, but 21.5% is somewhere around 200 million websites.
You can sign up and use WordPress for free at WordPress.com or you can download the source code, for free, at WordPress.org and install it on your own hosting account.
Okay okay, that’s enough for a basic understanding. In short, WordPress is awesome, and continues to be a game changer!
Moving on to the original question:
What does it really mean to be, “Powered by WordPress”?
From the beginning, Matt Mullenweg (the genius behind the creation of WordPress), had a mission of using WordPress to “democratize publishing and development through Open Source, GPL software”.
The Internet gave people a channel for sharing their voice. But it was the introduction of blogging tools like WordPress that really gave people access to a platform that enabled them to be heard.
For me WordPress is so much more.
For more than 6 years WordPress has given me purpose!
When I started using WordPress I was introduced to a new world, one that I was completely fascinated with. And one that I wanted to be a part of.
The fact that I could build beautiful things and publish my thoughts and share my knowledge on the web was exciting. And because I knew nothing about website development, I was able to use WordPress and the community as a learning environment.
Paul Graham in his book, Hackers & Painters, stated, “the best way to create something beautiful is often to make subtle tweaks to something that already exists, or to combine ideas in a slightly new way.”
WordPress was the “something that already exists” for me. I could learn by doing. I could make changes to the existing themes and use the plugins available to create powerfully beautiful websites.
Most importantly, the new skills and knowledge I established made it possible for me to build a successful business working from home. And being a stay at home dad is a boyhood dream realized.
For the first time in my life I felt like I really belonged.
Throughout grade school I was never the smart kid or the popular kid. I spent most of my time trying to fit in with my “friends” who where usually the popular kids. But I always just felt like the “fat kid”, there, but invisible until someone needed to make themselves feel better. Which usually resulted in me being the focal point of some cruel joke.
The WordPress community is unlike anything I have ever experienced. There are people who know absolutely nothing about me, but were willing to help me when I asked for it. To this day I am continually impressed and invigorated by those who participate and contribute to the WordPress community.
For a long time I have envied (because it’s an awesome company) those that are working behind the scenes at Automattic to support and evolve WordPress and the community. It wasn’t until I read, The Year Without Pants: WordPress.com and the Future of Work, that I realized how much work actually went into WordPress and into providing awesome customer service for the WordPress.com users. Thank you to all the awesome Automatticians!
I realize that there are many who will never experience WordPress the way I have. In most cases, it’s a business owner who needs a website or a better way to market and sell their products. Often it’s a mom who just wants to publish pictures of her cute kids and some of her favorite recipes.
However you use WordPress, I’m convinced that you can have a uniquely amazing experience if you give it and those that support it a chance.
Get Powered by WordPress!
In 2013 WordPress.com made some pretty big advances. They started offering niche specific solutions.
So far they’ve created specific solutions for:
If you haven’t gotten on board with WordPress I invite you to take 5 minutes and setup a free blog at WordPress.com. If you have a passion for WordPress, I encourage you to share your story.
I’m Proud to be Powered by WordPress!
Skip to content
WordPress is the best !
Thank you
I’ve been hovering around WordPress for some time now, hearing about how wonderful it is, how revolutionary, etc. etc. etc. I want to blog but don’t know/ can’t see how exactly to use WordPress to do that. Any suggestions for a novice?
Good post. I’m facing some of these issues as well..