What is WordPress?
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) used to create and manage websites and applications. It is open-source software, meaning it is free to use and can be modified by anyone. WordPress is known for its ease of use, making it a popular choice for creating websites, blogs, and online stores. I find WordPress to be a great starting point to learn tech skills.
Why might someone want to learn WordPress?
There are many reasons why someone might want to learn WordPress. One of the most significant advantages is that it is a cost-effective way to create a website. WordPress can be invaluable software to know if you want to work in building sites. You could freelance, work for a company or agency, or build websites for yourself and start a blogging or e-commerce business. Another benefit of learning WordPress is that it is widely used, which means a large community of users can provide support and share knowledge. WordPress is used by 43.2% of all websites on the internet. (W3Techs, 2022)
WordPress is used by 43.2% of all websites on the internet.
WordPress is also an excellent choice for creating a blog or online store because it provides many valuable features, such as e-commerce integration, SEO optimization, and social media integration.
How can I start to learn WordPress?
Learning WordPress can seem daunting, but there are several ways to start learning the platform. The first step is to watch online tutorials and take online courses. Many websites, such as YouTube and Udemy, offer free and paid tutorials on how to use WordPress. These tutorials can cover everything from the basics of installing WordPress to more advanced topics, such as creating custom themes and plugins. Taking online courses offers a more structured learning experience.
Once you are familiar with some of the basics of starting out with WordPress, the second step is to set up a local development environment on your computer, where you can experiment with WordPress without affecting a live website.
This can be done using software such as XAMPP or WAMP, which allows you to run a web server, PHP, and MySQL on your local machine. Once your development environment is set up, you can install WordPress, start playing around and get familiar with the dashboard and the ins and outs.
Finally, exploring WordPress documentation and community resources is also a good idea. WordPress has extensive documentation available at WordPress.org (aka the WordPress Codex) and many tutorials, forums, and blogs to help you learn the platform. Joining online communities such as Facebook groups, Slack, and Reddit can be a great way to connect with other WordPress users, ask questions, and learn from their experiences.
It's essential to find a method that works for you and stick to it. Practice is critical to becoming proficient with WordPress.
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