What is WordPress?
WordPress is a free, open source content management system (CMS) that lets you build and manage a website without knowing how to code. Launched in 2003, it now powers more than 40% of all websites: from the personal blog to the corporate site, all the way to the online store.
- WordPress is a free, open source CMS.
- It lets you build and manage a site without coding.
- It powers more than 40% of all websites worldwide.
- Its strength: themes (the design) and plugins (the features).
WordPress in a nutshell: an open source CMS
A CMS (Content Management System) is software that separates content from technology: you write your pages in a simple interface, and the system takes care of displaying them. WordPress is the best known of them all.
Created in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, it is an open source project: its code is free, open and improved by a huge global community. This open philosophy explains its dominance: no other software powers as many sites worldwide.
WordPress.org or WordPress.com?
The confusion is common. These are two different things:
- WordPress.org: the free software, which you install with the host of your choice. You control everything (design, plugins, data). This is the version for a real professional site.
- WordPress.com: a turnkey hosted service, easier to start with but more limited (customisation, plugins and monetisation are capped depending on the plan).
For a business, we almost always recommend WordPress.org, for the freedom and control it offers.
Themes and plugins: the real power of WordPress
This is where WordPress truly comes into its own. Two building blocks turn a basic site into a tailored one:
- Themes define the look: layout, colours, typography. You can change them without touching the content.
- Plugins add features: contact form, SEO, store, booking, performance, security.
Thousands of themes and plugins exist, and anything that does not yet exist can be built custom. That is exactly the core work of Frenchsquid: a plugin or a precise feature, tailored to a business need. For online commerce, the WooCommerce plugin turns WordPress into a complete store.
Security and maintenance
WordPress's popularity also makes it a target. A site left unattended becomes vulnerable. The essentials come down to a few habits: regular updates (core, theme, plugins), automatic backups, strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and a security firewall.
That is why a WordPress site needs to be maintained over time. We cover this in detail in our article on the importance of website maintenance.
Who is WordPress for?
For just about everyone: blog, corporate brochure site, portfolio, media outlet, association, online store. Its flexibility is its trademark. Its only trade-off: it has to be set up and maintained properly, or you risk slowdowns or security holes. Built well, it is a solid, durable foundation and excellent for SEO and AI visibility (GEO).
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress free?
The software (WordPress.org) is free and open source. You need to budget for a domain name and hosting, and sometimes a premium theme or paid plugins depending on your needs.
Do you need to know how to code to use WordPress?
No. You publish and manage a site without coding, thanks to the interface and the block editor. Code is still useful to fine-tune the design or build custom features.
Is WordPress suitable for an online store?
Yes. With the WooCommerce plugin, WordPress becomes a complete store: catalogue, cart, secure payment, order management.
A WordPress project, or a site to get off the ground?
From custom builds to visibility on Google and AI, Frenchsquid supports you from start to finish. And to find out where your site stands today, Score GEO gives you a clear, free diagnostic.