WordPress is a content management system or CMS. A CMS is like a machine that stores information and then puts it where it needs to go. Instead of making one page at a time for a website with all of the information hard coded, it creates what is known as a dynamic website. In the old days of the web, if you wanted to add a new page to your site you would go in to every page on the site to update the menu and other information.
WordPress separates Design and Function. It uses what is known as a theme. A theme creates a guideline for how content areas, sidebars, navigation and other elements of the page all fit together. A theme makes your life easier because now all you need to worry about is the information you want on each page. The area where the main information of the page is displayed is called the content area.
There are two main types of content you can put into wordpress, Pages and Posts. A page is where you will put information that will stay more or less the same through time. An example of this would be your About Us page or Services page. A post is typically used for a blog style area of the site. As you add new posts it will display the newest on top of the list. You can also organize posts by category. If you have a blog on your site about food for instance, you would create categories like deserts, entrées, appetizers, and so on. As you write information about each of these topics it will put it in the right category and share the newest information first with your visitors.
As you update information in the admin of WordPress it will immediately update the information on your website. Updating your website now becomes as easy as updating Microsoft word. You now have control when you want to make changes. Easily add pictures, videos and music to your pages.
When you are looking to have a new website built make sure you have an idea of how all of the technology that exists today can make your life easier.
Here are some additional links you may find useful:
- iPage WordPress Hosting – Best WordPress Tips – Posted by WordPress Tips on July 27th, 2011. ipage web hosting. iPage WordPress hosting is yet another one of the best deals on the web. As WordPress continues to grow in popularity as a blog provider, the content management system part …
- DreamHost WordPress Hosting – Best WordPress Tips – Posted by WordPress Tips on July 25th, 2011. dreamhost-green. DreamHost WordPress Hosting – If you are looking for a web host that offers WordPress Hosting then you may wish to consider DreamHost. The DreamHost web hosting plans offer …
- The “More” Tag on a WordPress Page « Weblog Tools Collection – Nathan Rice wrote about WordPress’s ability to make any page a homepage. One problem I ran into using the technique of pages was the inability to use the tag to display partial posts. …
