When we talk about creating a website these days, the words dynamic, browser-based, and finally, WordPress, all get tossed up there – jargon you may find confusing. I’m going to start at the beginning with all this, a step at a time, until we All know what’s being discussed, and if you should care.

Tell me, what’s dynamic in the website world?

We’re taking about a changeable portion of a website that the owner (you?), the webmaster, the contributing writer will access to update and to add something new to a page. In addition, the software puts the parts together on-the-fly to display the page. Good so far?

…and what’s WordPress have to do with dynamic?

WordPress is a software engine that runs and organizes dynamic information. It is one of the best and well-known of this type of software. WordPress displays the web pages you see in your browser (Explorer, FireFox, Chrome, Safari).

Tell me more about this WordPress engine.

WordPress is actually called a publishing platform, but that’s just more jargon. Another try:  Software on a hard drive/computer that has a link to the Internet provided by a web hosting company. Too much? It’s your WordPress-operated website.

To update and modify your website, you use your browser to access WordPress software – instantly. That’s pretty cool, huh?

From WordPress.org:

WordPress started in 2003 with a single bit of code to enhance the typography of everyday writing and with fewer users than you can count on your fingers and toes. Since then, it has grown to be the largest self-hosted blogging tool in the world, used on millions of sites and seen by tens of millions of people every day.

From Don Campbell, Expand2Web.com:

…now we have WordPress – an amazingly powerful content management system that is FREE. And it has a lot of power under the hood for a small or medium business looking for an easy way to manage their web site.

Some features of this WordPress software:

WordPress goes big time.

The structure of WordPress includes “hooks” where you can connect extras, for instance, special forms and spam control, membership management, social media links, event announcements, portfolios and fancy slideshows, and e-stores. These extras are called plugins. WordPress has a collection of thousands created by third parties, but developed under WordPress standards, accessible from their directory.

Examples of WordPress websites?

• ericksoncreative.com: my site is an example of an interesting front page, pages, portfolio, and blog all-in-one content management system (cms). Check out these others to see what variety you can achieve with this software, themes, and plugins.
• Life List Chase (photographers)
• All Good Provisions (natural foods)
• Guy Gyngell Music and Audio (music studio)
• The Brief (travel reviews)

WordPress is powerful, yet very easy to use, software that, obviously, I really enjoy using and promoting to small business owners.

Take a look at  “Here’s a Quick Way to Learn WordPress” for some specific directions on learning WordPress.

If I left something out you’d like to understand, please comment below or email me. What’s your best tip for those just learning about websites and WordPress?

About Sally Erickson

Erickson Creative's Sally Erickson is a WordPress website builder, specializing in evaluating and improving business websites for more leads and better profits. Making better websites everyday…. connect with me on Twitter and FaceBook.

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