WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, powering over 43% of all websites in 2026. It is open source, free in its basic form, and lets you build websites without any coding knowledge. In this guide you will learn exactly what it is, how it differs from Wix and Shopify, how much it costs and how to get started in 6 steps.
What Exactly Is WordPress?
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that powers over 43% of all websites worldwide. It works as an intuitive dashboard where you can create, edit and publish content without any coding knowledge. It uses a theme for the design and plugins for extra features, and stores its data in a MySQL database.
Is WordPress free?
Yes, WordPress core is 100% free and open source. You only pay for: hosting (€5-€30/month), a domain name (€8-€15/year) and, optionally, premium themes or plugins. The total first-year cost of a DIY WordPress site is usually €100-€500.
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is the open-source software you install on your own hosting, so you have full control. WordPress.com is a hosted platform that uses the WordPress software with restrictions (specific themes, plugins only on the Business+ plan, ads on the free plan). For business sites we prefer WordPress.org.
Is WordPress secure?
Yes, as long as you keep it up to date. WordPress core is updated regularly with security patches. We recommend: automatic WordPress updates, a security plugin (Wordfence or Solid Security), strong passwords plus 2FA for the admin, regular backups (UpdraftPlus) and an SSL certificate (usually free with Let’s Encrypt).
How long does it take to learn WordPress?
For a basic site (a blog or a simple company presentation): 1-2 weeks at 1-2 hours a day. For an e-shop with WooCommerce: 3-4 weeks. For advanced custom theme development: 3-6 months. Many beginners start with a ready-made theme and plugins, and in 90% of cases you do not need to know any code.
Can I move my site from Wix/Shopify to WordPress?
Yes, although moving from Wix is harder because of Wix’s closed format. For Shopify there are dedicated migration tools. With Wix, content usually has to be moved by hand or with scraping tools. This is one of the main reasons we prefer WordPress from the start: there is no vendor lock-in.
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Why Choose This CMS?
First of all, what does CMS, or Content Management System, mean?
A CMS, or Content Management System, is a software application that lets users create, edit, manage and publish digital content without needing extensive technical knowledge. It provides a user-friendly environment for managing a website’s content, so users can easily update text, images and media. It usually includes tools for organising content, setting user permissions and making it easier for several users to work together. It also supports various add-ons or extensions that extend its functionality, which makes it a flexible solution for building and maintaining websites efficiently.
Let’s look at what makes WordPress different and, in our view, more competitive than other CMSs
- Free and Open Source: WordPress is free to use and available as open-source software, so you can adapt it to your needs.
- Ease of Use: Even without technical knowledge, you can create a good-looking website with the help of the available themes and plugins.
- Large Community: There is a large community of users and developers offering support, tutorials and resources for any problem you may come across.
- Flexibility and Extensibility: With thousands of plugins available, you can add features such as forums, eCommerce shops and much more to your website.
- SEO Friendly: The CMS is designed with search engine optimisation (SEO) in mind, which helps your website show up in searches.
- Security: With regular updates and the security tools available, WordPress offers a secure environment for your website.
WordPress in numbers
- 43%+ of all websites worldwide
- 64% market share among CMSs
- 60,000+ plugins
- 10,000+ themes
- 200+ languages
- 70% self-hosted (WordPress.org)
- The majority of the top 10K sites worldwide
Why we choose WordPress at WebMate
First, let’s see why we use WordPress as our main website-building tool at WebMate, with a video that we think explains it in detail.
At WebMate, we have chosen WordPress as our main platform for building websites for several reasons:
- Expertise: Over the years we have built deep expertise in using it, extending it and creating plugins and themes. This experience lets us deliver excellent results and get the most out of its capabilities for our clients.
- A Good Fit for the Greek Market: We have found that this CMS fits the needs of the Greek market perfectly. Whether for small businesses or larger ones, WordPress offers the flexibility and adaptability required.
- Easy for Clients to Learn: It is easy to learn, so our clients can manage their websites without difficulty. This is crucial for businesses that want to stay in control of their content.
- Cost-Effective Development of New Features: Compared with other CMSs, it allows new features to be developed at a lower cost. This means our clients can extend what their websites do without going over budget.
Choosing WordPress is a strategic decision for us at WebMate, because it lets us provide quality services tailored to the needs of our clients and the market.
How to Get Started with WordPress
Installing WordPress is simple. First, you need a domain name and a hosting package. Many hosting companies, such as MultiHosting, offer easy one-click WordPress installation.
Once you have installed WordPress, you can choose a theme that suits your style and needs. There are thousands of free and premium themes available, which makes it easy to customise how your website looks.
Tips for Beginners
- Choosing a Theme: Pick a theme that is responsive and follows SEO standards. This will help your website be search-engine friendly and accessible on mobile devices.
- Using Plugins: Install plugins that add functionality, such as Yoast SEO for content optimisation and WooCommerce for eCommerce.
- Security: Use security plugins and keep WordPress and your plugins up to date to protect your website from threats.
WordPress vs Wix vs Shopify
| Feature | WordPress | Wix | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (monthly) | €0 + hosting €5-30 | €10-€50/month | €29-€399/month |
| Learning curve | Moderate (1-2 weeks) | Very easy (1-2h) | Easy (a few days) |
| Customisation | 🔥 Unlimited | Limited | Moderate |
| E-commerce | ✅ WooCommerce (free) | ⚠️ Wix Stores (paid) | 🔥 Native |
| SEO control | 🔥 Full | Limited | Good |
| Plugins/Apps | 60,000+ | 350+ | 8,000+ |
| Themes | 10,000+ | 900+ | 200+ |
| myDATA support (Greek e-invoicing) | ✅ With WooCommerce | ❌ Not native | ⚠️ 3rd-party app |
| Vendor lock-in | ❌ It’s yours | ✅ Hard to migrate | ✅ You depend on Shopify |
| Best for | Company sites, blogs, e-shops | Simple portfolios | Pure e-commerce |
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
| Feature | WordPress.org (self-hosted) | WordPress.com (hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free + hosting | Free with limits, €4-€45/month |
| Control | 🔥 Full | Limited |
| Plugins | All | Only on Business+ |
| Themes | All | Limited |
| Custom code | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (free/personal) |
| Ads | Your own | WP.com shows its own (free) |
| Domain | Your own | Subdomain unless you pay |
| Best for | Businesses, e-shops, agencies | Simple blogs, hobbyists |
How to get started with WordPress in 6 steps
A step-by-step guide to creating your first WordPress website in 2026, with no coding knowledge. From buying hosting to publishing your first pages.
Choose a hosting provider
Choose a reliable Greek hosting provider (Papaki, Hosting.gr, Pointer.gr) or an international one (SiteGround, Bluehost). For beginners we suggest shared hosting at €5-€15/month: it offers 1-click WordPress installation and cPanel for easy management. Check reviews, the uptime guarantee and whether customer support is available in your language.
Buy a domain name
Buy a domain name (e.g. yourname.gr), which costs €8-€15/year. Choose a name that is short, easy to remember and relevant to your brand. For the Greek market, go for the .gr extension. Many hosting providers offer a free domain for the first year with the hosting package.
Install WordPress
From your hosting cPanel, use the “1-click WordPress installer” (Softaculous or similar). Fill in the site title, an admin username (not ‘admin’, for security reasons), a strong password and an email address. Installation takes 2-3 minutes. Then log in at /wp-admin with your credentials.
Choose and install a theme
From the WordPress dashboard → Appearance → Themes → Add New. We recommend free starter themes such as Astra, GeneratePress or Kadence: fast, customisable and mobile-friendly. Install and activate it. Then adjust the colours, logo and layout in the Customizer.
Install the essential plugins
Plugins → Add New. Install: (1) Rank Math or Yoast for SEO, (2) WP Rocket or LiteSpeed Cache for speed, (3) UpdraftPlus for backups, (4) Wordfence for security, (5) Contact Form 7 for forms. These are enough for 90% of basic sites. Do not install too many plugins, as they slow your site down.
Publish your first pages
Create the basic pages: Home, About, Contact, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use. For a blog, write your first article. Set permalinks to “Post name” under Settings → Permalinks. Add a menu under Appearance → Menus. Done! Your site is live.
Conclusion about the popular CMS
WordPress is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to create a professional, functional website without investing a lot of time or money. Backed by a huge community and with the flexibility it offers, it can cover all your needs, whether you want a simple blog or a full online shop.
20% of websites around the world have been built with WordPress. That alone is a very good reason to try it.
We hope this guide has given you a good understanding of what WordPress is and how it can help you reach your goals online. If you have questions or need help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
We hope you find the article useful! If you need any further help, we are here for you.
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