WordPress Sites Builder | What are Themes and Plugins?

Joseph Mucira | Posted on April 3, 2019 |

Most built on WordPress Sites enjoy limitless free Themes allowing them to design and develop competent Blog sites.

In the first place, WordPress is a free and open-source content management system based on PHP & MySQL. Whereas, the main features include a plugin architecture and a template system.

In general, WordPress Websites Platform is associated with blogging but also, it supports other types of web content.

Including, CMS, more traditional mailing lists and forums, media galleries, and online stores by WooCommerce Plugin.

Getting Started with WordPress sites Builder.

WordPress Sites Builder 5.0 (Bebo & Gutenberg)

Upon the recent release of WordPress 5.0 Bebo formerly known as Project Gutenberg.

WordPress made revisions to how the default editor handles editing content inside pages and posts.

Now using what is referred to as a block-based editor; it allows users to modify their displayed content in a much more user-friendly editor than prior iterations.

Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage.

This release is named in homage to the pioneering Cuban jazz musician Bebo Valdés. Past content that was created on WordPress pages is listed under what is referred to as a Classic Block.

WordPress Sites Builder Classic Editor

The Classic Editor Plugin was created as a result of User preferences & as a way to help website developers to maintain past plugins only compatible with WordPress 4.9.8.

In the end, giving plugin developers time to get their plugins updated & compatible with the 5.0 release.

Having the Classic Editor plugin installed restores the “classic” editing experience that WordPress has had up until the WordPress 5.0 release.

The Classic Editor Plugin will be supported at least until 2022.

About WordPress Sites Building Platform

In the first place, WordPress is an online, open-source website creation tool written in PHP Language.

Simply put, for the layman’s language, it’s probably the easiest and most powerful blogging and website content management system (or CMS) in existence today.

For example, the jmexclusives website is WordPress Theme Layout built on. Theme. Offering its simplicity when it comes to versatile CMS exchange, blogging, e-commerce to even its business portfolio.

Notably, WordPress was released on May 27, 2003, by its founders, Matt Mullenweg, and Mike Little, as a fork of b2/cafelog. The software is released under the GPLv2 (or later) license.

In order to function, WordPress Websites Platform has to be installed on a web server.

Either part of an Internet hosting service like WordPress.com or a computer running the software package WordPress.org in order to serve as a network host in its own right.

As a matter of fact, the WordPress platform is being used by more than 60 million websites. Including 30.6% of the top 10 million websites as of April 2018.

After all, WordPress is the most popular website management system in use.

Not forgetting that WordPress has also been used for other application domains such as pervasive display systems (PDS).

Get started with free WordPress Websites Theme and Plugins

Difference Between WordPress & Themes

This is one of the things about WordPress sites builder that trips people up straight away.

On one hand, WordPress(the back of the house) is the term used to describe the software.

Technically known as a CMS (content management system) that runs a WordPress-powered website.

What is WordPress?

Comparatively, WordPress sites builder is like a restaurant.

Even if you’ve never worked in the food industry, you likely already know that restaurants and cafes have two parts to their business. Such as the;

Front of the house
Back of the house

Though these are separate areas within the business, you can’t have one without the other. Whereas, in a restaurant, the back of the house is where all the yummy stuff gets made.

People who eat at the restaurant don’t see this part. But if it didn’t exist, there would be no way for them to receive their food.

Whereas, the front of the house, on the other hand, is where customers experience and appreciate the restaurant (in this case, the WordPress Themes).

What are WordPress Themes?

In general, WordPress Themes are interchangeable designs within the website that dictate the look and feel of the site’s front end.

For instance, the part of the website that visitors see and interact with. Hence, for the WordPress Theme you use (the front of the house) sets the tone of the part of your website where visitors see and interact with the content you’ve created in the back of the house.

Just like in a restaurant, you need both the front end (WordPress Themes) and the back end (WordPress) to have a viable, functional website.

So, even though they are different, you’ll not have one without the other. Remarkably, there are thousands of WordPress themes (both free and premium) to choose from.

There are several free and paid WordPress themes available. WordPress.org has a large collection of free ones in their Themes Directory.

Each one comes with a different design, layout, and features. A user needs to choose the one that suits their taste and requirements for their website.

Modifying Theme Files on WordPress sites

In other words, WordPress Themes can be modified by adding plugins or by adding code to the functions.php file.

Whereas, changes can also be made in the form of a child theme.

Themes generally consist of three parts in addition to images and JavaScript files. The three parts are the;

style.css file,
the WordPress template files,
and an optional functions PHP file that will allow changes to be made to the theme.

Important to realize, every WordPress Theme must have a unique style.css file.

However, this doesn’t mean that the styles can’t be the same but rather that the identifying information in the header needs to be different.

Otherwise, you’ll have problems during the installation stage.

If it is not a child theme, then it also needs to have at least an index PHP template file to control the display of content.

Below are additional online research links in regards to WordPress Themes file modification, design, and development. Including,

Installing the main WordPress sites Platform Files

Important to realize, WordPress Websites users may install and switch among different themes.

Equally, Themes allow users to change the look and functionality of WordPress Websites without altering the core code or site content.

Comparatively, WordPress Websites requires at least one theme to be present.

Furthermore, every theme should be designed using WordPress standards with structured PHP, valid HTML (HyperText Markup Language), and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

Additionally, Themes may be directly installed using the WordPress administration tools in the dashboard.

Also, Theme folders may be copied directly into the themes directory, for example via FTP.

Likewise, the PHP, HTML, and CSS found in themes can be directly modified to alter theme behavior, or a theme can as well be a “child” theme.

In which it inherits settings from another theme and selectively overrides features.

Free vs Premium WordPress sites Builder Themes

WordPress Themes are generally classified into two categories. Including, the Free and Premium WordPress Themes.

Above all, many free themes are listed in the WordPress theme directory, and premium themes are available for purchase from marketplaces and individual WordPress developers.

In the first place, WordPress users may also create and develop their own custom themes. The free theme Underscores created by the WordPress developers has become a popular basis for new themes.

Whereas a free WordPress Theme has limited features and no extra functionality. And which many larger and more professional websites require.

Surprisingly, some free themes have over 1 million downloads. However, Free themes are not unique when compared with their premium themes counterparts.

Equally, the WordPress Premium Themes should be feature-rich, responsive, and well supported by the vendor’s support staff.

What is the Cost of Premium WordPress Themes?

Important to realize, Premium WordPress Websites Themes are much more affordable.

Not to mention, hiring a designer to build you a custom theme is notably expensive.

Generally, while, professional custom blog designs may cost upwards of $2,000, premium themes usually cost between $30 – $100.

However, there are no fixed standards or certification that designates a theme as being premium.

In general, anyone can build a WordPress theme, brand it as premium, and offer it for sale.

As a matter of fact, if well received and demanded, you’ll receive quite a handsome lifetime income.

Even though with time, general and demanding online support and help come handy.

Where do I find WordPress Free or Premium Themes?

In general, the official WordPress Theme Directory is, of course, the best place to find all kinds of Free and Premium WordPress Themes.

So to say, if you’re on a budget, you’ll likely want to look no further.

Whereby, as it stands, there are essentially just three places from which to obtain decent WordPress Themes. Such as;

On the official WordPress Theme Directory.
Through the WordPress theme shops; such as Themify, Elegant Themes, and StudioPress.
Online Theme marketplaces (the most popular of which is, without a doubt, Themeforest).

For online endeavors with even a small budget, though, there’s also the world of premium themes.

The upsides to choosing a premium theme are significant, and will often include such things as more features, much better support, and more frequent updates.

Considerations while Choosing WordPress sites Theme

There are thousands (10,000-plus) of WordPress themes out there. So many that it would take days on end to search through them all.

So how do you narrow it down to find the perfect one for your site? Choosing the right theme is obviously important.

Inasmuch as the right one should give your content pizzazz, keeping it responsive across devices, while also loading in the blink of an eye.

Yet with so many themes in the pool, it can be a rather daunting task to pick the best one possible.

However, before buying a theme, or investing your time in customizing one, be sure to always remember the do’s and don’ts when it comes to selecting the perfect WordPress theme. Such as;

Making a list of the Features you want ahead of time.
Avoiding bloated themes.
Selecting and AMP Ready and Responsive website dominant to various devices. Such as the desktop, mobile, tablet, and other gadgets layout.
Keep in mind the clarity in color features and options.
Consider upgrading or seeking for a premium theme.
Choose a font customizable theme.
Before making a purchase, make sure that you’ll have thoroughly tested the theme and equally satisfied.

What are WordPress sites Builder Plugins?

To enumerate, a plugin is a piece of grouped functions software.

In addition, they can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites.

At the same time, WordPress plugins are apps that allow you to add new features and functionality to your WordPress website.

Exactly the same way as apps do for your smartphone.

Often beginner users ask us what are WordPress plugins and how do they work?

Plugins are an important part of the WordPress ecosystem, and they are essential for building great websites using WordPress.

However, according to the jmexclusives, the most lucrative deal for your website and blog theme design and development includes the 38 Best Free WordPress Plugins for Your Website in 2019 (UPDATED).

Breakdown of the topmost WordPress Plugins:

Free vs Premium WordPress sites Plugins

Deciding Between Free vs. Premium Plugins for WordPress Plugins are hands down, one of the best things about WordPress.

Thereinafter, by adding a few simple plugins to your website, you can completely transform its functionality. However, you have to consider free vs. premium plugins, or whether to upgrade a freemium plugin.

In general, there is not much of the main difference between WordPress Themes and Plugins. Although, themes also add some features and functionality to a site they are different from plugins.

Further, a WordPress Theme is an external effect like a website’s presentation design and development. In other words, a WordPress plugin is an interior effect which adds or remove some functions to a site.

Furthermore, without changing the general website appearance unlike the website theme. In comparison to your house internal decorations (plugins) and your external appearance (theme).

AMP Mobile Add-ons and Mobi Applications

Important to realize, native applications exist for WebOS, Android, iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad), Windows Phone, and BlackBerry.

Of course, these applications, designed by Automattic, have options such as; adding new blog posts and pages,

commenting,
moderating comments,
replying to comments
in addition to the ability to view the stats.

Generally speaking, WordPress also features integrated link management. Such as; a Search Engine friendly, clean permalink structure.

For instance, with the ability to assign multiple categories to posts; and support for tagging of posts.

WordPress also supports the Trackback and Pingback standards for displaying links to other sites that have on the other hand linked to a post or an article.

What are WordPress Multi-user and multi-blogging?

Prior to version 3, WordPress supported one blog per installation. In addition, WordPress Multisite (previously referred to as WordPress Multi-User, WordPress MU, or WPMU) was a fork of WordPress.

WordPress Multi-user makes it possible for websites to host their own blogging communities. As well as control and moderate all the blogs from a single dashboard.

Additionally, WordPress CMS (Content Management System) adds eight new data tables for each blog. As of the release of WordPress 3, WordPress Multi-user platform has merged with WordPress.

Benefits of Using WordPress sites Builder?

WordPress tops the list of the three most often used site building packages in the world, followed by Joomla and Drupal.

On one hand, both Joomla and Drupal require a certain level of technical know-how and familiarity with HTML and the programming language PHP.

WordPress allows experienced users to work at that level, too—but, unlike Joomla and Drupal, it also includes features for beginners.

Of course, so that they can set up a site quickly with no knowledge of code or programming.

Below are more competitive benefits of using WordPress sites Builder.

1. Flexible and Adaptable for Changing Needs

WordPress sites can contain full-service e-commerce stores, showcase a portfolio, or host a social network, group, or podcast.

Whatever a company’s requirements, the core WordPress package plus a combination of its many plugins can make a site to suit.

Thanks to its many themes and easy access to its source files, WordPress is also endlessly adaptable to a company’s changing needs.

2. User-friendly—Even for Beginners

All a user needs is a domain name and a hosting account.

WordPress sites builder can be installed free through your WordPress hosting provider or uploaded directly from WordPress.org.

3. Themes Offer Multiple Options

WordPress themes offer users an array of choices for fine-tuning the appearance and functions of a new site.

Of course, thanks to its large and growing directory of themes. Many of these are instantly available to a new site owner through the WordPress theme directory.

4. Plugins Extend Functionality

WordPress includes all the elements needed to create a basic site, but many users want more specialized functions related to a site’s specific needs.

The WordPress plugin directory includes hundreds of plugins. Not to mention, users can also purchase and install hundreds of custom plugins from third-party developers.

5. WordPress Sites Rank High

Searchability is key to ranking high on Google and other search engines.

And because WordPress includes a variety of tools and plugins for optimizing content for SEO (search engine optimization).

6. WordPress Sites Are Mobile Responsive

Mobile responsiveness is also a factor in Google rankings, so websites need to look good on any device.

WordPress offers a variety of responsive theme designs, and users can also make a static site responsive with plugins and adjustments to theme files.

7. WordPress Sites Have a Built-In Blog

Since WordPress is a content management system, it has multiple features that make publishing content easy.

That makes it possible even for sites unrelated to blogging to use the blog feature for adding updates or announcements.

8. The WordPress Community Offers limitless Support

This community of WordPress lovers is responsible for making changes to the source files and keeping WordPress updated and secure.

In addition, the WordPress community also engages in plenty of outreach to users, hosting WordPress camps around the world and supporting the growth of local WordPress user groups.

WordPress sites Builder Notable Recognitions

In reality, WordPress first appeared in 2003 as a joint effort between Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little to create a fork of b2.

Christine Selleck Tremoulet, a friend of Mullenweg, suggested the name WordPress.

In 2004 the licensing terms for the competing Movable Type package were changed by Six Apart.

Resulting in many of its most influential users migrating to WordPress.

By October 2009 the Open Source CMS Market Share Report concluded that WordPress enjoyed the greatest brand strength of any open-source content management system.

WordPress worldwide recognitions and various award categories:

2008: InfoWorld‘s Winner – “Best of open source software awards: Collaboration.“
2009: Open Source CMS Awards’ Winner – “Overall Best Open Source CMS.”
2010: Winner of digital synergy’s “Hall of Fame CMS category in the 2010 Open Source.”
2011: Winner of InfoWorld‘s “Bossie award for Best Open Source Software.”
WordPress has a five-star Privacy rating from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

What’s great about WordPress is if you do decide to change themes down the road, you’ll have the flexibility to do so.

If you’re looking for more on selecting the right WordPress theme, check out this library of resources on Torque.

Takeaway,

Generally speaking, you’re in good company if you use WordPress to publish on the web.

Important to realize, the general outlook of your website to your visitors, customers and target clients really matters.

Not to mention, many famous blog sites, blogs, news outlets, music sites, Fortune 500 companies, and celebrities are using the platform.

In other words, by using the WordPress sites Building Platform, you’ll not only be able to visualize your website design but you’ll view its outlook in real-time.

By the same token, whereas, you’ll be able to enjoy both frontend and backend support capabilities.

In other words, WordPress allows you free access to limitless free and premium themes, plugins, and even affiliated add-ons.

Allowing you to not only creatively craft an ultimately impressive website but equally too, responsive integration with external scripts.

Particularly, to your digital online marketing, social media lead conversion, and even third-party media integration.

Such as YouTube videos, Search Engine Scripts (Google Analytics), Monetization Programs (Google Adsense), API Keys (Google Maps) and even Certificates (Secure Socket Layer).

Resourceful References;

Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas to help narrow down your selection WordPress Websites Design and Development Process.

In addition, if you are looking for a WordPress Website Building Partner, the jmexclusives Team is ready for you.

Moreover, you can share additional information through the jmexclusives Contacts page.

Or rather, even post them in the comments box below.

Below are more related and useful online topic links.