Most developers and business owners have likely heard of WordPress, and even casual users have probably explored creating their first website using the platform. Its name has become synonymous with accessible web development.
WordPress is now one of the most used Content Management Systems, powering over 40% of the internet, a clear proof of its flexibility and ease of use. That said, we have all witnessed a fair share of poorly designed websites (we have seen heaps of them). Just as using Canva doesn’t make you a graphic designer or driving a car doesn’t make you a Formula 1 driver, installing WordPress, a theme and some plugins, won’t make you a web designer.
But what truly has set WordPress apart is its open-source foundation, which enables anyone to access, modify, and share its code freely (you can start here). This approach has revolutionised web development and promotes an ecosystem that currently supports businesses of all sizes.
But, what does Open Source mean?
At its heart, open source is about community and collaboration. It is software built on the idea that the best results come when people share knowledge freely. The code is accessible to anyone, allowing developers to use, modify, and improve it as they see fit.
Open source also thrives on the spirit of reciprocity. While there’s no direct expectation of payment, contributors benefit from the collective improvements made by the community. It’s a system where collaboration and shared ownership drive progress.
WordPress has embodied this vision for years and has pushed this technology forward. And while the core of WordPress remains free and open source, the platform has a huge marketplace for paid add-ons including plugins, themes, third-party integration systems, hosting platforms and web design companies.
And just to be clear, WordPress is not the only open-source CMS in the market. Other examples include Joomla, Drupal or Typo3. Some of them are niche or focus on specific use cases. The fact that WordPress dominates this space is not just a coincidence, or just because of its open-source roots; it is the result of the work of an engaged community, its user-friendliness and a huge plugin ecosystem (among other elements).
WordPress’ battle with WPEngine
Getting to this point has had its challenges. Over its 20 years, the platform has faced issues ranging from big security vulnerabilities to legal disputes. The most recent one is the copyright and intellectual property battle between WordPress and WPEngine, a leading managed hosting provider. We used them a few years ago with exceptional results. However, after a year, we moved all our sites to Google Cloud Platform to ensure we provide the best hosting service at competitive prices.
This legal battle has brought a deeper conversation around open source and the ecosystem’s growth. As part of this current dispute, WordPress clearly stated that companies that profit from the platform needed to give back with development time or a monetary amount. And while “giving back” is part of the philosophy around open source, it is not something you can legally enforce. Open-source licenses don’t have a second set of shadow obligations that you can suddenly apply.
As a result of this legal battle, WPEngine customers have been affected and, for a while, restricted to access the WordPress plugin and theme repository to get updates. WPEngine employees and partners have also been blocked from accessing their developer accounts, which, again, affected the regular workflow that is required to run their hosting platform.
Choosing a WordPress hosting platform
Despite its challenges, WordPress remains a robust and reliable platform for businesses of all sizes. However, to ensure your website performs at its best, making smart choices in the right environments is essential.
Start by selecting a reliable hosting provider, opting for quality over the “crazy” cheap options (you know, the ones we mean). Invest in well-maintained, premium plugins, and always update them to ensure security and compatibility.
Equally important is choosing the right design and development team or agency. One that not only sells you a quick and cheap site, but one that can create beautiful websites but also avoids excessive reliance on plugins that can make your backend difficult to manage.
With the right resources and support, WordPress is not just a tool but a foundation for building dynamic, future-proof websites. By leveraging its open-source strengths while relying on trusted experts, you can confidently capitalise on the power of WordPress for your projects.
