WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS). It enables digital content management and archival with secured access rights and structured workflow.
Unlike other CMS, the WordPress ecosystem is widely used by small and big companies for developing dynamic websites and blogs.
Listed here are several elements that make WordPress the leading CMS.
The key elements of the WordPress ecosystem
1. Posts
Posts is the most used menu option for any WordPress user.
Anything that is published by a user using a WordPress account is listed below the Published tab of the Posts menu.
Apart from viewing published posts, one can also view unpublished drafted posts under the Drafts tab, unpublished posts scheduled for future under the Scheduled tab, and deleted posts under the Trashed tab.
Other functionalities of the Posts menu include editing, sorting, and managing old posts. Categories and Tags options are also available to categorize your posts and add tags to them.
The Add New tab under the Posts menu is used to publish a new post in the WordPress ecosystem.
2. Images
The Images menu under the Media tool in the WordPress ecosystem is widely used to add, edit, or delete images in pages or blog posts.
To add a new image, one simply has to place the cursor at the position where the image should be inserted and drag-drop an image or use the add new image option in the gallery. Images can be placed inline or on blank lines.
The Alignment setting enables the positioning of images on the left, right, or center of the page.
3. Media
Media is another important tool in the WordPress ecosystem dashboard. This tool enables a user to insert and edit images, documents, videos, and audios from external sources into a post or page.
A media library can be maintained with uploaded files for future use. These files can be dragged and dropped or added using the Select File option in the gallery.
4. Themes
The Themes tool is an option under the Design menu that helps a user to decide the template for the blogs or websites in the WordPress ecosystem. This tool gives the freedom to change the look of the website pages or blog posts on the front end.
Everything from fonts, colors, menu, backgrounds, custom footer, callouts, social links, etc. can be altered. Arrangement of these menus and widgets are easily possible through simple drag and drop.
The WordPress ecosystem provides several pre-installed themes. It also allows the installation of new themes. This CMS facilitates the customization of themes without using HTML codes.
The Edit Themes setting lets a user emend the codes to modify the pre-installed themes if he/she is an expert in HTML coding.
5. Plugins
Plugins are integrated software programs offered by the WordPress ecosystem for specific functions or added features.
In WordPress, plugins are written in the PHP language. One can be ignorant about coding and yet be able to add these plugins.
There are numerous free plugins available at the WordPress plugin directory. A user has to be careful while downloading these free plugins. One needs to research the update history, compatibility, and tech support before deciding the quality of these plugins.
Paid plugins from third-party developers are also available with amazing features.
6. Comments
The WordPress ecosystem provides a unique feature called ‘Comments’. This tool helps website or blog visitors to interact with the owner or among themselves.
The Comments tool should be activated by the site owner. The WordPress ecosystem adds a box under the content for the readers to post their comments. The site owner then approves or disapproves of a comment. The comments are then publicly visible under the content.
This tool is useful to build an online community to have discussions and peer reviews.
7. Users
The Users tool is most applicable for companies where more than one individual has access to the WordPress site. The names of all the people having access to the site are listed under this tool. Different users can have different roles in the website pages or blogs.
Users can modify the backend setup and information about themselves using the Your Profile option.
Some of the commonly used backend elements of the WordPress ecosystem have been discussed here. Several other elements can be activated and used as per the needs of the sites and blog posts. It is recommended to learn about the backend settings thoroughly before starting a WordPress site. Soon enough you will manage your sites like a pro.
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