# Introduction to WordPress (/docs/wordpress/introduction-to-wordpress)

---
type: Document
title: Introduction to WordPress
description: What WordPress is, its core components (domain, hosting, themes, plugins), the site types it supports, and setting up a practice site on Pantheon.io.
status: stable
order: 16
generated: { by: human:ahmedraza, at: 2026-09-15T11:37:20Z }
ksor:
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  owner: human:ahmedraza
  approval: { by: human:ahmedraza, at: 2026-09-15T11:37:20Z }
sources:
  - id: iskills-course-notes
    title: iSkills — course notes
    resource: "iSkills SEO course notes, compiled 2025"
trust_tier: unverified
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---

## What is WordPress?

WordPress is a **CMS (Content Management System)** — a tool for building
websites and managing content (text, images, videos) without writing
code.[^iskills-course-notes]

## Key components

- **Domain** — the web address of the site (e.g. `google.com`); like a home
  address, but for a website.
- **Hosting** — the storage space on the internet holding the site's files,
  images, and content; like a hard drive on the internet.
- **WordPress platform** — the software running on top of hosting.
- **Themes** — pre-designed templates that define how the site looks.
  Recommended: **Kadence Theme** — customizable header/footer/logo/sidebar,
  clean and professional.
- **Plugins** — pre-built functionality solving a specific problem: a contact
  form plugin, an SEO plugin (Rank Math or Yoast), a security plugin
  (Wordfence).
- **Kadence Blocks** — design elements (buttons, sections) used in page
  building, like Lego blocks for assembling parts of a site.

## Types of WordPress websites

| Website type | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| Info site | Share knowledge or blogs |
| Tool-based site | Provide online tools (e.g. calculators) |
| Business website | Show services and brand identity |
| Service site | Freelancers and agencies offering services |
| E-commerce site | Online product selling |

## Practice platform: Pantheon.io

Pantheon.io provides a free WordPress development environment for practice.

### Setup

1. Go to `https://pantheon.io`.
2. Sign up with a Google account (allow authentication access).
3. On the dashboard, click **Create New Site**.
4. Select **WordPress** as the CMS.
5. Enter a site name (e.g. `myfirstwpdemo`).
6. Choose region: USA.
7. Click **Deploy WordPress** — this can take 5–10 minutes.

### Installing WordPress

1. Click "Visit Pantheon Site".
2. Set the language (English).
3. Set the site title, admin username, and password; optionally uncheck
   "Discourage Search Engines" once you want the site publicly visible.
4. Click **Install WordPress**.

### Logging in

Copy the site URL, append `/wp-login.php` or `/wp-admin`, and log in with
your credentials to reach the WordPress Dashboard.

## Core summary

| Element | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Domain | Unique website address |
| Hosting | Storage space for website content |
| WordPress | Software that runs the website |
| Theme | Controls the design/layout |
| Plugins | Add new features and solve problems |
| CMS | Manage the site without coding |

## Practice assignment

Set up a WordPress site on Pantheon.io, install the Kadence theme, add one
plugin (e.g. a contact form), and create two pages: "Home" and "About Us".

> [!TIP]
> Every successful website needs good structure (theme), functional features
> (plugins), fast speed (hosting), and clear branding (logo, content, menu).

[^iskills-course-notes]: iSkills SEO course notes, compiled 2025.