WFew months ago, I kept hearing the word “WordPress” everywhere. Start a blog with WordPress, it is the best platform I. Starting a blog, everyone uses WordPress but guess what? I had no idea what actually it was. Whether it was a website, a company, a tool, software i will have to download or just a plugin or something i would even pay for.
At this point, i was confused and honestly too embarrassed to ask because it actually seems everyone understood what it was except me. When I finally decided to start “TheContentPath” in January 2026, I had to figure out what WordPress really is and whether I needed it.
You’re probably in the same boat right now. You want to start a blog and people are telling you use WordPress but you don’t actually know what it is.
Is it for free or paid do you need to download it, Is it hard to use, or do you even need tech skills to operate it? These were the exact questions that kept running in my head but here is what i learned: WordPress is easier to understand than it seems.
WordPress is a free software that allows it’s users to create and manage a website or blog even with zero coding skills. Just picture it in your head like Microsoft Word, but for websites. Instead of typing documents, you create web pages and blog posts.
In this guide, i will explain what WordPress is in its simplest form to your understanding, how it works, why Nigerian bloggers love it, and whether if you would be considering it’s usage as well. If I could figure this out with zero tech background, you can too.
WHAT IS WORDPRESS?
WordPress is a free software that powers websites and blogs. It’s actually what runs over 40% of all websites on the internet including major blogs, news sites, online stores, and businesses.
Now, let me break it down for you in order to understand better and picture this in your head; When you want to create a blog, you have two main options: it’s either you hire a programmer to build your website from the scratch which is a way expensive, slow and sometimes complicated.
Or you use the one which has been already built for it’s users, which is free, all you just have to do is customize it to your taste and preference, very cheap, fast and easy.
The good thing about wordpress is that it gives it’s users a ready-made system to create and publish blog posts. Easy-to-use editor just like you are typing in Microsoft Word.
Availability of thousands of free designs (themes) are there for you to choose from, access to tools (plugins) to add features without coding, having full control over your content.
One big truth I later realized was that you don’t need to know coding. It handles all the technical stuff in the background. All you just have to do is to sit-back and write your articles, choose how you want your site to look like then hit the publish button JUST AS SIMPLE AS ABC.
TYPES OF WORDPRESS?
The various types of wordpress we have;
Moving on to the types of WordPress. We’ve been talking about this software since morning, let’s quickly talk about it’s types, as this section is very important for new users to know.
We have the “WordPress.com and the “WordPress.org”. These two common types confuses beginners as I also experienced such during my own time.
One major difference between both is that WordPress.com is an hosted platform while WordPress.org is a self-hosted software
Now, let’s dive deeper into the WordPress.com which is the Hosted Version. WordPress.com is a complete blogging platform like Blogger or Medium and here is how it works;
- Go to WordPress.com.
- Sign up for free.
- Get a free blog: yourname.wordpress.com.
- Start writing immediately.
And it’s Pros are;
- Completely free to start.
- Super easy no setup is required.
- Good for testing.
Cons:
- Limited customization.
- Can’t fully monetize, limited ads are allowed.
- Subdomain only just yourname.wordpress.com, it is not professional.
- They are in control of your content.
- And it is also a complete beginner testing blogging,
- hobby blogs,e.t.c.
Moving on to the Self-Hosted Version “WordPress.org” this is what most big bloggers use. And what’s it all about, it’s just a free software you install on your own hosting. And here is a simple guide on how it works;
- Buy domain (yourname.com) – ₦8,000/year.
- Buy hosting (space to store your blog) – ₦15,000/year.
- Install WordPress software which is free on your hosting.
- You also have full control over everything.
Pros:
- You own everything.
- Full customization of any design and any feature.
- Full monetization of Google AdSense, affiliate marketing, selling products.
- The domain name is Professional. (your name.com)
- Ranks best on Google for SEO
Cons:
- The cost per year is (₦23,000/year total).
- It requires initial setup, don’t be scared because of this it’s easier than it sounds.
- This is a very good and best option for serious bloggers building a business for this is what I used for my blog website as well.
But here is one thing you should ask yourself, Why do most Nigerians choose it.
Let’s say because number one It’s free, the software itself costs ₦0. You only pay for domain and hosting (₦23,000/year total).
The second option is actually because no coding is required because this is what frightens almost every beginner.
But here is the truth, you don’t need to be a programmer, if probably you use Microsoft word very well and you are also a constant Facebook user. Another option is it’s professional look.
On WordPress, there are lots of free themes that can be used which will make your blog look professional even as a beginner. It is also easy to Monetize and I guess this is the part we all are interested in. “MONEY”
Once traffic is driven to your website through the posting of quality content, applications can be made for Google AdSense, where ads are displayed on the site.
Income can also be earned through product promotion, the sale of personal products such as e-books and courses, and even through sponsored posts from brands.
It should also be kept in mind that monetization is not limited on WordPress, unlike on most free platforms.
Your content, your design, your data all belongs to you forever. No platform can delete your blog or change the rules on you.
It’s works well in Nigeria because it’s loads faster even when faced with slow internet. It also has the support of Nigerian hosting companies like Whogohost Servers. You can as well pay in Naira which allows you to make payments via your local bank around you using your ATM card or any preferred payment method you don’t need a dollar card.
You can as well easily find help on the community page. It also gives you the opportunity to start from scratch (as a beginner) then move to higher brands right from building a personal blog to your business website, news site, online store, e.t.c.
THE NEXT QUESTION YOU WOULD ASK YOUR SELF IS “IS WORDPRESS RIGHT FOR YOU? AND HOW DO YOU KNOW IF WORDPRESS IS RIGHT FOR YOU
After you’ve probably read to this place, then you still kept doubting should I use WordPress or probably give it a trial. You want to start a blog or website, you want full control over your content, you plan to make money from your blog, you have ₦15,000-₦25,000 to invest per year which is not that expensive or probably you are willing to learn as you go, then WordPress is the best option and perfect for you.
But I want you to understand this as well, if you just want to write casually, if you can’t invest ₦23,000/year right now start with free platform, migrate later, you want instant, zero-setup solution WordPress might not be for you.
NOTE: WordPress.com free version is easier but limited
But here is my honest opinion. If you are serious about blogging as a business just like I did, WordPress.org is worth every naira (the self-hosted one).
The recap of what have been saying is that
WordPress is free software that lets you create and manage a professional blog or website even with zero coding skills. It has two version which is WordPress.com (free, limited, good for testing).
WordPress.org (self-hosted, full control, best for serious bloggers).
WordPress.org is mostly used by many Nigerians because of its affordability, professional features, and the full control it provides for monetizing a blog. And if you are ready to start your own WordPress blog
Check out my complete guide on HOW TO START A BLOG IN NIGERIA IN 2026 where I walk you through buying a domain, getting hosting, installing WordPress, and publishing your first post.
If you have questions about WordPress? Drop them in the comments section below. I reply to all messages.
In conclusion, if you found this guide helpful, share it with someone who’s confused about WordPress like I was some months ago.
Aishat.