The WordPress software is free in both senses of the word. You can download a copy of WordPress for free, and once you have it, you can use it or modify it as you wish. The software is released under the GNU General Public License (or GPL), which means that it can not only be downloaded, but also edited, customized and used for free. WordPress as a software is free for you to download and use.
However, to use WordPress on the web, you will need WordPress hosting. So, yes, WordPress is free to download and use. It is open source software licensed under the GNU General Public License agreement, anyone can use it, modify and share it because its design is publicly accessible. Since its design and source code are openly shared, WordPress users are encouraged to voluntarily improve the design of the software.
Users can also report bugs, contribute patches, and suggest features to improve. There is no real “WordPress free trial” option for self-hosted WordPress. But there are some alternatives that allow you to test out the software before committing to a hosting plan. And no matter how many WordPress setup guides you read or WordPress tutorial videos you watch, there's nothing like playing around with the software to see if it “makes sense to you.” This is perhaps the best option if you want to kick the tires of a fully functional version of WordPress. The only limitation of the trial version is that Google cannot index the site. This is obviously to prevent Google spam.
Unlike other providers, Flywheel creates a cloud instance that runs on your site. So it's super fast and dedicated to your site. It's a little more complicated, but just to let you know it's out there, you can download a copy of WordPress to your own computer and install it with your computer configured as a server. Desktop Server is also a very good freemium software that makes the process on Mac & Windows very easy. Everything will work in the configuration of your computer (plugins, themes, everything), since you will have a real server environment on your desktop.
To publish it, you can move your site manually or use a plugin such as Duplicator. It's a bit complex, but that's something you can do to really explore the software before buying hosting. If you plan to do a lot of the process, then something like Desktop Server starts to pay off. Self-hosted WordPress doesn't have a bunch of “test before you confirm” options, but they're out there. Choose your web hosting provider wisely and buy, install free WordPress software and create your WordPress site. Unlike other platforms, WordPress makes it easy to export and move.
Be sure to check out my WordPress Setup Guide and my beginner's WordPress tutorials and, of course, the ShivarWeb Sandbox for WordPress. Larry Ludwig is an entrepreneur, financial expert, marketing guru with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. Not all web hostings are the same. Your WordPress host is a fundamental part of your business.
Choose your web hosting provider wisely. Here is a more detailed description that covers What is WordPress? The first thing most people want to know when researching a new product or service like WordPress is how much it will cost. During the process of setting up your new host, you'll see that they provide you with direct access to at least one method to install the WordPress software on your hosting account. In the language of WordPress, a plugin is an installable software package that extends the functionality of your WordPress site.
But if you really value the security of your site, a WordPress security plugin like iThemes Security will go a long way towards fully securing your site. Having content with excellent search engine optimization (SEO) helps drive organic traffic to the website, increasing website conversion rates. While the free version offers 85 pre-designed templates, the premium version has a total of more than 150 pre-designed templates to choose from. In general, there are two types of premium themes: an expansion of a free theme which means that the theme uses the freemium business model or an exclusive premium theme that does not have a free version.
Another popular question from WordPress beginners is “Can I make money with WordPress? Usually when you get something for free, you can't make money from it. A landing page can increase the conversion rate of your WordPress site by encouraging visitors to take the desired action such as subscribing to a newsletter or making an online purchase. However it's worth noting that many of those plugins are free versions of premium tools and don't offer all the functionality that their siblings offer. In conclusion, yes there is a free version of Wordpress available for download and use but if you want full access and functionality then you may need to invest in some premium plugins or themes.
