Great news for Omaha and Nebraska small businesses. Because we have cut our labor costs, every new website with up to 5 pages plus a contact page is now just $300, one time. You get a custom design built by real people you can call, not a template factory, and most sites are ready in 3 to 5 days. Your site is mobile-friendly, has a working contact form and search-ready page titles and descriptions, and comes with a free SSL certificate. Hosting starts at $129 a year for a non-CMS site or $149 a year for WordPress, with daily backups included. Our family team has been building websites in Omaha for over 20 years. Choose what you need in the shopping cart below, call us at 402-813-4034, or send a message with the contact form and we will get started right away.
A WordPress website runs on WordPress, a website framework also called a content management system (CMS). You log in and edit your pages in a what-you-see-is-what-you-get editor (a WYSIWYG editor, said “wizzy-wig”). WordPress began as a blogging tool. Today it powers over 40% of all websites, from small blogs to large stores. Its main features:
It is FREE
Easy to Learn
Easy for Web Developers to create designs
Easy to Update
Fairly Secure
WordPress is a much talked-about tool for building websites. A WordPress website stays simple even for beginners. You can start a blog, build an online store or show your work in a portfolio. Here is what makes WordPress popular and why so many people choose it every day.
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS).
It powers over 40% of all websites on the internet.
WordPress offers thousands of themes and plugins for customization.
It’s suitable for blogs, business websites, eCommerce stores, and more.
You do not need coding skills to use WordPress.
What Is WordPress and Why Is It Popular?
Understanding the Basics of WordPress
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS). It makes building a WordPress site straightforward, even for beginners. Think of it as a toolkit for creating your online space without learning to code. It suits personal blogs and full business websites. The software is free to use. You only need hosting to put your site on the internet. Our Omaha web hosting has a 7-day money-back guarantee.
The Popularity of WordPress in Numbers
Here’s a quick snapshot of WordPress’s influence:
Metric
Numbers
Percentage of Websites
Over 40% of all sites
Plugin Options Available
60,000+
Themes to Choose From
Thousands
These numbers show how widely WordPress is used. It works for a personal blog and for a large online store.
Why People Choose WordPress
People love WordPress for a few key reasons:
User-friendly: You do not need to be a tech expert to start.
Customizable: Plugins and themes let your site look and work the way you want.
Community support: A large global community helps you along the way.
A WordPress website is simple and flexible, so creators, businesses and developers choose it.
Our WordPress hosting costs $149 a year. It includes free SSL, daily backups, security monitoring and 99.999% uptime. A WordPress site on our hosting needs no extra setup from you.
The History and Evolution of WordPress
The Origins of WordPress
Before WordPress, there was b2/cafelog. Michel Valdrighi created this early blogging software. It laid the groundwork for WordPress. In 2003, as b2 development slowed, Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little forked the project. That created the first version of WordPress. WordPress 0.7 came out on May 27, 2003. It was simple but effective, and early WordPress website were mostly blogs.
Key Milestones in WordPress Development
WordPress kept growing after its debut. These are some of the major turning points:
2004: WordPress 1.0 added multiple categories and comment moderation, which made content easier to organize.
2009: WordPress was named the leading open-source CMS.
2017: The Gutenberg editor introduced block-based design for creating content.
Today: WordPress runs more than 60% of the websites that use a known CMS.
How WordPress Has Transformed Over the Years
WordPress grew from a basic blogging tool into a platform for everything from personal blogs to corporate websites. Its open-source nature built a community of developers who keep adding to it. A small project became a global platform.
Features That Make a WordPress websiteA WordPress website is a site built on WordPress, the free content management system you log in to and edit. We build one for $300 and host it for $149 a year. See WordPress services Stand Out
User-Friendly Content Management System
A WordPress site is easy to manage, even if you are not a tech expert. The dashboard is simple. Adding pages, posts or media feels like using a word processor. You do not need to know any code to get started. You can also give team members access to share the work.
Themes and Plugins for Customization
WordPress is flexible. Thousands of themes and plugins let you make a WordPress site your own. Themes change the look and feel of your site in a few clicks. Plugins add functions such as contact forms, SEO tools or eCommerce features.
Open-Source Flexibility
Open source means a WordPress website is free to use and open to change. Developers around the world improve it, so it stays up to date and secure. If you like to tinker, you can change its code. If coding is not your thing, a large community can help.
Different Ways to Use WordPress
Building Blogs and Personal Websites
If you want to share your thoughts, hobbies or experiences, a WordPress site is a good choice. WordPress began as a blogging platform, so blogging is easy. You can organize posts with tags and categories, moderate comments and schedule posts to go live later. Many WordPress blog themes are available, so you can find one that fits your style.
Creating eCommerce Stores
Want to sell products online? With plugins like WooCommerce, you can turn a WordPress website into a full online store. You can manage inventory, accept payments and offer shipping options from your WordPress dashboard. It costs less than building a store from scratch with a developer.
Developing Business and Portfolio Sites
Businesses and professionals can use WordPress to show their work or services. Page builder tools help you create a homepage, service pages or a contact form. A WordPress site can also use SEO tools to boost your visibility. Need help with hosting or setup? Websnoogie’s web design and hosting services can help you get started.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com: What’s the Difference?
Self-Hosted WordPress.org Explained
WordPress.org, also called the self-hosted version, gives you full control of your site. You download the software for free. You pay for hosting and a domain name. This setup suits you if you want to own your site and change it without limits. You can install plugins, change themes and even edit the code if you know how. It is like owning a house: you decide what stays and what goes.Key benefits of WordPress.org:
Full control over your site’s features and design.
Thousands of free and premium plugins and themes.
Freedom to make money from your site, including running ads.
The Simplicity of WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a hosted service. It suits beginners and anyone who wants low maintenance. You do not handle hosting, software updates or backups. WordPress.com does that for you. The trade-off is limits. Advanced customization and ways to earn money may need a paid plan, so a WordPress website there has limits.Why some choose WordPress.com:
Easy setup and maintenance.
Built-in security and updates.
A free plan, with limited features.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Needs
Which one is better? It depends on your goals. If you want a WordPress site for a personal blog or a small site and do not want technical work, WordPress.com may fit. If you run a business or need full control, WordPress.org is the better choice.
Feature
WordPress.org
WordPress.com
Hosting
You manage it
Handled for you
Customization
Unlimited
Limited without paid plans
Cost
Hosting + domain fees
Free or subscription-based
Monetization Freedom
Full
Restricted on free plans
Pro tip: For affordable hosting, see our Omaha web hosting plans. We offer free WordPress installation to get you started.
Getting Started With WordPress
How to Install WordPress
Getting WordPress running is easier than you might think. Follow these steps:
Download WordPress: Visit the official WordPress site for the latest version. Most hosts also offer one-click installs, which save you time.
Set up your database: Your hosting provider will guide you. All your site’s data will live here.
Upload the WordPress files: Use an FTP client to upload WordPress to your server, or let your host do it.
Run the installation script: Open your browser and go to your domain. Follow the on-screen steps to finish setup.
Setting Up Your First Website
Once WordPress is installed, set up your WordPress website. Here is what to do:
Pick a theme: WordPress has thousands of free and premium themes. Choose one that fits your style and purpose.
Customize your site: Use the built-in customizer to change colors, fonts and layouts. Add your logo.
Install plugins: Plugins add functions to your site, such as SEO tools or contact forms.
Create your pages: Start with Home, About and Contact. Add blog posts or other content as you need.
Take it one step at a time. Soon you will have a working site.
Tips for Beginners to Succeed
Starting with WordPress can feel like a lot. These tips make it easier:
Keep it simple: Focus on what matters most. Start small and grow.
Stay updated: Update WordPress, themes and plugins often to keep your site secure.
Learn as you go: Tutorials, like those from our Omaha web hosting team, help when you get stuck.
These steps and tips help you build a site that reflects your goals. Make your WordPress site your own.
The WordPress Community and Support
The Role of the WordPress Foundation
The WordPress Foundation keeps WordPress open and available. This nonprofit was set up so that WordPress stays free for everyone. It holds key trademarks, such as “WordPress” and “WordCamp,” and keeps the project community-driven. Anyone can use WordPress without restrictions.
Contributions From Developers Worldwide
A global community of developers built WordPress. These contributors test, write code and fix bugs. Some get early access to beta versions so they can catch problems before public releases. This ongoing work is why WordPress feels polished.
Resources for Learning and Troubleshooting
Help with WordPress is easy to find. Look at forums, tutorials and documentation. If you host your WordPress website with Websnoogie, we also offer free WordPress installation and setup. You can find guides for small businesses, nonprofits or anyone building an online presence.
The WordPress community is about people as well as software. Forums and meetups give you a place to learn and share.
Wrapping It Up
WordPress works for beginners and for experts. It is simple and flexible. You can build blogs, business sites and online stores with it. The WordPress software itself costs nothing, though you pay for hosting and any premium add-ons. If you want to start your WordPress website, our web design starts at $300 for up to 5 pages plus a contact page, built in 3 to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WordPress?
WordPress is free, open-source software that lets you build and manage websites easily. People use it for blogs, business sites and online stores.
Is WordPress hard to use for beginners?
No. WordPress is beginner-friendly, and you do not need to code. The dashboard is simple, and many tutorials can help you start.
What’s the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?
WordPress.org gives you full control of your site but needs separate hosting. WordPress.com is a hosted service with fewer customization options.
Can I create an online store with a WordPress websiteA WordPress website is a site built on WordPress, the free content management system you log in to and edit. We build one for $300 and host it for $149 a year. See WordPress services?
Yes. With plugins like WooCommerce, you can turn your WordPress site into a full online store.
Are there costs involved with using WordPress?
WordPress is free. You may pay for hosting, premium themes or plugins, depending on your needs. Our WordPress hosting costs $149 a year.
Tami is the co-owner, content editor, and billing expert at Websnoogie. She is passionate about community causes and has four kids. She likes cooking, animals, and the outdoors and is an avid book reader. You can reach her at tami@websnoogie.com.
Rod, Tami, and their team have built websites, content, and provided SEO services (internet marketing) for over 20 years. You call us, you talk to us. Most new websites are ready in 3 to 5 days, and our hosting runs at 99.999% uptime.
WordPress websiteA WordPress website is a site built on WordPress, the free content management system you log in to and edit. We build one for $300 and host it for $149 a year. See WordPress services Stand Out
