WordPress market share: how many websites use WordPress in 2023?

The Dominance of WordPress in the CMS World

WordPress stands as the unrivaled leader in the realm of content management systems (CMS), serving as the go-to choice for individuals and businesses alike, regardless of their scale. This versatile platform empowers users to craft websites, maintain blogs, and facilitate online product sales effortlessly.

WordPress Market Share in 2023

In the current landscape of the internet, WordPress reigns supreme with an impressive market share of 43.1%. This statistic encompasses a wide range of websites, encompassing those managed through CMSs, those devoid of CMSs, and even custom-coded CMSs. Essentially, over one-third of the entire internet operates under the WordPress umbrella.

Distinguishing WordPress.org from WordPress.com

A common source of confusion among users lies in distinguishing between WordPress.org, the open-source platform, and WordPress.com, a commercial web hosting service. WordPress.com simplifies website creation, using a modified version of the WordPress CMS, offering users an easy way to build websites. Conversely, WordPress.org grants users complete control over site customization, allowing the installation of any desired theme or plugin.

WordPress’s Unassailable Lead

When pitted against competing content management systems like Joomla and Drupal, WordPress emerges as the undisputed champion, with hosted site builders like Wix and Squarespace lagging far behind in terms of user adoption. The closest competitor, Shopify, powers only a fraction of websites, commanding a mere 5.6% market share.

The Expansive Realm of WordPress Usage

As of 2023, WordPress finds itself at the heart of 835 million websites out of a total 1.98 billion on the internet. With more than 2 million annual downloads, WordPress’s influence continues to ascend. This CMS caters to a diverse spectrum of users, enabling businesses, bloggers, and entrepreneurs to swiftly transform their ideas, products, or services into online entities.

The Power of WordPress Plugins

One of the key drivers behind WordPress’s popularity is its versatility as a robust content management system. Bolstered by an expansive community of developers who provide support through forums, tutorials, and self-help resources, WordPress boasts a thriving ecosystem. This ecosystem encompasses over 58,000 plugins, 31,000 themes, and limitless layout customization possibilities. This versatility positions WordPress as the ideal solution for enterprises, blogs, membership sites, and e-commerce ventures.

WordPress’s Steadfast Market Share Growth

Analyzing historical data, it becomes evident that WordPress’s market share has consistently expanded at a steady rate. Starting at 27.3% in 2017, it has grown to its current 43.1% in January 2023, marking an impressive 15.8% increase in total website market share. This steadfast growth underscores WordPress’s enduring appeal.

WordPress’s Global Impact

The reach of WordPress transcends linguistic boundaries, with support for over 70 languages. In 2014, non-English downloads surpassed English ones for the first time, reflecting its global acceptance. The top five countries leading WordPress usage in 2023 include the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Brazil, further solidifying its international footprint.

WooCommerce – WordPress’s E-commerce Powerhouse

From its humble beginnings as a blogging platform, WordPress has evolved into a formidable player in the e-commerce arena. The WooCommerce plugin, owned by Automattic Inc., the parent company of WordPress, is the world’s largest e-commerce platform. It commands a substantial 23% share among the top one million sites utilizing e-commerce technologies.

The Future of WordPress: REST API

The future of WordPress hinges on the integration of the Representational State Transfer (REST) API. This interface enables developers to access WordPress beyond its core installation using JavaScript, facilitating the creation of interactive websites and applications. The REST API fosters seamless communication between WordPress and third-party systems, ushering in a new era of application development and integration.

In conclusion, WordPress‘s unwavering dominance in the CMS landscape, its remarkable growth, and its ability to cater to diverse user needs reaffirm its status as the reigning champion of website creation and management. With innovations like the REST API on the horizon, WordPress is poised to continue its reign as the most popular website hosting software in the world.