How WordPress Website Design is different from any other CMS
6 June, 2025
June 6, 2025
How WordPress Website Design is different from any other CMS
When building a website, content management systems (CMS) are the backbone of the process. With a wide range of website types and CMS platforms to choose from, WordPress continues to stand out in 2025 as one of the most popular and widely used platforms. WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, according to recent data. (Usage Statistics and Market Share of WordPress, 2025) This is a testament to the platform’s reliability, versatility, and adaptability to the changing needs of website designers and businesses alike.
In this blog, we will explore the unique features that make WordPress website design appealing to both top brands and MSMEs. We will examine why brands select WordPress, how it differentiates itself from other CMS options, and the reasons behind its continued dominance in the industry. This blog will cover WordPress’s evolution, the prominent brands that rely on it, the simplicity provided by tools like Elementor, and a comparison with five other popular CMS platforms, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. Read More – How Free Website Is a Myth in 2025
The Power of WordPress: A Statistical Overview
Since its inception in 2003, WordPress has experienced substantial growth. Initially developed as a basic blogging tool, it has evolved into a comprehensive CMS that supports websites for businesses, e-commerce stores, news outlets, and various other applications. These developments, reflected in its usage statistics, establish WordPress as a leading platform in the CMS sector.
Other CMS platforms, including Joomla, Drupal, and Wix, hold considerably smaller market shares. For example, Joomla accounts for approximately 2.5% of the market, while Drupal is under 2%. Although platforms such as Wix and Squarespace attract users with free website offers and user-friendly interfaces, they do not match WordPress in terms of flexibility or the breadth of its plugin ecosystem. As a result, WordPress remains the clear leader among major website platforms.
While platforms such as Wix and Squarespace provide user-friendly website design, WordPress distinguishes itself through its superior flexibility and extensive plugin ecosystem. Many users are drawn to the promise of ‘free website design’ on these platforms, yet may overlook the importance of viewing a website as a long-term digital asset.
One of the reasons WordPress has gained such popularity is its ability to meet the needs of both small businesses and large enterprises. Many top global brands rely on WordPress for their websites, including:
- Sony Music
- TechCrunch
- The Walt Disney Company
- BBC America
- Microsoft News
These brands recognize the flexibility and scalability that WordPress provides. Its open-source framework enables businesses to customize their websites according to specific requirements. Additionally, the availability of numerous themes and plugins facilitates functional enhancements without the need for extensive redevelopment.
UI/UX Ease and the Emergence of Elementor
A key advantage of WordPress is its intuitive user interface and user experience, which is particularly beneficial for beginners. The platform’s dashboard is designed to be accessible to both novices and experienced web developers, simplifying the process of website creation and management. Unlike certain other CMS platforms that demand technical expertise for setup and maintenance, WordPress enables users to concentrate on content, design, and marketing.
The introduction of Elementor, a drag-and-drop page builder plugin, has significantly transformed WordPress design. Elementor streamlines web design by enabling users to create custom layouts without requiring coding expertise. (WordPress Website Designer: Design a Dream with Elementor, n.d.) It offers pre-designed templates, widgets, and a real-time editing interface, making it a preferred tool for both designers and business owners. This combination of flexibility and usability has contributed to WordPress’s ongoing success by making web design accessible to a wider audience.
Comparison with Other CMS Platforms
Although WordPress leads the CMS market, several other platforms merit consideration. The following section examines five other popular CMS platforms and compares their respective advantages and disadvantages with those of WordPress:
Joomla
Pros:
- Powerful and flexible for building complex websites.
- Built-in multilingual support.
- Strong community and developer support.
Cons:
- More complicated than WordPress, especially for beginners.
- Smaller plugin ecosystem compared to WordPress.Joomla offers robust capabilities and flexibility for developing complex websites, including multilingual and developer support. However, it is more challenging for beginners and features a smaller plugin ecosystem compared to WordPress. While suitable for users with specialized requirements, Joomla does not match WordPress in terms of ease of use or the breadth of available resources.
Drupal
Pros:
- Highly customizable for developers.
- Excellent security features.
- Great for large, complex websites.
Cons:
Drupal is highly customizable and secure, making it well-suited for large websites requiring advanced features. (Features, n.d.) However, it demands ongoing maintenance and presents a steep learning curve for non-developers. While ideal for complex projects, WordPress remains more user-friendly and accessible.
Wix
Pros:
- Extremely user-friendly, no coding required.
- Excellent for small businesses and personal websites.
- Drag-Wix is an accessible option for beginners, but it does not provide the same degree of customization, flexibility, or control as WordPress.for beginners, but it doesn’t offer the same level of customization, flexibility, or control as WordPress.Squarespace
- Beautiful design templates.
- All-in-one platform with hosting, domain registration, and website building.
- Great for creatives and portfolios.
Cons:
- Limited customization compared to WordPress.
- Higher cost for premium plans.
Squarespace features beautiful templates and an all-in-one platform, but customization is limited compared to WordPress, and premium plans can be costly. While streamlined, it lacks WordPress’s plugin ecosystem and scalability for growing businesses.
Shopify
Pros:
- Built specifically for e-commerce.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Excellent for online stores with integrated payment options.
Cons:
- Limited design flexibility. CompareShopify is designed specifically for e-commerce, providing straightforward setup and integrated payment solutions. (Payments – Let customers pay using their preferred method using Shopify’s integrated payment support, n.d.) However, it offers less design flexibility and imposes higher transaction fees when Shopify Payments is not used. While Shopify is well-suited for online stores, WordPress is more adaptable for a broader range of website types. online stores, but WordPress is more adaptable for diverse sites.
WordPress Reigns Supreme
When it comes to choosing a CMS, WordPress stands out due to its unparalleled flexibility, ease of use, and scalability. WordPress distinguishes itself among CMS platforms through its exceptional flexibility, user-friendliness, and scalability. It is the preferred choice for cost-effective digital marketing agencies and serves as a valuable tool for MSMEs seeking an economical solution to establish a strong online presence. Whether for small businesses, bloggers, or large enterprises, WordPress provides a comprehensive solution suitable for nearly any website. Although platforms such as Joomla, Drupal, Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify each have unique strengths, WordPress’s combination of simplicity and robust functionality ensures its continued leadership in the CMS market. Themes and plugins are just a few reasons why WordPress remains the dominant player in the CMS world. If you’re looking for a versatile, scalable, and cost-effective solution for your website, WordPress is undoubtedly the best choice.
