The difference between an HTML website and WordPress is quite clear. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a coding language used to create web pages from scratch, while WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows users to easily create, manage and modify the content of the website using an administration area specifically designed to be easy to use. Website builders are less flexible but easier to use than WordPress. However, they are not free, as all hosts are companies that run a business and the goal of any business is to make money.
WordPress can be do-it-yourself, provided that the DIY tasks you are trying to accomplish are within your skills. It has a learning curve, but it is not that complicated if you use the tools provided. The hard part is that WordPress software is powerful and can do almost anything you want, IF you know how. Being “do-it-yourself” doesn't always mean you make complex concepts easy enough for everyone.
While WordPress has achieved this on many levels, there are still some things that simply require a higher level of technical skills. And if you have an eligible paid plan, you have the same SFTP access to your files as on a self-hosted WordPress site. Most customizations can be done with the WordPress editor using blocks, full site editing and global styles. Therefore, it is important to know what you want, what you need and what are the options to achieve your goals.
There are many ways to customize a site, even on the free plan. So it is important to go directly to the source and get the most accurate, current and relevant information. This is an area where searching and reading random articles on Google (especially old ones) is not your best option. It's OK to review accounts and personal experiences, but not to get the most accurate details. WordPress and website builders both use the same main WordPress software.
Website builders are designed to make it easy for beginners to start using them right away, while WordPress is a little more complicated. Don't get us wrong, it's much easier than learning how to create a website through coding, but it still has a learning curve. And the more complex your wishes are for your website, the more work it will take to make it happen. Ready to create a WordPress website? Choose the option that best suits you here.
