What is the Future of WordPress?

WordPress is generally renowned as the internet’s most popular Content Management System (CMS) and it is a powerful platform used by millions throughout the globe. Founded in 2003, it was introduced as a tool for people and organisations looking to launch their blog.

However, a lot has changed since its launch over 15 years ago and WordPress is now a hugely powerful website-building machine. This article will examine what the future holds for WordPress and its millions of users.

The future will be easier

One thing is for certain, over the years, using WordPress has become easier. With the introduction of state-of-the-art block editors such as Gutenberg, WP Bakery and Beaver Builder, WordPress websites are becoming easier to build and this is expected to continue in the future. Initially, WordPress was better suited to those with extensive PHP and CSS skills.

However, in the future, WordPress may become so user friendly that even those with no design experience at all can use a pre-installed template system to build a stunning website. Sure, it is relatively straightforward now, but as things stand, it could become even easier.

Automatically generated websites? Quite possibly!

Whilst discussing design, the future of WordPress themes is something that is very interesting. At the moment, you can download themes for under $100 that will allow you to easily piece together a website in a matter of hours. Avada, for example, is the “most popular” theme available with over half a million downloads.

Whilst using Avada and similar themes make the design experience easier than ever before, may the future will see even more user friendly themes exist.

For example, will there be a theme or online application that will allow the user to answer a series of questions that will automatically generate a website based on their preferences? Imagine it – entering up to 100 pieces of personal information about yourself, your brand and your business identify to then see it all come to life with the click of a single button.

It is just an idea now of course – but surely this could be part of the amazing future that WordPress faces?

More than just a Content Management System

WordPress’s future is not just limited to being a top-rated CMS. Not by any means. As Freddy Muriuki says on WP App Store, the future for WordPress “will no longer be just a content management system (CMS), but a powerful framework that runs all kinds of apps”. I support this vision and expect to see the capabilities of WordPress to expand at a rapid rate – especially thanks to REST API.

The WordPress community will be a mighty force

As the number of WordPress users continues to grow, the future will certainly result in a monumental community of website enthusiasts. Together, these people will be able to share their experiences and knowledge so that the quality of websites produced improve indefinitely.

It is happening now, but as more themes are create, apps are developed and plugins start flourishing, the conversations that people can have will become endless and the community will explode with interested website fanatics.

Pesky robots will never change and security is critical

As more users join WordPress, there will undoubtedly be more threats to website security, as international robots continue to try and hack and spam blogs. There are hundreds of security plugins and apps out there to help developers keep their website secure and as WordPress continues to grow, the number of security apps will also rise in the future.

However, this is not just limited to security apps. There will be thousands, maybe millions of new apps in the coming years and decades.

Bye bye bugs!

Those who have used WordPress will be well aware of the amazing advantages the CMS has over competitors such as Wix and Umbraco. However, WordPress is not without its issues. We have all had problems every now and then with annoying bugs that can sometimes add hours, and even days to the lifespan of a project.

For example, have you ever just sat there and thought to yourself “where has that padding come from”, “why is that so limiting”, why has the margin now saved”, and so on? The future of WordPress will definitely ensure things run smoother. There will be less bugs, less glitches and more reliable updates – straight from the beginning.

Not so long ago, one of the most downloaded plugins ever, Contact Form 7, had a serious malfunction when a new WordPress version was released. The WordPress blog was quickly bombarded with concerned users looking for guidance. In the future, WordPress must ensure they thoroughly test their updates and almost certainly – they will do this. Whilst a wonderfully powerful tool, WordPress is not without its bugs and frustrations.

Every Plugin will get along

Also, whilst I am on the subject of bugs and glitches – these are often caused by competing plugins. WordPress do not make it clear which plugins will clash and how to get the best out of two competing programs. Therefore, the future will surely hold a most stable CMS that will allow multiple competing apps to work alongside each other.

Build a site on your mobile?

If you were asked to picture a developer working on the backend of a WordPress site, what computer or device are they using in your vision? The chances are you have pictured a modern, lighting fast PC with multiple screens.

This is probably a very fair assumption. However, is this the future of WordPress? Everyone knows that WordPress has a mobile app but you would never build a website using it? At least, not now. But, in the future, will WordPress develop their own mobile app that will allow designers to build websites whilst travelling on a bus or waiting for a train? It is certainly not an unrealistic prediction.

The future will definitely be exciting

The future of WordPress is beyond exhilarating. As designers become smarter, AI develops quicker and access to the internet becomes even easier around the globe, the opportunities are endless. WordPress is currently one of the most popular CMS in the world but as the glitches reduce and investment continues, WordPress is in a position to rule web development world – sooner than you may think!