Categories
Insights from the Latest Statistics
Since its inception in 2003 as a simple blogging tool, WordPress has grown into the backbone of a vast number of websites, ranging from small local startups to major global enterprises. The journey of WordPress from its humble beginnings to its current status as the leading content management system (CMS) is a testament to its adaptability, flexibility, and broad appeal. In this blog, we’ll delve into the latest WordPress statistics, explore its dominance in the CMS market, and understand the role of WooCommerce in e-commerce
Quick Facts: WordPress Statistics as of July 2024
- Market Dominance: WordPress powers 43.4% of all websites globally.
- Total Sites: Approximately 474 million websites are built on WordPress.
- CMS Market Share: WordPress holds a commanding 62.7% share of the CMS market.
- Themes Available: There are over 30,000 WordPress themes available.
- Plugins Available: More than 70,000 plugins can be used to extend WordPress functionality.
- WooCommerce Market Share: WooCommerce is the leading e-commerce platform with a 36.33% market share.
The Extent of WordPress’s Usage
As of July 2024, WordPress’s influence is profound, powering 43.4% of all websites. According to NetCraft’s data, which shows a total of 1.09 billion websites, this equates to over 474 million sites globally running on WordPress. This impressive figure highlights WordPress’s extensive reach and its critical role in digital content management.
WordPress CMS Market Share
WordPress dominates the CMS market with a 62.7% share. This figure represents a near-monopoly in the CMS space, far surpassing competitors like Shopify (6.4%) and Wix (4%). The substantial market share of WordPress reflects its unparalleled flexibility and extensive feature set, which continue to attract a diverse range of users from various sectors.
Historical Growth Trends
WordPress’s growth trajectory has been remarkable. From a 17.4% market share in 2013, it has surged to 43.4% in 2024. This increase is accompanied by a significant decline in the number of websites operating without a recognized CMS, which dropped from 68.2% in 2013 to 30.8% in 2024. This shift indicates a growing preference for CMS platforms, with WordPress leading the way.
WordPress Themes and Plugins
The vast ecosystem of WordPress themes and plugins contributes to its popularity. As of July 2024, there are around 12,000 free themes in the WordPress.org theme directory, with an additional 12,000 paid themes available on ThemeForest. This brings the total to over 24,000 themes, with estimates suggesting the actual number exceeds 30,000 when including independent sources.
Popular themes include:
- Hello Elementor: 12,442 websites
- Divi: 9,720 websites
- Astra: 9,697 websites
- GeneratePress: 7,270 websites
- Newspaper: 4,848 websites
In terms of cost, WordPress themes vary widely, from free options to premium themes priced around $59 on average. Theme memberships and lifetime access models also offer value for those seeking extensive theme collections.
There are currently over 59,000 free plugins in the WordPress Plugin Directory and more than 5,200 paid plugins on CodeCanyon, totaling over 64,600 plugins. The actual number is likely higher, exceeding 70,000 when including third-party sources. Popular plugins include:
- Elementor
- Contact Form 7
- Yoast SEO
- Classic Editor
- WooCommerce
- Akismet
- WPForms
- All-in-One WP Migration
- LiteSpeed Cache
- Wordfence Security
WooCommerce’s E-Commerce Dominance
WooCommerce stands out as the leading e-commerce platform, commanding a 36.33% share of the market. It powers approximately 9.2% of all websites and 13.3% of sites with a recognized CMS, translating to around 100.55 million sites using WooCommerce globally. Its popularity can be attributed to its seamless integration with WordPress, extensive features, and cost-effectiveness.
Final Thoughts
The statistics underscore WordPress’s remarkable growth and dominance in the web development landscape. With its extensive market share, vast array of themes and plugins, and the robust performance of WooCommerce, WordPress continues to be a pivotal platform for building and managing websites. As we move forward, WordPress is poised to maintain its influential role, adapting to the evolving needs of users worldwide.
