Tokyo Tales and Block-y Adventures
Small business owners, gather ‘round! WordPress’ annual State of the Word (SOTW) went global again this year, landing in Tokyo, Japan—a fitting choice given how much the platform owes to its Japanese community. The event, held at Tokyo Node Hall, brought together big ideas, cultural celebrations, and the kind of geeky excitement you’d expect from people who think “blocks” are the answer to everything (spoiler: they kind of are).
Here’s the scoop, with a side of fun, because who says business updates can’t make you chuckle?
2024 in Review: Highlights You’ll Love
- WordPress is Taking Over the World (and Your Neighborhood)
- Globally, WordPress now powers 43.6% of the web. In Japan? A whopping 58.5%. (Shopify, take notes—you’re at 2.7%.)
- By 2025, non-English WordPress sites are expected to surpass English ones. It’s like a multilingual party, and everyone’s invited!
- Plugins Galore
- A jaw-dropping 2.35 billion plugin downloads this year. That’s more plugins than excuses you’ve made for skipping gym day.
- Plugins let you supercharge your site with ease. Think of it like adding turbo boosters to your business website.
- Sleeker Writing and Design
- New tools make WordPress a joy to use. Improved distraction-free writing? It’s like having noise-canceling headphones for your brain.
- The “zoom-out” view lets you see patterns without fumbling over blocks. Who doesn’t love a big-picture view?
- Gutenberg Gets Collaborative
- Imagine leaving comments and collaborating on your site like it’s Google Docs. That’s the next phase of Gutenberg, WordPress’s editor. Let’s hope your team is ready to argue over fonts and colors directly in-app!
- More Free Content
- Openverse now boasts 884 million images and 4.2 million audio files—all free for you to use. Your marketing budget says, “Thank you.”
WordPress Playground: A Game-Changer
Imagine running a full WordPress site without hosting. That’s WordPress Playground. It’s like setting up a pop-up shop for your ideas—no strings attached. Great for testing or just showing off to your tech-savvy friends.
Japanese Highlights: Sushi, Wapuu, and Success
- Japan localized WordPress back in 2003 and created the lovable mascot Wapuu (who deserves their own Netflix series, honestly).
- Japanese developer Takayuki Miyoshi’s Contact Form 7 plugin hit 10 million downloads in 2024. That’s like handing out 10 million digital business cards.
- The Japanese community hosted 189 meetups in 2024. Feeling inspired? Start your own meetup and watch your network grow faster than a viral cat video.
Why This Matters to You
Whether you’re a bakery owner, tech consultant, or Etsy queen, WordPress is your secret weapon:
- Powerful yet simple: Build a site that dazzles without hiring a coder. (Save that budget for coffee or cookies.)
- Global growth: Want to reach new audiences? WordPress makes it easy to go international. Say “こんにちは” (hello) to more customers.
- Tools galore: From SEO plugins to e-commerce integrations, you can tackle nearly every business need. And guess what? Most of it’s free or super affordable.
What’s Next?
AI, data liberation, and keeping websites relevant in the age of social media were hot topics during the Q&A. Translation: your website is still the place to control your brand. No algorithm can change that.
The Big Takeaway
WordPress isn’t just a platform—it’s a movement. Whether you’re blogging, selling, or showing off your services, WordPress evolves with you. It’s open-source, community-driven, and frankly, a bit of a superhero in disguise.
So, if you’ve been hesitating to revamp your site or dive into the world of plugins, consider this your sign. WordPress is here to make your life easier, your business stronger, and your online presence unforgettable. Just don’t forget to download a plugin or two—they’re the sprinkles on your website sundae. 🍨
Now, go forth and make your corner of the web awesome. Wapuu would be proud!
FAQ
1. What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that powers 43.6% of all websites. It allows you to build and manage websites easily—no coding degree required.
2. Is WordPress free?
Yes! WordPress.org is free to use. You may need to pay for hosting, premium themes, plugins, or a custom domain, depending on your needs.
3. What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
- WordPress.com: Managed hosting with limited customization on free plans but more options with premium tiers.
- WordPress.org: Fully customizable and self-hosted, giving you ultimate control (but you’ll need to arrange hosting yourself).
Customizing Your Website
4. Do I need coding skills?
Nope! WordPress uses a visual editor (Gutenberg) with blocks for text, images, and other content. Themes and plugins make customization a breeze.
5. What are themes, and why do I need one?
Themes control your website’s design and layout. Think of them as the outfit for your website. Choose one that aligns with your brand and business needs.
6. What are plugins, and how do they help?
Plugins are like apps for your website, adding features like contact forms, SEO tools, e-commerce, and more. With over 60,000 plugins available, you can find one for almost anything.
Running Your Business Website
7. Is WordPress good for e-commerce?
Absolutely! Pair WordPress with WooCommerce (a free e-commerce plugin) to create an online store, manage inventory, and accept payments.
8. Can I optimize my site for SEO?
Yes! Plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math make it easy to optimize your site for search engines, helping customers find you online.
9. How secure is WordPress?
WordPress is secure if you follow best practices:
- Regularly update your themes, plugins, and WordPress version.
- Use a strong password and two-factor authentication.
- Install a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri.
Growth and Expansion
10. Can I create a multilingual site?
Yes! Plugins like WPML or Polylang help you create a site in multiple languages to reach a global audience.
11. What’s WordPress Playground?
It’s a tool that lets you test WordPress without hosting or installation—perfect for experimenting before committing.
12. Can I track my site’s performance?
Yes! Integrate Google Analytics or use plugins like MonsterInsights to monitor traffic, conversions, and other key metrics.
Community and Support
13. Where can I get help?
The WordPress community is huge! You can:
- Visit the WordPress Support Forums.
- Attend local meetups.
- Hire freelancers via platforms like Upwork.
14. What’s the WordPress community like?
Friendly and collaborative! From local meetups to online forums, you’ll find plenty of people willing to help and share tips.
Future-Proofing Your Site
15. Will WordPress work with AI tools?
Yes, WordPress is embracing AI! From AI-generated content to SEO automation, it’s constantly evolving to stay cutting-edge.
16. Why should I use WordPress over social media for my business?
Your website is yours, while social media platforms control their algorithms and rules. Think of your website as your online HQ—social media can drive traffic there, but your site is where the magic happens.
Miscellaneous
17. What’s Wapuu?
Wapuu is WordPress’s lovable mascot, created in Japan. You’ll see Wapuu in various fun forms at WordPress events and online.
18. Can I build a website in a day?
Yes! With beginner-friendly themes and tools, you can launch a basic site quickly. Fine-tuning might take a little longer.
19. What’s Gutenberg, and do I need it?
Gutenberg is WordPress’s block editor. It simplifies building pages by letting you drag and drop blocks for text, images, and other elements.
20. How does WordPress make money if it’s free?
Through premium services, hosting, and add-ons offered by WordPress.com and related Automattic products like WooCommerce and Jetpack.