WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that enables you to create a website or blog from scratch or improve an existing website. Bootstrap is a front-end framework for developing websites and applications. It allows you to create responsive designs using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
This article will compare WordPress and Bootstrap, discuss the differences between them, and explain how you can use Bootstrap with WordPress.
Contents
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that enables you to create a website or blog from scratch or improve an existing website. WordPress is written in PHP, and it was first released on May 27, 2003, by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little.
Because of its flexibility and ease of use, WordPress has become the most popular CMS globally. Big ventures like Time Magazine, CNN, TechCrunch, TED blog, PlayStation Blog, Skype, etc., and much more rely on WordPress for their online presence.
One of the best things about WordPress is it’s straightforward, even for beginners. In addition, there are thousands of themes and plugins available that you can use to customize your website or blog according to your need.
By making use of the available themes and plugins, you can quickly produce professional-grade websites without spending a lot of money or time. Moreover, the platform also enables you to easily scale your website as your business grows.
What is Bootstrap?
Bootstrap is a free and open-source front-end framework for developing websites and applications. Bootstrap was created by Mark Otto and Jacob Thornton on Twitter, and it was released as an open-source project on August 19, 2011.
Bootstrap is written in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and it is one of the most popular front-end frameworks in the world. Bootstrap enables you to create responsive designs that adjust to the various screen sizes of devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Bootstrap is also pretty easy to use. But like WordPress, you cannot create a website from scratch using Bootstrap without coding. You will need to have at least some basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to be able to use the framework.
Note that Bootstrap is not a CMS like WordPress for creating a website from scratch. It’s more like a toolkit that provides you with the necessary building blocks to create a responsive website. However, you can create a static website using Bootstrap and some other languages.
WordPress vs Bootstrap: What Are the Differences?
Now that we have discussed what WordPress and Bootstrap are, let’s take a look at the key differences between them:
Definition
WordPress is a content management system (CMS), while Bootstrap is a front-end framework. WordPress consists of both a front-end and back-end system that powers your website, while Bootstrap is used to design the visual appearance of your website.
Functionality
Being an open-source content management system, WordPress can be used to create a website or blog from scratch. Moreover, it also enables you to improve an existing website easily.
On the other hand, Bootstrap is a front-end framework that you can use to create responsive designs using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
You cannot create a website from scratch using Bootstrap. Instead, you will need to use it along with some other languages to create a static website.
Features
WordPress comes with a wide range of features such as themes, plugins, custom post types, user management, etc. Basically, it includes all the features you need to create and manage professional websites.
On the other hand, Bootstrap is a pretty basic framework that includes only the necessary building blocks to create a responsive website. You can use
Ease of Use
WordPress is pretty easy to use, even for beginners, and it doesn’t require any coding knowledge. There are thousands of tutorials and documentation available online to help you get started with WordPress. They also have a big community of users and developers who can help you out if you get stuck.
On the other hand, Bootstrap is not as easy to use as WordPress. It is a little more technical, and you will need to have some knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to get started.
Ready-made Templates
WordPress themes are available for almost every type of website you can imagine. In addition, you can find both free and premium WordPress themes. However, it is essential to note that free themes might not be as reliable or offer the same features as premium themes.
Bootstrap also offers a wide range of ready-made templates that you can use to create your website. However, compared to WordPress, the number of available Bootstrap templates is relatively limited.
Applications
WordPress is suitable for all types of websites, including eCommerce stores, business websites, portfolios, blogs, etc. WordPress can accommodate both, whether you want to create a custom website or use the available themes.
Bootstrap is mostly used to create static HTML websites. However, you can also use it to create dynamic websites equipped with frameworks like AngularJS and ReactJS. However, this will be complex and costly.
Pricing
Both WordPress and Bootstrap are open-source, which means they are entirely free to use. However, you will need to pay for hosting and a domain name if you want to create a WordPress website.
On the other hand, there are no such costs associated with creating a Bootstrap website. However, you might need to hire a developer if you want to create a Bootstrap-based site if you don’t have the necessary coding proficiency.
SEO Optimization
WordPress is pretty SEO-friendly out of the box. However, you can further optimize your website for search engines using WordPress plugins.
Bootstrap websites are not as SEO-friendly as WordPress websites. However, you can make them SEO-friendly by customizing the codes, which is more complex and time-consuming.
Can I Use Bootstrap in WordPress?
Yes, you can use Bootstrap in WordPress. In fact, there are many themes and plugins available that are based on Bootstrap. However, it is essential to note that not all WordPress themes and plugins are based on Bootstrap.
You can also use Bootstrap while creating a custom WordPress website. This will give you more control over the design and development process. Note that using Bootstrap in WordPress will not be as easy as using a WordPress theme or plugin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress vs Bootstrap:
Is Bootstrap or WordPress better?
WordPress is the way to go if you are looking for an easy-to-use platform with a wide range of features. However, if you are looking for more control over the design and development process, Bootstrap is the better option.
Is WordPress built on Bootstrap?
No, WordPress is not built on Bootstrap. Instead, PHP is the programming language used to develop WordPress.
Can I use Bootstrap with WordPress?
Yes, you can use Bootstrap with WordPress. However, you will need to integrate the Bootstrap code into the core WordPress code to make it work.
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? WordPress or Bootstrap? In our opinion, both frameworks have their pros and cons. But, if you need a complete solution to create and manage a website, WordPress is the way to go.
Besides, Bootstrap can be useful if you want to create a custom website or have more control over the design and development process.