Wondering what types of websites you can create with WordPress?
We are often asked by beginners about what kind of websites they can make using WordPress. Our short answer is ‘almost any type of website imaginable’.
In this article, we’ll show you top examples of types of websites you can create with WordPress.
Getting Started With WordPress
WordPress powers more than 42% of all websites on the internet, which makes it the most popular website builder on the market.
There are two types of WordPress websites. First, there is WordPress.com which is a web hosting company. Then, there is WordPress.org also known as self-hosted WordPress. To learn more, see our guide on the difference between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.
Through out this article, when we say WordPress, we are talking about self-hosted WordPress websites. We recommend using WordPress.org because it gives you full access to all WordPress functionality out of the box.
To get started, you’ll need WordPress hosting and a domain name.
We recommend using Bluehost. They are offering a generous discount + free domain name to WPBeginner users. Basically, you can get started for $2.75 per month.
We have a step by step guide on how to make your website with WordPress.
If you just want to play around with WordPress, then you can install it on your computer. Take a look at our tutorials on how to install WordPress on Windows and Mac computers.
That being said, let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of websites you can create with WordPress.
1. Blog or Personal Website
WordPress started out as a simple blogging tool and quickly evolved into a powerful content management system. During the last 18 years, those blogging and personal website components didn’t disappear.
They have become more polished, sophisticated, and powerful. WordPress is still the best blogging platform in the world used by small websites as well as large publications.
Due to its flexibility, WordPress is equally good for a personal blog as well as multi-author blogs. It allows you to create content-rich websites that can be easily grown into a business.
For more details, see our guide on how to start a WordPress blog with step-by-step instructions for a beginner blogger.
2. Business Website
WordPress is the easiest way to build a professional-looking business website. It is so powerful that many big name brands use WordPress to power their websites.
Business owners love its ease of use and flexibility. By using WordPress plugins, you can add social media integrations, optimize your site for search engines, track marketing data, and add any other feature you need.
You can choose from thousands of themes and easily customize the design, all without hiring a web designer.
To get started, see our complete guide on how to make a small business website using WordPress.
3. Ecommerce Website / Online Store
WordPress with WooCommerce is the world’s most popular eCommerce platform. It supports top payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe so you can easily accept payments online.
You can use WooCommerce to sell both physical and digital products. It allows you to easily add any type of product to your store, and has tools to manage inventory, orders, shipping, taxes, and more.
For step by step instructions, you can check out our tutorial on how to start an online store.
Apart from WooCommerce, there are other eCommerce plugins for WordPress like Easy Digital Downloads and MemberPress that can be used to sell digital goods and subscriptions.
4. Membership Website
Membership websites sell subscriptions. This allows you to put some of your content behind a paywall, sell pay-per-view content, or run an online community.
MemberPress is the best WordPress membership plugin on the market. It comes with powerful access control, subscription management, user management, and integrations with third-party tools and payment gateways.
For more details, take a look at our step-by-step tutorial on how to create a membership website.
MemberMouse and WishList Member are also great alternatives for creating a membership site with WordPress.
5. Online Courses
WordPress can be used to easily sell courses and build an online learning community.
MemberPress Courses is the best WordPress LMS platform to sell online courses from your website. It comes with an easy to use interface to create courses, control access, and sell subscriptions.
To learn more, check out our tutorial on how to make online courses website with WordPress.
If you’re looking for an alternative, you can also use the Thrive Apprentice plugin to create and sell online courses.
6. Online Marketplace Website
Don’t have any products to sell? How about creating a marketplace for other vendors to sell their products online?
WordPress has some incredible plugins that turn your website into an online marketplace. Third-party sellers can then list their own products on your website, and you earn a fee on each order.
For details, see our tutorial on how to create an online marketplace in WordPress.
7. Pay-Per-View Website
A pay-per-view website allows you to sell exclusive content on your website on a pay-per-view basis.
You’ll be able to directly sell content to users. Instead of relying on advertising revenue, affiliate links, or other ways to make money. You can sell subscription plans, digital passes, set levels of access based on pricing, and more.
To learn more, see our tutorial on how to make a pay per view website in WordPress.
8. Podcast Website
WordPress and podcasting go hand in hand. Most popular podcasters on the web are using WordPress for their podcasting websites.
There are several excellent podcasting themes and plugins for WordPress which make the whole process way easier. Plus, you can integrate any podcast hosting service to seamlessly serve files from your own website.
For more on this topic, check out our step by step guide on how to start a podcast with WordPress.
9. Dropshipping Website
Dropshipping is a type of eCommerce store that doesn’t keep the products in stock. Instead, when a customer purchases a product, the store owner places the order with a third-party vendor who ships the item directly to the customer.
WordPress has some excellent dropshipping plugins that help you easily add third-party products to your website.
For more on this topic, take a look how to make a dropshipping website with step by step instructions.
10. Affiliate Website
Want to make a commission by referring your users to products and services?
WordPress is used by millions of marketers to create highly successful affiliate websites. It has a ton of affiliate marketing tools and plugins that will help you boost your earnings.
You can sign up for individual affiliate programs, or you could create an Amazon affiliate store that relies on just one giant affiliate network.
For more details, see our complete affiliate marketing guide for beginners.
11. Coupons Website
Want to earn affiliate commissions from thousands of websites offering special discounts on their products and services? Then you can use WordPress to make a coupons site.
With the right plugins, you can easily add coupons to your site. You can control the expiration dates and other details, and your users can even rate and vote for their favorite coupons.
Need more details? Take a look at our tutorial on how to make a coupon site in WordPress with detailed instructions.
12. Micro Job Website
A micro job website is an online marketplace where employers can list tasks or gigs and individuals can apply for them. As the website owner, you can make money by charging a fee on each listing.
For more instructions, check out our tutorial on how to create a micro job website like Fiverr.
13. Job Board Website
Several popular sites like Smashing Magazine, ProBlogger, and others use job boards as an extra source of income. There is a growing demand for niche job boards catering to the needs of a specific industry or specialization.
WordPress allows you easily create a job board where employers can post job listings and professionals can respond to them.
14. Business Directory
Just like job boards, there is an increasing demand for niche business directories on the web. There are some great WordPress business directory plugins which allow you to easily create a business directory.
We have a guide on how to create a web directory like Angie’s List or Yelp.
15. Auction Websites
Want to run your own eBay-like auction website? With WordPress, you can create a fully functional auction website. Users can bid online and make payments, and you get to earn by simply providing a platform for your niche auctions.
See our tutorial on how to make an auction website for detailed instructions.
16. Non-Profits and Religious Websites
WordPress is free as in freedom (see our guide why is WordPress free?). This makes it an ideal solution for nonprofit organizations.
With WordPress plugins, you can easily add a donation form to raise money for your cause. There are also many great WordPress themes for churches and nonprofits.
17. Portfolio Websites
Need a place to showcase your work? You can easily add a portfolio to your WordPress site with stunning image galleries and beautiful slideshows.
You can use your portfolio site to feature your writing skills, showcase your music, embed videos, or display your photography.
WordPress can be used to provide a very sleek and polished user experience for your portfolio site, making it easier for others to browse and learn about your work.
18. Travel Website
WordPress is the perfect platform to make a travel website. You can share your own travels or launch destination guides and build a business upon that.
For examples and instructions, take a look at our guide on how to make a travel website for beginners.
19. Fashion / Lifestyle Website
WordPress is a popular choice among fashion and lifestyle businesses. That’s because it’s easy to create professional-looking website or blog, and you can even sell your own products or affiliate products.
For more on this topic, take a look at this guide on how to make a fashion website using WordPress.
20. Multilingual Websites
Want to create a website in multiple languages? WordPress has you covered.
Out of the box, WordPress is available in dozens of languages. Plus, it can also be used to create multilingual website using WordPress translation plugins.
Need help? See our guide on how to create a multilingual website in WordPress.
21. Online Forums Website
Online forums are a popular way to build a community and leverage user generated content to bring more search engine traffic to your website.
With bbPress, you can easily add online forums to your website. bbPress helps you convert your website into an easy to manage forum. Plus, you can still use the same website for other features like a blog, online store, or a business site.
For more details, see our tutorial on how to add an online forum in WordPress.
22. Social Network Website
Want to build a more active and engaged online community? WordPress allows you to easily build your own social network website with BuddyPress.
Users will be able to join your community, manage profiles, view activity, join groups, and more.
For more details, take a look at our step by step guide on how to build a social network with BuddyPress.
23. Wiki / Knowledge Base Website
Want to create a knowledgebase or wiki-like website?
WordPress allows you to easily add a documentation or knowledgebase section to your website. This allows you to use a powerful CMS to manage all your content under one dashboard.
You can pick any of these WordPress knowledge base plugins to start your own wiki website.
We recommend the Heroic KB Plugin because it’s easy to use and offers features like instant search, user feedback, article attachments, and more.
See our guide on how to create a wiki knowledge base in WordPress for more details.
We hope this article gave you a good idea of the types of websites you can create using WordPress. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide to the most important things you need to do after installing WordPress, and our expert picks of the best web design software.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Serena says
Hi, can I use WordPress to create a website to look for professionals in the area?
WPBeginner Support says
For what it sounds like you’re wanting, we would recommend taking a look at our article below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-create-a-micro-job-website-like-fiverr-with-wordpress/
Admin
Danny says
What do you think about creating a sport web
WPBeginner Support says
Yes you can create a sports website
Admin
Thobza says
Hi, can I use WordPress to do dropshipping?
WPBeginner Support says
You can, you can see our guide on this below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/ultimate-dropshipping-guide-for-wordpress/
Admin
Kyaune Cornelius says
Can I use word press to create a news website?
WPBeginner Support says
Yes, you certainly can create a news website.
Admin
Selma says
Very Great Content , Simple clear and well explained Thank you so muuuchh !!!
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome
Admin
Tatiana says
A well written and clear article that we can follow. After reading through the full content just wanna ask: what if I need three websites, like for example Bog, eCommerce, and Portfolio? Or does WordPress.org only allow one website/ domain? Thank you!
WPBeginner Support says
You can have all of that on one site or across multiple sites if you want.
Admin
Sumon says
Very Helpful Content.
WPBeginner Support says
Thank you, glad you like our content
Admin
Tayo says
Academic Journal not listed. WordPress can’t be used for it?
WPBeginner Support says
That would normally be considered a blog, yes WordPress can be used to create that type of site
Admin
Girish KP says
Nice work .
Thank you
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome
Admin
Ezekiel says
Please can i create a site that can be used for booking using WP ? A link provided with the answer would definitely help. Thanks
WPBeginner Support says
Yes you can, you would want to use one of the plugins in our article here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/5-best-wordpress-appointment-and-booking-plugins/
Admin
chandra kant says
nice article
WPBeginner Support says
Thank you
Admin
Monika MBATOURS.in says
Very good article, it has been made very well, it has very good information, its content is also very good, thank you
WPBeginner Support says
Thank you
Admin
SHIVANI UMEACADEMY. COM says
Your blog is very good, has got very good information in it, there is everything in it, the content is also very good, it has helped a lot from your blog.
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our content could help
Admin
Munachimso A. Ezenwanne says
Good day to you all,
Please i need help with creating an Ecommerce website. Where i can be able to buy and sell products effectively and make reasonable income. Thank you.
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Munachimso,
Please take a look at our step by step guide on how to start an online store.
Admin
Saksham says
Just a suggestion from a fellow developer. It would be helpful to show the comments thread with collapsed replies. This will allow the user to browse more comments and they can expand the reply/replies to any comment which they are interested in exploring without having to unnecessarily scroll through everything.
Cheers, helpful post as always!
Abdirahim Ali Adow says
Hello i want to create a website to make money in online , is that possible through word press ? Thank you
Starr says
Yes man, Just keep posting and posting uunless you have thousands of visiters everyday and they you can earn money by referring, popups and redirection.I hope it helps you.
Ron says
I want to create a market place website as like amazon.com by wordpress. is it possible? I don’t need all feature of amazon.com. I want to create website myself but I don’t have any idea about coding. Can i create website myself?
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Ron,
Please see our article on how to create a marketplace website using WordPress.
Admin
Mahira says
Nice info…any body can guide me that how can i create a list website?
Like, email listing type.
Max Runge says
You can either code it on your own like, and than or with a plugin…. i would prefer a plugin if you don´t have any coding experiences
Donovan Casares says
I want to know if there is a way that you could create a website that can convert writings on paper to the actual website.
Emmanuel Agbanagba says
Thanks for the reply to my question. I want you to kindly recommend at least three wordpress theme for the kind of website I am talking about – The website is an entertainment news website.It will have a envira gallery plugin..,buddypress plugin and awpcp plugin. Your recommendation will be highly regarded. Thanks once again-!
Emmanuel agbanagba says
Please can i create a wordpress site with a photo gallery plugin,buddypress plugin and classified ads plugin installed all at once; and if yes x what theme is suitable for the website?
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Emmanuel,
Yes you can use these plugins together. The choice of theme depends on what kind of websites you want to build, and your own design preferences. Please see our guide on how to choose a WordPress theme to learn more.
Admin
Owusu Marfo says
Simply put!
WordPress can be used to create almost every website.
Jerry says
I want to create job and service advertisements website that will allow users to upload pictures and short videos in there dashboard which can be viewed when published. Can I use wp job manager, envira gallery and bbpress plugins to build the website? Please reply me ASAP and if no what is the best option available for such a website. Thanks
Alexander Azuka says
please I want to make a social network site like whatsapp
Oladimeji Tobi says
To be frank, i’m overly confused…i’ve been trying to create a personal blog via wordpress…but it hasn’t been going well…..kindly help me out with a plausible info.
Henry nwala says
I want to create a dating website which plugin will be best for me thanks.
alex granier says
hi. what about news portals? thank you
matthew ukwadia says
please i want to build a professional sport anlysis, tips and review site what plugins will be best for this
WPBeginner Support says
Hey Matthew,
Please take a look at our list of essential WordPress plugins. Review the list and install the plugins you think you will need.
You will probably also need plugins that can handle functionality specific to your website’s niche. For that you can search WordPress plugin directory. Also check our beginner’s guide on how to choose the best WordPress plugin.
Admin
Blink says
Very informative article. Thanks for sharing..
Bibak says
Sir I Want to Make News Site Which Theme Will Be better .
I Am In Big Confusion
Karabo says
I would like to use the wordpress to put all actives in my area,so that people would know what happening in that area.
a4nanand says
It is very useful for me. i actually needed that. you solved my big problrm regarding seo.
Anthony says
I have entered the wpbeginner log in and I like to know the best theme for my site, which I know a lot about this products. At the moment im using Memorable theme and is not complete. Any suggestion thanks
Sharon Nepe says
I have just signed up for the basic blog website but later want a website that can do more than this. I want to create a community and post videos and eventually run an online business. Can I update my website. What would I update it to?
Kuldeep Singh says
Yes you surely can update your website. Here’s your solution:
1. To create community: Try BuddyPress
2. For Video Solutions: Lots of plugins there or search for theme that does that in a site like ThemeForest.
3. For Online Solutions: For WordPress, the one & only WooCommerce
Good Luck!
Shami says
It’s a very helpful tutorial for every people thanks for sharing with us.
Kay Toe says
I would like to build a document distribution and information sharing websit for our organization. What type of website sutable for me.
Best regards,
Kay Toe
Vincent Walter says
How possible is it to create a 100% totally free website for calls. I mean a website for making calls. Can someone throw a little light on this please?
Barry says
Is there a wordpress template/plugin for surveys?
Gene says
I want to create a blog that offers Clickbank affiliate products. Can anyone suggest a suitable WP theme for this please?
Leland Garner says
Hi! – I recently had a website for interactive learning with video, audio and question forms that users could answer online. The problem was all of those things used Flash. Can a WordPress site be set up with plugins which will do all of those things with HTML 5?
Tawhidul Islam says
That’s cool list
Jalisa Reitz says
Event Websites should be listed- they are so popular lately!
We also use WordPress for event websites over at EventAppi.
You can either build in event management/registration into your business website OR many times people build an entire website just for conferences, events, etc. WordPress is the best way to build event websites in our mind!
Dale says
Hi, we are looking at creating a new website for my sailing club and wondered if there is a plugin that allows you to manage it members. We would want to be able to edit type of membership, enter people details etc. Any ideas on a plugin?
WPBeginner Support says
There are several membership plugins for WordPress which can do that.
Admin
Sunday Adeniran says
Good list but which template can I use for student/teacher interactive environment?
WPBeginner Support says
Take a look at our guide, Selecting the perfect WordPress theme – 9 things you should consider.
Yasmin abdi abdilahi says
This is amazing ideas and templates I will use one of those ,I wanna to create my own website