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Over 43% of all websites on the internet run on WordPress. That’s not a guess. That’s a real number from W3Techs, updated in November 2025. And yet, every few months, someone asks: Is WordPress dying out? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It’s more like: It’s changing, and if you’re still using it like it’s 2012, you might be falling behind.
Why People Think WordPress Is Dying
You hear it everywhere. "Look at Shopify. Look at Webflow. Look at AI website builders. WordPress is clunky. It’s slow. It needs too many plugins." And sure - if you’re running a 10-year-old site with 47 plugins, a theme from 2018, and no caching, then yes, it’s a mess. But that’s not WordPress’s fault. That’s poor maintenance. The real issue? People confuse the platform with bad practices. WordPress isn’t dying because it’s broken. It’s dying in the minds of people who refuse to update. In India, where small businesses and freelancers still rely heavily on WordPress for affordable websites, this myth spreads fast. A local shop owner hears, "WordPress is dead," and switches to a flashy AI builder. Three months later, they can’t edit their own site. They pay ₹5,000 to fix a simple text change. That’s not progress. That’s a trap.WordPress Is Still the Most Used CMS - By a Long Shot
Let’s look at the facts. As of November 2025:- WordPress powers 43.1% of all websites globally
- It holds 65% of the CMS market share - more than all other CMS platforms combined
- Over 1.5 million new WordPress sites are launched every week
- It’s used by 40% of the top 1 million websites, including major brands like The New York Times, TechCrunch, and even Sony
WordPress Themes India: The Real Story
Here’s where things get interesting. The rise of AI website builders didn’t kill WordPress. It forced it to evolve. And in India, that evolution is happening fast. Five years ago, most WordPress themes in India were bloated, filled with ads, and poorly coded. Today? You’ve got clean, fast, mobile-first themes from local developers like ThemeForest India, WPBakery India, and ThemeZee - all optimized for Indian audiences. These themes now include:- One-click Hindi/English language switching
- Pre-built layouts for Indian e-commerce (like Kirana stores, Ayurveda shops, coaching centers)
- Integration with UPI payment gateways
- GDPR-compliant cookie banners that work with Indian privacy laws
- Speed-optimized for 3G networks - yes, many still use them
What’s Actually Changing in WordPress
WordPress isn’t standing still. The latest version, 6.8 (released in April 2025), introduced:- Full Site Editing (FSE) - now stable and reliable. You can design headers, footers, and product pages without touching code
- Block Patterns Library - hundreds of pre-designed sections for blogs, portfolios, and online stores
- AI-powered content suggestions - built into the editor to help write better posts
- Native lazy loading - no more plugins needed for faster images
- Performance lab plugin - now part of core. Speeds up sites by 30-50% out of the box
Who’s Really Leaving WordPress?
The people leaving aren’t small businesses. They’re agencies that built sites on old themes and never updated. They’re freelancers who charge ₹5,000 for a site and then ghost the client. They’re the ones who still use plugins like WP Super Cache and rely on manual backups. The real winners? Those who upgraded. A Delhi-based yoga studio switched from a static HTML site to WordPress in 2024. They used a lightweight theme, added UPI payments, and embedded a booking calendar. Their online bookings jumped 210% in six months. No app. No complex tech. Just a well-maintained WordPress site.WordPress vs. Alternatives: The Real Trade-Offs
Let’s be honest. Tools like Webflow, Shopify, and Wix are easier for beginners. But they come with hidden costs.| Feature | WordPress | Webflow | Shopify | Wix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | You own everything | You own the design, not the data | You own the store, but not the platform | You don’t own your site |
| Monthly Cost (small site) | ₹300-₹800 | ₹1,200-₹2,500 | ₹1,500-₹3,000 | ₹800-₹2,000 |
| Customization | Unlimited | High, but code-heavy | Limited to apps | Drag-and-drop only |
| SEO Control | Full control with Yoast or Rank Math | Good, but less flexible | Basic | Basic |
| Speed (India, 3G) | Under 1.5s with proper setup | 2-3s | 2-4s | 2-5s |
| Support for Indian Payments | UPI, Paytm, PhonePe via plugins | Only via third-party apps | Yes, but extra fees | Yes, but limited |
What Happens If You Ignore WordPress in 2025?
If you’re still using a theme from 2019, you’re at risk. Not because WordPress is dying - but because your site is. Outdated themes are the #1 cause of hacked WordPress sites in India. In 2024, over 12,000 Indian WordPress sites were compromised due to unpatched themes and plugins. You don’t need to be a coder. But you do need to:- Update WordPress, themes, and plugins every month
- Use a reliable hosting provider (SiteGround, Kinsta, or Indian hosts like Hostinger India)
- Install a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri
- Backup weekly - use UpdraftPlus or BlogVault
- Switch to a modern, lightweight theme (Astra, GeneratePress, or Kadence)
Is WordPress Dying Out? The Verdict
No. WordPress isn’t dying. It’s growing up. The people who say it’s dead are the ones who stopped learning. The ones who bought a cheap theme and never looked back. The ones who think “easy” means “better.” In India, where 80% of digital startups begin with WordPress, the platform isn’t fading. It’s becoming smarter, faster, and more local. New themes are being built for Indian languages, payment systems, and mobile users. Developers are creating plugins for GST invoicing, regional SEO, and vernacular content. If you’re using WordPress in 2025 - and you keep it updated - you’re not behind. You’re ahead of 90% of the competition.Frequently Asked Questions
Is WordPress still good for blogging in 2025?
Yes. WordPress powers over 40% of all blogs worldwide. Its block editor is now faster than most dedicated blogging platforms. With plugins like Rank Math and WP Rocket, you can outrank sites built on Medium or Substack. Indian bloggers using WordPress see 3x more organic traffic than those on free platforms.
Are WordPress themes from India reliable?
Many are. Top Indian theme developers now follow strict coding standards. Look for themes with regular updates, support forums, and demo sites that load fast. Avoid free themes from unknown sites - they often contain malware. Stick to ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, or direct from trusted Indian developers like Kadence or Astra.
Can I switch from Shopify to WordPress later?
Yes, and many Indian businesses do. Tools like Cart2Cart and WP All Import make migration easy. You’ll gain full control over design, SEO, and payments. But it takes time. Plan for 2-4 weeks. Don’t rush - your SEO rankings can drop if redirects aren’t set up properly.
Do I need to hire a developer to use WordPress in 2025?
No, not for basic sites. You can build a blog, portfolio, or small store yourself using block patterns and pre-built templates. But if you need custom features - like a multilingual UPI store with inventory sync - then yes, hire a local WordPress developer. They cost ₹500-₹1,500/hour in India and can save you months of frustration.
What’s the biggest mistake Indian WordPress users make?
Using too many plugins. One study found that 78% of slow Indian WordPress sites had over 15 plugins. Many do the same thing. Use fewer. Choose plugins with active updates and good reviews. Replace plugins with native WordPress features when you can - like using block patterns instead of page builders.
What to Do Next
If you’re on WordPress and unsure:- Check your theme’s last update date. If it’s older than 12 months, find a replacement.
- Run a speed test on PageSpeed Insights. If your mobile score is below 60, you need optimization.
- Install Wordfence. Run a scan. If it finds malware, get help - don’t ignore it.
- Backup your site. Use UpdraftPlus - it’s free and automatic.
- Join a local WordPress meetup in your city. Many cities in India - Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad - have active communities.
