Introduction
This page relates exclusively to WordPress Lite, a lightweight version of WordPress available between October 2024 and May 2025. It is no longer possible to create new WordPress Lite websites. We thank all WordPress Lite users and are happy to report that all feedback has been implemented and made available by default. This documentation will remain online and accessible until all WordPress Lite websites have been moved to the official WordPress Service.
Click here to return to the main WordPress documentation.
As WordPress Central service is available since May 2025, creation on WordPress Lite or Self-service is no longer permitted. This docs are kept to support existing websites, until they complete their transition to the central WordPress service.
Differences between WordPress Lite and WordPress Service
Before creating a request, please familiarise yourself with the below differences. If your website requires functionality which is not going to be available in WordPress Lite, please await the general WordPress Service.
| WordPress Lite | WordPress Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Technical knowledge required; website owners must ensure compatibility with upgrades | Yes | No |
| Technical knowledge needed to migrate website to WordPress Service (once available) | Yes | Does not apply |
| Allows customisation | No | No |
| Service level | Self-managed, limited support | Central service, full support |
| Training | Limited, general Udemy course recommended | CERN specific training available |
| Allowed for .cern domains and highly visible websites | No | Yes |
| Allowed for personal websites | No | Yes |
| Stable | No, functionality may change | Yes |
| Features | Limited features available | Fully developed |
| Load limits | Maximum 100 requests/second | Not limited |
| Takes advantage of CERN's scalable database platform | No | Yes |
| Backups and restores on demand | No, only daily backups | Yes |
| High availability | No | Yes |
Guidelines
- Not allowed for .cern websites
- Not designed for high load/traffic websites (max. 100 req/sec)
- Not allowed for Personal websites
- All WordPress websites will need to be migrated to the final WordPress Service once available. The migration is expected to be automated - but we cannot offer guarantees at this stage
- All users need to commit to have a technical person to act as a web administrator in order to maintain their website throughout its lifecycle and updates; and to support a migration to the final WordPress Service once available (rather than investing just on the creation phase). It's the website owner(s) responsibility to provide:
- Content maintenance: update content, review site structure when needed
- Technical maintenance: solve problems, assist in migration to WordPress Service if needed, be readily available to make changes shall an urgent request arise i.e. security incidents or upgrades that require owner action
- Understand and agree, as per Computing Rules, the owner of a computing resource (here: WordPress site) is the ultimate person responsible for its security, including keeping it up to date.