Wordpress is obviously the most popular open source, powerful (in terms of on-page SEO, plugins, themes and the wide range of options) and secure blogging platform with updates almost every month now. 
This blog post how you can extend the capabilities of wordpress blogging platform rather than using it simply as a blog. At the time of this writing WordPress blogs power 0.8% of the web..
1. Twitter Clone: MicroBlogging is really taking off with almost every one posting on twitter with the 140 characters tweet limit. So If you want to try something similar to twitter on wordpress you can check the twitter wordpress clone demo and you can download the twitter theme from here and since the theme comes with Gravatar and RSS support you will definitely enjoy your twittering activity.
2. Wordpress as CMS: The second most popular usage of WordPress after blogging is using WordPress as a full-featured CMS. Web designers, Internet marketers and small business owners regularly use WordPress as a content management system (CMS) and use the static pages feature to build and publish their content online. Here are examples of 10 popular sites using wordpress as a CMS.
3. Video Trailer site: Wordpress can be effectively tweaked with Video Flick wordpress theme to be a fully featured video trailer site with use of Ajax.
4. Article Directory: Wordpres can also be used as an article directory with the wordpress article directory plugin and you can have the demo here. The same theme can also be extended to a press release site.
5. Review Sites: We all know review style always have better conversions and are loved by affiliate marketers. Louis has come with a review plugin for wordpress which has tons of features, come in with nice template integrations & XML uploads. Also check out the 25% discount code before you make the purchase the wordpress review plugin.
6. CSS showcase gallery: You can also create your own CSS gallery with free CSS gallery wordpress theme by Shabu or take a look at premium option at Gabfire gallery theme and with so many gorgeous wordpress CSS galeries online you will never run out of ideas.
7. PopURLs Clone: PopURLs displays latest content from popular websites like Digg, Propeller, flickr etc and also offer customization of content that is displayed on homepage. SimplePie and One news theme are really cool plugins to clone PopURLs on the wordpress platform.
Now I have included some of the popular options like using wordpress as a magazine based style, photo blog, video blog, web chat system and also wordpress resume site or even a portfolio site.
Please share your ideas in the comments.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s a great post there Amit!
Showed some real good ways of using wordpress.
Great to see you blogging my friend! Subscribed!
This is a great compile..
I too feel WP has more to explore..
I will be using WP surely for my portfolio…
Wordpress rocks.. is all I can say.
~Sahil
@Pratik - Thanks so much for the comment Pratik. If you are planning to use wordpress for your portfolio then make sure that you check these free themes.
http://webrevolutionary.com/sharpfolio/
http://www.dailywp.com/portfolio-wordpress-theme/
Amit
@Amit -
I won’t use a premade design or template… I am working on a custom design…
Nice list! I was aware of all except the Twitter stream theme and the Review plugin. Thanks for sharing!
Great list Amit, it definitely shows the capabilities that Wordpress has to offer. I’ve always wanted to give the Wordpress review site plugin a try.
Thanks Naina, I am glad that you liked the list.
very nice post Amit. Some really nice links you have given.
THanks for the tips - definitely going to try at least one of them!