WordPress is one of the most popular and versatile website platforms on the market. It was released in 2003 specifically for blogging, and since then, has grown into a reliable and advanced content management system. For those wanting to DIY, WordPress provides its users with tens of thousands of options to customize their websites using plugins and themes, and is simple to update as well. Developers love it as well as it provides a framework for their clients to update their content, while allowing for full flexibility to customize as needed.
Individuals from all types of industries use WordPress to advertise and run their business. For instance, business owners use the platform to build their online stores and entrepreneurs use it to showcase their work and unique aesthetic.
However, just like any product, WordPress has its pros and cons; it’s important for first time users to understand and weigh their options before getting started on their website.
Pros
- Open Source
The first significant benefit of using WordPress is that it’s an open source platform. What this means is the software’s code is designed to be publicly available; anyone building a website can view and modify the code according to their needs. WordPress is so popular that many developers have specialized in “Wordpress development”, meaning they know the ins and outs of the software.
- Flexible
WordPress is an incredibly popular choice for website builders because it gives them thousands of options to build any type of website they need. Additionally, WordPress extends its services to e-commerce sites, which have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Business owners can build an online store complete with payment and checkout pages; create and manage specialized membership sites; and keep track of their sales.
Now, you might be wondering how all of this is possible on one platform. Here at Ember, we focus on creating custom solutions for our clients while leveraging the power of WordPress.
Let’s take the example of the e-commerce website we mentioned earlier. A store owner can easily manage their entire business on WordPress using Cart66 Cloud, WooCommerce, and any other plug-in they might need to successfully run their store without the hassle of managing multiple platforms.
But what if WordPress doesn’t offer the plug-in you need? Not to worry, their open-source framework allows for developers to build customized plug-ins!
- Affordable
The cost of running a website can add up pretty quickly, especially if you have customized features. However, this is not always the case. Aside from hosting and domain registration, setting up a basic WordPress site can be very cost effective. There are thousands of free and premium pre-designed themes to choose from to get your business up and running quickly.
The downside of a pre-designed website is that customization may be limited. If you are looking for custom features and integrations, you will likely need to work with an experienced web developer.
The next step is to find a hosting service to allow you to publish your website. Think of it as renting an online space on which to operate your business. The most effective hosting option is to work with a developer who will download the open source WordPress files and upload them to a hosting account. This way, your developer has the flexibility to create a custom theme and add additional features to meet your needs.
While there are budget hosting services available on the market, they are often slow and unreliable. If you are looking for reliability and convenience, consider the cost of hosting with Ember. It is $20 per month or $220/year. This includes a free SSL certificate ($75+ value) and general server maintenance. In a nutshell, if anything goes wrong with the hosting server, we are there to fix it for free.
- SEO Friendly
SEO is one of the most effective marketing methods available to businesses, which is why it’s really useful to make it as accessible as possible. Unlike website builders like Wix or Squarespace, WordPress allows SEO experts full access to their client’s entire website database, meaning businesses can maximize their visibility using SEO without limitations.
Cons
- Pros and Cons of Using WordPress
Wix, Squarespace, and other DIY builders were developed to help beginners and non-technical people affordably create their own websites. However, a simpler software offers fewer customization options. WordPress has an advanced interface which can present a steeper learning curve for new users. Working with an experienced developer will help you maximize all the WordPress features needed to create a unique website that represents your brand.
- Pros and Cons of Using WordPress
In order to keep your website running quickly and effectively, it’s important to ensure you’re using the latest version of WordPress. To do so – in addition to your website – you need to update the plugins and themes as well as any custom code added to a website to keep up with the latest browser versions.
Something to keep in mind when updating plugins and WordPress versions is that while it can be as easy as clicking a button, if the latest versions aren’t compatible with everything else on your site then there’s a chance something can break.
A good practice is to make a backup (usually through your hosting account) before you do any updates, that way it’s easy to revert any updates and figure out what caused the issue.
When in doubt, work with an experienced web developer who can help you maintain your website.
- Pros and Cons of Using WordPress
As we mentioned before, WordPress has tons of customization options, making it the ideal platform for your new website. However, because its software is more complex, there’s a chance you might have to wait a bit longer for the finished product than if you were using a DIY website builder.
We hope this helps you make a decision for your next website project. WordPress is the top choice for many companies, large and small but make sure it’s the right fit for your needs.
Need help with your next web project?
Ember Marketing Co. is a full service agency specializing in web development, design and marketing, based in Victoria, BC. We exclusively work with the most talented and experienced tech professionals to deliver our clients with exceptional results.