You’ve probably heard of it. WordPress shows up in many places on the web, especially if you’re looking to build your first website. You might see it on YouTube videos, on hosting packages, even on the sites of other platforms that try to compare themselves to the king of the web. In this article, I’ll give you 5 benefits of using it on your site and some other info I think you should know about this incredible platform.
Table of contents
- What is WordPress?
- Why use WordPress?
- Who uses WordPress?
- Can you set up an online store with WordPress?
- Is it for me?
What is WordPress?
It is the world’s most popular CMS (Content Management System). It powers a third of the world’s websites, from small blogging sites to some of the biggest corporations on the planet, like The Walt Disney Company, Microsoft, Sony Music, Facebook Newsroom, and more. Nothing comes close to the popularity of this unique and fantastic platform.
Why use WordPress?
It’s free
You read that right, WordPress is free to use. Anyone can download a copy from WordPress.org and install it on an Apache Server. Though it is accessible, you still need a server to host it and a domain name that points to the server. This can be easily achieved, even if you’re a beginner. Many hosting platforms, like Bluehost and SiteGround, offer a 1-click install of WordPress, so you don’t have to worry about setting it up.
Thousands of themes
Because WordPress is the most popular CMS platform on earth, thousands of developers and designers create themes for the platform. If there’s something specific you have in mind, there’s a high chance you can find a pre-made layout for your needs. Some of the biggest platforms for finding unique themes are the WordPress repository and themeforest.com.
Though there are some great free themes, most of them are premium; thus, requiring either a one-time payment or a recurring subscription. If you can’t find one that suits your needs, don’t worry. The good thing about WordPress is that you might find a web designer or agency that would be more than happy to help you build one, so all your needs are covered.
It’s easy to use
Yes, WordPress is a potent tool, but don’t let its complexity and potential scare you. The thing about it is that it has a straightforward user interface. It doesn’t matter if it is the first time you’re using it or the millionth time; anyone can find their way around it. It’s even easier to use if you hire a developer or web design agency who can clean up its interface to make it easier to get around. They achieve this by changing the dashboard layout to get rid of options you might not need or want to have access to, so you’re presented with a cleaner and simpler dashboard.
Big developer community
This point goes in hand with the idea that it is easy to use. One of the things that makes it so great is that it has a big developer community. There are hundreds, if not thousands of websites dedicated to helping people. There are even entire companies whose whole purpose is to help users navigate and solve problems in their installs.
It’s responsive
I know it’s 2020. But you’d be surprised how many websites are made in this day and age and are still missing some responsiveness. All, if not most, of the themes made for WordPress are responsive.
What do you mean by “responsive”? You may ask.
By responsive, or by responsiveness, I mean that a website can adapt to many screen sizes. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking at a website on a mobile device or a desktop computer with a large screen. A responsive site should be capable of adapting to all screen sizes while looking good at the same time. This is important since more and more people visit websites from their mobile devices rather than from desktop computers.
Who uses WordPress?
Like we said at the beginning of this article. WordPress is used by many websites, from small blogging sites to some of the biggest corporations on the planet. Even The White House utilizes WordPress. Yes, The White House, that big white house where the President of the United States lives. Don’t believe me? Check out WordPress’s website showcase. I’m sure you’ll find more than one company on that list that will surprise you.
Can you set up an online store with WordPress?
Short answer, absolutely! Remember, there are thousands of companies dedicated to helping people with their WordPress installs. These companies are also committed to designing and coding plugins for all sorts of needs in the e-commerce world. Do you only sell digital products? There’s a plugin for that. Check out EasyDigitalDownloads. Do you sell physical products? Then, WooCommerce might be the plugin for you. Sell a mix of both? There’s also a workflow for that!
Is it for me?
Anyone looking to set up a website with lots of dynamic content should give WordPress a try. After all, the base system is free to use. You can morph it into anything you need it to be due to its open-source nature.
If you don’t have that much free time, and you want to make sure your website is the best it can be, so it gets you results, you should consider hiring one of the many web design agencies in the world. The good thing for you is that you already landed on my website, so check me out! You can book your free 20-minute call with me, and we’ll take it from there.
Like always, until next time,
Danny Bribiesca
