UPDATED January 2020
For too long, we’ve heard client after client lose control of their website because a site has been custom built using complex programming languages and specific code.
There is a time and place for a custom built site depending on its functionality specifications. In many instances, WordPress can deliver a range of functionality that the ‘majority’ of websites require.
WordPress is the most popular Content Management System on the market! It powers 35.5% of all websites (as monitored by W3Techs, and up from 31.7% when we originally wrote this article in September 2018) which is a content management system market share of 62.3%.
And you may think that WordPress is only for small business and bloggers, but you’d be wrong 😁 Here’s some big name brands that love WordPress … think Etsy Journal, Microsoft News, Alanis Morissette, and Usain Bolt.
Using a site like WordPress and incorporating asset management makes life as a website owner and content creator smoother. Whether you're showcasing content on a blog or your portfolio digitally. Here's a guide on Digital Asset Management that can help manage high volumes of assets, continuously innovate, and ensure timely, relevant customer experiences.
WordPress is a capable solution for many site requirements, and the primary reasons that we only build WordPress sites are listed below. Before embarking on your next web build, you definitely need to consider what your needs are first, before selecting the platform to build on.
WordPress is Cost Effective
WordPress designing and development is extremely cost effective due to the plethora of ready-made themes to choose from. The maintenance expense is reduced as you can update the content on your site rather than relying on a designer to do this.
Remote Access
A WordPress website enables you to make changes to your site wherever you are, with access to the internet. All you need is a web browser – no fancy software required.
Responsive Web Design
WordPress automatically caters for a responsive design template across multiple devices.
Search Engine Optimisation
Websites built using WP have simple and structured content, meeting the needs of search engines. Great SEO is about engaging the rules of search engines to enable indexing. Each page is customised to give you full control on pages you wish to rank for.
Functional Capability
WordPress plugins are easy to install technologies that add greater functionality and capability to your website. This includes features such as SEO, complex forms, ecommerce solutions and embedding live feeds for example. There are currently over 45,000 plugins in the WordPress library, so if you can think of it, there’s probably a plugin solution!
Flexibility with Designers
You can maintain the control of your website by not being locked into working with specific companies for your website’s management. WordPress designing and development operates on an open source platform. This means it’s easier for you to transition from one designer to another seamlessly.
Active and Responsive Community
The WordPress community is fortunate to have a very active base, and best practice is well documented. Access to this documentation can be easy to locate and other WP users are building this community daily.
Tactical Content Marketing
With remote access and easy of self-management, tactical marketing is made easy with customisable elements of your site. These enable you to update your site’s design with promotional banners for holiday campaigns or promote company news.
Social Media Integration
Adding social links to your website is a key aspect of ranking for Google’s algorithm. Integrating your social profiles on your website, such as including a live feed, promotes your content and produces positive ranking signals for search engines.
Site Security
WordPress has proven to be a safe and secure platform, with significant effort invested in site security and maintaining a high level of security procedure.
To be honest, this blog could go on for a few more pages as to why WordPress is a genius platform and better than Wix or SquareSpace. Perhaps I’ll save those comparisons for another time. And of course if you’re still thinking you’d like to give it a go yourself, here’s a great step by step beginners guide.
Hope this helps you make some decisions! If you’d like help getting your business online, check out our recent WordPress web development projects.