WordPress is used on lots of websites.
- What is it?
- Should you use it?
That’s this month’s topic.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is free, open source software for creating websites. “Open source” means it’s developed by thousands of volunteer programmers and is free (open) to use.
There are others like Joomla and Drupal; they have their fans, but WordPress has won, so to speak. It’s more widely used, and it has a large community of people, groups and websites that offer WordPress themes (template designs) and plug-ins (extra features). There are thousands of options, probably tens of thousands.
Some themes are free but the best ones cost a little (from $30-$75). Compare this to the $500-$1500 for a custom design from scratch.
Many big companies still need custom development, but for small businesses and even big companies, WordPress offers a lot for the money. If blogging is part of your marketing strategy, WordPress is the best option for that.
WordPress works like other content management systems. It
- runs on a web server.
- uses a shell or template for most of the site design.
- gets text and images (content) for each page from a database.
- inserts that page content into the template.
Third-party plug-ins and themes can add features like calendars, search engine optimization and advanced forms. And lots more.
Could your site be built with WordPress?
For many small companies, the answer is usually yes. There are other great choices, but WordPress is usually a workable option. A basic installation is a good start; add some plug ins and a nice theme, it can do lots more.
Is it easy?
Yes and no.
Yes
It has lots of bells and whistles available, either free or at very reasonable prices. Generally, they work well together.
Strength: It’s all things to all people. It does lots of stuff with lots of options.
No
It has lots of bells and whistles available. Sometimes they don’t work well together.
WordPress by itself is very stable. Even with third-party plug ins, it’s pretty stable. But you know how computers work: problems can come up with any new plug-in or new version.
Weakness: It’s all things to all people. The code is complicated, glitches can occur, and the pages served to your audience are usually bigger than they need to be.
Should I Try WordPress Myself?
It’s worth a try. The simpler your needs, the more likely it will work easily. You’ll still have to study a little to learn how to install it and edit your site. If you have the time, why not? There are lots of hosting companies that offer cheap plans for DIY websites.
Professional WordPress Websites
Of course, Pacesetter Media can get your WordPress site up and running quickly and easily. Just like Pacesetter Site, you’ll be able to update your site once it’s set up. And we’ll make it look good, of course. 🙂