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Why WordPress is a good website platform.
There are many reasons why WordPress is a good website platform. The first being that WordPress, as of 2021, powers about 41% of all websites on the internet today according to this research done by W3techs.com.
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
WordPress has been around since 2003, so it’s had a huge head start on its competition.
Now many may think of WordPress as an old and outdated Content Management System (CMS). It does still use the language of PHP after all.
Many consider PHP to be clunky and out of date. It’s not as trendy and glamorous as perhaps Ruby or as technically oriented and sleek, like Python.
But what PHP and WordPress lack in glamour, it makes up for in utility and resources.
There are more website development resources for WordPress then any other content management system out there.
There are countless forums, coding solutions, themes and various functionalities through the use of plugins, that even a non-coder can use to create a great looking and functioning WordPress website.
Best of all, WordPress is open source.
That means it’s code as well as solutions for developing great websites are all open to the public.
Many contribute free of charge to the development of the WordPress ecosystem that all of us now benefit from.
There’s a long history there. And a long history is a good thing. However, in today’s modern world and especially in tech, history is often shunned and discarded. But in WordPress case it just means continued evolution.
Although there are some other CMS platforms that are also open source, none of them have the resources nor are too beginner-friendly for the average website owner to take advantage of.
Many others are closed source platforms.
This means that the website owner or developer does not own anything that they’ve developed using those closed platform tools.
For example, if you have a theme or have customized the design of a theme and functionality from one of the closed source platforms like Wix for example, or SquareSpace even Shopify you cannot take that with you.
With WordPress, your theme, custom designs and functionality are all yours.
If you don’t like a web host for example, and you want to upgrade to a different web host, type of server, pricing, service etc. you can simply pack up your theme and content, then migrate it to another web hosting provider.
With those other closed platforms you would basically need to leave everything behind, except for possibly copying and pasting all your content, storing your images and other media, then starting all over again from scratch with another theme on another platform Content Management System, more than likely, WordPress.
All your hard work in customizing your site so it looks and responds the way you like it will have all been for nothing on those other closed source platforms.
But let’s not dwell on the negative. In this post, I’m going to go over many other reasons why WordPress is a good website platform as well as answer some frequently asked questions about WordPress and it’s platform so you can see for yourself.
Is Wix or WordPress better?
If you just want to set up a quick website, not have to worry about buying a theme, hosting or security and you’re looking for a one-stop shop, then Wix is for you.
However, what you gain in convenience you lose in control and flexibility. This is where WordPress shines.
You see, Wix is a closed source platform.
This means that Wix owns everything about your website except your custom domain name and whatever content you put on it as well as images and media.
Though Wix does own your theme. It also owns all the customizations you’ve made to that theme.
Customizations like colors, designs, fonts and how you organize your Wix theme etc. It’s all theirs not yours.
You can’t take it with you for example if Wix decides to raise its prices or you’re not quite satisfied with their service, support and hosting etc.
So if you ever decide to go on another platform or decide to go for self web hosting, then you are going to basically have to start from scratch.
WordPress on the other hand, is open source.
This means that whatever themes, designs, functionality and work you’ve put into it etc. is all yours.
If for example you’re not satisfied with a host, server speeds, support etc, you can simply take your WordPress website and migrate it to another host.
So if you’re looking for something more permanent, that’s yours to keep, then WordPress is for you.
Is WordPress a good platform for a small business website?
WordPress is a good platform for small as well as big business websites.
In fact, you can start out on WordPress with just a simple blog.
You can also grow that blog into a business as well.
In fact, you can even add an ecommerce store, a forum etc.
Best of all, you have complete control.
If your WordPress website and small business grow into a big business, you can either expand on your theme or get another theme.
If your web host’s servers are too slow or cannot handle the traffic that your growing small business website is getting, you can simply migrate your entire WordPress website to another host. WordPress grows as your business grows.
Is WordPress becoming obsolete?
WordPress is far from becoming obsolete.
In fact, according to the article I had referenced to above, WordPress powers about 41% of all websites on the internet today.
If you look at the graphs from that article, you will find that WordPress is still growing.
All other content management systems pale in comparison.
Can I create a free WordPress website?
You can start out and create a free WordPress website as well as have hosted for free on WordPress.com with their free blog plan.
However, you should know that there are quite a lot of limitations with that free blog plan on WordPress.com.
So your next best solution would be to go for a shared hosting plan and have your WordPress site self-hosted on one of many web hosting providers.
You can easily find a starter self-hosting plan for as little as a few dollars a month, but on average, shared hosting will run you about 10 to 15 dollars a month.
You can then download WordPress onto your web hosts servers through your dashboard in your web hosting account.
Then you can choose from a variety of free things as well as free plugins.
Having your WordPress website self-hosted will give you much more freedom and control than having it hosted for free on WordPress.com.
Does WordPress require coding?
WordPress does not require the user to know any coding whatsoever.
If you know coding, especially PHP, the language WordPress is built upon, then all the better.
However, WordPress has evolved to where now even non-coders can get a website up and running on the internet in no time.
Should I build my own website or pay someone?
Unless you need a very customized website with very specific functionality and aesthetics, then you should start out by building your own website on WordPress.
As I’ve mentioned above, you don’t need to know any coding to build your own WordPress website. Simply download WordPress from your Dashboard in your self-hosted web provider’s account. If you need help, just contact their support, they may even do it for you.
Once you’ve downloaded WordPress, you can go into your WordPress dashboard and start building out your site.
There, you’ll find free themes and plugins. In your WordPress dashboard, on the far left column go to Appearance>Themes. Go to the Search Bar, start browsing and simply choose a free theme to start out with.
To add functionality to your website like a Table of Contents for your Posts or some security plugins etc. simply go to your WordPress Dashboard to Plugins>Add New. Go to the Search Bar, start browsing and choose some free plugins to start out with.
There are literally over 50,000 plugins to choose from most of which are free, especially if they’re on WordPress.org because any plugin listed there has to have a free version.
But you should know that many advanced features of plugins are only available in their paid versions.
But the paid versions of plugins are really quite affordable and won’t break the bank.
Is WordPress free?
WordPress.org is open source and free, where you can find free WordPress themes and plugins to start out with.
They’re literally thousands of themes and plugins for you to choose from. Again, all for free.
Please note, that themes and plugins also have paid versions as well.
You may want to upgrade if you like a theme or plugin and find that their advanced features will give you much more of what you’re looking for.
Most WordPress themes are really quite affordable.
I prefer GeneratePress where you can get a theme for under $60.
In fact, you can use your GeneratePress theme on practically an unlimited amount of sites as well.
Is WordPress a good platform for ecommerce?
WordPress is great for ecommerce.
In fact, WordPress has its own ecommerce platform called WooCommerce.
You can download WooCommerce for free on your WordPress website and try it out.
Is WordPress a good platform for a blog?
WordPress was made for blogs and bloggers.
You don’t have to have a full blown out website to make your mark on the internet, sharing your thoughts and opinions with the world.
WordPress has many beautiful themes that were made especially for bloggers.
WordPress is a good website platform. My conclusions.
As you can see, WordPress is a very good website platform.
In fact, in my opinion WordPress is the best content management system and website platform on the internet today.
Numbers don’t lie either. Since over 41% of all websites on the internet today are powered by WordPress.
However, WordPress is much more than a good website platform. It is an ecosystem.
Whether you want to start a small blog, an affiliate marketing and informational type of website where you can show your expertise on a variety of topics, perhaps hobbies or your special interests etc.
You can even set up a portfolio website, add a blog and not only show the world all the fine work you’ve done in your profession, but you can also discuss the latest trends as well as your latest work in your WordPress portfolio’s website’s blog as well.
You can even go into ecommerce and set up an ecommerce store with your WordPress website through WooCommerce.
WordPress evolves as you and your business evolves.
