Why WordPress is Your Go-To for Website Building
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Want To Excel on the Web?
Have you ever wondered why WordPress is such a big deal in the website world? Well, you’re not alone. It’s not just another platform; it’s a powerhouse running a whopping 42.7% of all websites on the internet as of 2023, according to W3Techs. That’s nearly half the internet finding its home on WordPress!
So, what’s the big draw? First off, WordPress is super user-friendly. WordPress offers the flexibility and tools to create a site that perfectly fits your vision, whether you’re planning a personal blog or a full-fledged eCommerce site.
But it’s not just small businesses or individual bloggers who are fans. WordPress is a platform of choice for many large companies as well. In this article, we’ll explore why WordPress might be the ideal solution for your website needs, highlighting its key benefits and how it can enhance your online presence. Let’s dive in and see what makes WordPress a top choice for so many.
A WordPress website is free (sort of)
Are you thinking about building a website on WordPress? Great choice! One of the best things about WordPress is that it’s free to use. That’s right, there are no hidden fees or sneaky extra charges for using this awesome content management system.
But let’s be honest for a moment. While the WordPress software won’t cost you a dime, there are a few other things you’ll need to spend on to get your website up and running. Let’s dive into what these costs are so you can plan your budget accordingly.
Domain name
The first cost you will have for your new website is for your website’s domain name. It’s like the street address for your online home. This is what your visitors will type in to find you, and it’s way easier to remember than a string of numbers (that’s your IP address, by the way).
Getting your custom domain name usually costs around $15 per year. Not too bad, right? It’s a small investment for a big part of your brand’s online presence. Your domain name is your first chance to make an impression – it’s where your WordPress journey starts to take shape.
Hosting
Moving on from the domain, the next step is finding a home for your website, and that’s where hosting comes in. Just like a house needs land to sit on, your website needs hosting to be accessible to the public. This is where your site lives on the internet.
Web hosting plans can vary in price, depending on your needs. It’s a bit like picking a house – you’ve got options from cozy apartments to sprawling mansions. For most WordPress sites, a managed hosting solution hits the sweet spot. It’s like having a property manager who handles all the maintenance for you.
Here at Excel on the Web, we’re big fans of WP-Engine for hosting. It’s reliable, secure, and optimized for WordPress, which means less hassle for you. Sure, you might find cheaper options out there, but remember, with hosting, you often get what you pay for. Investing in good hosting is investing in your website’s health and happiness.
Theme
Next up in our WordPress journey is picking the perfect outfit for your website, and that’s where themes come into play. A theme is like the wardrobe of your site – it determines how it looks and feels. It’s true that plenty of free WordPress themes are out there, and they’re great for getting started. But if you really want your site to shine and stand out from the crowd, going for a premium theme might be your best bet.
Premium themes often come with extra features and more sophisticated designs. They can give your site a more professional and polished look.
And if you’re aiming for something truly one-of-a-kind, custom-built themes are the way to go. It’s like having a tailor-made suit that fits your brand perfectly. At Excel on the Web, we specialize in crafting custom WordPress themes that align precisely with your vision and brand identity. This way, your website won’t just be another face in the digital crowd – it’ll be a standout reflection of what you’re all about.
Plugins
Alright, we’ve got our domain, hosting, and a snazzy theme. Now, let’s talk about plugins – the special features that really make your WordPress site tick. Think of plugins as cool gadgets and tools that add extra functionality to your site. Like smartphone apps, they help your site do more and work better.
There’s a whole universe of free WordPress plugins out there, and they cover just about everything you could think of. But sometimes, it’s worth investing in premium plugins to get that specific feature or a higher level of functionality.
At Excel on the Web, we’ve got our go-to plugins that we love to use, like Gravity Forms for easy communication with visitors, Rank Math for SEO optimization, and WP-Rocket for lightning-fast site speed. These plugins are like our secret ingredients for a website that looks good and performs brilliantly under the hood.
WordPress is easy to use
The widespread popularity of WordPress essentially boils down to its simplicity and ease of use. It’s designed to be user-friendly, making it a go-to choice for everyone, from beginners to seasoned web developers. The WordPress admin dashboard is the heart of this simplicity, offering a straightforward and intuitive interface for building and managing your website.
Think of it as the Microsoft Word of website design. If you’re comfortable with basic office software, you’ll find WordPress refreshingly easy to navigate. Adding content, updating your site, and customizing layouts are all hassle-free tasks in the WordPress environment.
Of course, there’s a bit of a learning curve with any new software. Still, WordPress is generally considered more user-friendly than other popular content management systems like Joomla or Drupal. And if you ever hit a snag, a vast support community is ready to lend a hand, bringing us to our next reason.
WordPress has a large support community
A significant advantage of choosing WordPress for your website is the robust community and comprehensive support it offers. Imagine having a vast network of knowledgeable friends and experts, all ready to help you navigate any challenges you might face with your website. That’s exactly what the WordPress community is like.
The WordPress community extends far beyond forums and blogs. YouTube, for instance, is a treasure trove of WordPress resources. From detailed tutorials for beginners to advanced tips for seasoned users, there’s a wealth of video content available to guide you through every step of managing your WordPress site. Whether you’re setting up your first page, trying to tweak a theme, or looking to optimize your site’s SEO, there’s likely a YouTube tutorial that can walk you through the process.
The strength of WordPress lies not just in its software but in the people behind it. It ensures that no matter what challenge or question you might have, there’s always someone who’s been there, done that, and is willing to share their knowledge. It’s this collaborative spirit that not only makes WordPress user-friendly but also fosters a sense of belonging and collective growth among its users.
WordPress is easy to adapt to make any type of website
WordPress stands out for its scalability and flexibility when it comes to growing your online presence. This means whether you’re starting with a small blog or a basic business page, WordPress can grow and evolve alongside your expanding needs.
Think of WordPress as a building block. Initially, you might start with a simple structure. Still, as your business or audience grows, you can add more pages, features, and functionalities without switching platforms. This scalability is a huge advantage, ensuring your website can keep pace with your business’s growth without needing a complete overhaul.
Flexibility is another key aspect of WordPress. It’s like having a canvas you can repaint and reshape as your business evolves. With thousands of themes and plugins, you can quickly adapt the look and functionality of your site to match changing trends, customer needs, or personal preferences. This adaptability makes WordPress an ideal solution for businesses and individuals anticipating growth and change, providing a stable yet flexible foundation for your online journey.
The types of websites that you can make with WordPress are endless. Businesses can use WordPress to make:
- Blogs
- eCommerce stores
- Landing pages
- Portfolios
- Media websites
- Membership Sites
- Chat rooms
- Intranets
- Question and answer websites
- Forums
- and more!
WordPress is SEO friendly
One of the most compelling reasons to choose WordPress for your website is its inherent SEO friendliness. Right out of the box, WordPress offers features and structures optimized for search engines, making it easier for your site to climb the ranks in search results.
The first reason is WordPress simplifies the process of optimizing your content. With user-friendly tools for adding titles, meta descriptions, and keywords, making your pages and posts more visible to search engines is straightforward. Plus, the platform’s code is clean and consistent, which search engines love.
Another significant advantage is the abundance of SEO-focused plugins available. Tools like Yoast SEO or Rank Math provide comprehensive solutions for optimizing your site, from sitemaps to readability checks. These plugins guide you through the best SEO practices, ensuring that your site not only looks good but is also set up to be discovered by your target audience. WordPress provides the tools and features to help your site get noticed, whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just getting started.
WordPress is updated regularly
WordPress is continually updated to keep up with new technological advancements and trends. With WordPress, you’re not just keeping up but staying ahead.
Think of WordPress as a living, breathing entity that evolves over time. The WordPress of today is a far cry from its earlier versions. Each update brings improvements in functionality, security, and user experience. The platform’s commitment to regular updates means you don’t have to worry about your site becoming outdated or losing its edge.
These updates are not just about fixing bugs; they’re about enhancement. Over the years, WordPress has significantly improved in terms of visual appeal and ease of use, making it more beginner-friendly than ever. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that your WordPress site remains modern, secure, and efficient, giving you peace of mind and keeping your visitors happy.
WordPress is mobile friendly
With mobile devices (excluding tablets) accounting for 58.33% of global website traffic in the first quarter of 2023, as reported by Statista, it’s clear that a significant portion of internet users are accessing content on the go.
WordPress excels in this area by offering themes and designs that are inherently responsive. This means your website will automatically adjust its layout to fit the screen size of various devices, be it a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. The importance of this feature cannot be overstated, as it not only enhances user experience but also contributes positively to SEO rankings.
Search engines, like Google, prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their search results, so WordPress’s mobile-friendly nature is a significant advantage. It ensures that your site not only caters to your audience’s preferences but also aligns with the best practices of modern SEO. By choosing WordPress, you’re setting your site up for success in a mobile-centric digital landscape, ensuring it reaches and resonates with a broader audience.
WordPress is secure
There’s a common misconception that WordPress isn’t secure, but let’s set the record straight. The developers behind WordPress have been tirelessly working to bolster its security, transforming it into one of the most reliable content management systems out there.
It’s true that no software can claim to be entirely invulnerable. Still, WordPress today is leagues ahead of where it was in terms of security. The platform has evolved, implementing rigorous security measures and continuously updating to tackle new threats as they arise. This commitment to security means that WordPress is not just keeping up with the times; it’s setting the standard for CMS security.
So, if you’ve heard rumors about WordPress’s security flaws, know that it’s an old story. Today’s WordPress is more secure than ever, giving you the peace of mind to focus on what you do best – running your business and creating great content.
So, are you thinking about setting up a blog or launching an online store? Whatever your vision, WordPress is ready to make it happen. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of website platforms – versatile, reliable, and just plain smart. With its user-friendly setup, a community that’s got your back, and customization options galore, WordPress is the go-to choice for anyone eager to build a website.
Why put off bringing your digital dream to life? WordPress is here to turn that vision into a reality, whether it’s a cozy blog corner or a bustling eCommerce hub. So, are you ready to take the plunge and start crafting your dream website with WordPress? Contact Excel on the Web today and start building your dream website!
