WordPress is the most popular website-building platform in the world. Every step of the website-building process has been designed with users in mind. WordPress is easy-to-use, manage, and maintain, making it a desirable choice for web building from start to finish.
Before we get started, it’s important to mention that the benefits covered in this blog are specifically related to WordPress.org, not to be confused with WordPress.com. The software to run both is the same, but the framework and hosting capabilities differ. WordPress.com’s hosting is limited and managed by WordPress, while WordPress.org is self-hosted (can be on any hosting platform, not just WordPress) and offers more advanced customization.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at six benefits of a WordPress.org website.
1. Customization
As a content management system (CMS), WordPress websites offer a variety of customizations. The platform itself not only gives website builders different theme options but also allows for third-party theme installs. A theme controls the appearance of your website through pre-established factors, such as style, graphics, code, and layout. Each theme is unique in its look and functions, so businesses can choose a theme that best aligns with their brand image.
Plugins are another customizable feature of WordPress. The name ‘plugin’ comes from the action of plugging a piece of software into your website. Everything from visual appearance to data tracking to search engine optimization can be added to a website through different plugins.
With over 55,000 different options, it can be overwhelming trying to choose the right ones for your needs. Do your research, or talk with your website builder before downloading something you think you might need. Many plugins perform similar tasks, and an excessive amount can hurt more than help.
2. Scalability
The variety of themes, plugins, customizations and integrations make WordPress extremely scalable, meaning your website can grow as your business grows. You won’t have to worry about migrating your website to a different platform or CMS. Everything you need to build a bigger, more intricate site is available through the same platform your first website is built on. You won’t have to learn a new system to grow your site, and familiarity simplifies the process of adding pages or even an online store.
In short, you’ll be able to create the website you want and seamlessly grow it as your business needs evolve.
3. Search Engine Optimization
WordPress code optimizes sites to the best of its ability, but a search engine optimization (SEO) plugin will take your SEO game to the next level. Plugins, like All in One SEO (AIOSEO) and Yoast, offer multiple options to easily take better control of how your website is presented in search results. SEO titles, meta descriptions, and focus keywords are assigned per page, allowing you to ensure your pages aren’t competing with each other for keywords or keyword rank. They’ll also skim your content and offer a ‘score’ which takes all SEO factors into consideration and offers recommendations on ways to improve the overall page score.
As with any WordPress plugin, it’s important to look at reviews, research credibility, or talk with your web host or designer before downloading anything. Not all plugins are safe, and vulnerable plugins can make your website susceptible to spam and hackers. Follow our above recommendations for an SEO plugin (AIOSEO or Yoast), or talk with a professional before downloading or installing anything on your website.
4. Multiple User Accounts
Sharing the same account with the same login presents a lot of room for error. It can be extremely difficult to tell who made what changes, especially when something goes wrong. WordPress allows users to create multiple profiles with unique login information for each one. Changes are tracked per user, and no one has to worry about someone using their account to make unapproved changes.
Multiple user accounts also provide more security. When someone no longer needs access to the website, an admin can remove that specific account so the website is no longer accessible by that profile. It also allows admins to see when a new profile is created. Hackers will sometimes create new accounts as a way to access the site, so stay alert to any suspicious or sudden profile changes.
5. Cross-Platform Integrations
One of the best features of a WordPress site is how easy it is to integrate other platforms. Google Analytics, email marketing platforms, social media accounts, and customer relationship management (CRM) interfaces can all be connected within your website. Data tracking, cross-platform sharing, customer accessibility, and more are benefits of integrating applications all in one place.
6. Ownership & Decision Making
Businesses that use WordPress as their website’s custom management system are in full control of the decisions for their site. WordPress is an open source CMS, which means its code is publicly accessible and can be altered, modified, and shared. Almost everything in WordPress can be changed or customized to fit the needs of your business. Once your website is installed on a website host, you are in complete control of how your website looks, acts, and interacts with visitors.
WordPress is an excellent choice for businesses looking for a unique website for their unique brand. It offers multiple benefits for both individuals looking to create a website on their own and experienced web developers. Flexibility and scalability contribute to its worldwide popularity, ensuring its continued success and preference in the future.
Interested in talking with one of our WordPress web designers? We’ve developed custom websites for multiple businesses throughout Quincy, IL, the surrounding area, and across the country. No project is too big or small. Contact us today at (217) 222-1451 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.