As a digital marketing agency that utilizes The Almighty WordPress, one of the questions we hear most often is, “Why WordPress?”
(Here, we are referring to WordPress.org, the software, rather than WordPress.com, the hosting service. If you are confused about the difference, read this great post that explains everything.)
In other words, “Why not use any of the other easy-to-use website platforms? Why not just keep my old website as is?” Well, we’re so glad you asked.
Recent surveys suggest that WordPress controls 32.8% of all the websites on the internet right now, making it the most used Content Management System (CMS) in the world. The easy answer, then, is that millions upon millions of website owners can’t be wrong. But that’s not a good enough answer, is it?
So instead, we have created a list of 7 reasons you should definitely be using WordPress for your website:
1. It is Beginner Friendly
As you can tell, we think there are many great reasons to use WordPress, but one of the best reasons is that you don’t have to be an expert to get started with WordPress. Ultimately, you just need to have a functioning computer, a little bit of patience, and a little bit of time to keep up.
We do recommend having a professional develop and design your website to ensure a higher quality from the get-go, which will bring in more leads for your business, but after the initial establishment, the maintenance (updating content, for example) is more than manageable for a beginner who is even just a little tech savvy.
Set up and maintenance both are simple for a high-quality CMS of kind; which leads us to number 2:
2. It is Easy to Manage
Again, WordPress software is designed for easy management. We are kind of repeating ourselves here, but only because it’s worth repeating:
Updates, changes, etc. are all set up in a way that is easy to understand and maintain.
If you are new to the world of websites, you shouldn’t have a problem finding your way around; but if you are a little unsure, there’s enough tutorials to go around on YouTube or blogs like this one! Or better yet, you can hire someone to help you get started (as we mentioned before) and go from there. The same goes for those of you who are considering making the switch from a different website software.
If you are busy running a business and you don’t have time for unnecessary complication, WordPress is for you.
3. It is Versatile and Customizable
One of the things we love most about WordPress is how very customizable it is. This is why it is ideal for digital marketing agencies to use. It can be customized to each client with much less hassle than most of its competitors.
WordPress also offered a variety of themes for an even easier set up, although they are certainly optional. Even within these themes, however, there is room for customization to ensure that your website does not look like a million others. An overabundance of plug-ins (over 54,000 actually) for your use is another plus and will help boost your leads within your website.
Compare this to other Content Management Systems––a lesser known or custom created one, for example––that have very limited options and only a handful a developers that are familiar enough with it to make adjustments over time. With WordPress, you always know that there are web professionals everywhere who are familiar with the software and can help you make any changes, if need be.
In number 4, we talk about one of our favorite plug-in options.
4. It is SEO Friendly
WordPress is designed to produce prime SEO (Search Engine Optimization). It works well with search engines on its own, but more in-depth options are available to give it an extra boost. For example, the Yoast SEO plug-in allows you easy access to tips and directions for search engine optimization and keyword effectiveness. It ensures that you are on the right track to gaining more traffic and more leads. Plus, again, it is simple and easy to use.
5. It is Cost Effective
WordPress is an open-source software, meaning (among other things) that it is free to download and use. You do not have to purchase the software itself. What does this mean for you? It means that in order to utilize the free software, you must first have a web hosting and domain. There may be some other costs involved also, especially depending on what or how many features you want to activate, but even so, WordPress is an overall cost-effective software.
Again, you may also feel the need to hire a professional to design or develop your WordPress site, but consider it just that: an investment rather than an expense. Doing so saves you time and trouble and brings in a greater profit for your business in the long-run that can be traced directly back to a website with high quality and a great UX (user experience).
6. It Allows You Ownership and Control of Your Own WordPress Site
One of the benefits of an open-source software such as WordPress is that you have the freedom to utilize that software in any way you wish. You can manipulate, redistribute, etc. with no fees or catches for doing so.
As a WordPress user, you own and control your own site, which not only makes it more personalization-friendly, but also more secure. A post on Shivarweb.com compares WordPress to sites like Weebly, claiming that in choosing WordPress over the others, you’re not “trading off some control for more convenience.” In other words, while some other options, such as Weebly, may have some convenient features you like that WordPress does not, you should not give up the total freedom and ownership of your site that WordPress provides in favor of those.
7. It is Designed for Smooth Integration
Last in our quick list, but certainly not last overall, is WordPress’s integration of social media.
One of the most important things that should be on your website checklist is having a hub that connects all your platforms, from Facebook to Instagram to LinkedIn to the website itself. It needs to be easy-access, thus your website software should allow for the smooth integration of all of those platforms.
Integration in WordPress is almost effortless.
So there you have it. A short, simple list of seven reasons we think WordPress is your best bet.
At Brown Creative Group, we use the WordPress software for nearly all of our clients’ websites. If you are ready to start your website (or maybe transfer an older one to a better-suited platform) and jump-start your digital marketing efforts, contact us for a free marketing consultation.
