A Content Management System (CMS) is a software system that helps you create and manage content, usually on a website. One of the most popular content management systems is WordPress, an open-source platform that enables users to design and build websites.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the standout features of WordPress and how to know whether it’s right for your business.
What is WordPress?
If WordPress is already on your radar, it’s probably because it powers a staggering 40% of all websites online. Its popularity is partly due to ease of use; it requires no coding knowledge and allows users to create websites using a simple drag-and-drop method.
Examples of high-profile websites powered by WordPress include TripAdvisor Blog, The White House and 007.
Although WordPress is user friendly, it is also a powerful tool that can create technical websites, including e-commerce, live booking systems and membership sites.
How does it work?
Web developers create pre-coded ’Themes’ for various styles and layouts of websites, then make these available to users of WordPress, either free of charge or for a fee.
Themes are pre-coded and ready for you to make your own by inserting your company branding and content.
You can also use various ‘plugins’ to add different tools and features to your site.
Why WordPress?
- Easily-accessible – WordPress is an open-source platform, which means it’s free to access and use. Web developers update it regularly by uploading new Themes that users can download for use.
- Impressive functionality – The option to purchase plugins for your website means that WordPress offers virtually unlimited capacity for creating specialist sites. You can use plugins to create forms, communicate with customers and take bookings through live interactive calendars.
- E-commerce options – Retail and hospitality businesses can build a fully-functioning online shop that offers shipping options and processes payments with a customisable plugin called WooCommerce. Generally, WooCommerce provides more power, flexibility and better performance than dedicated e-commerce platforms like Shopify.
- SEO-friendly – Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) describes the process of making your website visible to search engines to improve its SERP ranking. WordPress offers plugins, including Yoast and SEO Press, both with free and paid options to help you improve on-page and backend SEO. (SEO is a vast topic – read more about it here.)
- High performance – A WordPress site can handle the increased traffic and demands of a growing business by allowing you to optimise your site to achieve fast loading speeds and an enjoyable user experience, even at scale.
- Secure – WordPress offers security features you can add to your website, including two-factor authentication, password sign-in, and secured payment systems. However, we’d advise you never to rely solely on plugins for the security of your website. Additional security measures, such as a Web Application Firewall (WAF), should be installed and configured on your server to defend your website against a cyber attack.
Is WordPress always the best option?
Though there are plenty of good reasons to choose WordPress, it might not be right for every type of website and business model.
WordPress might not be the best choice if your website or application is not primarily a content website. For example, if you’re creating a web app that needs specific coding or functionality, WordPress might not be the most suitable option.
In some cases, we would advise building a custom solution tailored to your business needs rather than using an existing CMS.
What is a custom solution?
A custom solution is an entirely unique website or app built from scratch. A developer builds the application or site using code languages, like PHP or JavaScript/jQuery, rather than pre-built management systems and templates like the ones found on WordPress. This approach does require some technical expertise, so you may need to hire a professional developer.
Summary
WordPress is a powerful CMS, providing high-performing websites for millions of users globally. However, we’d always advise exploring alternative content management systems and custom-built solutions for your business website or app before making a decision.
If you’d like advice on whether a CMS or a custom-built solution is right for you and your business, get in touch.
