When it comes to website development, there’s one content management system (CMS) to rule them all: WordPress. Biased? Definitely. We exclusively develop our client websites on WordPress, and it’s used by 63.4% of all the websites whose content management system can be identified (this represents 43.2% of all websites in the world).
WordPress is the platform of choice used by top brands such as Sony, TIME Magazine, Meta, Microsoft, TechCrunch, TED, CNN, Target, Harvard University, and many more. While it does a great job of meeting the needs of these well-recognized brands, WordPress is also well-suited to even tiny businesses. In fact, we believe it’s superior to the many website builders marketed to solopreneurs, course creators, and e-commerce businesses. But before we get to that, let’s review a few helpful terms.
| WordPress Glossary |
|---|
| Content management system: Software that is used to build websites and create content to be published on the internet. Plugin: A small software application that extends the features and functions of a WordPress website. Theme: A tool to change and customize the layout and design of your website. WordPress.com: A proprietary blog hosting service provider WordPress.org: Home to WordPress, the most popular open-source CMS software. |
WordPress may have started as a blogging tool, but it’s evolved into a powerful site builder and CMS. Here are 5 reasons why we exclusively develop on WordPress:
#1: Easy for clients to make changes themselves
WordPress comes with a simple dashboard with different menu options listed in the sidebar. As a general user, you don’t need to know programming knowledge to write and edit posts, upload images, manage users, create calls to action, update navigation menus, or manage the marketing tools in place.
Brighter Messaging’s Business Manager, Amy Willey, says, “I am far from an expert when it comes to building websites, but I have found WordPress to be very user-friendly. You don’t need to be an expert to update website pages.”
#2: Regular updates available
Being the most popular CMS on the market means that WordPress is host to better quality plugins and themes that are maintained regularly and release their own updates. WordPress also regularly releases core software updates that you can install with the click of a button. Since WordPress is an open-source platform, WordPress developers voluntarily work to improve the core code and create new plugins and themes to fulfill emerging needs.
#3: Customizable to fit your needs
It’s a common misconception that WordPress is mainly for building blogs. Although this may have been the case at its inception, the offering has changed drastically with the various new releases over the years. These days, you can use WordPress to build a robust website. Many templates are available for novice users, allowing you to configure colors and fonts, add your logo, and choose between various layouts all within an easy options panel — no coding knowledge required!
Other website-building platforms, such as Squarespace, Weebly, and Wix, are more difficult to customize. I have a client who is using the payment platform Square as their website builder, and I can’t even add a simple pricing table. I have to hand code the table and paste it in as HTML. I also have a difficult time embedding external content like their appointment form.
When you’re just starting out, you may not need a lot of custom features on your website, so it can be tempting to go with an out-of-the-box solution. However, as your business grows and becomes more complex over time, you inevitably need new features you never anticipated. And that brings is to benefit #4.
#4: Scalable in size and scope
Most businesses want to grow over time, so it makes sense that their website will need to be able to scale alongside them. Provided the web hosting plan has the necessary resources, WordPress can handle websites of any size, so there’s no need to migrate to a different CMS once the website takes off or the needs and goals of the business change. Since the platform is highly customizable, you could even change your entire business model and branding without moving your site. Similarly, if you get a new web development team or agency, you’re not version-locked to a custom-coded website—almost anyone could take it over and figure out how it works.
Starting out on a platform that allows nearly infinite scaling over time is more cost-effective than launching on another platform and needing to migrate your site later. That’s one of the reasons we created our digital marketing starter package—to help ensure that start-ups and new businesses have access to the platform they need for sustainable growth over the long term.
#5 WordPress is here to stay
Website builders come and go. Open-source software, on the other hand, is more likely to be around for a very long time since it’s not maintained by just one person or company. The platform is protected by the WordPress Foundation, which is a non-profit organization ensuring that WordPress continues to grow. A dedicated community of thousands of users, developers, and small businesses ensures that WordPress is here to stay for the long haul.
Here at Brighter Messaging, we’re all in on WordPress
Take a look at some of the WordPress websites we’ve developed:
Sure, you can get your business online easily and quickly with the likes of Wix and Squarespace, but they’re simply not as scalable and customizable as WordPress. Some people may be intimidated by WordPress due to the technical maintenance requirements, including hosting, security patches, and ongoing updates. That’s why we’re here to take that stuff off your hands.
We specialize in creating WordPress websites that drive organic traffic, convert visitors into leads, and offer small businesses a credible presence online. As mentioned above, our Digital Marketing Starter Package includes a professional and scalable website to put your brand on the map. Get in touch to learn more about our web development and digital marketing services.
