Small business owners are faced with a tough decision when it comes to choosing the right Content Management System (CMS) for their websites. The internet doesn’t always help, claiming that there are no clear answers on the topic and offering divided opinions. Let me run through some of the pros and cons so that you can decide what’s right for you. The most common solutions for developing a website are: WordPress, Squarespace, Wix and other popularized hosted website builders. Let’s start by explaining the difference between WordPress and the other commonly used, hosted website builders.
Please note: In this article, we will discuss wordpress.org, a self-hosting Content Management System (CMS), not wordpress.com
WordPress vs. All the others
WordPress is a self-hosted, free and open-source software that you can install and use with your choice of website hosting provider. This will create a website that’s 100% your own. Thanks to its open-source nature, WordPress has a constantly growing community of open-source developers, who provide regular updates, security patches, and many more functionalities to WordPress users worldwide.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy and other platforms are all hosted website builders. This, at first, makes it easy for most businesses, having all the technical bits taken care of and an easy-to-use interface. In the long run though, you may find limitations with these platforms and the monthly fees can be costly. It’s important to research the best platform for your company long-term and find a platform that will grow with you.
Expandability- when the sky is the limit
Indisputably, the most important advantage of WordPress is its expandability. It will give you the freedom to build your website exactly the way you want it. There simply isn’t a website you couldn’t build with WordPress. The endless options allow you to have full control over every aspect of your site. It’s easy to tweak and adjust every single detail to your liking. More importantly, your website can grow with your business and you will never have to worry about limitations in use or design – its expandability has no limits, making it the top choice for many website developers.
100% Customisable Design
Hosted website builders have an easy User Interface (UI) to help you build the website yourself. It is a sought-after feature by DIY small business owners…however this friendly and beloved interface, as good as it may be when you start, can also become confining with limited customisation options further along the way. WordPress satisfies both clients and developers, allowing unlimited customisations and the ability to evolve the website as the business grows.
Extended Functionality
One of the unique aspects of WordPress is its endless range of plugins. What are plugins? Well, consider them to be specific ‘add-ons’ to optimise your site. Technically, they are pieces of code that can add any functionality you like to your website – with very little effort. To give you an example, if your business grows and you decide to add membership options to your website, all you need to do is to add a specific plugin with that functionality. This can link up to your email and customer database, making client management very easy. Much like mobile phone apps, there are free plugins and paid plugins. Your website developer [SS2] will help you choose which ones are right for you. As your business grows, you can add or remove any as you go. It is a great example of how flexible WordPress is to meet the exact needs of your business.
SEO favoured
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can be a very clever advertising strategy. Optimising your website to appear on the first page of Google (without paying for ads!) will ultimately get you more website traffic. WordPress will make SEO optimisation much easier with its simple plugins and customisable interface. It’s the desired platform for most SEO consultants as the technical aspect of it can be very detailed. These days, more and more people will find you via Search Engines like Google and Bing. Creating an SEO friendly website will directly influence your sales and bring new customers to your site.
Internationally renowned
WordPress powers nearly one-third of the world’s websites with its popularity growing each day. Its widespread customer base and growing database of website developers, confirm that you can never go wrong with a WordPress website. As a business owner, it’s important to choose a platform that’s going to grow with you. You would never put a limit to the growth of your business, so don’t allow your website to do that either. Create a website that’s going to impress your customers and competitors.
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