Thinking about setting up your first website and caught in a pickle over whether to choose WordPress? I’m here to help you out on this popular platform.
Running the risk of dating myself, I’ve been using WordPress since the beginning. It’s evolved into more than just a blogging platform since 2003. I still setup new clients on WordPress, but I’m not going to sugar-coat it.
There are some situations where WordPress would be the worst choice for someone and this guide aims to dive deep into the nitty-gritty of using WordPress as Your First Website.
Pros and Cons of WordPress as Your First Website
Before we dive into the deeper waters, let’s establish a baseline. What are the basic Pros and Cons of WordPress either as a one page website or as a traditional website.
Pros
- User-friendly CMS (content management system)
- Extensive customization options
- Great for SEO
Cons
- Regular updates required
- Can be complex for beginners
- You may encounter security vulnerabilities
You’re still here… ok, let’s dig deeper.
Why WordPress? An Overview
Ever wonder why the name WordPress keeps popping up in your research about website platforms?
Popularity and Community
First off, WordPress is a big fish in a big pond. As per statistics from W3Techs, WordPress powers 43.1% of all websites on the internet as of 2023. Why’s that a big deal? It means a vast community of users and developers are constantly making the platform better.
Customization Galore
Think of the WordPress back-end admin area as your toolbox. It’s got loads of themes and plugins ready for you. So you can make your site look great and work smoothly, all in a way that suits you best.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO is the lifeblood of a website’s online visibility and back in the day it was all manual work. WordPress has some very basic built-in SEO features.
The power comes from plugins that make climbing the Google ladder a little easier. Plugins such as SEOpress gives you an instant reading of your SEO rating with every content change you make.
Potential Pitfalls of Using WordPress
Even the best tools in the shed have their quirks. Here are a few potential cons of using WordPress as your first website platform.
Frequent Updates
Keeping up with WordPress updates can feel like running a marathon. The platform is constantly evolving, which can be a mixed blessing. I run checks and updates for all our client websites on a daily basis.
Managing WordPress updates is the most tedious part of the job. If you don’t keep on top of updates, the next con is what can happen.
Security Concerns
Despite efforts to tighten security, WordPress can be vulnerable to cyber attacks. You absolutely have to keep up with WordPress updates, don’t install plugins without doing your research. To minimize the security concerns, there are plenty of security plugins that adds another layer of protection.
May be too Complicated for Beginners
Remember when I said WordPress is as user friendly CMS? I’m not going to lie, there’s a learning phase with WordPress, especially if this is your first website. But once you’ve past that with practice, it’s much easier. You must have patience while learning WordPress.
WordPress vs. The World
How does WordPress stack up against its competitors? Well, let’s size ’em up!
WordPress vs. Wix
- Ease of Use: Wix may win this round. With WordPress there’s quite a bit to learn initially, but after that, it gets way easier.
- Customization: WordPress takes the cake here with its seemingly endless themes and plugins.
WordPress vs. Squarespace
- Ability to Change Host Providers: With Squarespace, you are forced to stay on their proprietary system. With a WordPress website, you can use any host provider in the world.
- Design: Squarespace has some sleek templates. But, WordPress offers more variety.
- SEO: Both platforms are SEO-friendly, but WordPress has more advanced tools.
WordPress vs. Shopify
E-commerce: Shopify is a top-dog in the e-commerce arena, but you’re forced to stay on their proprietary system. WordPress, has many e-commerce plugins with the WooCommerce being one of the most popular.
And I know you’ll have questions:
Is WordPress good for beginners?
Absolutely! It might seem complicated at first, what learning curve isn’t! There are tons of learning resources (like YouTube) available to help you.
Can I build a professional website with WordPress?
Sure thing! From blogs to e-commerce sites, you can create just about anything with WordPress.
Here are some popular websites running WordPress as their platform.
- The Rolling Stones
- The Obama Foundation
- The Walt Disney Company
- Bloomberg Professional
- Sony Music
- Microsoft News Center
- LA Lakers
Is WordPress free?
Here’s the twist: while WordPress.org gives away their software for free, you’ll have to shell out some money for website hosting and your very own domain name. Expect to see figures around the $200 mark yearly with a typical hosting provider.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission. This in no way increases the price you pay. I only recommend products and services I’ve personally used and found valuable. So when I say something is great, I mean it from experience.
Note that going to a cheap provider will give you cheap hosting. I recommend Siteground for all WordPress sites, they give you a fantastic rate for the first year and the regular hosting price after that is very reasonable.
Is WordPress good for SEO?
Indeed, it is. With SEO plugins like SEOPress and Yoast, you can optimize your site for search engines effectively.
Is WordPress good for a one page website?
Yes, WordPress is suitable for one-page websites. It offers easy customization and numerous design choices, which can help in creating an attractive single-page website.
Because it comes with so many features, it might be overkill for for a super-simple site. Plus, WordPress requires regular maintenance and updates, which could be excessive for a single-page site.
Does WordPress require coding?
No, it doesn’t. But knowing a bit of CSS or PHP can help you highly customize your site better, but for the average person, it’s fine out of the box.
Who shouldn’t use WordPress for their Website?
This platform demands a bit of time, patience, and willingness to learn the ropes.
If you refuse to stay committed to checking for updates at least three times a week, WordPress can quickly become a thorny thorn in your side. It demands an owner who is willing to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and dive deep into the maintenance aspects.
Moreover, if you’re allergic to technology and dread the idea of familiarizing yourself with new tools, WordPress might feel like stepping into an alien world. The platform requires a bit of tech savvy and a willingness to tackle the ins and outs.
Are WordPress sites safe?
WordPress sites can be safe if you regularly update them and use reputable security plugins.
Wrapping It Up
So, should you choose WordPress for your first website?
Well, it depends on your willingness to learn how to use it and the commitment to regular plugin and security check-ins and updates.
Yes, there are some cons, but the pros often outweigh them.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time inside your websites, go for a platform such as Squarespace.
But if you like the idea of having full control over your website, WordPress may be for you!
Until next time, stay inspired!
Gisèle
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