Is WordPress Right for my Website? Answers to 4 Common WordPress Questions

In our business we build websites on many different platforms, there is no “one size fits all” solution but WordPress has become a very popular choice. It started out as a relatively simple blogging tool but has grown considerably over the years.

WordPress is actually so much more than a Content Management System (CMS)—the many plugins and the ability for developers to make custom tools make WordPress a robust web development platform. So how can a brand decide if WordPress is right for its website? The decision process can be complex but here are answers to 4 commonly asked questions to help you get started.

Is WordPress the same platform as the one powering all of those cookie-cutter free blogs? I don’t want my website to look ‘cheap.’

Yes and No.

There are two types of WordPress blogs.

The first is WordPress.com, which is a free, ad supported blogging platform. While a good choice for a personal or casual blog we would not normally recommend WordPress.com for a professional blog or website.

The second is the full WordPress platform found at WordPress.org . This is the version developers use to build stand-alone websites.

Many robust sites have been built in WordPress thanks to its plugin architecture. The key to having a quality website is not just the look and feel but also the planning and execution behind the site. This is why some WordPress sites look and feel high quality while others are decidedly less sophisticated.

Do I need any special kind of technical knowledge to manage a WordPress site?

No.

WordPress is user friendly and requires no programming knowledge to manage content once it has been properly implemented. A good WordPress developer should optimize your WordPress CMS so that if you have CTAs (Calls to Action), call outs, or other functionality you can edit them easily. It is important to note that the basic installation of WordPress may not include the functionality you require.

As with any new tool it may take some time to get to know the platform. Whenever we develop a WordPress site we provide training to ensure our clients are comfortable with the CMS. The majority of the time 1 to 2 hour long training sessions are all our clients require before they are comfortable managing their site.

If I use WordPress am I stuck with a predetermined look for my website?

No.

While there are many default WordPress design templates (referred to as ‘themes’) you should invest in a design and layout which reflects your brand and identity. We design and build a custom look and functionality for every client’s site (WordPress or otherwise). Should their needs change, we can redesign a WordPress site as easily as any other.

Can I use WordPress if I have an ecommerce site?

Yes.

Because the WordPress platform has a plugin based architecture in many cases it can work within ecommerce, either through a pre-built plugin or one that is customized for you.

Now the question you should be is WordPress the ideal ecommerce solution for our business? This is where you’ll want to work with an ecommerce expert to discuss your needs. There are many ecommerce platforms to choose from. For example, WordPress may be a good choice if you are selling one product or service. If you have 10,000+ SKUs, require QuickBooks integration, and inventory management, a dedicated ecommerce platform may be a better fit.

We hope you find these Q and A’s helpful. Please let us know if you have any other WordPress questions. We’ll be happy to address them directly or in a future post.

Is WordPress Right for my Website? Answers to 4 Common WordPress Questions