What do you think about WordPress?

“What do you think about WordPress?” is a question I’m asked many times. WordPress is a content management system (CMS) which is an application, hosted by some hosting companies, that allows you to edit your site. Once taught how to do this, it is quite easy.

Initial set up of a site is not so easy to do but is certainly possible, even for people who are technically challenged. In most cases, DIY WordPress sites leave people frustrated and dissatified with the results.

There are lots of other CMSs out there for the non developer, such as Squarespace. Squarespace is a proprietary CMS which means it is hosted by the company and you can only use it through that company. You also cannot move any site you created to another hosting company.

WordPress is an open source CMS, which means the system is allowed to be hosted at many hosting companies.

Most CMSs are template-based. You either pick their templates they offer (for free or cost) or you have to make your own. Making your own is a heavy lift for non techies. Many WordPress designers/developers, like myself, offer a custom template – you get to choose how you want it from the start. The templates that the CMSs’ offer are almost never exactly how you would want it.

I prefer to do custom templates for clients on the CMSs I work on. It does not cost more for me to do a custom site for someone. Working with someone else’s template could actually cost more.

WordPress has deveopled into a great CMS. I didn’t like it for years but now the options it offers are top notch. It also has what is called plugins you can buy or get for free. Plugins are applications either already installed or you can install into WordPress. The choice of plugins is enormous. The most sought after are used for photo galleries, slide shows, forms, backend security. The free plugins work great and, most of the time, they are all you need.

The bottom line is I think it is a good choice for small, medium and large companies and non profits.