Creating your own site can seem a daunting task, especially for someone who’s never done it. But thanks to the developing technology and emergence of such tools as CMSs and site constructors, this process has been made much easier. One of the most popular content management systems, or CMSs, is WordPress. In this article, we will go into detail of what WordPress is, how you can work with it, and also its advantages and disadvantages.
CMS vs. site constructor: what’s the difference?
Before we delve into WordPress itself, it’s important to understand the difference between a CMS and a site constructor. A CMS (content management system) is a platform that allows users to create, manage, and alter the content of a website without the need for in-depth knowledge of coding. CMSs gives users flexibility and control over all the aspects of the site: from its design to functionality.
Site constructors, on the other hand, are meant to facilitate quick and simple site creation. They give users ready-made templates and the drag-and-drop interface that let one create sites without any technical skills whatsoever. However, unlike CMSs, site constructors can be limited in terms of customization and scaling.
What is WordPress
WordPress is a free open-source CMS that was made in 2003. Initially, it was developed as a platform for blogs, but nowadays WordPress is being used for all kinds of site types: from personal blogs and portfolios to e-stores and corporate portals. WordPress supports thousands of themes and plugins that allow for expanding the site’s functionality and adapting it to specific needs. We develop sites on WordPress for private entrepreneurs who need to make themselves known as well as for large firms that need to tell the world about their production. WordPress knows no limitations.
How does one work in WordPress?
Work with WordPress starts with installing the platform to a hosting. After that’s been taken care of, the user gains access to the admin panel, from which they can manage every and all aspects of their site.
The main functions of WordPress include:
- Adding and editing content: with the Gutenberg or with the classic editor you can make and format pages and entries.
- Managing themes: choosing and setting up the appearance of the site.
- Plugin installing: improving functionality with the help of additional modules.
- User management: setting up access rights and roles for different users.
Pros and cons of WordPress
Pros of WordPress:
- Flexibility and scalability: WordPress is ideal for creating sites of any type and size.
- Large community and great support: there is a ton of knowledge on forums as well as documentation.
- A lot of themes and plugins: you can customize and add new functions.
- SEO-friendly: WordPress is optimized for search engines out of the box.
Cons of WordPress:
- Needs constant updates: to maintain security and functionality of the site.
- Some plugins may conflict: if you use a lot of them, some plugins may conflict with each other.
- Hosting requirements: more powerful hosting may be needed for bigger sites.
How do you create a WordPress site?
Site creation on WordPress includes several steps:
- Choose your domain name and hosting: register the domain and choose a hosting provider that supports WordPress.
- Install WordPress: many hosting providers offer auto installation for WordPress.
- Choose and set up the theme: choose the theme fitting for your project and set it up.
- Install the plugins: install the plugins you require to increase functionality.
- Create and publish your content: start adding pages and entries to your website.
- Optimize and launch: make sure your site has been optimized for search engines and works as intended before you launch it.
Who should choose WordPress
WordPress is great for all sorts of users and projects:
- Bloggers and content makers: thanks to its convenient editor and SEO tools.
- Small and medium businesses: to create corporate sites and online stores.
- Freelancers and agencies: to create and manage clients’ sites quickly.
- Educational facilities and NCOs: to create info portals and community websites.
To conclude, WordPress is a powerful and flexible tool for creating sites that suits the needs of greenhorns as well as experienced users. With its help you can create sites of any level of complexity and scale and adapt it to your particular needs and goals.
Our agency has more than 10 years of experience at WordPress site development. More than 700 projects for large enterprises as well as medium-sized businesses have shown the advantages of the WordPress CMS. If you are thinking about developing a site and want to get the most bang for your buck as well as be fully in control of your project, we can wholeheartedly recommend WordPress. And we can also help you with creating, supporting and promotion of your site!