WordPress has been talked about in so many ways by so many people, so how can I explain it in a new way to help you understand it? My goal is to break down the positives (the ones that really matter in today’s market) and negatives (the reasons you may not want a WordPress site, because every platform isn’t for every user). Hopefully, we won’t sell you on WordPress, but give you a better understanding of why we, Kaniksu Web Services, recommend it for our clients.
The benefits of WordPress
It is always a good idea to start with the good stuff, so let’s start with the benefits of WordPress. When looking for a foundation to build our business, we wanted to have a platform that benefited our clients the most. So the following is not a complete list, but the big points that make WordPress 40% of the current World Wide Web(WWW).
- Open-Source Platform – You own your website, unlike other platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix. WordPress allows you to own all your content, and host it anywhere you wish.
- Mobile Friendly – The world is becoming more and more mobile-focused, and WordPress has adapted. Having themes that are designed to adapt to any device automatically.
- Scalable & Cost-Effective – WordPress software is free, and there are budget-friendly and highly scalable options to meet any website requirement.
- SEO Optimization Foundation – WordPress allows for an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) foundation, which allows your website to rank higher in search engines and drive traffic to your website, with more customization.
- Easy to Change – This is a Drag-And-Drop Block editor that does not require code for the majority of visual changes (though there is always something special somewhere). It is easy to teach, and anyone can make edits to an established website. Allowing clients to edit themselves.
We have been building with WordPress for years and stand by our recommendation to our clients to this day. We want a website that allows us to build for the client, not build the client into the website. We also need to keep up with current data trends, so our clients can stay competitive in the modern age. That also raises the idea of a website that can start small and grow without starting over.
That also leads to cost of operation and maintenance. WordPress allows you to shop around for hosting (the highest cost, really, of having a website), while the platform itself is free. There are ways to reduce costs in almost any way, and a clever developer can find a free or cheap plugin or a set of code to do what you need. You don’t necessarily need a developer to build a WordPress website, but it is recommended for time and peace of mind.
The reasons not to pick WordPress
WordPress is still only 40% of the internet, meaning some decide WordPress isn’t the platform for them. Some need a simpler platform or a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) platform (which would be platforms like Shopify or Wix), usually citing security issues that come with open-source platforms. But let us be fair and list out some of the downsides or reasons we wouldn’t recommend WordPress to you.
- Set-Up Cost – You can set up your own site, but the learning curve is steep for site set-up. And most people do not have that time to invest.
- No Dedicated Support – As an Open-Source platform, there is no support team, so you will have to hire a freelancer or use a backup to fix any issues.
- Plugin Conflicts – There are so many plugins, and some work together and some don’t. And when they don’t, figuring out which one is the problem takes a detective or a developer.
- Optimization – There is a fine line between an optimized website and an Overloaded one, and it is easy to add too much to a website, slowing it down and making load times slow down significantly.
- Maintenance Requirements – WordPress software has regular updates, so do themes and plugins. Each can run into problems, but if maintained properly, your website can run for years.
Suppose you are looking for a quick informational website or a cookie-cutter e-commerce website. And have the time to edit and manage it yourself, then sites like Wix or Shopify are for you. But once you start needing more, you will need a more specialized and customized website, so you need to start investing in a website structure that can grow.
It also comes down to personal choice and which is picked first. WordPress isn’t pretty. Its the old school web builder that has been around the block a few times. But with that comes a sense of reliability. But with the new kids on the block comes more automation, more streamlined, and less user input, which to some is a major benefit. You can step away from them and let them take care of your website. But you lose a sense of control. There is again a reason we prefer to stick with the 40%.
Why We Started with WordPress
In 2016, when we launched Kaniksu Web Services, WordPress was the predominant web platform. Stephanie, our founder, initially worked with WordPress and DreamWeaver. After Kayla, our co-owner and developer, joined, DreamWeaver was phased out as Wix and Shopify gained popularity. Despite this, WordPress continued to be a valuable option for development and maintenance. As a result, we began assisting clients in rebuilding their WordPress websites, launching new sites for small businesses, and rebranding and maintaining existing sites.
WordPress has time and time again held its own against every new kid on the block. Though there will always be naysayers who are praying for the downfall of WordPress. We see its potential and will be there to build up the old sites into the next generation, and help new clients start their journey.
