Website owners today have a tremendous number of options for maintaining an online presence. While some choose to spend thousands of pounds on web developers and SEO companies, others elect to handle things themselves. Should you find yourself in the latter category, you could do yourself a big favour in 2016 by learning how to use the WordPress content management system (CMS).
WordPress was originally established in 2003 as a blogging platform. In the 12 years since, continual development has transformed the platform into the most popular CMS on the web. Still not convinced? Well, consider these 10 reasons to learn WordPress and 2016:
1. It Is Extremely Easy to Use
If you can use a word processor, you can use WordPress. Your WordPress installation can be customised through hard coding (if you possess the knowledge), plug-ins, or a combination of both.
2. WordPress is Free
It is becoming increasingly more expensive to do business in the modern world. Thankfully, WordPress is absolutely free to use. Most plug-ins are free as well; some do require payment.
3. It Is Comparatively Secure
A lot of people deride WordPress for a perceived lack of security. As a CMS, it is anything but. WordPress is very secure and becoming more so with each new release.
4. Google Loves WordPress
Google is clearly the dominant search engine of choice. But guess what? Google also loves WordPress. During a 2009 conference, Google SEO guru Matt Cutts fully endorsed the platform as one of the best CMS options on the market.
5. WordPress Is Flexible
WordPress was not very flexible in its earliest days, but that is no longer the case. Tens of thousands of plug-ins now make it possible to do virtually everything from simple blogging to complex e-commerce.
6. Development Can Remain In-House
Because WordPress is so easy to use, you can keep website development in-house by training just one or two employees how to use it. There are a plethora of training resources available on the internet as well.
7. WordPress Is Portable
WordPress is powered by databases that collect information and display it for users. As such, it is very portable. You can take your website with you should you decide to switch hosting companies.
8. It Looks Good
There are thousands of free templates available for your WordPress installation. Even with no artistic skills of your own, you can create a stunningly beautiful website that will impress your visitors.
9. WordPress Is Open Source
As an open source platform, WordPress source code can be modified by your web development team if you so desire. You could even use it as a base to create a commercial product for your own company.
10. It Comes with Plenty of Support
The WordPress community is incredibly supportive. You can get all the support you need online without having to pay for an expensive support contract.
There you have it; 10 reasons to learn WordPress in 2016. We hope you will.
Sources:
1. YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBtSJ5Z_qI8
2. WP – http://codex.wordpress.org/Hardening_WordPress