I’ve heard that WordPress is good for blogging, but can it support a complex web site?
WordPress was introduced to the world as a blogging tool, but it has become a full-fledged Content Management System. The reason WordPress is suitable for general websites today is the way it evolved. Because it is open source, many developers use WordPress and understand how it works. It was created in a public, collaborative manner (think non-proprietary). If there’s a problem, lots of eyes are on it to provide a quick solution. Improvements happen daily, with a team of developers upgrading the core system, and others creating the themes and plug-ins that sit on top.
Check out the WordPress showcase, where you can find examples of major websites running on WordPress:
Here’s an interesting chart comparing open source Content Management Systems:
opensourcecms.com/general/cms-marketshare.php
I want to update my own site. How hard will it be for me to use WordPress?
Being able to update your own site sounds great, in concept, but it’s not for everyone. So, how do you know if it’s the solution for you?
You don’t have to know HTML (hypertext markup language), but it helps if you are comfortable surfing the web, using an email program, like Outlook, and styling documents in a program like Microsoft Word. If you already know how to apply formatting to text, insert hyperlinks, resize images, and embed images into a document, using WordPress will come naturally!
If you are a total beginner, don’t despair. With a little persistence, you can learn the basics and at least be able to create text entries on your blog. Also, we have found that some people think they want to update their own site, but in reality they are much happier to email their updates to us. A second set of eyes is nice and we can usually turn around changes within 2 business days (Monday – Friday).
Can’t I just create my own WordPress site for free?
Absolutely! If a free blog meets your needs, then go for it! No reason to hire us. The downside to a free site is that you have limited options. You may find a theme that you really like, except you want to change the styling. Maybe it meets your needs for a while, but your business grows and your web site needs to grow too. That’s when we can help.
What about other content management systems like Drupal or Joomla?
Those are great too. If you are looking for a developer to help you out, we would be happy to refer you.