The Science of Website building can be divided into two eras: before WordPress and after WordPress. Before WordPress, it was Joomla and Drupal that ruled the roost in terms of Customer Management Systems (CMS). (By the way, in addition to these three important CMS systems there are 17 other systems as well, and you can find them here.)
Regardless the number of systems available, WordPress happens to be the most sought after website building software in the world. In fact, it’s the backbone of over 60 million websites today, not to mention 40% of CMS-based websites use WordPress. A short infographic below is showing a basic comparison between the most popular CMS systems.
Image source: EpicTutorial
As per Google Trends, people prefer WordPress Over Joomla and Drupal
Even according to Google Trends, people prefer WordPress over Joomla and Drupal. All this means, WordPress is the real Goliath in the website building space and given that it works on a DIY model and is cost-effective at the same time, Startups are all for it.
But before we speak at length on why WordPress is favored among Startups for website building, let me address the elephant in the room first: “Isn’t WordPress Exclusively Meant for Bloggers?”
The answer is a big YES. Yes, WordPress is meant for bloggers; however, kindly scratch out that exclusive part. Why? It’s because over time WordPress developers have made this CMS highly expandable. Simply put, WordPress today is loaded with powerful features, such as post and page structure, which makes it apt for Website building and blog building at the same time.
Image source: Smashingmagazine
So, today WordPress is the Content Management System of choice for startups and biggies alike. For your information, even Tech Crunch and Best Buy are run on WordPress.
20 Reasons why startups are loving WordPress
Startup failure rates are incredibly high. In fact, 9 out of 10 startups fail, according to Forbes. And one of the primary reasons cited being that startups spend extravagantly. When you are a startup you need to keep a tight check on your budget. And spending too much, than you can actually afford to, on building your website especially, is an absolute recipe for disaster.
This is when a CMS like WordPress helps. It won’t be wrong to say that the system is perfectly designed to build your website on a shoe-string budget. However, if you’re looking for different features or greater flexibility, a WordPress alternative might be a better fit for your needs.
1. WordPress is affordable as opposed to other CMS
As it turns out, startups run on a shoe-string budget. And WordPress perfectly fits the bill. For one, you can set up your site on your own. You don’t need to hire a professional developer to do that.
However, you need to pay some minuscule charges for the purchase of domain name and web hosting services. For the starters, domain names cost around $10 per year and web hosting starts for $5 per month. And you can use a free WordPress Theme to test the waters and move to premium later on. That’s about it. Get, Set, Go.
2. Add-ons Available Easily
Sure, you don’t have to spend much to get your WordPress site up and running. But then, it pays to upgrade it with a certain set of features. So opt for add-on services from your host, including additional security features. More to the point invest in a premium web theme as well, which will automatically fetch you with more features. If anything, some of the premium features make your site more user-friendly. For instance you can use plugins to enhance your menus.
In case you need some help setting up your website, you could also pay a WordPress consultant to assist you in navigating the software and customizing your site.
3. You are In the Drivers’ Seat
If are using WordPress you are literally and metaphorically in the drivers’ seat. You don’t have to hire a web developer for one thing. Another thing being, you can make changes to the site as per your requirements as you will have access to the backend of your site 24/7.
For starters, WordPress features are driven by content folks and not techies. Every feature is oriented toward the blogging community (non technical people largely) and that’s why it’s so easy to operate.
4. Zero Coding skills
Startup owners usually are illiterate in terms of coding aspects. Nonetheless, it helps, if you know a little bit of coding, as the onus is on you to build a workable website, especially when hiring developers and designers is almost out of question.
If things are not going as planned, you can take help from YouTube tutorials and get things started. This is one of the primary reasons why startups opt for WordPress more than any other software.
5. It’s Scalable
You can set up a basic brochure site with limited plug-ins or you can scale up as per your requirements with as many plugins as you want. For the starters, there are about 50 thousand plugins at your fingertips. Go ahead and add as many desired features at your own pace. For instance, you could add media galleries, videos, mailing lists, analytics, events calendars, newsletter signups, affiliate links, you just name it. And if these are not enough, you could even check out sites like codecanyon.net for more.
6. It’s Customizable
It’s easy to customize WordPress. Sure, navigating the dashboard might require a little bit of hand-holding initially, but then once you get a hang of it, things will become much easier.
For the starters, each theme has got some built-in customization features. Some of these themes are really easier to customize, while some premium themes come with built-in drop and drag features, which are equally easy to customize.
And since you have access to the site files, you could edit codes at your will to lend your site the look you want.
One Caveat: However, don’t play with codes, if you really don’t how it is going to impact your site. Instead, opt for free or premium plugins to expand your site’s functionality.
7. Search engine friendly
Given that websites are dominated by content, you cannot ignore search engine optimization at any cost. In fact, search engines have acquired a new level of importance today. It’s no more a shady practice that revolves around stuffing as many keywords as possible. Today, SEO is all about applying the best of the keywords that suit your business needs and building user-friendly content around it.
Step in WordPress
The software is designed so that you can easily key in the required meta-tags, keywords and other crucial information that make it possible for search engines to crawl without much ado. More to the point, search engines like WordPress powered sites because they are easy to crawl as well.
Getting your website easily tracked by Google is very important if you are a startup. And given that WordPress has an SEO-friendly build, it’s easier for startups to attract more leads, more traffic and ultimately accelerate profits and revenues.
Google’s Matt Cutt has, in fact, endorsed the use of WordPress during WordCamp San Francisco 2009.
8. Shared Web Hosting
You could opt for shared web hosting for your WordPress site as its a cheaper alternative to dedicated hosting. In fact, shared hosting plan prices usually start from $3 a month. And given that the administration and maintenance of the server is taken care of by the hosting provider you don’t have worry too much about the technical part as well.
More to the point, you get cPanel and other user-friendly applications as well from your host that make website management a piece of cake. In addition to that, you get multiple email accounts, access to more than one database and MySQL and PHP support too.
Other benefits include round the clock supervision, not to mention maintenance and technical support.
9. You can Switch Your Hosting Provider
In case you need to change your host, partly because you are frustrated with them, but mostly because they can’t handle your incoming traffic, you can do that too without much ado. This is because WordPress works in sync with every server. You can check out this guide for some value-for-money options when it comes to inexpensive WordPress hosting.
10. Mobile-friendly
It’s a mobile world. So it’s really important for your website to be mobile-friendly as well. With WordPress, you don’t have to give too much thought to it. WordPress already mobile-friendly and it comes with an array of responsive themes.
11. Integration With Powerful Platforms
WordPress has integrations with some powerful platforms to give your business that fresh breath of life. Want to run an email campaign? You can use the services of Getresponse or MailChimp. Want to receive payments online for your product or service? No problem. WordPress is well equipped to work with some of the most renowned payment gateways in the world.
12. Several Ecommerce Solutions
If you are running an eCommerce store, it’s would be really easier for you to add more eCommerce-friendly plugins, which will help convert your site into an all-out digital store. Plugins such as WooCommerce, WP eCommerce and Shopify can be installed to propel your profit margins.
13. Keeps Your Site Fresh
This is another major factor that plays in favor of WordPress. Let’s say you are using the same website theme for a couple of years now and apparently you are bored with it. Take it easy. Simply switch over to a brand new theme. There are hundreds of thousands of themes available for free.
Furthermore, if you want to give a Christmas feel to your website, you can also do that easily by switching over to a Christmas theme just for a few weeks.
14. Adding Customer Testimonials
Testimonials are one of the best means that lend credibility to your site, not to mention your products and services. Add them by installing plugins such as Easy Testimonials or the Testimonial Widget.
15. Multiple Users
WordPress accommodates multiple users as well. In fact, each team member can have his/her own username and password to operate the site. Sure, administrators have full rights to edit the site, though contributors are limited by user’s capabilities.
And given that it’s web-based, you can access and edit your site from any computer.
16. 24/7 Customer Support
The WordPress Community is always on its toes, helping anyone and everyone master its CMS. In case you are not aware, there are hundreds of thousands of WordPress developers on its forums and groups offering readymade advice and suggestions.
Okay, it may take some time, but then, let me assure, it’s worth the wait, given that the advice comes completely free. Whether it is to know more about WordPress plugins or trying to figure out what’s in the tutorials, WordPress community will never disappoint you.
Further, if you are looking for custom solutions, you could always choose Custom WordPress Development option. This is yet another route startups could take, as it costs less than building a website from scratch.
17. Used Globally
The nuts and bolts of WordPress are not new to the online world. Even your freelance writer will be able to operate it without any hassles. So simply send him/her a Google Doc sheet complete with your website writing tasks, and be assured, your site will be flowing with some fabulous content in no time.
And, in case, if your website runs into trouble, you could always hire a professional WordPress developer to fix it, for you. No, it won’t cost much. But then, you need to shell out some minimal charges at least. This is another reason why WordPress is popular among startups.
18. Safe and secure
Given that it’s a popular CMS, bet hackers would be eying it since day one. Knowing how hackers would be hell-bent on cracking the site, WordPress has taken extra security measures, upfront. For one, it constantly updates its software to prevent hacker attacks.
19. Ease of Use
Another great advantage of WordPress: ease of use. Yes, the platform is quite user-friendly, instinctive and easy to use as well. In fact, you could install WordPress and start operating it in a matter of minutes.
WordPress is best-known for its famous “5-Minute Install.” This service ensures that you don’t have to go for full-scale development which might require paying through the nose.
20. Easy Updates
WordPress has an automatic update feature since the release of version 3.7. This means, your site is always in the loop whenever a general update happens. This makes managing your WordPress a breeze. And also keep your site safe, fresh and up to date.
Wrapping Up
WordPress has been around for more than thirteen years and has made a quite a leap from being a blogging platform to an application platform. Today, it powers no fewer than 27 percent sites.
And given that it’s the only CMS that gives you some relief in terms of cost aspect, its fan-following is sure to grow in the years to come. But then, as you have read, affordability is not just one aspect that makes WordPress famous. There are other amazing features as well that adds to its popularity.
Long story short, it’s better for Startups to be on WordPress than on any other site.
Have I have missed out on any crucial WordPress feature here? Go ahead and share the same in the comment box below.
Author Bio: Jini Maxin works at OpenXcell – a top iPhone App Development Company. She has a Masters Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications and is a frequent contributor to several top online publications and websites. Her favorite pastimes include reading paperbacks and polishing her culinary skill-sets. You can get in touch with her on Linkedin and Twitter.
1 Comment
WordPress is really a great CMS platform for all newbie and bloggers.