The Pros And Cons Of WordPress
There are many good reasons why WordPress has evolved into the world’s most popular content management system. Inspired by a long-forgotten weblog tool known as B2/cafelog, WordPress has grown into a near-universal solution for website design and maintenance. This streamlined package offers huge numbers of customizable pre-designed templates, with over 56,000 standalone plugins handling a plethora of site-specific functions. Managed WordPress hosting also ensures that people don’t have to update plugins, or constantly check whether the software is performing optimally.
However, WordPress isn’t necessarily the perfect platform for everyone. The introduction of the Gutenberg editor caused consternation among certain users while outsourcing WordPress hosting inevitably involves relinquishing aspects of overall control.
These are the key pros and cons of using this platform…
Advantages
1. Speed.
It’s possible to put together a basic WordPress site in a matter of minutes, while companies like Midphase make the process of buying a dedicated domain name quick and easy, too. Refinements and customization can be honed at a later date.
2. No technical knowledge is needed.
If you opt for managed WordPress hosting, the site will be fully maintained. Your only responsibility is to add new content – blogs and podcasts, new product lines or additional payment methods, etc.
3. Mobile optimization.
The basic WordPress framework is a streamlined platform, designed for rapid loading times and comparable performance on a desktop or mobile devices. This improves usability, which in turn reduces site abandonment.
4. Content management.
Even an IT beginner can design a stylish and effective site using WordPress. Adding new content is as easy as using Copy and Paste, while image resources like Stockvault offer thousands of copyright-free photos and illustrations.
5. SEO.
With 90% of new site visitors being referred via Google and Bing, maximizing SEO is imperative. WordPress does most of the hard work for you, while plugins like Yoast (which is free) walk users through straightforward optimization techniques.
6. Security.
Opting for managed hosting ensures your data remains safe, come what may. Automatic backups mean you won’t lose valuable information; hosting packages from Midphase additionally deliver integrated security and 24/7 support.
7. Simplicity.
It’s possible to streamline the process of creating a website by appointing one company to source your site hosting, domain names, and email accounts. That means one annual invoice, one point of contact and no communication breakdowns.
Disadvantages
1. Plugins are volatile.
Some require manually updating, and others might wither on the vine without any indication their developer has abandoned them. Plugins occasionally conflict with each other, and others may attract the attention of spammers or criminals.
2. Bloating.
It can be tempting to add multiple plugins, but each one increases page loading times and diminishes overall platform performance. It’s difficult to overlook desirable (if non-essential) plugins, but a bloated site will be slow and unwieldy, which will put off visitors.
3. Templates may look familiar.
Any template can be endlessly personalized, but simply replacing text and images results in a generic design resembling existing websites. Although some clients won’t notice, those who do might think less of your brand.
4. Costs can increase.
Most plugins are free, but some command a one-off or ongoing fee. Hosting also increases the annual cost of maintaining a website, alongside domain renewal charges. However, we currently offer WordPress hosting for just $2 a month.
Conclusion
At Midphase, we believe in WordPress as a platform. Our dedicated packages are equally suitable for ecommerce, blogging, and marketing purposes. It might not be for everyone, but this popular tool is often the best solution for small-to-medium businesses looking to create or expand an online presence.