There has been a lot of debate over the years about what is the best option for small business owners looking to create their own website. Some people say that WordPress sites are great because they are easy to use and require little technical knowledge. Others argue that WordPress websites are too limiting and don’t offer ample customization options or support. In this blog post, we will explore both sides of the argument so you can make an informed decision about whether or now WordPress is right for your needs!
The pros of using WordPress
The fact that WordPress powers over 35% of the internet speaks for itself when you’re looking at the pros of using WordPress for your small business. The ease-of-use and simple design can help first time web users get their site up quickly with little technical know how, making it a great option for those who want to get started as soon as possible without spending hours learning about HTML code or programming. It also has a vast library of plugins and themes which you can use to customize your site’s appearance. If you have any problems with launching your site, there are numerous expert WordPress development services that can assist you.
In addition to the plugins and themes, the number of people who use it have generated a lot of great content. This content can be anything from the best practices that users have found when utilizing the theme, to answers to common problems that other users might have found.
Another benefit of this CMS is that it is also very secure. WordPress has a lot of security features built in that allow you to control who can access your data. Furthermore, the number of security plugins and add-ons allow you to turn your WordPress website into a digital Fort Knox.
The cons of using WordPress
One major con of using WordPress is that it needs to be either self-hosted or self-managed. This means that you are either hosting the site or managing it on your own, and there is no middle ground. This is an often overlooked because of the misunderstanding behind the phrase “open-sourced”.
Another con of using WordPress is that if used incorrectly or carelessly, it may cause major problems. Because WordPress is not a complete website, but rather an engine for managing data and content, if there are any security flaws in the software itself or on your server where it’s hosted then anyone with access to the site can exploit them.
The final con of the WordPress platform is that the saleable nature can easily be overdone. Adding too many plugins can cause the site to be slow or crash, and with the complexity of plugins and themes in WordPress it can be difficult to find a balance.
How to choose a web hosting provider for your site
Hosting a WordPress website can be very easily. Simply install WordPress on the server and then upload your content. However, if you want to take advantage of all that WordPress has to offer it’s important to make sure you have a reliable hosting provider.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a hosting provider for your site, including the following:
- uptime
- load time
- customer service
- ease of use
It is important to consider what you are using the website for. A normal blog or service industry website leaves the possible list of hosts very wide open. A site that is high in traffic or an eCommerce site, requires a high-speed server.
A few possible options for reliable WordPress hosts might be:
- GoDaddy
- WPEngine
- SiteGround
- Flywheel
Benefits and drawbacks to choosing a WordPress or 3rd party hosted solution
When hosting your WordPress website, you have two possible options. You can either go through WordPress.com and have the WordPress.org installed on a 3rd party solution. Both solutions have a number of benefits and drawbacks, but both can work for your small business.
With a WordPress hosted solution, you get the scalability with the ease of a full-service solution like Wix or Squarespace. The monthly cost of hosting your website includes added security, managed hosting, and domain name hosting. This also comes with a few drawbacks. For instance, you will have to pay a premium for additional features and functionality.
When you host your WordPress site, the sky is the limit. Anything you can think of is a possibility. Whether that be custom coding, highly functional plugins, or easy connections to other services. Just like hosting through WordPress.com, there are also drawbacks. The crux of the drawbacks is the fact that most things are self service. This includes registering and redirecting of your own domain, choosing the right security solutions, and finding the best hosting solution to maximize site speed.
Conclusion
There are plenty of benefits to using WordPress, but it’s not the right solution for everyone. A reliable web hosting provider is essential if you’re considering a self-hosted site. We’ve provided information on what to look for in your host and how that can impact your business’ success. If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry! There are a lot of web design companies who can help you through this process.
One thing that cannot be stressed enough is that the number of resources available to the WordPress user is immense. This also applies to the prospective user. Look at some of the many articles across the internet and learn why WordPress wise the right choice for your small business.
