If you are wondering if WordPress is the best CMS for your blog, read on.
In this article, I will help you understand the features of this widely used CMS, and how it can help you create the blog of your dreams.
What is WordPress?
It is more than a blogging tool. Though it initially started as a blogging system, it has evolved through its journey and is now reported to be the most popular free and open-source Content Management System (CMS). It is now a web designing and publishing system that can be used to create your website or blog.
So how does it work? All you have to do is install the software on your server, then install a theme to add design to your blog, and then add additional functionality with plugins.
What is an Open-Source CMS?
It is a community software; which means it is run and maintained by a large group of volunteers who are interested in developing it and making it better by creating code, providing support, adding themes and building new plugins. That’s the reason it keeps updating itself, and there’s always fresh and useful stuff coming up.
Today, it is used by Fortune 500 companies like eBay, GM, and over 7 million other sites of all sizes and types. Why is it so popular though? Is it just another publishing system that helps you create a website?
Here are some reasons:
User-Friendly
You don’t have to know coding and web designing to create a website. Now building a website is child’s play. It’s that easy to use. And yes, you also get to learn a lot as you use it.
Free
If you have a domain and a hosting, installing and building your website doesn’t cost you a penny. There are hundreds and thousands of themes and plugins available for free that you can install, modify and use on any kind of website.
Versatile
WordPress themes are incredibly versatile. It can be used in many different ways to build a website of any nature. You can even build an online directory, job portal, or even an e-commerce site using plugins that are easy to install.
SEO Friendly
WordPress is designed with high-quality compliance with several SEO advantages. And, you can always improve your website’s search engine rank with SEO plugins.
Easy to Manage
You can easily make changes to your blog through the dashboard.
If you’ve been thinking of starting a blog or building a website, WordPress is probably the best place to start.
WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
WordPress comes in two different versions.
WordPress.org, which allows you to host your blog, and this means that you will need to purchase server space from a private web hosting company.
WordPress.com, on the other hand, maintains and hosts your blog for you, which means that you do not have to worry about hosting.
If you are serious about making money from your blog, then you should only use WordPress.org.
Below are some reasons why you should pick WordPress.org over WordPress.com:
#1 WordPress.org allows you to use a custom domain name, this means that your domain name will be unique, created using the name of your choice. Having a custom domain helps build your website’s credibility and positions a professional image.
#2 WordPress.org allows its users to customize and edit the code behind their website. You have full control over your website.
#3 Unlike WordPress.com, WordPress.org allows its users to install third-party plugins. Plugins provide additional functionality to a website.
#4 With WordPress.org, you have the flexibility to monetize your website in many different ways including running advertisements, offering online courses, setting up an online store for selling digital and physical products, creating membership sites, adding a job posting using a plugin and much more; which may not be possible with WordPress.com.
Conclusion
Serious bloggers (who want to make money from their blog) should only use WordPress.org. Hosting and buying a theme might cost you a little bit of money, but the flexibility of using plugins that add functionality to a blog along with thousands of themes that add a beautiful design element to your blog is worth the investment.
Ready to set-up your blog, here is a step-by-step article.
