As a website development agency, we are always presented with a diverse range of questions regarding website development, blogging and SEO. Many of these questions centre around Content Management Systems and development language so we thought we would write a blog that answers some of those questions particularly focussing on WordPress.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open-source blogging tool and content management system (CMS) based on PHP and MySQL.
(There are 2 primary development languages – .PHP and .ASP,
MySQL is the most popular open-source SQL database management system)
WordPress is currently the most popular blogging system and CMS in use on the web and powers around 20% of active websites.
There are many CMS systems available but the most popular in use today after WordPress are:
- Joomla
- Drupal
- Umbraco (for websites written in .ASP development language)
All of the above are excellent Content Management Systems that allow scalable flexibility and the tools you need to manage and update your website.
Benefits of Using WordPress to Power your Website
As previously mentioned there are an array of CMS systems available to website developers and bloggers alike but in our experience and statistically speaking WordPress is the best for both developer and end-user (the client). We are going to focus our benefits list on the end-user experience. So what are the benefits of WordPress?
- Providing that the website has a good layout and has been developed to a high standard, search engines love the architecture of WordPress. This is relevant because it creates a solid foundation for you to implement your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) strategy and get the website ranking for your chosen keywords.
- WordPress is definitely the most user-friendly content management system on the market (which is why it’s the most used CMS system). The benefits to the end-user are that you can very quickly update all aspects of your website easily without complex jargon or any knowledge of website development.
Here’s why:
- WordPress uses simple Language. ‘Pages’ are called ‘Pages’ not ‘Articles or ‘Titles’ as some other CMS systems label them. It’s obvious really but it’s these little things that really do help. If you’re a business owner trying to figure out that to edit a page you firstly need to click articles to see your list of pages you’re wasting time on that could be spent running your business. That’s not to mention the other elements that are labelled weird and wonderful names.
- There is no multi-level complex site map to navigate just to edit a page. 2 clicks and your editing.
- The layout and structure of the interface are clean and well thought out, focussing on usability.
- The media management (images, video etc that appear on your website) section is visual and gradually builds as your site evolves. This means you end up with an online bank of images suited to your website and business that are accessible with a click of the mouse button.
- If the website has been developed properly, WordPress will automatically resize images for you so you don’t have to worry about web resolution and pixel sizes etc.
- Blogging is an effective way to keep your existing customers up to date with what’s going on in your business but also an effective way to offer beneficial information that is of interest to your audience. WordPress is the leading blogging tool and your website will benefit from this powerful tool with a WordPress CMS.
- You can easily add users (administrators) and set up different edit permissions. Each has its own login username and password and can access the CMS from any device with Internet access to update the website.
- On the move? No problem! There is a WordPress App that allows you to update your website wherever you are (providing you have Wifi, 3G or 4G access).
Things to be aware of with a WordPress website and questions that you should ask the agency that is designing and developing your WordPress Website.
This applies to any service really, but make sure that you choose the right agency to design and develop your website. The beauty of WordPress can almost be destroyed with some agency’s building websites entirely centred around plugins that are bolted together and shoe-horned into the HTML code. At face value, this is not obvious until you look at the code and realise that the HTML is poorly structured. Search engines like clean code and architecture.
Is the website design bespoke or is it an off the shelf template? There are some great templates out there but if you are buying a ‘bespoke design’ make sure it is a bespoke design.
More Information on WordPress
If you would like any more information about Content Management Systems or website design in general call Lightbox 0121 516 2500 or email enquiries@lightbox-design.co.uk
