In this article, we will share the most important reasons why you should use WordPress. We’ll also cover all the different type of websites you can create with WordPress as well as showcase popular sites that are using WordPress.
Why you should start using WordPress?
One of the most common misconceptions about WordPress is that it is just a blogging platform.
But WordPress is so much more.
While WordPress started as a blogging tool, it has evolved into a powerful website builder and a robust content management system (CMS).
The best part about WordPress is that it’s easy to use and flexible enough to make different types of websites. That’s the main reason why WordPress has grown so much in popularity.
In fact, according to a recent research, WordPress powers 43% of all websites on the internet.
Due to its robust features, many of the top brands use WordPress to power their websites including Time Magazine, Facebook, The New Yorker, Sony, Disney, Target, The New York Times, and more.
Let’s take a look at why you should use WordPress to make your website.
1. WordPress Is Easy to Use
Despite being the most flexible and powerful platform, WordPress is quite easy to use for beginners.
It comes with a simple dashboard with different menu options listed in the sidebar. You can easily create posts and pages, customize your website design, add navigation menus, and more.
WordPress is easy to use
WordPress makes it easy for absolute beginners to maintain their own websites without any technical hiccups.
First, there are updates. WordPress regularly releases core WordPress updates that you can install with the click of the button. The same goes for WordPress plugins and themes which release their own updates.
WordPress updates
For backups, there are excellent WordPress backup plugins (many of them are free). They allow you to set up automatic backups and store them on a remote location like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Finally, there is security. With some basic WordPress security best practices, you can make your website even more secure (more on this later).
As a beginner, you may find it a bit overwhelming at first. However, as the largest WordPress resource site for beginners, we can confidently assure you that you’ll soon find your way around.
Over the last 10+ years, we have seen thousands of beginner level users quickly graduate to intermediate and advanced users. In fact, many of them now make WordPress websites for others to earn their living.
2. WordPress Is Completely Customizable
WordPress themes
Most folks using WordPress are neither web designers nor programmers. As a matter of fact, most people start using WordPress without any prior knowledge of designing websites.
For non-tech savvy folks, WordPress is the perfect solution because there are thousands of free website templates (themes) that you can choose from. There is a perfect WordPress theme for just about every kind of website (whether it’s a blog, business site, or an online store).
WordPress themes are easy to customize because a lot of them come with their own options panel allowing you to change colors, upload your logo, change the background, create beautiful sliders, and truly customize it to your needs without writing any code at all.
For example, Astra is a theme we often recommend because it makes it easy to create a professional-looking website even for beginners. It comes with 90+ ready-made templates that are easily customizable for any type of website.
Page builder
You can also add custom functionality to your WordPress site by using plugins. WordPress plugins are like apps for your website that you can use to add advanced features like analytics, contact forms, membership area, and more.
Just like themes, there are thousands of free and premium plugins available for you to use. To learn more, see our article on what are WordPress plugins and how do they work.
WordPress plugins
Aside from adding extra functionality, some WordPress plugins can let you transform your website into a completely new platform.
Having to pick from thousands of plugins can be overwhelming, but there are some essential WordPress plugins that we recommend for every website:
A contact form plugin so your visitors can reach out to you
An analytics plugin so you can see how many visitors you’re getting
A search engine optimization plugin so you can get more traffic from Google
Then you’ll need to choose more plugins depending on the type of website you’re creating.
3. WordPress Is SEO Friendly
The best website in the world won’t be a success if it doesn’t get any traffic or visitors.
Luckily, WordPress is built with search engine traffic in mind.
WordPress is written using high-quality code with semantic markup. In non-geek terms, this means Google and other search engines love WordPress.
This is why WordPress sites tend to rank higher than others in search engines.
4. WordPress Is Safe and Secure
WordPress security
WordPress is developed with security in mind, and it is a very safe and secure platform to run a website.
However, you can still do a lot to make your website even more secure from hackers, malware, and other dangers. For details, see our step-by-step WordPress security guide for beginners.
5. WordPress Is Here to Stay
WordPress growth
Website builders come and go. Even the biggest ones may disappear.
Open-source software, on the other hand, is much more likely to be around for a very long time.
That’s because as open-source software, it’s not maintained by just one person or company. Even if WordPress disappears, anyone can simply fork its code and launch it with a different name in a matter of minutes.
One of the lesser-known facts about WordPress is that it does not have a CEO. The name WordPress is protected by the WordPress foundation, which is a non-profit organization ensuring that WordPress continues to grow.
There is a strong community of thousands of users, developers, and small businesses behind WordPress. As a community, all of them ensure that WordPress is here to stay for the long-haul.
WordPress community
WordPress benefits millions of users around the globe. It is available in more than 53 languages and powers thousands of multilingual websites as well.
As a WordPress beginner, you’ll join this global community of users and you’ll find the WordPress community welcoming and eager to help.
What Kinds of Websites Can You Create With WordPress?
WordPress can be used in many different ways, from simple websites to eCommerce marketplaces and anything in between.
The following are just a few examples of different kinds of websites you can make with WordPress.
Start a blog
Make a business website
Start an online store
Build a membership website
Sell online courses
Sell digital downloads
See our full list of different types of websites you can make using WordPress.
We hope this article answered your question about why you should use WordPress. The best way to truly experience the power of WordPress is by using it. Give it a try, and let us know what you think.
