Long gone are the days when a new website or even an update involved a lengthy search for a reasonably priced developer and seemingly endless chats about coding that you could barely grasp. Thanks to the introduction of web platforms sites like WordPress, the web has become a lot easier to manage, especially for SMEs.
Long known as the perfect blogging tool, over the last decade or so WordPress has transitioned into one of the best content management systems on the market. This easy to use platform now contains within it the ability to create superb websites, with thousands of available plug-ins making it a one-stop-shop for all your web needs. But apart from that, just what is it about WordPress that is so good for SMEs?
It’s free
That’s right. You can download it completely free and use it in any way you see fit. As a small business you need a website and if you can’t afford to shell out thousands on up-front web design, then WordPress is the perfect solution.
Easy to set up
Second only to costs, time is the next most precious commodity for any small business. So not having to spend hundreds of hours coming to terms with new coding languages is a real bonus. Quick and easy to set up and use, it leaves you free to focus on doing what you do best.
It’s open source
This means that anyone can download and use the code available in WordPress, and it’s not owned and licenced by one company. That means you’re free to use the code in any way you want and that other people are constantly adding new dimensions online.
Support
If you do get stuck then help is just a quick message away. There is a huge online support community ready and waiting to offer advice. Either search a relevant forum topic or start your own to get the answer you need.
Variety
The problem with some web platforms is that they all look a bit samey. You may only be a small business but your site needs to look the bee’s knees. Luckily, WordPress has a huge range of available themes and each of these can be custom designed further without too much trouble.
Plug-ins
As we mentioned, there are also thousands of available plug-ins meaning there is an available tool for any feature that your site needs. These are all available in the directory and easy to use and install.
SEO
One of the great confusions of the internet age, lots of people talk about SEO but few really understand how it works. Luckily, WordPress comes SEO optimised and ready to use so you can make your site as visible as possible to the main search engines, boosting your business up the rankings.
It’s all the above and more that explain why an estimated third of all the world’s websites run on the WordPress platform.
