WordPress is the most popular CMS (Content Management System) in the world. It is used to create all kind of websites: landing pages, blogs, business websites, online resumes and even online stores.
From all the available options out there, WordPress can be the tool to choose in order to create your own free website.
Depending on your background, WordPress may or may not be easy to use. Because I have started my web design adventure with Joomla, when I switched to WordPress, it was not so easy to move around. That happened because I was used with a different interface. However, after a while, it became easier and easier.
It’s not just a coincidence that many famous companies use it as a platform: CNN, CBS New York, Harvard Business Review, New York Times, Mercedes-Benz.
If you consider creating your own website using WordPress, the following pros and cons may be of help:
PROS
- You can save money. WordPress can be downloaded for free and you can start working on your site without paying any fees. You just need a domain name and a hosting account and you are set. More than that, before buying a domain and hosting, you can install and test it on your local computer, by using MAMP, XAMPP or other similar software. Even if you choose to hire a website designer to make the site, you can then update the information yourself, create new pages and blog posts, without extra payments to the designer.
- It is highly versatile. WordPress started as a blog platform and back then it was quite limited in terms of what you could do with it. Now you can build all kind of websites, from simple blogs to business websites and even online shops. The multitude of available templates and plugins give you the freedom to customize it however you want.
- Easy to use. It is very easy to create a basic website, without the need to know how to code. Sure, it helps to have some knowledge of HTML and CSS, especially if you want to make custom changes to your template, but it is not a must. It is also very intuitive, once you have chosen your theme, it is very easy to add content to your website. Plus, you can make updates from any computer with an internet connection.
- Plenty of information available. You may find yourself at some point looking for a solution to a problem. Try a google search and there are big chances someone solved that problem and posted the solution. There are many people in the WordPress community posting useful information on how to work around all kind of situations. The WordPress codex is also a good place to search for answers.
- Mobile friendly compatibility. Nowadays a responsive website is a must. Globally, more than 50% of the Internet traffic is generated from mobile devices and in 2018 it is expected to be over 60%. You don’t want to build a website that would look bad on a mobile device. But don’t worry, most templates out there are already mobile friendly.
- Diversity in content. WordPress allows you to insert different kind of files into your content. Beside text and images, you can add audio and video files.
- Productivity. You can schedule your posts to be published at a certain time in the future. Using blocks of time just for writing, without the need to come back and publish the articles one by one, can be helpful for some people.
CONS
- It requires regular updates. This may not be a bad thing because it means that your website will stay up-to-date with the latest trends and it will become better and better. However, if your time is limited, you may not want to spend it updating your site.
- Highly targeted. Being so popular, it attracts the attention of all kind of people, including those with bad intentions. This means that increasing your site’s security is a must, if you want to avoid getting hacked.
