Are you curious about WordPress, but don’t feel like reading pages and pages of content about it? The following 10 points are all you need to know to get started:
1. The wonders of a CMS
WordPress is a CMS (content management system), which means that anyone can edit content on a site web development knowledge not required. This is one of the many great features of WordPress, as anyone who is given permission can change content on a page or add a blog post. This results in an efficient and easier way to update your website.
2. Huge community
According to WordPress, their community is 60 million strong. With a large community comes plenty of support in the form of forums, tutorials, and articles. If you are new to WordPress, know that whatever question you may have, you will find an answer.
3. You can integrate any site into WordPress
Have a site already? Any website can have WordPress integration in a few steps.
4. You can create a traditional site, a blog, or both!
Take a look at d50media.com; we have a main site with all of our main content, and a blog with the same look and feel.
5. Themes
Your website can look however you want with the use of themes. Think of a theme as a skin for your site. There are endless possibilities for the look and feel of your site, just pick one! Or create your own.
6. Plugins
With the help of plugins, you can have your site do pretty much whatever you want. Plugins extend website capabilities, such as adding a contact form, integrating social media, or including an image gallery. Also, if you can’t find a plugin that meets your needs, you can create your own!
7. WordPress and SEO
There is a WordPress plugin called WordPress SEO by Yoast that enhances search engine optimization (SEO). SEO allows your site to become more visible to search engines (i.e. Google, Bing), and gives your site a higher rank (placement) on the page. Better content = better rank.
8. Always Improving
WordPress is always updating with new features, and fixing old bugs. When a new version comes out (currently Version 3.4) you will be prompted to install this update. This allows your site to not be left in the dust; when WordPress improves, so does your site.
9. Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a great tool, and allows you to measure the success of your WordPress site.
10. …and perhaps best of all, it’s FREE.
What are your favorite features of WordPress? Let us know in the comment section below.