What do you need to know about WordPress web design?
WordPress is a popular and affordable option for small businesses looking for web design and hosting options. With user-friendly functionality and plenty of options for customization, WordPress is used by millions of bloggers and entrepreneurs all over the world. No matter what products or service you’re trying to sell, it’s likely that a WordPress web design will completely meet your needs.
Effective WordPress web design is crucial to the success of your online visibility. In addition, a bad user experience can drive readers away before they’ve read a single word of your content. Here are five things you should know about WordPress web design that just may keep you up at night:
1. WordPress can be completely free.
If you stick with basic themes, it won’t cost you a dime. If you would prefer to use a theme with lots of bells and whistles, then you will have to pay for it. There are WordPress theme designers who make a decent living creating and selling incredible themes, and one of those designer themes might be just right for your company. Just keep in mind that WordPress is only the engine (and a very good one). With WordPress, you can create a custom design that meets your organization’s branding needs.
2. WordPress used to be all about blogging.
But in recent years, changes have been made that allow non-bloggers to use WordPress as the platform for their websites too. Concerned about having an empty blog page on your website? You don’t have to use the blogging feature, and keeping the blog references and functions off your site typically just takes a few tweaks. Given that Google loves fresh content, it is advisable to keep the blog, research your industry specific keywords, and write compelling content on a regular basis that is helpful to your prospective customers.
3. WordPress is a Content Management System, not a blog site
Using WordPress.com means having a free blogging site with limited customization options. It’s a good choice if you just want to write a blog. Using WordPress.org means having access to tons of customizable themes, and using your domain name (BestAtlantaPlumber.com) instead of a WordPress.com domain (BestAtlantaPlumber.wordpress.com). Want to start with a free blog, but worried about transitioning to a full website later? Moving from a .com to a .org WordPress site down the line is usually a seamless change.
4. WordPress offers over 30,000 free plugins to help you manage your site.
Some plugins are garbage, but others are invaluable for improving the performance, reporting, and security of your website. Overwhelmed by all of your plugin options? The WordPress forums are a great place to find free advice about the best plugins for your needs. A good indicator of a decent plugin is a high number of downloads, positive reviews, and one that has been updated recently. One example of a great plugin for SEO purposes is Yoast.
5. Most people with average technical know-how can set up a decent WordPress website on their own.
Expect a fair amount of trial and error as you go, because certain aspects of WordPress present a steep learning curve. But for the most part, a basic WordPress website can be built in a day. Not sure you’re up to handling your own WordPress web design? Plenty of experts, such as PersistSEO, can set up your ideal website in no time. Our team will ensure that SEO best practices are implemented, along with a mobile friendly design.
No need to worry about how you will get your WordPress site off the ground – PersistSEO can help you through every step of the process. Start your transition to a WordPress web design by requesting a complimentary SEO analysis from Persist.