WordPress: Still the best choice for your website in 2024

You’re probably familiar with the intense debates between iPhone and Android users about which phone is truly better. A similar debate has been ongoing for years about which content management system (CMS) is the best for websites.

Convincing someone to switch CMS is often a challenge. Each choice has its pros and cons, and preferences are usually shaped by first experiences or they system they have worked with the most. With nearly 15 years of experience with various CMS, including Drupal, Joomla, Magento, WordPress, and various headless systems, it’s clear that WordPress stands out in terms of user-friendliness. Customers with WordPress have noticeably fewer questions about its operation compared to those with other CMS. Moreover, an impressive 24% of the top 1 million websites are built on WordPress (the number two on the list only holds 3% of the market). From a commercial perspective, WordPress remains the most interesting option: more than 90% of new business inquiries are WordPress-oriented.

But why is WordPress so popular? Is it the marketing, or is WordPress simply the very best CMS in the world?

What is WordPress? The Basics.

WordPress is a popular, user-friendly, and open-source CMS for managing websites. Originally developed as a blogging platform, it has evolved into a versatile backend for various types of websites. Users can easily create, modify, and delete pages.

Common misconceptions

There’s a misconception that WordPress is a cumbersome system limited to pre-programmed templates and plug-ins. A system where much comes ‘out-of-the-box’, sometimes making it a nightmare for developers. This is outdated. WordPress can also be used purely as a backend, with completely custom-developed themes and plug-ins, keeping the code clean and not affecting the website’s load time while still utilizing its user-friendly interface.

Another misconception is that design is limited by standard templates. This, too, is outdated. With a custom-developed WordPress site, there are no restrictions in terms of design. Thus, the website can be precisely designed in your brand style.

There’s also a notion that WordPress is insecure and easily hackable, which is another misconception. Due to WordPress’s popularity, websites using it are indeed susceptible to hacker and spambot attacks. However, this can be reasonably easily prevented by securing your website properly. This issue is not unique to WordPress; all other content management systems face the same problem. Besides, if WordPress were so insecure, why would organizations like NASA choose it? In the right hands, WordPress works just fine.
 
So, what are the downsides of WordPress?

If you work with a web agency experienced in WordPress, you are unlikely to experience any downsides. However, if you’re starting with WordPress on your own, the initial installation process can be somewhat challenging, especially if you have less technical knowledge. Even with the visual editor, it can still be tricky, though they are actively working to optimize this

Advantages of WordPress

Besides its user-friendliness and commercial attractiveness, WordPress has another significant advantage: the WordPress community.

WordPress boasts the largest support community, which means there’s a wealth of information and assistance available online. This community is also highly active in the ongoing development of the platform, regularly contributing to important (security) updates. These updates not only enhance the user experience but also ensure that your website is always up-to-date.

Another considerable advantage for businesses choosing WordPress is its flexibility. In terms of both development and the availability of a wide range of plugins, almost anything is possible for any type of website. There’s also considerable flexibility in choosing the supplier you want to work with. As the most used CMS in the world, WordPress has multiple specialized suppliers, making you less dependent and facilitating easier transitions if necessary.

Ready for WordPress?

Are you looking for an agency for the design, development, or maintenance of a WordPress website? Then contact erwin@totaldesign.com. Together, we’ll look if WordPress fits your needs best.