WordPress Websites
WordPress is an open source content management system that can be configured to suit the most basic small business website requirement right up to complex enterprise level websites.
Easy to Use but Tricky for Newcomers
WordPress is free to install, well supported, flexible and it’s even recommended by Google.
WordPress websites are made up of a database to store the content (such as text and images), PHP files that display the content when requested, widgets and plugins that add functionality (such as email forms, online shops and galleries) and a theme that takes care of the way everything looks (such as layout, colours, fonts). Whilst WordPress is very easy to install and kit out with ‘all the things’, most of the time sites built by amateurs end up being full of things that are the opposite of best practice for business. You don’t know what you don’t know as they say.
WordPress Content Management
Updating content on a WordPress website is easy-peasy. The hardest thing you’ll have to do is remember your login! If you can use Word, read and type you’re ‘all good to go’ because whilst the interface might be unfamiliar, the skills are similar. If your site has been built by a professional, make sure you get a little training before you dive in. The content on your web page and the way you load images and create new pages (and how they’re linked into the man navigation) can have a huge impact on your visibility online and whether or not your website will convert to new business.
WordPress Themes and Custom Themes
Where it can get tricky is trying to make your WordPress website look the way you want. The basic setup can still be a bit tricky for someone new to WordPress. WordPress themes can be built just for you (that’s what we do, starting from scratch with a base page builder to keep your build costs down) or purchased already built and ready to go. WordPress themes are available to be installed within the admin dashboard (under Appearance > Themes) or via external theme marketplaces. Even pre-built themes need customisations and they can be very bloated and confusing to a new user with things that you just don’t need. We prefer to build fast loading, custom WordPress websites with unique themes just for you.
WordPress Plugins
The plugin selection in WordPress gives you access to thousands of plug and play functions from email forms to galleries to ecommerce stores. Simply search, select and click to install. A developer can configure these to suit your needs or sometimes configuration is very simple within the dashboard. Plugins are like bolt on code to extend what your site can do without having to hire a programmer like in the old days. If you have a need there is likely a plugin to help. The web is so old now that pretty much every situation has been built out as an add on. It would be rare for a small business to need too much custom code these days when it comes to functionality.
The Ideal for Business
Based on our experience, the solution we will promote most of the time is a custom theme with minimal, premium plugins. This is because we know users prefer fast loading websites and site owners prefer easy-to-manage solutions. Whilst WordPress is easy to use, most of our clients don’t have the skill in-house to develop and manage a WordPress website and prefer to hand this off to experts so it’s all taken care of properly. If you are new to business a DIY option might be your only choice in order to get your business off the ground but most business owners will switch as soon as they can to a WordPress web designer who is experienced enough to know what’s really needed. If you are interested take a look at the web design Brisbane page of this site for more information on how we design and create well-built websites for Brisbane business owners.
