The Pros & Cons of Using WordPress
WordPress can get a bad rep sometimes. Especially by seasoned developers who have an appreciation for and make a living creating custom-developed websites. While there is definitely a need for that, there are also some real benefits to creating a website in WordPress.
User Friendly
PROS
Out of the box, WordPress is easy to use and implement quickly. If you aren’t familiar with building websites, the interface is very intuitive and most people pick up the workflow quickly. Depending on which theme you use, this also will influence how painless it is to create your website. Some themes offer drag and drop features while others are a bit more clunky. Do your research!
CONS
While WordPress is very user-friendly, it helps to have a little knowledge of the web. You can create security vulnerabilities without the proper knowledge necessary to build a functional and safe website. Free Tip: learn as much as you can about securing your website. Take an online course or check youtube for educational videos. It’s worth the time studying as this will help ensure your sites are safe.
Super Support
PROS
Because WordPress is open source, there is a lot of support available online. There are many answers to your questions out there with a plethora of input from the community which makes learning manageable. Make sure to use only WordPress supported software. This will give you the most accurate support and training available.
CONS
Free software and support? What con could there be? Well…if you don’t do your diligent research you can still spew out a compromised and non-functioning website. The con here really lies in the users hands. The support is out there, but it will take some time to really grasp all of the spinning pieces.
Plugin Nation
PROS
Want to have a sign-up form for your constant contact email subscriber list? A WordPress plugin can do that and you don’t have to spend hundreds developing it from scratch. There are tons of plugins that integrate with WordPress and can be deployed within five minutes of installing.
CONS
Having too many plugins can make your site wonky. When we say “wonky” we mean put your website at-risk. Make sure the plugin has a lot of downloads and great ratings. This means it will continue to be supported and updated for years to come, while others will be obsolete with no future ahead of itself. Not all plugins work well together in addition to your theme. Take the time to plan the essential functionality you need and don’t overdo it.
Security
PROS
Maybe this one should have been mentioned first as it’s one of the most controversial. You can have a very secure site using WordPress – even e-commerce sites that bring in lots of money. It can be simple to do, but again, you have to do your research and stay on top of security issues that come up. Selecting the right plugins, having a popular theme, and instilling good security practices are ways to avoid being hacked.
CONS
Due to the open source nature of WordPress, websites are more vulnerable using this software. Hackers or bots can find many ways to enter your site unknowingly – through a spam email which was provided on your site, or through uploading an image in your online directory. As long as you keep your site updated, explore and research the best security plugins and stay informed on the most recent security protocols and your site will remain safe.
