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When is a WordPress Website best for you?
So you have a website you want to update or want a new website? You've started checking out the options available and one of them is WordPress. There are two ways you can get WordPress, first is Wordpress.com, the .com version is simple to setup and very low cost. It works great for a blog, but has some limitations. WordPress.org is an open-source software, freely available. It is primarily blogging software for your own website, but it's not just a blog, it's a true CRM (content management system). This discussion uses the WordPress.com CRM software.
Why would you use a blogging software for a static website?
Actually, there are several very good reasons why. Setting up a WordPress website is easy compared to the old way of creating a website. There are numerous web hosts that offer one-click installation of a basic setup, so you can get started fast and for a modest cost. With WordPress you can create "pages" as easy as you can a blog post. WordPress pages can include text, images, files, flash elements and more. It's as easy as using a word processor (almost anyway). In a very short time, you can have information on your website, without knowing html coding, dealing with FTP or any of the other stuff a typical website uses.
Also, there are numerous themes available free or premium themes for low cost. These themes give your website a professional appearance. Most you can simply add from the admin console. If you need special functions for your website, you can choose from the thousands of free or low cost plug-ins that will likely do what you need it to do. There are plug-ins for forms, photo galleries, SEO (search engine optimization), event calendars, so your website can easily do most of the tasks you need it to do. They too can be added from the management console.
Can I use WordPress for my Business?
Absolutely YES! WordPress has a lot going for it, especially for small business. WordPress is commonly used by manufacturers, arts and crafts creators, services companies and sales companies just to name a few. You can use it to get the word out to your customers on new product information, improved services and gain customer feedback. Artisans can use it to sell their crafts online using one of the many e-commerce plug-ins available and process payment through PayPal, Photographer's can display a portfolio to prospective customers and organizations can easily communicate with their members. Manufacturers can gain business by improving how distant customers find out about their services via search engines.
Web Marketing and Social Media
One of the BIG uses of a WordPress blog is to get the word out. Social marketing is all the rage and very important to political campaigns, non-profit organizations and marketing departments. Your blog will keep the "buzz" going and increase interest in your service, idea, products or cause. By connecting your blog to social networking sites like Facebook, My Space, Linked-in, Twitter and more, you further increase the buzz and turn it into a roar. Some of the WordPress plug-ins will help you connect to your favorite social networks.
Private Blogs
Another use for WordPress is private blogs, physicians, business groups, networking groups and others, sometimes need a private online meeting place. Your groups can hold online discussions, share files, and have an archived record of the discussion. Perfect for groups that are widely separated by distance! The website would be password protected and not available to the public. These discussions are held behind encrypted, closed doors, and only available to those you invite. Because of the private nature of the discussions, special attention must be taken to insure that only approved users have access. Special security software must be installed and configured and attention given to the web host used and how the server is secured.
Personal / Family / Resume
Some professionals promote themselves by creating a personal resume website. The focus is on there professional accomplishments, history, education and contacts. WordPress offers a plug-in that will connect your resume/blog to your Linked-in account further enhancing your chances of landing a great new job.
How about a family reunion online? A family website can be fun and informative. Invite family members and allow them to tell what there doing, post pictures and video too. As time goes on, you'll be creating an archive of memories. Imagine if you had all that information from your grandparents and how great it will be for your grand children.
Personal website can be fun too. Just let the world know what you're thinking. Invite friends and make new friends.
As always be careful what information you share online and who you share it with.
For a very reasonable cost I'll set up a WordPress website, give it the look and feel you want, add the functionality that fits what you want to do and turn it over to you. I will show you the basics in managing your website content and help you get started.
Please contact me to get a free quote. |
