Over the past 3-5 years I’ve tinkered with, installed, used, and promoted a couple of different CMS (Content Management Systems – or web site platforms). The funny thing is, I’ve come around to Wordpress more than once for my own site. Xoops was great, but it seemed it’s development has stalled. Drupal was super, but it seemed a little harder than most (I’m not a developer). Joomla was closer still, but seemed to be missing something, and at the time it was missing a couple of what I felt were critical modules.
So WHY do I keep coming back to Wordpress and suggest you try it too?
- Anyone can publish content to the site with almost no experience. This includes uploading photos and now, even creating photo albums. You can even publish via email and phone. I tell people, ‘If you can use basic Microsoft Word, you can use Wordpress.”
- It’s the #1 blog/CMS software on the internet and is free and open source. (This means it’s probably more secure, standards compliant, and better tested) This also means support is readily available at any time from any number of places.
- Can you say ‘PUSH BUTTON UPGRADES!!’ The newest versions can update the blog software on your server, the plug-ins, and even themes via a few clicks.
- It supports themes and plug-ins that can be installed with just a few clicks. (Your existing work will still be there!)
- It’s Search Engine Optimized. Did you know Google is ‘Wordpress aware’?
- It can automatically archive your post if used as a blog. (only displays the most current content)
- Wordpress has the flexibility to be used as a static site, an E-Commerce site, a photo journal, almost any thing you can throw at it.
So far I’ve done a photo blog layout, a simple e-commerce site (with secure checkout via Pay-Pal), a ‘clone’ of another existing site (in function and very close to appearance as well – This was surprisingly easier than I first thought), and tinkered with more plug-ins than I can count. Tag clouds, local weather, e-commerce, news readers.. they are all available.
The other thing for me is speed. I can purchase a hosting package with a domain name in the morning, install Wordpress, add a nice flexible theme, add about 3-4 plug-ins and within 24 hours I can have a site that’s being indexed and linked via Google, Yahoo, and found by users on the net. I know, because I’ve personally done it. I don’t know of any other package out there that can give you this flexibly, so unless something drastic happens in the CMS world. I’ve got the feeling that this time I’m staying with Wordpress!
