In these past few months, I have been asked these questions a lot — Which platform do I use to design websites? And why do I love WordPress?
You may be familiar with Wix and Squarespace. You may have even built your website on a CMS. While I believe that every platform has something to offer and has its own advantages, my answer has always been the same — my favorite platform is WordPress.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal choices and preferences based on past experiences. What works for one person does not always work for another. When it comes to technology I don’t know it all; it is impossible to know it all. However, I wanted to focus on one platform and master it. I have worked on enough platforms in the past to form my own opinion and to determine which platform I am more comfortable using. My main goal was always to exceed expectations and design websites that my clients are happy with. I wanted to be sure that the platform I would choose had my back.
And this is what WordPress does for me.
I have even refused some projects that were not on WordPress simply because I wanted to be fair and not pretend to know everything about the other platform. Mastering a platform takes time and practice and I did not want to spread myself thin. Here’s why I swear by WordPress –
You don’t need to know code
WordPress has two sections (Visual and Text). This allows you to see how your text is translated into HTML (code language). It is quite intuitive and flexible, so give it a try.
You could check the text section to see how a specific font or color is added, copy the line or paragraph and insert it where you need to make the changes. It will copy the code and apply the same instructions. I learned a lot through practice. One day, I promise you, you will start writing it without having to look at it.
It’s simple
I believe that everything seems scary when you look at it the first time. But I find WordPress pretty straightforward and you can easily add a new page, text block, row, image, and column or even start a blog with just a click. You can also preview what you add or edit with the visual composer. You can change the structure of the menu and add as many pages as you want. When it comes to your blog, you can do it yourself and add a new blog pretty easily. Just make sure that your content is SEO-optimized. WordPress is flexible so remember that you are entitled to change your mind. Because a website must be dynamic, your website changes along with you.
SEO plugin
Yes, I cannot do without Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack. It is the best learning curve for anyone that is interested in looking into SEO. It makes your content even more magnetic to search engines. You can add specific tags, optimize your meta description, and insert your focus keyword. Once you understand the whole process and apply it, it will make a difference in the way Google will index your website. The plugins are one of the reasons why I love WordPress.
You don’t need to depend on your website developer at all times
Once the website is live, you can make all the changes that you want, the easy way, at your own pace. You don’t need to wait and depend on someone else to change the website, update pictures, add a new team member, or a new blog post. You are totally independent and you only need your website developer when something very big needs to be done, like fixing a bug after updating a plugin, turning the website into an eCommerce platform or code-needed optimization. WordPress gives you the possibility to update your website on your own. Do you love it more then?
Plugins
I am a fan of plugins. It fascinates me that you can do so much with them, from a newsletter pop up to an Instagram feed, from a photo gallery to a video subscription. Have fun looking at the various options, find your favorite plugin, et voila! Be creative and don’t be afraid to experiment with new options for your website. Dare to design the website that you have always wanted. Think customization, animations and add your personality to it.
The list goes on but I hope that I’ve answered some of your questions, as a start. Remember to give yourself the time to learn. The time you are spending now will be rewarded later, I guarantee you!
Ready for WordPress? Give me a call and become a WordPress fan, like me! I bet that you will tell me one day that you wish you had done it earlier. And soon you will love WordPress too!
Digitally yours,
Marie
