There are many ways to build a website. Currently, there are also many content management system (CMS) options. Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, Shopify, and others. With so many choices it can be hard to choose. We think the best choice is WordPress. Here is why..

• Widely Used. 30-40% of websites on the internet use WordPress. 14.7% of the internet’s top websites use it in some form. 500 new websites are built daily using WordPress.

• Free. WordPress is open source code, meaning anyone can download, use, or alter at no cost. It is maintained and developed by a non-profit that continually makes improvements. You own the site, whereas with many CMS choices you don’t.

• DIY-Friendly. WordPress is easy to use with a few basic skills. You can pick from WordPress free themes, use builders, or code it entirely yourself. The WordPress dashboard’s interface is simple and easy to use. No code knowledge required to build a site! WordPress is fairly easy to install and manage on your own.

• Large Support and Community. WordPress has a lot of community built around it. You can find meetups/groups, camps/webinars, online tutorials, and videos.

• Customizable and Flexible. WordPress can be scaled from the simplest blog  to complex ecommerce, business, and membership sites. Whatever your needs, WordPress can build a site to fit.

• Development and Plugin Integration. The fact that WordPress is open source and developed by a non-profit has ensured that it is always getting better. Third party integrations are frequently supported. Plugins are constantly being maintained or created to add additional function and integration, making WordPress options nearly endless.

• Budget Friendly Cost. WordPress itself is free, so other than a host and domain name purchase, you don’t need to pay for anything else. While you can spend a lot to add function and customization to your site you don’t need to. It can always be scaled to fit your budget and needs.
• Secure. Although WordPress is one of the most widely used sites, and therefore vulnerable to attacks, it can be very secure. Because WordPress is always in development, security issues can be fixed. There are also great third-party plugins or solutions to add additional security.. With some basic practices and settings you can be assured your site and its data are safe.

Why not? With most other CMS you don’t own the site and its code. You lose control over core code. You’re limited in choice to customize. It is usually more expensive. Little to no hosting options are available. Often non-transferable, locking you into one platform that usually charges a fee. 

While WordPress isn’t the only choice you can see there are many benefits to using it. At True North Design we almost exclusively work with it. As you can see, we are enthusiastic about it! But don’t take our word for it, see for yourself.