If you spend a lot of time on the internet, chances are you have at least a vague awareness of WordPress (it’s also a core component of our web design process). You may not know much about it, but you’ve seen it mentioned here and there. Many people use WordPress to run simple blogs. This common practice has fooled people into thinking there isn’t anything more to the platform. This couldn’t be more off the mark. Many major brands utilize WordPress for their websites. Today we are going to take a look at some common WordPress myths and explain why they are wrong.
WordPress Is Only for Blogs
This is probably the most common of the WordPress myths. WordPress certainly began as a blogging platform, but has evolved greatly over the years into a powerful content management system. A content management system allows you to customize a website with as much functionality as you want by using custom post types, pages, widgets, addons, and plugins. Close to a third of the internet is made up of WordPress based sites.
WordPress Is Not Compatible with Commercial Usage
Understanding this WordPress myth first requires an understanding of the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com lets you use WordPress on their platform for free. They provide a free domain and hosting but the features and flexibility are severely limited compared to WordPress.org. WordPress.org giving you access to the base content management system and allows you to build out your site in practically any way you can imagine. Websites belonging to The Rolling Stones, Best Buy, and Justin Timberlake all use WordPress. Even CNN is built on the full WordPress platform.
WordPress Doesn’t Lend Itself to Ecommerce
If it hasn’t become clear by now, WordPress being a content management system makes it not only possible to run an ecommerce store on a website, but for most will be relatively easy to implement. There are tons of frameworks and plugins that make building an e-store simple and stress free. Woocommerce, and Easy Digital Downloads are just a few of the major plugins.
WordPress Isn’t a Secure Platform
This WordPress myth comes from the sheer quantity of WordPress sites out there on the web. Because it is such a heavily used platform, it becomes more of a target from web attacks. However, site security really depends on how much effort you put into it. There is basic security, but a bit of effort on the part of the site owner will make your site much more secure. WordPress is constantly updating and upgrading their security each year.
Now that you are aware of some of these common WordPress myths you hopefully see the potential in the platform. If you are interested in working with a web design company that builds custom WordPress websites with a variety of functionality, contact JSMT Media today.
