Hey there, fellow web enthusiasts! If you want to conquer the digital realm in 2023, you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to tell you why WordPress, the beloved platform of web designers worldwide, is still the ultimate choice for crafting stunning websites. As a professional web designer who’s been wielding WordPress for years, I’m excited to share my insights, personal anecdotes, and expert advice on why WordPress is your secret weapon for success.
In an ever-evolving digital landscape, choosing the right platform is paramount. So, buckle up, and let’s dive into the world of WordPress and uncover why it’s the undisputed champion in 2023.
A Tale of WordPress Evolution
Let’s kick things off with a bit of history. WordPress was born in 2003 as a humble blogging platform, but it has evolved into a full-fledged content management system (CMS). Today, it powers over 40% of all websites on the internet! That’s a testament to its adaptability and staying power.
One of the most remarkable aspects of WordPress is its commitment to innovation. Constant updates and a vibrant community of developers ensure that it remains cutting-edge. New features, security patches, and performance improvements are rolled out regularly. This means your website won’t just stay current, it’ll thrive in the ever-competitive online world.
User-Friendly Interface
Whether you’re a seasoned web designer or just starting, WordPress offers a user-friendly interface that makes site creation a breeze. Its intuitive dashboard lets you manage your content effortlessly. Creating, editing, and organising pages and posts is as easy as pie. Plus, you don’t need to be a coding wizard to design a beautiful site. The built-in visual editor, Gutenberg, lets you create eye-catching layouts with drag-and-drop simplicity.
When I first started my web design journey, I was writing HTML code in Adobe Dreamweaver and uploading it to my webspace via FTP like most people did back in 2001. There were no drag-and-drop editors to use, and platforms like Squarespace and Wix hadn’t been invented yet, this resulted in limited space for creativity to blossom and very basic (boring) websites. After dipping my toes into Wix many years later (2017), I soon realised it was a much more user-friendly way to build a website, and a perfect platform for someone with no coding experience to establish a decent web presence. These days WordPress is my go-to choice because I feel like it bridges the gap between the two web-building worlds. You can build out the framework with a theme using block editors, then go back in to make any changes you like in the code editor. Its user-friendly interface allows you to learn the ropes quickly and focus on unleashing your creativity.
Limitless Customisation
One of the biggest strengths of WordPress is its flexibility. Whether you’re building a blog, an e-commerce site, a portfolio, or a corporate website, WordPress has you covered. With a vast library of themes and plugins, you can customise your site to suit your unique vision. The Elementor visual editor is my usual go-to for building and customising WordPress websites, but there are alternatives like Gutenberg, WPBakery and Divi available to customise the look and feel of your site.
Want to add a sleek image gallery or a dynamic contact form? There’s a plugin for that! Need a design that reflects your brand identity? You can find thousands of professionally designed themes. The possibilities are virtually endless.
SEO Supremacy
In the digital realm, visibility is everything, and that’s where WordPress shines. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a crucial aspect of any website’s success, and WordPress are well aware of this. It comes with SEO-friendly features right out of the box, including clean code, customisable permalinks, and easy metadata management.
Moreover, there are excellent SEO plugins like Yoast SEO that can supercharge your efforts. They provide real-time guidance on optimising your content for search engines, helping you climb the ranks in Google’s search results.
Responsive and Mobile-Friendly
In an era where mobile browsing reigns supreme, having a responsive website is non-negotiable. WordPress understands this and offers a wide array of mobile-responsive themes that ensure your site looks fantastic on any device, be it a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. With most website visitors now viewing your site on a mobile phone, it is essential to have a responsive website (although personally I still prefer the aesthetic of the classic desktop website layout, we have to move with the times!).
Recently, I was approached by a client whose outdated website was losing traffic due to its non-responsive design. I migrated their site to WordPress and used a mobile-friendly theme. Their traffic and user engagement skyrocketed, making both me and my client very happy!
If you’d like to learn more, read our blog post on the benefits of responsive web design.
Robust E-Commerce Solutions
E-commerce is booming, and WordPress is right there at the forefront. With the WooCommerce plugin, you can transform your WordPress site into a fully functional online store. Managing products, tracking inventory, processing payments, and offering various shipping options—all become a breeze.
No matter what you’re selling, WordPress provides the tools you need to create a seamless shopping experience for your customers. This can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to establish an online presence.
Although I would usually recommend Shopify for people who are new to e-commerce due to its extremely user-friendly system, WooCommerce can transform your existing WordPress website into an online store if you want to start selling products online alongside your existing website content or features.
Stellar Security
Security is a paramount concern in today’s online landscape, and WordPress doesn’t disappoint. The core platform is designed with security in mind, and regular updates help patch vulnerabilities. Additionally, you can enhance your site’s security further with plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri Security. But it’s vital to keep up with the core WordPress updates, as well as those for your theme and/or plugins, otherwise your site could become vulnerable over time. If you don’t have the time to run these updates you can find someone to help, our sister site UWebServices offers WordPress Care Plans to take the maintenance of your site off your hands and free you up to run your business.
A few years back, one of my client’s websites fell victim to a security breach on a different platform. Since moving their site to WordPress, they haven’t experienced a single security issue. It’s a testament to WordPress’s commitment to safeguarding your digital assets.
Thriving Community and Support
As a web designer, it’s crucial to have a support system you can rely on. WordPress boasts an expansive and passionate community of developers, designers, and users. Countless forums, tutorials, and documentation are readily available, ensuring you’ll never be left in the dark. Or if you feel intimidated by the thought of building your own WordPress website you can always hire Ublesemp to build one for you, we’re happy to discuss your requirements and see what we can do to help you on your journey.
Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue or seeking advice on a specific feature, you’ll find a wealth of information and friendly folks eager to help you succeed.
Scalability and Performance
From small blogs to enterprise-level websites, WordPress scales effortlessly. As your site grows, you can expand its capabilities with plugins and optimise its performance with caching solutions like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache. This scalability ensures that your website can handle increased traffic and evolving needs without a hitch, just remember to make sure your web hosting package gets upgraded as you go too.
Cost-Effective Solution
Last but not least, let’s talk finances. Building and maintaining a website can be costly, but WordPress keeps your budget in check. The platform itself is free, and you can find numerous free themes and plugins to get started. Even premium themes and plugins often come with a reasonable one-time fee, making WordPress an affordable choice for businesses and individuals alike. You will still need to pay for your web hosting, but most providers offer shared hosting packages at very competitive rates.
Conclusion
In a digital world that’s constantly evolving, you need a web design tool that can adapt, empower, and elevate your online presence. In 2023, WordPress remains the undisputed champion for crafting beautiful, functional, and future-proof websites.
From its rich history of evolution to its user-friendly interface, limitless customisation options, SEO prowess, and robust security features, WordPress is a treasure trove of web design potential. It’s not just a platform, it’s your secret weapon for success.
So, are you ready to unleash your web design superpowers? Dive into the world of WordPress, and watch your digital dreams become a stunning reality. Or get in touch with us and see how Ublesemp can build your WordPress website for you. Your journey begins here, and the possibilities are endless. Happy designing!
