WordPress Websites Are Becoming the Norm For Small Businesses.
What exactly is a WordPress website? Wikipedia defines WordPress as a free and open-source content management system based on PHP and MySQL. In non-geeky terms, WordPress is a website platform that comes equipped with a content management system (CMS). A CMS allows website owners to update content, publish blog posts, and control every aspect of the website. The platform provides non-savvy programmers the ability to add functionality to their website without knowing code.
Why is a WordPress website becoming so popular? The simplicity of the platform is the main reason. We’ll explain why small business owners are running, not walking, to WordPress.
Small Businesses Are Embracing WordPress Websites
WordPress is a growing behemoth in the web space. Venture Beat states 25% of all websites on the Internet are run by WordPress. Therefore, one out of four websites are running the WordPress software. Think about that for one second. One of out four websites are using WordPress for their website. Websites like eCommerce, brochure, insurance, and so forth are using WordPress to power their business’ website.
Any size business, small, medium, or enterprise size, are using WordPress for their company needs. For example, the Rolling Stones are using WordPress for their website. WordPress websites are thriving because small businesses are adopting the platform at a rapid pace. For instance, when building a WordPress website, a CMS is provided with the software. A website owner can add photos to the home page. Update text on the about us page. Even add a contact form to the contact page. All in one click. The control a small business owner has over their website is limitless.
The easy-to-use back-end system provides website owners the tools needed to make edits themselves. As a result, small business owners can become their own webmasters. Ideally, a business owner can manage all of the content. However, we’d recommend having a professional handle the web tasks on your behalf. We explain in a blog post why its best to outsource WordPress support.
WordPress Website Adoption Rates Are High & Rising
WordPress websites are becoming popular among different types of websites. Everything, from websites that provide general information about their business to a full-fledged online store. Because WordPress has become so popular, many web designers have dedicated their skill set to WordPress exclusively. Hence, the WordPress platform is a popular choice among small business who can 
collaborate with small business web design firms. What truly separates the platform from others is the community. The WordPress community is a helpful bunch. For example, the WordPress.org website has a section dedicated to free support. Any member of the community can sign up to ask WordPress related questions. There’s a good chance a member of the forum will answer the question. Being helpful is a trait all WordPress advocates possess.
As the adoption rate for WordPress grows, so will the cost-savings for small business. Let me explain. If the WordPress platform was inclusive and not used by many websites, the development rates sky rocket to $250 / hour. An expense that a small business may not be able to endure. However, since WordPress is so popular, a small business has more options to choose from.
Giant Ecosystem Of Plugins
Small business websites can benefit from WordPress plugins. A WordPress plugin is a piece of software containing specific features that add to a WordPress website. Due to business owners not knowing how to code, plugins become helpful in this instance. Small business owners are looking for one click and efficient solutions. Plugins are just that. Small pieces of software that provide a function and no programming needed.
WordPress Plugins are the foundation of the platform. A WordPress plugin is installed within the dashboard. Most all WordPress websites have some sort of plugin installed. For example, a popular contact form plugin Contact Form 7 is a free contact form that website owners can use. The plugin provides the ability for website owners to capture leads or answer any questions a customer has.
Plugins are a helpful way of adding functionality to a WordPress website. Unfortunately, some plugins are abandoned by WordPress developers. Here’s a helpful tip, avoid unsupported plugins. Ensure a plugin is updated on a consistent basis. As a result, a plugin will need to be assessed prior to installing into your WordPress website.
WordPress Themes – Many To Choose From
Small business owners may not have the funds to pay for a custom website. For example, custom websites can cost anywhere from $10,000 – $50,000. Not an ideal expense for a small business. WordPress and other 3rd party designers have built pre-made themes designed specifically for the platform. Pre-made themes can help prevent the cost of hiring a graphic designer to create a website.
When purchasing pre-made themes, make sure the developer provides support. A lot of pre-made themes on the market sell to customers without support provided. A WordPress theme without support is not ideal. Because if a WordPress theme is not updated consistently, there is a good chance the website can be hacked. In short, it is extremely important to keep a theme updated. A non-updated theme could cause trouble down the road.
Most of all, consumers are unaware of unnecessary features that are provided when purchasing a pre-made theme. For example, lots of pre-made themes come equipped with bloated plugins. Unnecessary, plugins that drag the website down. Therefore, it is best practice to perform due diligence prior to purchasing a pre-made theme.
WordPress For The Win
We hope we provided ample information to help business owners make an informed decision when developing a website. There is no such thing as the perfect platform, but we think a WordPress website can help a small business bottom line.
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact my guest blogger directly, Andrew from WP by Hand with any questions or Contact me with any of your business marketing needs. ~Kristen
Great explanation of this, Andrew! My webmasters do my websites, via WordPress. It’s all physics to me, but you make it understandable. Thank you!
Thank you Susan for the comment!
WordPress can be intimidating for casual users. Glad to hear your web developers are on top of your WordPress websites. I am happy to hear you enjoyed the blog post!
So glad you have someone helping you with yours Susan…
Terrific post. I love my WordPress site, and the few little tricks I am able to do with it. Mostly, though, I leave it to my tech guy. But, yes, it is a very flexible and powerful platform and I’m so grateful it’s available as such an accessible business tool.
Thank you Reba!
We are ecstatic to hear WordPress has been working for your business! Most of the customers we encounter are like you. They know the basics of WordPress but would rather leave the “tech aspect” to the expert.
Cheers!
Super point Reba and love the flexibility and the ease for laypeople to use.
Helpful post, even a non-techie like me could understand. I started my blog with no help (a crazy challenge for myself though I have a techie son who would have been happy to set it up for me). I’m so grateful I opted for WordPress when I was researching how to create a site. It’s easy to use and has given me very little grief.
Thank you for the awesome comment Tamuria!
It is definitely non-techie friendly. I am glad to hear how WordPress has made your professional life a lot easier!
So true Tami, that WP makes it easier for non-techie folks and actually a great platform v many drag and drop website builders!
I agree WordPress is helpful, especially for new bloggers. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
You’re welcome Sabrina! Happy to help fellow small business owners!
Thanks for stopping by Sabrina!
I love using Word Press. I’ve tried some other platforms in the past, and it’s by far the most user-friendly with the lion’s share of options. I highly recommend it!
Hi Jennifer!
We also love WordPress!! Happy to hear how easy it is for you to use WordPress.
Thank you for the comment!
Oh yes Jennifer and you as a lifestyle blogger would know. Thank you!
I’m glad to know I made a good decision when I got a WordPress website two years ago. I’ve found it very easy to work with, only occassionally needing assistance.
Thank you Carol! WordPress is super easy and a delight to work with :).
Yep… YAY Carol! Glad we got you there!
I went from an HTML site to a WordPress site and although I do find it an easier platform to use. I also find that there are also some challenges with WordPress. Especially the more technical aspects that absolutely require someone who can weed through the ‘glitches’ that crop up when there are updates etc. Overall I do like that there are many of the backstage aspects of my site that I can manage without too many issues. Thanks for your insights, however, for more complicated and designed sites like mine, I would say they still need a developer to make sure everything runs smoothly!
Good point Beverly!
Yes there’s definitely some instances where a WordPress developer is needed. Most web aspects like updating text, adding images, and so forth are easier to make for small business owners. Changes to the design or functionality do require a WordPress specialist. Glad to hear though WordPress is working for you!
Cheers.
HTML used to be the it thing Bev, as you know and glad you upgraded to WP. As you mentioned, all things have their quirks and good thing we have those WP geeks to help.
this is some great information. Can I assume that you are referring to the .org version WordPress? I currently have my blog on a .org and am considering moving actual site (which includes a shopping cart) over to this platform. In the beginning stages but have been given advice that leads me to believe it may be a wise choice in the long run
Hi Alene!
You assume correctly! I am referring to the .org WordPress. WooCommerce is an excellent choice if you decide to move your website over and incorporate eCommerce functionality. Highly recommended and owned by WordPress.
Thank you for the comment!
Yes Alene, own your own website with .org and so much more functionality.
When I first started my business I chose Wix for creating my website and then I was told by EVERYONE to switch to WordPress. I’m not sure understand why exactly Wix is a “bad” choose even though I understand why to choose WordPress. Does that make sense?
Hello Lisa!
It does make sense!
Wix is definitely geared to the non-programmers of the world. You can make a lot of updates simply by clicking and dragging items. I have heard from Wix website owners that the platform doesn’t scale well. This is where WordPress excels. WordPress provides website owners the ability to scale as their business grows. They can add more functionality as their business provides more services. I can write another blog post based on how much a WordPress website can scale.
WordPress will help you with many business aspects that Wix cannot. You made the right choice!
I have had and still do, clients that use Wix and it’s functionality is Kindergarten compared to WP. Not only is it lacking on the SEO side of things, but the text boxes are a bare, it’s just meant for basics and not meant to improve over time. Great switch Lisa.
Hello Andrew,
Great explanations of word press. I started using it about 4 years ago and the improvements are done well. I am able to run my buissness well. The only thing that is an issue is the plugins that are not compatible and sometimes cause an issue.
Thanks For sharing,
Lori English
Hi Lori!
Excellent point you bring up! Selecting plugins requires due diligence. When selecting a plugin, you want to make sure the developer who supports the plugin is continuously. Plugins that are left behind can cause problems later on the website. Not to get too geeky, the code in the old plugin may not jive with the code with the newer WordPress versions, themes, and other plugins. Thank you for bringing up a great topic!
Yep Lori, compatibility can cause and issue, which is why the great thing is that we can change things out too. Score!
So happy when I changed from a Joomla to a WP site. It does take time to keep it up but it is easier than other software. One site I like helps you see what plug-ins are used by other sites. This may be a great blog Andrew for you to do in the future. http://whatwpthemeisthat.com/
Hello Candess!
Thank you for sharing the link! I have a similar website I use that helps with plugin and theme verification as well. Never hurts to have more tools though. You made the right choice moving from Joomla to WP. We use to work with Joomla websites, but the system became cumbersome, we switched over to WordPress 8+ years ago.
Thanks for sharing and commenting!
Awesome, thanks Candess!
Timely post for sure. I recently had my website rebuilt on WordPress and am delighted to have done so for all the reasons mentioned. (I also build WP websites back in the day and enjoyed that experience, too…but not enough to make it a part of my business model). Re themes: There are so many great ones out there and I love your comment about support. A key element. And also have a great web developer who can go in an alter your CSS if need be.
That is true Jackie, that having the right support for themes and plugins are crucial.
Hi Jackie!
You hit the nail on the head! Great support is extremely important when it comes to having a WordPress website. There is no substitution for quality support and web development.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting :).
Fantastic post Andrew on the benefits of using WordPress!! It is the only one I use and recommend 🙂
Agreed Joan, glad you use it too.
Awesome Joan! We love your comment. We are a bit bias to WordPress though :).
When I started I was confused. Friends recommended sites that they paid others to manage but complained at being at their mercy. That’s when I decided on WordPress. It was easy to learn and easy to manage. No regrets. Thanks for spreading the word Andrew.
That’s right Joyce, many other “easy” options but they end up at a dead in… great job in getting the right one!
Thank you Joyce! I hear stories about how web developers hold credentials hostage from owners, which in my opinion, is a big no-no. The WordPress website owner has the rights to their own website.
Glad you love WordPress and all worked out for you!
Cheers!
All of my websites are WordPress sites. I do want to take a look at Squarespace which so many small businesses are talking about now. I probably will not convert to Squarespace since I am happy with WordPress; however, I would like to know more about it so that I can discuss it intelligently.
Hello Rachel!
Excellent question about Squarespace. I have heard good and bad things about Squarespace. The Squarespace platform is great for beginners, but so is WordPress. We break down both platforms in high level details below.
The difference between the two is options.
WordPress is a robust system with lots of choices, such as themes, plugins to choose from, web hosting made specifically for WordPress, and how lots of developers specialize in the platform.
Squarespace is a little more inclusive. It is a pay to play platform that requires up front capital. Squarespace templates are lacking. There is a limited number of templates a business or person can choose from. eCommerce is tough to integrate within Squarespace with only one Stripe as the payment gateway.
Both really have their pros and cons, but I’d suggest performing additional research to have a better understanding of Squarespace.
Feel free to contact me if you’d like to be more educated on the subject.
I have had a client or two on Squarespace Rachel and I would Not recommend it. It doesn’t have the ease to work with like WordPress and is lacking in some SEO features. It’s just not user friendly, in my opinion.