Let’s take a minute and talk about WordPress.
From a general standpoint, WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS), one of many available. Each CMS has its strengths and weaknesses. So, why WordPress? Simple—WordPress is easy to use, there’s a huge community supporting it, and anyone coming out of college since 2005 will likely feel right at home using it. The benefits of WordPress CMS extend well beyond just ease of use; it’s become the go-to tool for businesses of all sizes.
Content management systems are a fantastic tool for website management. If your site is based on a CMS, you’re already ahead in the online game. For those not using a CMS, consider making the switch—it can transform both your workflow and your website’s performance.
Five years ago, I knew about WordPress but felt it wasn’t quite ready for prime time. Since then, things have changed dramatically, and now WordPress is the only content management system we use at Shout Out Studio. After years of working with other systems like Joomla, Drupal, DotNetNuke, and Kentico, WordPress stood out. I even co-founded a company in 1999 that developed a CMS for large nonprofits, so I’ve seen this space evolve firsthand. WordPress is now beyond ready for prime time, and the ecosystem built around it is thriving.
In the dark ages of web design, everything was custom HTML, which made sites hard to build, costly, and slow to update. Today, WordPress offers professional design options—like those from Themeforest.net—for as low as $50. These designs are polished, functional, and previewable before you buy. With WordPress, a design that fits your brand can be added in minutes instead of weeks or months of custom coding.
One of the key advantages of WordPress is its incredible flexibility. Both small businesses and large organizations can tailor their sites to exact needs, from layout to functionality like e-commerce or subscription services. The WordPress plugin ecosystem makes this possible with a few clicks and often at a fraction of the cost of custom-built solutions. This adaptability is a game-changer for businesses that need to keep pace with the fast-changing digital landscape.
The simplicity of updating content on WordPress also makes it a favorite for marketing teams, content creators, and business owners who don’t want to rely on developers every time they need to make a change. Based on hundreds of WordPress sites we’ve created, it’s clear that it’s the most intuitive CMS out there. You can give recent graduates a job creating content—they’ll quickly be up and running with WordPress. Plus, with a massive community of users and developers, it’s easy to find support, tutorials, and best practices for any need.
WordPress’s cost-effectiveness is another standout feature. Traditional web development with custom-built HTML sites typically involves high costs, not just for the initial build but also for maintenance. By contrast, WordPress provides essential features through plugins and themes that are often free or very affordable, allowing businesses to create functional, professional-looking sites on a reasonable budget. For organizations looking for top-level functionality and design without breaking the bank, WordPress is an ideal solution.
And let’s not overlook SEO. WordPress offers a range of SEO plugins and tools that help ensure a site is set up for search engine visibility right from the start. With features for setting meta tags, optimizing images, and improving site speed, WordPress enables users to improve their site’s search rankings without needing deep SEO expertise.
In short, WordPress is invaluable for companies of all sizes. It simplifies site management, reduces costs, and lets teams keep their sites dynamic and ready for whatever’s next.
Companies That Have Built Their Websites with WordPress:
- Ford
- CNN.com
- People Magazine
- Wall Street Journal
- Ben & Jerry’s
- General Electric
- Shout Out Studio
Yes, Shout Out loves WordPress. We think it empowers people, simplifies the entire process of site creation, and reduces costs by up to 50% compared to custom HTML sites. If you’re not on a CMS, talk to someone about getting your site ported. If your current CMS is holding you back, move to WordPress. And if you’re already on WordPress…can I get an Amen?