The Top 5 Questions I Get Asked About WordPress Websites
1. What is the benefit of creating my site using WordPress?
WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) which allows you to not only create a robust and beautiful website, but once the site is launched, you can also make all text, photo, menu, and page updates yourself! Think of the cost savings by being able to make your own updates! The page builder I use to create the site is super intuitive and uses a drag-and-drop system to make updates so easy! Not only that, but WordPress is open source, meaning that thousands of developers all around the world have created additional functionality and plugins that you can use on your site. Do you need a membership system added to your site? There’s a plugin for that! Need to integrate your email signup list directly into MailChimp? There’s a plugin for that too! Some plugins are free, some are a minimal cost. The point is, you don’t have to hire a developer to create all new functionality for you. You can find a plugin that does what you need an implement it directly onto your site.
2. I’m not technical at all…will I be able to use it?
Yes, absolutely! The page builder I use to create the site is super intuitive and uses a drag-and-drop system to make updates so easy! Not only that, all of my WordPress website projects come with 1 hour of training included in the cost. At the end of the project, I’ll show you exactly how to update content, to add pages, to change out or add in new photos, and how to update and backup your site. It’s so easy, you’ll be impressed with yourself!
3. Aren’t Wix or Weebly easier to use? Why wouldn’t I just ‘do it myself’?
Wix, Weebly, and other DIY website builders are intended to be used by those who aren’t super technical and need a basic site created. However, there are many drawbacks to using a DIY site instead of hiring a website professional. The main drawback to trying to create a website on your own is that you don’t know what you don’t know. I’ve spent 20 years building websites, and the knowledge that I’ve picked up along the way is extensive. How you build your site can make or break the way search engines find you or can alter how it is displayed on various browsers. In addition to not having the knowledge you need to understand how a website works, the DIY sites don’t always have the functionality you need in order to grow your site down the road. Need more functionally on your new site as your business grows? Well, you may have to scrap the entire site and start over bc many DIY site builders don’t offer the functionally that you can get with a WordPress site. Better to start off with a designer who knows the ins and outs of building websites so that it can grow as your business grows. Six and Weebly also make your host your site on their proprietary platform, so if you want to move to a different hosting co, you can’t. WordPress doesn’t have that limitation. You can host your site at any co you choose and move it to a different one if you’d like.
4. I hear WP gets hacked a lot…should I be worried about that?
There have been some issues recently with WordPress sites being compromised. However, if you choose a reputable hosting co that has security built into their services, and you use security plugins on your site coupled with strong login credentials, the potential for your site being compromised is no more than any other website.
5. How much does it cost?
Just like with any product, the cost varies based on functionality and features that you need built into your site. When you contact me to get an estimate for your new site, we will discuss the ‘bells and whistles’ you want included on your site, how many pages the site will have, if you’ll need help setting up hosting or registering a domain name, etc. All of those items will factor into the cost. Once we have all of that information nailed down, I will create a custom estimate for your project that outlines the step-by-step process for the project and all the elements that go into it.