Did you know that about 19% of the world’s most popular 10 million websites use WordPress as their website platform and content management system (CMS)? Although WordPress is often known as a popular blogging system, with more than 60 million bloggers using it, it is also used by big name websites including Forbes, eBay Ink, Katy Perry, Mashable, CNN blogs, and more.
Are you thinking of using WordPress as your web content management system? Here are three things you should know as a new user of WordPress.
1. WordPress Themes
One of the first things you will need to establish for your new site is a theme. You will have the option of free, premium, or individually designed themes. Free themes can be found through an easy Google search– just be careful that the site you’re using is legitimate. Many of the very first search results to pop up have themes that come with nasty viruses. If you have specific business aims in mind, a premium or designed site will look more professional, and come with more support.
2. WordPress Widgets
If themes are like painting your home, widgets are like adding a patio to the back of it. In other words, widgets allow content and features to be shown in your sidebars, that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Widgets can allow you to do anything from including tag clouds, to adding ads or maps with directions. WordPress widgets frequently come as a part of Plugins. Plugins allow users to further customize the functions available on their site. This can help websites with with SEO, importing posts from another website, and much more.
3. What are WordPress Developers?
In order to gain a well functioning, professional website, it is usually necessary to hire a website designer at some point in time. You might need to contact a WordPress development company in order to take your website to the next level, and ensure that you will be taking advantage of all the web visibility you have. Sarah Gooding, a digital marketer, advises WordPress owners to beware bad developers. “Ask a few probing questions to find out if your prospective contractor is brilliant, or bunk,” she advises. She says to ask questions to ensure quality control. Inquire about references, their approach to W3C standards, and their experience with PHP, JavaScript, and MySQL.
Are you using WordPress? Let us know in the comments. Read this for more.