To WordPress Or Not

I can remember when developers, including I would be embarrassed to say we created a website using WordPress.  But now we can brag about the creations we dream up with WordPress. If you are deciding to build a website or rebuild your existing site, there are some considerations that go into your design and development planning.

For companies who have spent a considerable amount of money on Dot Net (.Net) software that is only supported on Windows, it can be emotional.  .Net has come a long way and is now available as an Open Source option.

You will usually find developers are for or against either .Net or WordPress.  I started out in .Net and loved it, but it was because it was all I knew.  I love technology period.  However, once I discovered WordPress and how flexible and easy it was for me and my clients, I am Pro’ WordPress all the way.  (Just like I am a Mac now instead of a PC. 🙂 )

Many people have a natural tendency to criticize or be skeptical of things they don’t understand. I say, find a technology you love and stick with it if it works for you.

Arguments that “.Netters” will use are that there is no support for WordPress and that there are a number of security risks associated with it. WordPress is as weak or as strong as your developers.  On the contrary, WordPress can be as simple or as complex as you like.  Even in the most complex of WordPress Applications, when using their core functions in your development, you can create the most friendly of environments for your client to work in.  In addition to professional organizations and meetup groups, WordPress also has a large community of developers who are readily available to assist.  The WordPress Community is a different breed of people who never meet strangers.  This is another reason I gravitated to WordPress.

If you are trying to make the decision of whether to create your website in WordPress, .Net or some other technology, consider the number of non-techies who are able to put up their own websites using WordPress.  WordPress integrates well with most API’s giving users the ability to mix technologies seamlessly.  In one project, we discovered that the CMS used to build the site was not suitable for blogging. I created a separate WordPress Blog that integrated into the site.  No one knew the difference or could tell where WordPress began and the CMS ended except those of us on the project and the client.

WordPress can do whatever you need it to do whether you want something custom or whether you want a template solution. Before making your decision to WordPress or Not to WordPress, determine what your needs are, then do a little internet surfing and comparison.