WordPress can manage several types of content for you, including Posts, Pages and Links.
Posts are your basic time-driven content and are used for standard blog entries. You might write
posts monthly, weekly, daily or more than once a day. It all depends on the purpose of your site and
how you want to use it to connect with your visitors.
Pages are basically posts that aren’t time-driven—they’re added to the menu and serve as the basic
meat of your site. They are basically the same as any static page on a traditional website…just a
whole lot easier to create and update without having to pay someone to do it for you.
Links are just that—links. You can use links throughout your posts and pages, as well as in your
sidebar. This can be handy for a list of recommended services or helpful sites.
Widgets are those handy-dandy boxes you often see along the left or right side of a website. They
don’t have to go on the left or right – with the right theme you can put them anywhere! – but in
general that’s the way people think of them. They let you do really cool things like offer a newsletter
subscription box, insert images and videos, put special calls-to-action, list your most recent posts,
add easy navigation down the side of your page, or just about anything else you want.
WordPress is a pretty powerful system and it can easily be customized
for your needs. There are themes specifically designed for all sorts of scenarios, including blogs,
mini-sites, online stores, online magazines, photo galleries and more.
A WordPress site can work well for just about anyone, like:
• Small businesses & large corporations
• Service-oriented companies like plumbers, real estate agents, car dealers, etc.
• Restaurants, caterers, and designers
• Consultants, freelancers & coaches
• Schools, nonprofits and churches
• Bands, artists and creative professionals
• Scrapbook enthusiasts and other hobbyists
• Professionals looking for a job
• Families creating a family history to share
Truly, WordPress can work for just about anyone.
Here are just the top 5 benefits of using WordPress:
1. The software is free!
How many times have you been given something for free that is fully functional and ready to use?
And if you want to upscale your site a little with premium themes and plugins, you’re still going to
save tons of money over what you would pay for a custom designed site.
2. It’s easy to use.
Seriously. If you can send an email, use Microsoft Word, or set up a Facebook account, then you can
use WordPress. In other words, if you’ve already used a computer, chances are you are already
skilled enough for the WordPress basics. And even better, it’s hard to mess it up. You can add and
delete pages, posts, sidebar elements, etc. without accidentally messing up the overall design of your
site.
3. You are in control.
Owning your own site, and being able to make changes to it yourself, is the ultimate in online
freedom. You don’t have to rely on an expensive web designer to make changes or fix a tiny error for
you whenever they can squeeze you in. You’re in control of your site – and your wallet.
4. Search Engine Advantages
Search engines love sites that are easy to index (WordPress is) and that have frequently updated
content. That’s where blogging comes in to play so nicely. Just by running your business or personal
site and communicating with your readers in a way that’s natural to you, you’ll be producing fresh,
relevant content the search engines can’t wait to get ahold of.
5. A HUGE Support Community
WordPress isn’t just a software, it has become a community. Some might even say a movement. In
fact, WordCamps (http://central.wordcamp.org/) - 1-3 day training sessions – have sprung up from
grassroots efforts. They are informal, community-initiated and community-organized events put
together by other WordPress users just like you. You’ll meet people of all backgrounds, ages, and
nationalities at WordCamps anywhere. Plus, there are thousands of people and hundreds of resource
and tutorial sites set up just to help you with your WordPress site.