For many people building their own website can be a scary thought, however, having an online presence is crucial for a business. So, is it worth paying a professional to do this for you or can you really build a website yourself using WordPress?
Here, I’m happy to share my experience of using WordPress and will explore the advantages of using WordPress, how user-friendly it is, and how to choose a theme that reflects your unique style.
Firstly, the advantages of using WordPress:
- User-Friendly Interface: One of the standout features of WordPress is its user-friendly interface. Well that’s what they say but I must admit I needed to watch a few videos before I got the hang of it! So if this is your first time developing your own website, watch some of the very helpful videos on how to get started. The dashboard is your menu for everything you need to build the site.
- No Coding Skills Required: Say goodbye to complex coding! This is true, with WordPress, you can create a website without any coding knowledge at all. The platform offers a range of customisable themes and plugins, allowing you to personalise your site without having to learn HTML or CSS. However, it does depend on how much you want to change your theme, I did change the shape of my buttons using CSS.
- Abundance of Themes and Plugins: WordPress has a large library of themes and plugins, catering to a myriad of styles and functionalities. Whether you’re building a blog, portfolio, business site, or online store, you’ll find a theme that suits your needs. Just be sure of what you need your website to do before deciding on a theme, as it will make it much easier for you when making changes. For example, if you are going to be selling items on-line then choose a theme that already has a shop!
- Cost-Effective: Creating a website on WordPress is obviously a much cheaper option than paying a professional company. The platform itself is free, and many of the themes available come with no cost. For more options and plugins you will need to upgrade but if you just want a simple websit then it’s a budget-friendly option for individuals and small businesses.
- SEO-Friendly: WordPress is inherently SEO-friendly, helping your website rank higher on search engines. With additional features available e.g., permalinks, easy content management, and the ability to add SEO plugins (some at an additional cost), you can optimise your site for better visibility.
Choosing a Theme:
- Reflect Your Personality: Your website is an extension of you or your brand, so choose a theme that reflects your personality. Whether you prefer a clean and minimalist look or a vibrant and bold style, there’s plenty of themes to choose from.
- Mobile Responsiveness: In a world dominated by smartphones, it’s crucial to select a theme that is mobile-responsive. WordPress offers many themes that look stunning on any device, ensuring your audience has a seamless experience, whether they’re on a desktop, tablet, or phone. You are able to check how your website is looking on each device type while you are designing which I found very useful.
- Customisation Options: The beauty of WordPress lies in its customisation options. Once you’ve chosen a theme, you can personalise it to match your vision. Tweak colours, fonts, layouts, and more to make your website uniquely yours.
Building a website is not just about creating an online presence, it is also an opportunity to express yourself or your brand to the world. WordPress does have an abundance of themes so if you are not sure what style you are looking for you can try a few themes until you find one that feels right without spending anything.
Of course, without previous experience, building a website can be time-consuming and frustrating no matter how easy they say it is! Also, its worth remembering that while you are doing that you are not managing other parts of your business that may need attention.
I must admit I loved the process, however, it wasn’t quick to build so if you really don’t have the time or patience you could just contact me for a quote!
What are your thoughts? Do you like my website (www.dwvirtualassistant.com)? Have you tried building your own website?