Do you remember when you first started blogging why you chose your current blogging platform, like Blogger, Serendipity, TypePad or Moveable Type? Was it because it was what your friends used? Did it seem like the easiest one? The cheapest? Did you grab the first one you came to and stuck with it because change is scary? It’s easy to get used to something, and when it took you a while to learn something in the first place, like how to work your way around TypePad, it may not seem worthwhile to make a change later on. But it is. Particularly if you’re not already using WordPress.org (the self-hosted version).
So why WordPress? From a technical standpoint, I can tell you first hand WordPress (.org) is the easiest blogging platform to set up on a server. Installation is a breeze and maintenance is practically nonexistent. On the user end, WordPress offers the flexibility to create the blog you want, whether it means running ads and making money or simply maintaining control over your own content, not to mention keeping the rights (!). Incidentally, some blog platforms out there don’t allow you to run ads and since most blogs have at least some money making potential, this little restriction can really cramp your style.
With WordPress, there will always be some help around. Just take a look at this:
“WordPress” is the #1 search query when people are looking for a content management system. It overtook all its competitors. That does not only mean WordPress has become incredibly popular, but there’s also a strong community behind it. More and more developers and designers join the WordPress community, constantly adding new functions and designs. While other platforms stand still or decline, WordPress keeps going, extending its lead.
So did I mention flexibility? Basically anything you want to do with your blog – make it look like a Website, paginate blog posts, etc. – you can find a plug-in or a template to do it. And you’re not confined to WordPress tools. The Internet abounds with plenty of free themes (such as at thebuckmaker.com), plug-ins and widgets that will work perfectly to customize your WordPress blog. Plus, WordPress is an open source software which means you can use it for free as long as you have a place to host your blog.
WordPress (.org) is the content management system that offers you the most flexibility for the least amount of effort. That’s something worth changing for.
16 Responses
Hi Joe!
Compliments on a beautiful design and thank you for making it available for free.
I am new to WordPress but have accomplished most of the customization but now I need help.
I am using the Aerosold 1.0.4 theme.
I am a Mac user and I’m doing this work using MAMP in my home computer.
I need to add several sub-pages to one of the menu tabs.
I want to create a page that contains some images, each image should open another single page when clicked.
I need the front page menu tab on hover, to display a drop down menu showing the sub-pages.
I don’t want the sub-pages to appear as menu tabs on the front page but only as items in a drop down menu.
Please let me know if you can help and how much it will cost (smile).
Hi Ramon, most of your wishes have already come true in AeROCKs, the professional version of Aeros. To adapt the free theme to this would take 1-2 hours of work, which equals or exceeds the costs of the pro theme. Still, your customized free theme would miss the advanced optics, cross-browser stability and other nice features. If I were you, I’d buy the premium theme – and I’ll help you with the image page for free
WordPress is the first choice of all bloggers.
I love wordpress. WordPress can be used for basic content management.
Awesome Blogging Script is its winning secret.
I love WordPress. I could really recommend it.
it’s very good blogging technology. better than livejournal!
Wonderful post!
Early I create design of my sites by means of Microsoft Front Page (for example http://www.3dray.ru), but the following design I will necessarily create by wordpress! (ask to forgive my bad English:)
In my opinion and in the opinion of most I would assume, wordpress is by far the best CMS for anyone that’s not an expert in coding. WordPress is user-friendly and fast.
Wonderful post!
In my opinion and in the opinion of most I would assume, wordpress is by far the best CMS for anyone that’s not an expert in coding. WordPress is user-friendly and fast.
Just started wordpress and trying to get position on Google. So far I am going no where. Been blogging on Authority Sites, Social Bookmarks and Back linking.
Jacob William WordPress is the first choice of all bloggers.
I love wordpress. WordPress can be used for basic content management.
Awesome Blogging Script is its winning secret.
Hi, You have given very good information. We are very specialized in wordpress custom theme and plugin development. But we never thought so deeply like you …
Good work dude… !
WP is The best CMS i ever used and its free too so i can learn it to get more better design.
Hi great to found this site, i’m very like to wordpress too because it’s easy to manage and customise and SEO friendly.
I have used Joomla. vBulettin and word press. Truly speaking word press is the simplest to use, very handy and i recommend it to newbies.
My first sites were built using my host’s Site Builder software. I was then advised to use WordPress and am now a big fan. It is much easier to setup and maintain. Anyone setting up their first site should definitely use it.
Personally I think the move over to WordPress (especially self host)is the best decision I ever made for my website, TB. Indefinately, Blogger is a great way to start out and by all means a fantastic free tool to use, but with the amount of plug-ins available to WordPress users the minimul pricing of a host and web domain makes it incredibly appealing. Nice article, good read and a top notch subject – keep it up!