Why You Should Consider WordPress for Your Business

IncubatorCTX, an entrepreneurial hub, is located on the beautiful Concordia University Texas campus in Northwest Austin. Each month during the academic year, IncubatorCTX hosts the Speaker Series, where industry experts share their insights.

This month, Eli McMakin from Austin Coding Academy provided a basic introduction to WordPress and explained why startup companies and business owners should consider building a website with WordPress.

Overview of Important Terms

McMakin provided helpful definitions of the industry terms he used.

• Content Management System (CMS)

A CMS refers to software that allows people to build and manage a website quickly. People with limited technical knowledge can use it because WordPress websites don't require you to know how to code.

• WordPress

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS), representing more than 30% of websites on the internet.

• Theme

"Theme" refers to the design of your website.

• Plugin

A plugin is a piece of software that can be added to a website to add specific functionality. For example, WooCommerce is a plugin that enables you to sell products or services through your website.

Why Choose WordPress?

WordPress is one of many CMSs on the market, but it offers benefits unique from its competitors.

Ease of Use

Whether you're launching a startup or running a business, a website is an essential marketing tool. WordPress is easy to use, even if you're not a software developer. Their intuitive platform simplifies the process.

Flexibility

If anyone in your organization wants to change something on the site, they can log in and make the changes themselves. It eliminates the need to have a software developer (internal or external) make all changes.

Open-Source Software

WordPress is open-source software, which means that anyone can use, change and redistribute the software. And because multiple coding professionals contribute to WordPress, the software is free.

Free Themes & Plugins

WordPress offers thousands of free themes and plugins, granting you access to a well-designed, functional website. Premium plugins are not free, but they offer more capabilities.

"There's a common saying for WordPress: 'There's a plugin for that.'" McMakin explained. "If you need a certain function on WordPress that isn't in the template you're using, you can add a plugin from the extensive WordPress plugin catalog that offers the function you need."

Continual Improvements

WordPress employs the agile methodology, which means that the software undergoes regular improvements every three to four months. Better software means a better website.

Secure

A team of WordPress employees looks at the software, searching for security vulnerabilities and patching any vulnerabilities they find.

WordPress Tips

McMakin provided some valuable tips to keep in mind when using WordPress:

• Use a secure password for the WordPress login. Easy-to-guess passwords like "admin" are targets for hackers. Once a hacker accesses a site, they can install malware and other viruses.
• Keep your website simple. Some of the most effective websites use clean, minimalist designs.
• Use large buttons for a call to action (CTA), such as "Buy Now" and "Contact Us." The CTAs on your website should be prominent.

About Austin Coding Academy

The goal of Austin Coding Academy is to increase technical education. The organization offers affordable coding classes online and on campus to help students advance within their careers or launch new careers in the tech industry.