WordPress works for millions of users, but is it right for your unique needs? These pros and cons can help you decide if WordPress is the top pick, or if a competitor might be a better fit.
WordPress cost
On the pro side, WordPress websites can be economical compared to the costs of many WordPress competitors. You can even find free WordPress hosting for basic blogs, business websites, artist or writer portfolios and simple e-commerce stores.
However, WordPress costs add up quickly if you need hosting with added storage and security, advanced design themes, user-friendly page builders and plugins to boost functionality.
Once you move beyond the free basics on a WordPress website, you can expect to spend anywhere from £8 – £55 per month, on average, depending on the hosting, themes and plugins you use. These costs can be pros or cons, depending on your needs versus what WordPress competitors offer in the same price range. So, carefully review competitors’ features and costs to see which delivers the best value.
WordPress ease of use
If a web platform’s learning curve is too big, you’ll never get your project off the ground, which can be a con for WordPress. However, if you’re willing to brave the learning curve, WordPress websites allow more customisation, expansion and scalability than all-in-one platforms. That’s a definite pro for choosing WordPress.
Ultimately, you need to decide if WordPress’ versatility is worth the learning curve, or if a simpler platform can meet your needs with less setup and maintenance.
WordPress for blogging
If affiliate blogging or content marketing is your goal, WordPress’ content management system, SEO-friendly framework and versatile affiliate plugins are significant pros.
It also supports unlimited contributor accounts, something few WordPress blog competitors can match. That’s a pro for blog-based news outlets and other team-generated content sites.
The WordPress learning curve is the only real con in terms of blogging, and where user-friendly blog platforms gain an edge over WordPress.
WordPress for e-commerce
Thanks to its plugin-powered versatility, you can sell virtually anything you can dream up on a WordPress website. That’s a major pro for any business looking to sell online. E-commerce plugins such as WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads and MemberPress enable all types of sales, from physical products that ship to digital downloads, virtual services, online courses and subscriptions.
Once again, the con of using WordPress for e-commerce is its learning curve. E-commerce plugins are one more thing to learn, implement and maintain in your WordPress stack. You’ll also spend time shopping for the right plugin for your sales needs. Most WordPress competitors support a full range of e-commerce sales, though sales features typically require paid plans.
Suggested Read: WooCommerce vs Shopify: A Comprehensive Comparison