Websites are created using various layers of code and software on a computer connected to the internet. Typically, this is done using commercial data centers owned or leased by hosting companies, most of which also sell the domain name you'll need to buy so the world can find your website. The types of content management system options each hosting company provides vary. Some hosting companies are designed entirely around their proprietary content management systems, while others offer a range of open-source options such as Drupal, Joomla, and WordPress. Many hosting companies also provide commercial server management software to install a content management system and set up email in a dashboard environment. There are many reasons we use WordPress for content management, Google, and InMotion for hosting services.
Reliability & Scalability
Your website will grow over time and become an investment of time and money. Investing in a platform with no method of migrating that investment to another hosting company or internet-connected computer means that whatever happens to that platform happens to your investment of time and money. Hosting companies based on proprietary content management systems are limited in their ability to be customized and integrate with other platforms, which can be an obstacle in the future when adding functionality leads to confusing workarounds for interested consumers. Furthermore, your website is the central hub of your web presence, an essential aspect of your sales funnel, and functions to connect interest with content, convert, and maintain engagement after the sale. For these reasons, it is essential that you own and control your website in a way that protects your investment of time and money.
WordPress Makes Sense
WordPress is the perfect match for the challenges of a business website because of its portability. Personally, I think there is some genius in the fact that there are both open-source and commercial ecosystems to choose from with WordPress.org and WordPress.com. Conveniently, there is some overlap between the two. It has been my experience that this makes WordPress a strong contender as the foundation of a business website. We use this formula to utilize the self-hosted version of WordPress while also paying licensing for some of the commercial products available from Automattic, the maker of WordPress. We use WordPress.com for our newsletter subscription. Here is a short walk-through video of a fresh installation of WordPress hosted on Google Cloud, with no modifications.
Themes & Plugins
WordPress can be modified in a variety of ways. Themes, plugins, and customizations to the functionality through the WordPress codex, written in PHP, can make a great e-commerce solution, allow customers to order online from a restaurant, or build a beautiful website for a home service business. One of the standard plugins we use is SiteOrigin Premium and the companion plugins. This suite of plugins, combined with themes, makes a powerful base from which we can create a unique website for each client, with premium functionality and maximum customizability for us and our clients.
Learn How
Though I will be providing useful guidance for any platform, to follow along with our blog posts and podcasts, I suggest either shopping for a hosting company that offers specialized WordPress hosting or signing up at WordPress.com so that you have all the same tools we'll be working with. Don't miss out—sign up for our newsletter for only $3 per month and get full access.
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