Developing a website and keeping it up-to-date can be a daunting task. Where do you start? Is there help if you need it? Do you need to be tech-savvy to build a beautiful website? Below, we take a look at several web building options and the best way to keep your website up-to-date, secure and ready for business.
So Many Choices, So Little Help
While being extremely knowledge in coding and design is helpful it is no longer required to create your ideal site. In fact, you can own a great website despite your previous knowledge on how to build one. Today, there are a lot of choices when it comes to developing your website. Some of the most common choices fall within three categories.
Do-It-Yourself Web Builders
For some, the do-it-yourself, or DIY process may sound appealing. With this option, you select a platform, like Squarespace or Weebly, to develop your site. These easy-to-use design options offer templates, tools, and more to help even those with little technical logic to design beautiful websites. While these web builders are typically low cost, there are a few negatives to this option. DIY web builders are often limited in scalability and customization. While their fees are typically low compared to other options, your website ceases to exist entirely should you stop paying or the platform shutdowns.
Use Templates or Themes with an Open Source Content Management System
Templates and themes are another great way to build a website at a low cost, especially when coupled with an open source content management system (CMS). (We will talk more about the benefits of a CMS below.) Not only are these options flexible, but they often offer many more options than the DIY web builders. There are thousands of templates and themes available all over the internet. Obtaining one can range from free to costly, depending on where you pull it from. (Be careful! Only use themes or templates from reputable sources!) Templates and themes let you easily and quickly get a website up and running. However, developers can limit customization. Their security will also heavily rely on you for maintenance and updates. Additionally, other users can download the same theme or template at any time.
Custom Websites on Open Source CMS
You can always hire a professional developer to design a custom website as well. While this gives you all the benefits of an open source CMS, it also gives you a tailored website that is made for your exact needs. These websites are flexible, customized, and well-supported depending on who you hire to develop or host your website. While they are most costly than DIY web builders and templates, they are often much more reliable than either.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is the number one CMS used worldwide. Using WordPress as your CMS gives you the flexibility to grow your website, as well as easy to use administrative functions. With WordPress, you do not have to be an HTML expert to have a beautiful website.
Advantages of WordPress
There is a reason why WordPress is so popular. Whether you use a template or hire a designer, you can easily control functionality through the WordPress administrator dashboard. The user interface is intuitive, simple, and quick to respond to your commands. Because of this, you no longer have to depend on a web designer to make updates or changes.
Because it is an open source CMS, WordPress allows you to integrated plugins and widgets quickly as well. This can help you enhance your visitors’ user experience.
You do not require any special or expensive HTML or FTP software for editing your website. Gone are the days of relying on Adobe Dreamweaver or other over-priced software to develop a unique, beautiful website. The WordPress dashboard can do it all for you.
Search engines also love WordPress. With simple and clean coding and quick response times, WordPress websites are typically already highly ranked by search engines – helping increase your Google ranking from the very start.
Why Managed WordPress Hosting May Be for You
Web hosting is another thing you need to consider when developing a website. Your web host server is your website’s home base. Having a secure web hosting service for your WordPress site helps give you peace of mind. After all, investing in a secure web hosting provider is your first line of defense when it comes to hacking and malware. BionicWP has a lot to offer with each of our secure web hosting packages with the fasted SSD servers, 90-day off-site backups, daily security scans and core, theme and plugin updates – we help keep your site safe.
At BionicWP, we offer more than just secure web hosting. Our managed WordPress hosting packages can take your website to a whole new level. Not only do you have quality, professional support to help with your website, you also get clean and easy to use applications, widget generators, enhanced dashboards, and settings, as well as Lorem ipsum. From live, helpful support to transparent pricing – you can grow your website while enjoying a secure hosting environment.
Contact BionicWP today to learn more about how our managed WordPress hosting services can help.
