Unlocking the Power of Content Management Systems: Why WordPress is a Game-Changer for Small Business Web Design

It’s been over 25 years since a website became an important component to marketing a small business. During this time, your website is often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand, and it’s essential that this first impression is a positive one. But managing a website can seem daunting, especially if you don’t have a technical background. Enter the Content Management System (CMS)—a tool that can transform the way you manage your website. In this post, we’re going to dive into what a CMS is, why WordPress stands out, and how it can be a valuable tool for your small business.

What is a Content Management System (CMS)?

A Content Management System (CMS) is a software application that allows you to create, edit, manage, and publish content on your website without needing to write code. Therefore, you can think of it as the backbone of your website that handles all the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.

Key Features of a CMS:

1. User-Friendly Interface: A good CMS is easy to use, even for those with minimal technical knowledge.
2. Templates and Themes: Pre-designed layouts that make your website look professional with minimal effort.
3. Plugins and Extensions: Add-ons that enhance your website’s functionality.
4. SEO Tools: Built-in tools to help improve your website’s visibility on search engines.
5. Content Scheduling: Plan and schedule posts in advance.
6. Media Management: Easily upload and manage images, videos, and other media.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world, powering over 40% of all websites on the internet (and over 80% of all sites on a CMS!). Originally launched as a blogging platform in 2003, it has evolved into a versatile CMS that can be used to create virtually any type of website—from simple blogs to complex e-commerce sites. In fact, websites like Sony Music, the Walt Disney Company, and Harvard University all have been built using WordPress!

Why WordPress?

1. Open Source: WordPress is free to use and open-source, meaning anyone can contribute to its development. Because of this, a vast and active community of users and developers has developed.
2. Flexibility and Customization: With thousands of themes and plugins available, you can tailor your website to meet your specific needs.
3. SEO-Friendly: WordPress is built with SEO in mind, helping your website rank higher in search engine results.
4. Responsive Design: Most WordPress themes are mobile-friendly, ensuring your site looks great on any device.
5. Scalability: Whether you’re a startup or a growing business, WordPress can scale with you. As such, from simple sites to large, complex ones, WordPress can handle it all.

Why WordPress is a Valuable Tool for Small Business Web Design

1. Cost-Effective: As a small business owner, keeping costs low is crucial. WordPress itself is free, and many themes and plugins are also available at
   

   Swap out “WordPress” for “Strottner Designs” on that button, and you’re REALLY ready!

   no cost or at affordable prices. Even premium options are typically much cheaper than hiring a full-time web developer. However, many professionals use WordPress as well, and to create a truly custom site, a novice level of understanding is insufficient.

2. Ease of Use: You don’t need to be a tech wizard to use WordPress. Its intuitive interface allows you to manage your site’s content with ease. Consequently, adding new pages, posts, images, or products is straightforward and can be done with just a few clicks. This makes it easy for us to turn a site over to a client upon completion for them to manage. Alternatively, many clients sign up for our Concierge Services, and we handle all updates for them!
3. Professional Appearance: With a vast array of themes, you can ensure your website looks professional and reflects your brand identity. Obviously, this helps build trust with potential customers.
4. Enhanced Functionality: Plugins allow you to add advanced features to your site without any coding knowledge. Want to add a contact form, an online store, or a booking system? There’s a plugin for that! Of course, it’s important to keep these updated, so we’ve created some hosting and security programs for your site to handle it for you.
5. SEO and Marketing Tools: WordPress offers powerful SEO plugins that help you optimize your content, making it easier for customers to find you online. Additionally, it integrates well with various marketing tools like Google Analytics, email marketing services, and social media platforms. Obviously we appreciate this, as we use all of these features to provide benefit to our clients.
6. Security: WordPress takes security seriously. Regular updates and a plethora of security plugins help protect your site from threats. Contact us to learn about our StrottLOCK program, where we manage this for you, and maximize your security.
7. Community Support: Finally, the large WordPress community means you can always find help when you need it. Whether through forums, tutorials, or professional services, support is readily available.

Finally, Thoughts on our Introduction to WordPress

For small business owners, a robust online presence is non-negotiable. A Content Management System like WordPress offers an accessible, cost-effective, and powerful solution for managing your website. With its flexibility, ease of use, and extensive features, WordPress empowers you to create a professional and effective online presence that can grow with your business.

At Strottner Designs, we’ve been building websites using WordPress as a foundation for over 15 years. So if you’d like to learn more about how we can use this tool to support your business marketing efforts, email us at support@strottner.com. And remember, a free audit is always available on our homepage.