While the WordPress content management system (CMS) is the most popular platform for blog websites, it can also be an effective marketing tool for a business site, if you take advantage of the different themes and plug-ins that are available. The default WordPress program offers great features and tools, including strong security, a vast collection of skins and plug-ins, and simple, intuitive content creation functionality that are ideal for bloggers. However, WordPress can be expanded to provide a low-cost, and surprisingly capable website generator. Many recently-added features are business centric, such as increased customization of site aesthetics, professional templates, social network integrations, and custom logo uploading through the use of business-based themes.
The following features enhance WordPress CMS functionality to create a solid foundation for a corporate website:
WordPress Security
Corporate websites require enhanced security to protect site visitors and maintain the confidentiality of personal information in order to support healthy client relations. The base WordPress application offers robust security to protect your site from hackers and malicious software, and it becomes even stronger with the use of additional business themes. Anti-spam updates are available that protect comment fields and forums from spam and auto-registration bots.
Simple Content Creation
The ability to create professional content for a website quickly and easily is critical if a company wants to effectively market its products and services online no matter how big or small the business is. With its roots in the blog world, simple content creation has always been one of WordPress’ CMS strong points. The WYSIWYG text editor is immediately familiar to anyone who has ever used a word processing application. Non-technical staff from the company’s Marketing and Human Resources departments can easily update product information, sales promotions, and internal communications so that content is always fresh and responsive to current business activity.
WordPress Business Themes
WordPress has teamed with a growing number of third party solution providers to offer hundreds of business themes that instantly convert a dull, boring site into an exciting, professional-looking website comparable to those of the largest corporations. The templates provide an effective look-and-feel that can be quickly replicated as new pages are added to the site. Many business themes are offered at no cost; however, the best templates will cost a few dollars, but nowhere near as much as it would cost to hire a graphic designer.
Increased Visual Customization
Business themes enable the business owner to better control specific aesthetic details of the site without the need to hire expensive web developers. In addition to template designs, themes offer different tools for users to define custom colors, enable different textures, and incorporate functionality widgets. Customizable buttons, colors, and menus are easily designed and generated so the site appears and is easier for users to navigate. Branding elements are easily added, including custom logos, select fonts, and graphic images.
Templates Sets
WordPress CMS business partners offer template sets that carry a design theme across the multiple page formats commonly seen on a website. In addition to a bold Home Page Template, template sets typically include interior page designs for product landing pages and detail subpages, About Us or Contact Us pages, a Downloads page, and a News page format. Pre-fabricated templates also establish a baseline for developers that can be enhanced to meet specific needs. Templates sets are available in many styles and designs and can be customized with additional functionality. Multi-page template sets minimize discrepancies in design and establish a more cohesive user experience.
Social Network Integration
WordPress business themes have been created that provide out-of-box integration with the most popular social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. Comments and threaded discussions can be managed by the social network or auto-posted to the users’ social network profile pages.
While there are certainly more powerful CMS solutions than WordPress, and professionally designed websites offer greater flexibility for business owners, the cost of those solutions are prohibitive for many companies. WordPress offers a powerful, yet cost effective web solution that any company can afford.