Breaking down the myths of WordPress

Written by Louise in Technology

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, powering around 40-50% of all websites on the internet. Despite its widespread use and proven versatility, several myths about WordPress persist. Let’s dive into some of these myths and separate fact from fiction.

Myth 1: WordPress is not suitable for large businesses

Many people believe that WordPress cannot handle the needs of large businesses. This myth is easily debunked by looking at the companies that use WordPress. Major brands like Sony Music, TechCrunch, Time, and even Taylor Swift’s official website are built on WordPress . Our own experience with a large enterprise client demonstrates WordPress’s capability to support large-scale, complex operations. The platform’s flexibility and the ability to customise to specific business needs make it an excellent choice for large enterprises.

Myth 2: WordPress is not customisable

The notion that WordPress is not customisable is one of the biggest misconceptions about the platform. WordPress was built with customisation at its core, offering a vast repository of themes and plugins that allow users to tailor their sites to their exact needs. Customising WordPress can be challenging, particularly when dealing with intricate admin screen changes. However, the existence of advanced themes and frameworks like Divi and Elementor proves that extensive customisation is possible. These tools enable developers to create highly customised and unique websites that stand out.

Myth 3: WordPress is not suitable for ecommerce

While it is true that WooCommerce, the leading e-commerce plugin for WordPress, has its limitations, it does not mean WordPress is unsuitable for e-commerce. WooCommerce powers a significant portion of online stores and offers a wide range of functionalities necessary for e-commerce operations. The plugin ecosystem for WooCommerce is extensive, albeit with varying quality. Competitors like Easy Digital Downloads and MemberPress also offer solid e-commerce solutions. Therefore, while WordPress might not be the best option for every e-commerce scenario, it is certainly capable of supporting robust online stores.

Myth 4: WordPress is not scalable

Scalability concerns are often cited as a drawback of WordPress. However, WordPress’s open-source architecture, along with its plugin and theme ecosystem, is designed with scalability in mind. Websites ranging from small blogs to massive multi-site networks successfully use WordPress. The scalability of a WordPress site depends largely on its infrastructure, including hosting environments, caching mechanisms, and how well the site is maintained. One of our enterprise client’s decision to explore a single-site approach highlights that scalability solutions should be tailored to individual use cases, but it does not imply an inherent limitation of the platform.

Myth 5: WordPress is not secure

Security is a common concern for any online platform, and WordPress is no exception. However, WordPress core receives regular security updates and is continually tested by a large community of developers. The primary security risks come from outdated or poorly maintained plugins and themes. By using reputable plugins, keeping the site and its components up to date, and following best security practices, WordPress sites can be very secure. The large user base also means that vulnerabilities are quickly identified and patched, making WordPress a secure option when managed correctly.

Conclusion

WordPress’s flexibility, scalability, and extensive customisation options make it a suitable platform for a wide range of businesses, from small blogs to large enterprises. While it may have some limitations, particularly in the realm of e-commerce and scalability for certain use cases, these challenges can often be mitigated with the right approach and resources. By debunking these myths, we can appreciate the true capabilities of WordPress and its potential to support diverse web development needs.

If you have any questions that need clarification, please feel free to contact us.

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The Author

Louise Milner

The 10 Degrees Team