The (sort of) short answer: The Web’s most powerful and popular CMS stands for ‘content management system’ which according to Wikipedia “…allows publishing, editing, and modifying content as well as site maintenance from a central page.” In plain language, a WordPress CMS site lets you update your web content via a simple web-based interface. Easy, breezy. CMS (content management system) used by today’s web pros to build standards-compliant, client-updatable, more affordable websites.

The longer answer: A flexible, cost-effective alternative to a custom static HTML website. WordPress offers the following benefits over a static HTML site:

• Easy for you, the site owner (or your assistant), to update (add, delete, or change text or images on an existing page; add, delete, or hide pages, etc.) using a web-based interface or ‘dashboard.’
• Easy for you to manage and monitor your own SEO (search engine optimization).
• Easy to integrate with a blog.
• Easy to make major changes to aesthetics, layout, and content down the road… you can completely change the look of your site without starting all over!
• Less expensive and way more flexible than a custom static HTML site.
• Backend programming stays up-to-date via regularly released updates of WordPress and WordPress plugins.

WordPress was originally developed as a blogging tool to make setting up and maintaining a blog easy for even the most design-challenged and low-tech types. Over time, WordPress has evolved into the first-choice among the many content management systems that currently exist for building professional websites. Virtually any type of website can be build with WordPress, from a simple informational brochure-style site to a full featured ecommerce site, and everything in between.

WordPress vs. ‘Regular’ Static Website

One of many very good reasons I use WordPress to build websites is so you (or a trusty sidekick, or virtually any web pro) can easily update your site, and have 24/7 access to and control over your site. I’ve been building websites since 1996, and one of the biggest requests I’ve received from clients from the very beginning was the ability to make their own updates in-house. WordPress happily answers that request.

Here’s a brief comparison between a website built using WordPress and a static HTML website:

WordPress Site: You (or your trusty assistant) have access to your site, 24/7, via a web-based interface. The interface, called the WordPress Dashboard, is easy to use, akin to creating and formatting a document in Word. There is no program to buy, download, or install. And the learning curve is very gentle, like wading into a shallow pool of water.

Static HTML Website: You have access to your site via an FTP program on your computer. To use FTP, first you’ll need to choose one, download it, install it, and learn to use it. And an FTP program will only let you upload and download files. If you want to change pages or add pages, you’ll need a program such as Dreamweaver. Which costs about $400. And is not easy to use. With a learning curve akin to plunging straight into the deep end with sharks swimming around. Eeek!

Okay, enough with the fishy metaphors… you get the idea!

Contact me, and I’ll tell you more great reasons why you should consider a custom WordPress site for your next new site or upgrade! As always, I also build custom HTML (non-CMS) websites if you prefer.

Cyndi Craven has been helping businesses and professionals successfully ride the wave of the Web since 1996. Visit Cyndi Craven Design to find out how she can help you make the very most of your online presence with a WordPress CMS website, blog, social media integration, ecommerce, email marketing, and more.

Cyndi Craven has been helping businesses and professionals successfully ride the wave of the Web since 1996. Visit Cyndi Craven Design to find out how she can help you make the very most of your online presence with a WordPress CMS website, blog, social media integration, ecommerce, email marketing, and more.

Your brand should look and feel consistent as potential customers, clients and fans follow you from your website to your blog to your Twitter page to your Facebook page to your other blog and so on. Too much visual hodgepodge from site to site can make people scratch their heads and wonder “Where am I? Did I get lost? Is this the same person?”

That doesn’t mean everything should be identical. But, for instance, your photos on your website, your blog and your social media accounts should be professional shots from at least roughly the same time period… so your pictures from one site to the next don’t look like before and afters from an extreme makeover session!

Use the colors and photos, images and certainly your message from your primary website… and carry these over to your Twitter profile. Your blog. LinkedIn. YouTube channel. You get the idea!

And, after the visual continuity is in place, make sure your accounts are linked to each other logically so that you can avoid redundant posting and make the most of the power of cross posting your message among the various online places you can be found.

Cyndi Craven has been helping businesses and professionals successfully ride the wave of the Web since 1996. Visit Cyndi Craven Design to find out how she can help you make the very most of your online presence with a WordPress CMS website, blog, social media integration, ecommerce, email marketing, and more.

While you may carry some of the traits of your heroes, teachers and mentors, you are a carbon copy of no one! You get one lifetime to be yourself. Let your web presence show who that is!

When planning a new website or redesign, it’s important and immensely helpful to study what your favorite people are doing with their websites, blogs, etc.. These are great ways to get ideas and inspiration. But make sure when it comes to your online presence that you make your own your own. Give your online audience a genuine feel for who you are and what you have to offer. You only get one chance to be you… don’t waste it trying to be someone else.

Read more about how to be yourself in Think Outside The Bowl. Or contact me if you would like assistance in creating an online presence that is truly, powerfully you.

Cyndi Craven has been helping businesses and professionals successfully ride the wave of the Web since 1996. Visit Cyndi Craven Design to find out how she can help you make the very most of your online presence with a WordPress CMS website, blog, social media integration, ecommerce, email marketing, and more.

Don’t settle for ‘same ol’ same ol” when you can have ‘here now wow-wow!’

A custom WordPress website always starts with a basic pre-designed foundation ‘theme’ or template. What will make your site ‘swim above the rest of the school’ is the degree and quality of customization. This is where a professional web designer comes in. While using a theme as a basic foundation, your designer will be able to change the look, feel and function of the “theme” … a little or a lot… to make it a custom site that represents you in a way that is as original as you are. The elements of this design can then be carried over to your Facebook page, Twitter profile, blog, and so on, for a brand consistent image across the Web!

Cyndi Craven has been helping businesses and professionals successfully ride the wave of the Web since 1996. Visit Cyndi Craven Design to find out how she can help you make the very most of your online presence with a WordPress CMS website, blog, social media integration, ecommerce, email marketing, and more.