You know WordPress as the popular blogging software, but there is great evidence on why WordPress is also one of the best content management systems out there. In the next couple of months we will be revamping the BlueCrestStudios website and product line, a long overdue event. In doing so, we reviewed many content management systems to use for the new website. In the past, I have always put together my own system written in PHP and a template engine. When reviewing systems, nothing stacked up the the ease and flexibility of WordPress. Drupal came close, but it was harder to install setup and use. So lets take a look a reasons why WordPress should be considered for your next content management system.
Easy To Install
WordPress is very easy to install, and can be installed by anyone with basic knowledge of PHP and MySQL. Furthermore many web hosting companies offer WordPress as a “one click install” for the web hosting packages they sell. WordPress is widely available on many different hosting platforms.
Extensions, Extensions, Extensions, and Themes
WordPress has a vast user and development community, so extensions and plug ins are readily available. Chances are if you need WordPress to do something, there is an extension out there already written. On the off chance that you can’t find an extension for your needs, if you have any PHP development experience WordPress has an easy to use API so you can write one yourself. The theming engine and selection follows that of the extensions. Many themes are available, easy to write, and many professionals offer designing services for WordPress themes.
Blogging Built In
Many companies write their own blogs these days, and guess what… WordPress does blogging. Simple enough!
Easy To Use
WordPress has a very easy to use and manage administration section. Users with absolutely no HTML experience can create articles and static pages with a breeze. In our reviews, the administration controls were the main reason that we did not go with Drupal. WordPress has a separate administration section, where as Drupal includes them in your user account. We found the separation that WordPress offers is easier for beginner users to understand and use.
Support
WordPress has some of the most useful support forums available for an open source project. What is sometimes frustrating to users is the bridge between beginner users and very “techy” and experienced users providing support. WordPress does a very good job of supporting its community. A quick scan of the forums and you will find helpful and in depth responses to questions from users.
Conclusion…
Wordpress does a excellent job of being diverse and the tool for many jobs. I have to imagine that future versions are only going to make it better. Look for our new WordPress implementation and new products on BlueCrestStudios soon!
Good choice. I use WordPress for my blog and to run my business’ website (2 different sites). I’ve used Mambo, Drupal, PHP w/templates, Nuke and others and WordPress always wins hands-down.
Wordpress is truly a great project. The professional touch to every feature makes me want to keep using it. I find it hard to fault anything in Wordpress, which has probably made it the huge success that it is today
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Someone hasn’t given Symphony a try yet. XML + XSL ftw!
I love wordpress, but for any semi-serious content management you need a real CMS.
Drupal balances the ease-of-use issues with the huge amount of functionality that it offers.
I liked Drupal, but I found it hard to install and customize. The navigation isn’t as nice either.
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