WordPress users and developers have online support networks on various forums. And throughout the world, WordCamp conferences are held to talk about everything WordPress. Armeda attended a recent Word Camp held in Orange County, California, and estimates: "70 percent of the attendees were small businesses wanting to advance their online presence and new firms that want to push using WordPress to their clients." Users also post step-by-step video tutorials that can walk new users through the most basic as well as complex concepts. In addition to a host of free online WordPress resources, if you simply can't find what you're looking for or don't have the time to work on something highly customized for your site, it's easy to find WordPress developers for hire.
8. WordPress has one-click installation.
Many hosting providers have quick installations of WordPress. "Wordpress is convenient as more hosting providers offer easy-install processes for it than for Movable Type," Cool says.
9. WordPress allows multiple users.
Multiple people at your company can have access to update your website or blog. "Wordpress has core role base management and you are able to extend it as the need arises for you and your organization," Armeda says. You can set permission levels of each user to maintain the security and integrity of your website or blog.
10. WordPress can be self-hosted.
If you decide to use the self-hosted version of WordPress, there is more flexibility in terms of features and design. "If you want to host it you have the ability, but if your company is not there yet you can manipulate WordPress to fit your brand and your needs," Armeda says.
Dig Deeper: How to Choose a Website Content Management System
How to Use WordPress for Business: WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
WordPress offers two content-management solutions, and that can cause some confusion. The major differences is in the hosting of the site, and in control of the design. With WordPress.com, there's no need to download software, pay for hosting, or manage a web server. All-in-all, it's simpler to use. But using Wordpress.com also means one cannot upload individualized themes and plug-ins, and can't control advertising on the site you create.
Using WordPress.org requires installation of the software on your own server, or with a third-party provider. For small businesses, when it's important for you to have control over customizing the look and feel of your site, the .org incarnation of WordPress is going to allow more options.
Dig Deeper: More about WordPress
How to Use WordPress for Business: Where to Begin
In order to get started using WordPress.org you will need a few things.
1. A hosting provider.
The No. 1 hosting provider recommended by WordPress.org is Bluehost. WordPress also suggests using DreamHost or LiquidSquid. But any hosting provider that meets the WordPress minimum requirements can be used. Armeda recommends using HostGator, LiquidWeb or MediaTemple. "Those are the hosts I use and recommend to clients." Hosting providers will generally charge about $6.95 a month. Every web hosting service offers the option to customize your website URL, though instructions vary. Just follow the instructions provided by the hosting company you choose.
2. FTP knowledge.
You will need to know how to use file transfer protocol (FTP) to transfer files to your web server. Sound tricky? It's not. FTP is simply selecting files from a location on a computer and uploading or transferring them to your web server. Think of it as moving a file from one folder to another on your computer. Your web hosting service provider will recommend which FTP program to use if you don't have one on your computer. There are tons of free FTP applications available for download online, including at CNET.com.
3. Backup capability.
You will need to manage your own backups, but there are easy ways to automate the process. If you use BlueHost as your hosting provider, for instance, it will do backups for you. "WordPress does offer plug-ins for doing backups on your server or to yoru local drive," Armeda says.
Digg Deeper: How to Start a Website
How to Use WordPress for Business: Additional Resources
WordPress for Business Bloggers: Promote and grow your WordPress blog with advanced plug-ins, analytics, advertising and SEO by Paul Thewlis.
WordPress 2.7 Complete by Hasin Hayder.
A Step-by-Step WordPress Tutorial for Beginners by Mati H Fuller.
WordPress for Dummies by Lisa Sabon-Wilson.
