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WordPress is one of the most well-known website-building platforms in the world. Although this widespread use can be a positive thing in many ways, it has also resulted in the circulation of several myths.
Although (like all platforms) WordPress isn’t without its faults, many of the more negative beliefs about it are simply untrue. WordPress is a powerful platform with extensive capabilities and easy of use, so it’s important not to let the opinions of a few people cloud your judgement.
In this post, we’ll discuss some of the most commonly believed myths about WordPress and explain why they’re incorrect. So let’s get started!
Why WordPress Myths Are Particularly Common
When deciding which website-building software to use, it’s likely that your first thought will be WordPress – and for good reason. WordPress powers over one-third of the web, and more than 60 million people have used it to create their websites, stores, and blogs.
In short, WordPress is incredibly popular. Its popularity has led to a very active online community and plenty of useful themes and plugins that greatly expand its capabilities. However, its widespread use also means that some have had less than positive experiences with the platform. And a few bad experiences can easily become the basis of widespread myths.
4 Commonly Believed Myths About WordPress (And Why They're Wrong)
WordPress is popular for a reason. When used effectively, it is an incredibly beneficial platform. Below, we'll look at four of the most common beliefs about WordPress that are worth being debunked.
1. WordPress Is Difficult to Use
This is perhaps the most commonly circulated of all WordPress myths. The platform has gained a reputation in some circles for being tricky to use – especially when compared to simpler drag-and-drop builders like Wix and Squarespace.
Although the ins and outs of WordPress take a bit of time to learn, the platform is inherently easy to use. In fact, WordPress was actually created with beginners in mind. This is in contrast to other popular CMSs, such as Joomla and Drupal, which are much less newbie-friendly.
WordPress offers a user-friendly dashboard and easily accessible settings. It only takes a few minutes to set up a new site and start creating content. Plus, the majority of additional features you might require can be added by installing plugins and themes, so you don't need to know a thing about code.
What's more, if you do have questions, WordPress features a friendly community of helpful users who are always on hand to talk you through any issues. The WordPress Codex is also an invaluable resource, as are the many WordPress blogs, courses, and tutorials around the web.
We'd also suggest reaching out to WP Tech Support. Those guys are experts in all things WordPress, and can help you with any tech issues you might encounter along the way.
2. WordPress Only Benefits Bloggers and Smaller Sites
Although this is ultimately a myth, it was based on a kernel of truth. WordPress was first developed as a blogging platform, and most of its primary features were created with this purpose in mind.
However, the platform has changed significantly since its inception. Today, it’s used for all manner of websites – from business pages to online portfolios. E-commerce stores are also particularly common. This versatility is due, in part, to the wide range of available plugins and themes.
Many people also believe that WordPress is only suited to smaller sites that don’t receive much traffic. However, frequent updates mean that WordPress is adapted to perform smoothly under pressure. So if you’re looking to grow your site, WordPress is more than able to keep up.
3. WordPress Comes With a High Security Risk
Like any other platform, WordPress is no stranger to security risks. There have been several highly publicized attacks that have hit WordPress sites specifically, leading some to question the stability of this open-source software.
After all, using open-source software means that anyone can access the platform's source code, making it easier to hack. The popularity of the platform can also make it a prime target for malicious software.
Despite all that, WordPress remains a safe and secure platform. It’s designed by a large team that is constantly looking to improve security, and new updates are frequently released to address the latest threats.
In addition, there are numerous security-focused plugins that add further protection to WordPress sites. Jetpack is one of the most popular, and its premium plans include malware scanning, automated daily backups, and spam protection. Sucuri Security is another great option if you're looking for additional website-securing features.
4. WordPress Sites All Look the Same
This myth has become more common since the introduction of the block editor, although it has always been out there. Many people, including those familiar with the platform, believe that WordPress sites all look the same.
This is largely because many sites use the default themes that come pre-installed with the platform. While this can result in a plethora of cookie-cutter sites, it’s important to note that there are tens of thousands of alternative themes available, many of which are free.
Therefore, you can add a more unique style to your site with ease. What's more, most themes offer plenty of customization options. There are also premium themes available via sites like ThemeIsle and ThemeForest.
You can even use page builder plugins like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Divi to customize your site further. Of course, you can always use code to create a completely unique site (or hire someone else to do it for you).
Conclusion
WordPress has grown dramatically since its release. Although this can be a good thing, it does mean that misconceptions have become commonplace.
In this post, we explored (and debunked) some of the myths that are commonly circulated about WordPress. We learned that:
- WordPress is easy to use, even for beginners.
- You can create all types of websites in any size.
- While no platform is perfect, WordPress is remarkably secure.
- With the right theme and a little tweaking, your WordPress site can have a unique look and feel.
Do you have any further questions about using WordPress? Let us know in the comments section below!
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I agree with everything you said above, I’ve been a WordPress user for 14 years it never failed me yet. Sure it had some growing pains along the way. Just like any other popular software script, However, the newer version is ridiculously awesome and more powerful and secure than ever. As long as you maintain it, you should be ready to go.