THE digital industry has gone through a big change in the last couple of years. Funding used to stretch high and wide which meant there was a lot of money available for software projects.
Two years down the line and the game has changed completely – companies now have to be more sensible about how they use their resources to avoid passing their costs on to clients.
One of the largest non-productive costs to a web development agency is the cost of their bespoke content management system (CMS).
Developed, tested and maintained in-house – there has to be dedicated resource to manage the development and roadmap of this product. Overheads equal time; time equals money. So doesn’t it make more sense to use-open source software, such as WordPress?
There is a misconception about WordPress among both web companies and clients. It is seen as a blogging tool that is not suitable for using as a CMS or other content- driven applications. Those views are archaic and are not a representation of WordPress’s current capabilities.
Starting with WordPress speeds up the delivery time and injects various, important levels of expertise into a website. The user interface (UI) design, the user experience (UX) and security are just three areas of WordPress that have full-time employees dedicated to ensuring the highest quality is delivered.
There is also an excellent community with a vast amount of resources available including excellent themes and plug-ins for your WordPress website.
Displaying your latest tweets in a sidebar or managing the search engine optimisation (SEO) of your site has never been easier.
One of the most important factors is the support of your website after it has been built. Custom systems come with high support costs because agencies know once they develop it, they are in the best position to update or fix your site.
Being “locked in” narrows your options and decreases the adaptability of your site. Your website will grow with your business and as with business it’s important not to rely on a sole supplier.
WordPress might not be suitable for every project. However, it can no longer be rejected as a potential solution for a web development project and in some circumstances it may be ideal.
:: Steven Jones is a freelance web developer in Newcastle specialising in WordPress www.stomptheweb.co.uk