Should You Still Use WordPress? Absolutely! Here’s Why.

WordPress has been a cornerstone of website creation since its launch in 2003, but recent debates and challenges have left some wondering: is it still the best option? The short answer? Yes! Despite a turbulent year in the WordPress ecosystem, the platform continues to lead the way in flexibility, scalability, and community-driven innovation. Let’s explore why WordPress remains the top choice for businesses, developers, and creators.

WordPress’s Market Share Holds Strong

WordPress powers a staggering 43.7% of all websites worldwide (as of December 2024), maintaining its position as the most popular content management system (CMS). Its enduring dominance is a testament to its flexibility, open-source architecture, and a vast ecosystem of themes and plugins. While competitors like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace have emerged, none can match WordPress’s versatility or its open-source advantages.

Not “Just Another CMS”

Originally designed as a blogging platform, WordPress has grown into a powerful CMS capable of handling virtually any website type. Its open-source framework and extendibility allow for limitless possibilities, from ecommerce stores and membership sites to forums, educational platforms, and even APIs for large-scale applications.

At SouthWest WebPress, we’ve used WordPress to build everything from small side-hustle sites to global multi-site installations. The platform’s ability to scale with a business’s needs is unmatched, and alternatives often come with significant costs and limitations.

Unmatched Extendibility with Plugins

One of WordPress’s greatest strengths is its plugin ecosystem. With over 59,000 free plugins in the official WordPress directory—and thousands more available elsewhere—WordPress provides unparalleled customisation. Plugins make it easy to add features, enhance functionality, and optimise for SEO without needing to write code from scratch.

This freedom empowers developers and site owners to experiment, learn, and grow. Whether you’re a novice exploring WordPress for the first time or an experienced developer, the platform offers endless opportunities to innovate.

A Supportive and Passionate Community

The WordPress community is a significant factor in its success. With active forums, documentation, meetups, and events like WordCamps, there’s always someone ready to lend a hand. Podcasts like Do the Woo and WP Builds provide ongoing education and inspiration, while groups like PostStatus offer networking and collaboration opportunities.

This community-driven approach not only fuels the platform’s growth but also creates a welcoming environment for both new and seasoned users. It’s a culture of support, innovation, and giving back—a rarity in the tech world.

Ownership and Freedom

Unlike proprietary platforms like Shopify and Wix, WordPress gives you complete ownership of your website and data. Being open source means the platform is free to use, and you have full control over your content, code, and hosting.

This freedom extends to hosting. With WordPress, you can easily migrate your site between hosting providers, ensuring you’re never locked into a single service. By contrast, closed platforms own both your site and its hosting environment, limiting your options and increasing your dependency on their infrastructure.

Debunking the Recent “Disagreements”

Recent discussions within the WordPress ecosystem have raised questions about leadership and direction, but these debates have not impacted the platform’s functionality or stability. WordPress remains a reliable, widely-used CMS with a robust roadmap for the future. For users and developers alike, there’s no reason to worry about its long-term sustainability.

Considering Alternatives? Ask These Questions First

While other CMS platforms might seem appealing for simple websites, they rarely stack up against WordPress for more complex or scalable projects. If you’re considering an alternative, ask yourself:

• Is the CMS open source? Do I truly own my website and data?
• Does the platform have a strong community for support and innovation?
• Can it integrate seamlessly with third-party tools and APIs?
• Is it scalable to meet future growth?
• Does it provide full control over the front-end design and functionality?
• Does it adhere to SEO best practices?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” the risks of switching may outweigh the benefits.

WordPress Is Still the Best Choice

WordPress is here to stay. Its open-source nature, flexibility, and active community make it the go-to CMS for 99% of use cases. While other platforms may suit small or static websites, they cannot compete with WordPress’s scalability, ownership, and customisation options.

At SouthWest WebPress, we’re passionate about helping businesses harness the full potential of WordPress. Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling a growing business, or exploring new functionality, WordPress has the tools and community to support your success.