Welp MagazineIf you are in the beginning stages of building a website, you likely have many questions about the process. It can be overwhelming if you have limited technical experience or even if you are familiar with the industry. A common question is whether you should build your website from scratch or use a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress. We will go over the differences between WordPress and HTML to determine which option is better for your business.
WordPress
As a CMS, WordPress is a software that allows users to build a website without needing to know about scriptwriting, coding, or programming languages. The user can use WordPress to customize their website by adding or deleting content and publishing it for viewers to access. Users can also add multimedia such as photos or videos and arrange data according to different categories.
Advantages of Using WordPress
If you decide to go with WordPress, read on for some of the major benefits that can help your business in the long run.
No Need for Code
Even if you are well-versed in computer code, there is no denying that WordPress is easier to use in this regard. If you want to add or edit the content on your site, all you need to do is open the WordPress visual editor. You type in what you want to say, and the CMS will take care of the rest. WordPress does the background work of translating your thoughts into legible text for your virtual viewers.
Open-Source Software
WordPress is open-source software, which is a major benefit to some users. Everyone can access WordPress, and there is the option for anyone to create templates and/or plugins.
WordPress is a simple software to use, but as with anything, there can be a learning curve. Since the CMS is open source, there is a great deal of knowledge about it in the general community. If you want to study it more extensively, you could look through a WordPress tutorial online or watch a helpful ‘how-to’ video guide.
Many Different Themes
One of the advantages of WordPress is that there are thousands of pre-created templates available for use. There are enough options that you are very likely to find something that works for you, even a small business WordPress theme, and you will finish your website sooner. This is a benefit if you are on a time crunch and need to have your site up and running ASAP.
HTML
Hyper-Text Markup Language, or HTML as it is more commonly known, is a system of formatting text to create your website. You’ll often use HTML alongside CSS (cascading style sheets), and JavaScript (computer programing language) to develop a site.
Advantages of Using HTML
HTML can be a good choice for your website if you know what you are doing. The following are examples of how HTML can be beneficial for you.
Unique
With HTML, everything gets created from scratch. There are no pre-built templates to choose from, but you are designing every element exactly as you want it. Whether you do the work yourself or hire a developer, you are going to have a unique product as a result.
Fewer Backups
There will be fewer backups and updates required with HTML. The only time you will need to backup your website is when you make a change to the code, which should be rare.
With WordPress, you will also need to check for compatibility and updates for various themes and plugins. This is not a concern with static HTML.
More Control
Programmers and developers often enjoy using HTML because it gives you more control over your website. You can easily access modify or add additional code to your website if you want to have certain features.
The Verdict?
If you are building a website, you should first evaluate your technical knowledge. WordPress is the simpler option for website building, and you will be able to do it on your own. HTML is a bit more challenging, but it is a good learning opportunity. If you decide to go with HTML and hire a web developer, this is a great way to learn while also obtaining the product you desire.
