Do you remember Geocities? AOL’s Hometown? In the early days of the internet most websites were simple, static HTML. The sites were hard to update and difficult to maintain, requiring either knowledge of HTML coding or the use of site builders with limited options and even more limited visions for design and creativity.

As the internet has grown, so has the ability of everyday users to create original, dynamic and creative websites. Key to that growth: the content management system (CMS).

Blogs — originally “web logs” — started the trend. With just clicks of the mouse, folks could quickly publish their thoughts, news stories and other articles. The publishing was made simpler and easier. In the past decade or so, the growth of the “blogosphere” has taken traditional media on a run for its money and readership.

But, you might think of a blog as little more than a place where someone shares their thoughts or uninteresting life details. Who really wants to know what movies I’ve seen or what I think about my neighbor’s barking dog, you ask. A blog, however, can be so much more.

WordPress, an open source CMS originally created as a blogging platform, is powerful enough to manage all your website’s operations, including a blog. If you have a business or a non-profit, having an area on your site (you don’t necessarily have to call it a “blog”) where you can easily post and maintain important news and updates about your activities can be an integral part of your online strategy. New content, updated regularly, often results in increased readership and keeps people coming back for more. WordPress also allows you to easily maintain and update static pages on your website, such as “About us,” “Contact us” or other standard, must-have pages.

What is WordPress?

Started in 2003, WordPress has grown to become one of the largest self-hosted blogging platforms in the world. Its functionality and easily customizable options have also made it a CMS of choice. Businesses, non-profits, newspapers and magazines — all sorts of organizations use WordPress for their online content management. A whole host of plugins and other tools can extend the functionality of WordPress, turning it into a fully-functional social media community. (CLT Blog is a phenomenal example.)

How much does it cost?

The internet… it’s amazing. WordPress is free. More appropriately, WordPress is “open source” software. Hundreds (if not thousands or more) of people are working around the world to make WordPress better each and every day. As an “open source” project, you are free to use the platform, as WordPress.org says, “for anything from your cat’s home page to a Fortune 500 web site without paying anyone a license fee and a number of other important freedoms.”

Who uses WordPress?

Fortune 500 companies are using “free” software? Yup. Pepsi, Best Buy, OnStar, Nikon and UPS are just among a few. WordPress.org has a showcase of those and others.

What about some non-profits? WordPress can be found there too.

More locally, I’ve used WordPress to create sites for QNotes and the Charlotte Rainbow Action Network for Equality. I also use it for my own websites. See my portfolio.

What can I use a ‘blog’ for?

If you own a business, a blog can be perfect for posting occasional articles about new or featured products, along with chit-chat about cool happenings in your industry. Non-profits can use blogs to post media alerts and news and information about upcoming events, issues and causes.

How do I get WordPress?

WordPress can be hosted on your own server (downloaded from WordPress.org) or you can use a hosted version of it at WordPress.com. I recommend hosting the site yourself so you retain 100 percent control over branding, design and other elements. WordPress has some requirements, including a server with PHP and having access to a MySQL database.

Need help setting-up a new site using WordPress, or integrating WordPress into an existing website? Check out my services or contact me today.