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WordPress Website Builder Review 2023

8.4 good ratings
WordPress
Updated On 21 March, 2023

If you’re looking for a website builder to create your online presence, you’re likely aware of the multitude of options available. WordPress is one of the most popular website builders out there, and for a good reason. It offers various customization options, strong performance, and mobile responsiveness.

However, as with any platform, there are pros and cons. That’s why this review will take a critical examination of WordPress. We’ll dive into its features, performance, and usability to help you make an informed decision about whether or not it’s the right website builder for you.

We’ll analyze the customization options available, the speed and performance of WordPress sites, and the learning curve of using the platform. We’ll also consider the community support and resources available for users.

Read our other post on weebly review to find out about the weebly pros, cons, features & ease of use.

By the end of this review, you’ll clearly understand whether WordPress is the best website builder for your needs, whether you’re a small business owner, blogger, or e-commerce entrepreneur.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into our critical examination of WordPress.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of customization options
  • SEO-friendly platform
  • Mobile-responsive design
  • Open-source code with an active community

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Vulnerable to security breaches if not properly maintained
  • Regular maintenance and updates required
  • Plugin compatibility issues can arise

Performance at Glance

Specifications

WordPress Rating at Glance

Our Verdict

Ease of Use

WordPress has a steep learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy to use and customize.

Support

WordPress has a large and active community of developers and users who offer support and resources.

Features

WordPress offers a wide range of customization options and features, making it a versatile website builder.

Ease of Setup

Setting up a WordPress site can be simple or complex, depending on your level of technical expertise and the hosting service you use.

G2 Rating

It has a high G2 rating, with users praising its customization options, SEO-friendliness, and mobile responsiveness.

Features of WordPress.com Website Builder

Features

WordPress.com

Free Version Offered

Yes

Web Store

Yes

Blogging Tool 

Yes

Site Portability 

Yes

Site Membership

Yes

Templates

Yes

Drag & Drop

Yes

HTML Input

Yes

Domain Name

Yes

SEO

Yes

Site Analytics

No

Marketing Tools

Yes

E-Commerce

Yes

Email Integrations

Yes

Content Management

Yes

Permissions

Yes

WordPress Tool

Yes

Customer Support

Yes

Marketing Tools Integration

Yes

Free Version Offered

WordPress.com offers a free version of its website builder, which includes basic features and limited customization options.

Web Store

WordPress.com offers an online store feature for users who want to sell products and services on their website.

Blogging Tool

WordPress.com started as a blogging tool and still offers robust blogging features, including post scheduling, categories, and tags.

Site Portability

WordPress.com allows users to transfer their website to a different host if they choose to do so.

Site Membership

WordPress.com offers a membership feature that allows users to restrict access to content or specific areas of their website.

Templates

WordPress.com offers a range of templates, also called themes, that users can choose from to customize the design of their website.

Drag & Drop

WordPress.com offers a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for users to customize their websites without technical knowledge.

HTML Input

WordPress.com allows users to add custom HTML code to their website for advanced customization.

Domain Name

WordPress.com allows users to use a custom domain name for their website.

SEO

WordPress.com offers built-in SEO tools to help users optimize their websites for search engines.

Site Analytics

WordPress.com integrates with Google Analytics to provide users with website traffic and user behavior data.

Marketing Tools

WordPress.com offers a range of marketing tools, including social media sharing, email marketing integrations, and advertising options.

E-Commerce

WordPress.com offers an online store feature, allowing users to sell products and services directly from their website.

Email Integrations

WordPress.com integrates with email marketing tools like Mailchimp and Constant Contact to allow users to build and manage their email lists.

Content Management

WordPress.com offers a user-friendly content management system that allows users to easily create, edit, and publish content on their websites.

Permissions

WordPress.com offers granular control over user permissions, allowing users to restrict access to certain areas or functions of their website.

WordPress Tool

WordPress.com is built on the WordPress platform, which is a powerful and versatile website builder that allows for extensive customization and functionality.

Customer Support

WordPress.com offers customer support options, including documentation, forums, support tickets, live chat, and phone support for paid plans.

Marketing Tools Integration

WordPress.com integrates with marketing tools, such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads, to help users promote their websites and reach their target audience.

What is the difference between WordPress.com & WordPress.org?

WordPress.com and WordPress.org are related to WordPress but are different platforms with different features and functions.

WordPress.com is a web hosting service that allows users to create and host websites using WordPress. It is a fully managed platform that takes care of hosting, backups, updates, and security. WordPress.com offers a range of plans, including a free plan, and users can choose from a selection of themes and plugins. However, customization options are limited, and users cannot install their themes or plugins.

On the other hand, WordPress.org is an open-source software platform that can be downloaded and installed on a web host. It is a self-hosted platform that offers full control over customization and functionality. Users can choose from thousands of themes and plugins and can fully customize their website to their needs. However, hosting, backups, updates, and security are the responsibility of the user, and technical knowledge is required.

In summary, WordPress.com is a web hosting service that offers limited customization options. Still, it takes care of hosting and maintenance, while WordPress.org is a self-hosted platform that offers full control over customization and functionality but requires technical knowledge and responsibility for hosting and maintenance.

What kind of websites can you build with WordPress?

WordPress is a versatile website builder that can be used to create a wide range of websites. Here are some examples of the types of websites you can build with WordPress:

Blogs

WordPress started as a blogging platform, and it’s still an excellent choice for creating blogs. Its built-in blogging features make it easy to publish and manage blog posts.

Business websites

WordPress offers a range of themes and plugins that cater to businesses, including e-commerce functionality, contact forms, and business directory listings.

E-commerce websites

WordPress can be used to create online stores using plugins such as WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads.

Portfolio websites

WordPress offers a range of themes and plugins that are perfect for creating portfolios, such as photography portfolios, artist portfolios, and graphic design portfolios.

Educational websites

WordPress can be used to create educational websites, such as online courses or school websites.

Membership websites

WordPress offers plugins that can be used to create membership websites, such as subscription-based websites, online communities, or private forums.

Non-profit websites

WordPress offers themes and plugins that are designed for non-profit organizations, such as donation forms, event calendars, and volunteer management tools.

SEO functionality & Adds-on with wordpress.com websites

WordPress.com offers a range of SEO functionality and add-ons to help users optimize their websites for search engines. Here are some examples:

SEO tools

WordPress.com offers built-in SEO tools, such as customizable URLs, meta tags, and image optimization, that make it easier for users to optimize their websites for search engines.

Premium SEO

WordPress.com also offers a Premium SEO add-on that provides users with additional SEO features, such as advanced SEO analytics and keyword suggestions.

Google Analytics integration

WordPress.com integrates with Google Analytics, allowing users to track website traffic, user behavior, and other important metrics.

Social media integration

WordPress.com offers social media integration, allowing users to easily share their website content on social media platforms and drive traffic to their website.

Ad-free

WordPress.com offers an ad-free option for users who want to remove ads from their websites. This is important for users who want to maintain a professional and polished appearance for their websites.

Custom domains

WordPress.com allows users to use a custom domain name for their website, which can help with branding and SEO.

Overall, WordPress.com offers a range of SEO functionality and add-ons to help users optimize their websites for search engines and drive traffic to their websites. From built-in SEO tools to premium SEO features and social media integration, WordPress.com provides users the tools they need to succeed online. 

WordPress Website Builder Customer Service & Support

WordPress offers a range of customer service and support options for users needing website assistance. Here are some examples:

Documentation and tutorials

WordPress offers extensive documentation and tutorials on its website, covering a wide range of topics, from getting started to troubleshooting issues.

Community forums

WordPress has a large and active community of developers and users who offer support and advice through online forums.

Support tickets

WordPress offers support tickets for users who need more personalized assistance with their website.

Live chat

WordPress offers a live chat support option for users who need real-time assistance with their website.

Phone support

WordPress offers phone support for users on its paid plans, providing additional assistance and support.

Is WordPress.com right for you and your business?

Whether or not WordPress.com is right for you and your business depends on your specific needs and requirements. Here are some factors to consider:

Understanding your website needs

Assessing whether WordPress.com is the right fit for your business requires a thorough understanding of your website needs, including your design preferences, functionality requirements, and budget.

The importance of customization

WordPress.com offers a range of customization options, but they may not be sufficient for businesses that require extensive customization options. If you need a high degree of customization or want to use your themes and plugins, self-hosted WordPress may be a better choice.

Consider your budget

WordPress.com offers a range of plans, including a free plan, but some features are limited or not available on the free plan. Consider your budget and what features you need before committing to a plan.

Evaluating customer support options

WordPress.com offers a range of customer support options, but they may not be sufficient for businesses that require high-level support. Evaluate the customer support options and whether they are suitable for your business needs.

Platform security

WordPress.com takes care of website security, updates, and backups, making it a good option for businesses that want to focus on their core business activities rather than website maintenance. However, if you require a high level of control over website security or want to use custom security measures, self-hosted WordPress may be a better choice.

Top WordPress.com Alternatives

WordPress

Wix

Weebly

Squarespace

Starting Price (For a Business Website)

Free, plus hosting (around $3 to $15 per month)

$16 per month

$6 per month

$16 per month

Drag & Drop Interface

Via Plugin

Yes

Yes

Yes

Domain Name

No

Yes, for your first year

With mid-tier plans

Yes, with annual plans

SSL Certificate

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Sell Online

Via Plugin

Yes - with Business Basic plan for $27 per month

Yes

Yes - with Business Basic plan for $23 per month

Manage Inventory

Via Plugin

Yes

Yes

Yes

Book Appointments

Via Plugin

Yes

Yes 

Yes - for an extra $14 per month

Subscriptions & Recurring Payments

Via Plugin

Yes

Yes - via stripe or paypal

Yes - with commerce plan for $49 per month

Built-in SEO Tools

Via Plugin

Yes

Yes

Yes

Customer Support

Community Forum

24/7 Customer Support

Community forum, chat & email support for all plans, phone support for advanced plans

24/7 email & chat support, no phone option available

Conclusion

WordPress is a professional and versatile solution for creating exceptional websites. With its extensive range of themes, customizable options, and user-friendly interface, WordPress empowers users to build stunning websites tailored to their unique needs. The platform’s robust plugin ecosystem and SEO-friendly features further enhance functionality and visibility. Whether you’re a blogger, small business owner, or enterprise, WordPress offers a reliable and scalable platform to establish a strong online presence. Unlock the potential for success with a professionally designed website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress premium worth it?

The value of WordPress premium plans depends on the specific needs of your website. Premium plans offer more features and functionality, but they can become expensive depending on the plan. It’s important to evaluate your website needs and determine if the additional features and support offered in the premium plans are worth the cost.

Is WordPress good for SEO?

WordPress is good for SEO as it offers built-in SEO tools and a range of SEO plugins that help users optimize their websites for search engines. WordPress’s clean code and structure also make it easy for search engines to crawl and index websites built on the platform.

Is WordPress open source?

WordPress is open source, meaning the software code is available for anyone to view, use, and modify. This allows developers to create custom features and plugins for WordPress and contribute to the platform’s ongoing development.

What language does WordPress use?

WordPress is primarily built on the PHP programming language and uses MySQL for database management. WordPress also uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front-end development.

How many plugins does WordPress have?

As of March 2023, WordPress has over 55,000+ plugins available in its plugin directory. These plugins offer additional functionality and customization options for WordPress websites.

Is WordPress good for small businesses?

WordPress is a good option for small businesses as it offers a user-friendly website builder with customizable templates, a range of plugins for added functionality, and built-in SEO tools. WordPress is also affordable and can scale as a business grows.

WordPress

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