I keep seeing WordPress everywhere when people talk about building websites. It seems like tons of web developers, freelancers, and business owners always pick WordPress instead of other options out there.
I’m really wondering what the big deal is. Is it because WordPress is easy to customize? Maybe it’s the huge community behind it? Or could it be something totally different that I’m missing?
I’m hoping to get some real feedback from people who have actually worked with WordPress and tried other platforms too. What made you stick with WordPress or what drove you away from it?
The main reason WordPress dominates is simply because it gives you complete ownership of your website and content. Unlike hosted solutions where you’re essentially renting space, WordPress lets you move your site anywhere without being locked into a specific provider’s ecosystem. I’ve been burned before by platforms that suddenly changed their pricing or terms of service, leaving me scrambling to migrate client websites. With WordPress, you control your hosting, your data, and your future decisions. The open-source nature means no company can hold your website hostage or force you into subscription models you don’t want. Sure, there are newer platforms with slicker interfaces, but when you’re building something that needs to last years and potentially handle serious traffic, WordPress has proven itself reliable. The fact that it powers over 40% of the web isn’t just hype - it’s evidence that it works for everything from personal blogs to major corporate sites.
honestly the plugin ecosystem is what keeps me coming back. need seo? theres a plugin. want ecommerce? woocommerce has you covered. i’ve tried shopify and wix but always hit walls when clients want something specific. wordpress might not be the prettiest out of the box but you can literally make it do anything with the right plugins.
From my experience with WordPress over the past six years, the platform’s popularity largely stems from its established momentum. Once you become familiar with WordPress, transitioning to a different platform can feel like starting from ground zero. The extensive library of tutorials, plugins, and themes allows users to resolve issues quickly. While I’ve explored alternatives like Webflow and Squarespace for various client projects, I consistently return to WordPress because it enables clients to handle their content updates independently. Although initial use is relatively easy, it can grow to accommodate more complex needs. It’s worth noting that, while WordPress can become bloated and faces security challenges if not properly maintained, the community and maturity of its ecosystem often provide solutions to common problems.