My Name Is Stacie, And WordPress Still Delivers

After recently revamping my blog with WordPress, I found myself in several conversations defending this choice. “Isn’t WordPress outdated?” some asked. “Why not use [insert latest website builder here]?” others suggested. These questions got me thinking about WordPress’s place in today’s web development landscape, and I have some thoughts.

The Real Question

The debate isn’t really about whether WordPress is still relevant – it’s about choosing the right tool for your specific needs. After working in tech for over 20 years, I’ve learned that the “best” solution always depends on your unique situation.

When WordPress Shines

Let’s talk about where WordPress really shows its strength:

1. Content-First Websites

   • Blogs (like this one!)

   • News sites

   • Portfolio sites

   • Business websites with regular content updates

2. Customization Without Coding

   • Extensive theme marketplace

   • Plugin ecosystem for nearly every function

   • Visual builders for those who prefer them

3. Budget Considerations

   • Free to start

   • Scalable costs based on needs

   • Competitive hosting options

Plugins That Prove WordPress’s Power

One of the reasons I chose WordPress is its robust plugin ecosystem, which caters to both developers and non-developers alike. Here are two plugins that I absolutely love:

• WindPress: This plugin allows me to integrate Tailwind CSS seamlessly into my site. It helps me customize easily, using a framework I’m already familiar with, and speeds up the design process significantly.

• Ultimate Markdown: This speaks to my inner GitHub Pages aficionado, letting me bring in content effortlessly. It’s a nod to the simplicity and efficiency of other static site-building tools but within the dynamic WordPress environment.

The Modern Alternatives

Sure, there are newer platforms out there:

• Wix: Great for simple, beautiful websites. Perfect if you need a site up quickly with minimal customization, but can feel limiting when you need to scale or want more control over your content structure.

• Squarespace: Perfect for visual portfolios. Excellent for photographers, artists, or restaurants who prioritize aesthetics, but can be restrictive when you need complex content hierarchies or custom post types.

• Ghost: Focused paid subscription sites/content. Ideal for newsletter creators and subscription-based content models, but lacks the flexibility for sites that need more than just publishing features.

• Webflow: No-code, design-driven sites or landing pages. Powerful for creating custom designs without coding, but has a steeper learning curve and higher cost than WordPress for content-heavy sites.

But here’s the thing – none of them quite match WordPress’s combination of flexibility, community support, third-party plugins, and proven track record.

The Caveats

Let’s be real though. WordPress isn’t perfect, and there are some important considerations:

1. Security

   • Regular updates required

   • Need for security plugins

   • Proper hosting matters

2. Performance

   • Can be resource-heavy

   • Requires optimization

   • Plugin conflicts can occur

3. Learning Curve

   • Customization can be overwhelming

   • Many options to navigate

   • Decision fatigue is real

My Decision Process

For my blog, I chose WordPress because:

• I needed a robust, yet simple content management system

• I wanted flexibility for future growth

• The extensive plugin ecosystem suited my needs

• The cost-to-feature ratio made sense

Looking Forward

Block Editor (Gutenberg)

• Transforms content creation into a visual, drag-and-drop experience

• Enables complex layouts without touching code

• Provides reusable blocks for consistent design elements

• Offers pattern libraries for quick, professional layouts

• Allows custom blocks for specific functionality needs

• Makes responsive design more accessible to non-developers

Full Site Editing

• Brings block-based editing to entire site layout

• Enables visual customization of headers, footers, and templates

• Allows creation of custom page templates without PHP knowledge

• Provides global styling controls for consistent branding

• Simplifies theme creation and customization

• Bridges the gap between traditional WordPress and modern page builders

Both features represent WordPress’s commitment to modern web development while maintaining its core strengths in content management. They make WordPress more accessible to non-technical users while providing developers with powerful tools for customization. This evolution shows WordPress isn’t just keeping up with modern web development trends – it’s helping shape them.

The Verdict

Does WordPress still deliver? Yes, but with an asterisk. It’s not the right choice for everyone or every project. But for content-rich sites that need flexibility and room to grow, WordPress remains a solid choice in going into 2025.

The key is understanding your specific needs:

• What’s your primary goal?

• What’s your technical comfort level?

• What’s your budget?

• How much customization do you need?

• How important is content management?

Answer these questions first, and the choice becomes much clearer.

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Are you considering WordPress for your next project? What factors are most important in your decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below.