WordPress is the world’s leading content management system. Impressively, over 8 billion websites are built on a platform, representing nearly 50% of the market.

In other words: It’s everywhere and inescapable.

Resultantly, many startups, small business owners, and large corporations have questions about the platform, how it works, and the best way to leverage it.

To that end, we’ve compiled a master list of frequently asked WordPress questions. If you don’t see your concern addressed, please reach out. Someone from our development team can help.

Questions About WordPress Technology

What programming languages does WordPress use? Can anyone make it work? Is it difficult to set up?

We’re tackling these types of questions in this section. Again, if you have an unlisted question, get in touch. We’ll move mountains and valleys to get you an answer.

What programming languages does WordPress use?

Currently, WordPress platforms use four coding and programming languages:

  • CSS: Cascading Style Sheets
  • HTML: Hypertext Markup Language
  • JavaScript
  • PHP

The WordPress team constantly makes updates to coincide with versions of the latest, most stable versions of each language. It’s one of the platform’s security perks. To ensure you’re covered, all custom plugins and themes should comply with the latest versions to ensure sustained functionality.

Understand, however, that WordPress, like the earth beneath us, is perpetually in a state of flux. The company’s design, development, and security teams are constantly innovating to make the platform more flexible, user-friendly, and safe. As such, what’s in today may be out tomorrow — another good reason to enlist a digital development and marketing firm.

Must you know how to code to set up a WordPress site?

Technically, you needn’t know how to code or program to set up a WordPress website. However, if you go it alone, you’ll be confined to strict parameters — from domain name to design options.

For example, if you want to avoid having a [your company name].wordpress.org URL, you’ll need both registrar and hosting accounts with nameserver and FTP access, respectively. Navigating the market can be confusing and frustrating if you don’t know what these are.

That’s why many folks enlist professionals after spending days trying to work out bugs and get their sites operational. Ultimately, it saves time and money and increases profit potential.

The coding-free, cost-free route is not wise for businesses because:

  • It’s not search-engine friendly.
  • Customizing a theme is nearly impossible, which hinders branding efforts.
  • You’ll have stricter upload limits.
  • You have less flexibility.

How often are bugs fixed on WordPress?

WordPress employs teams of programmers and digital security experts to monitor builds 24-7. They find and patch bugs daily and push them out to the public at the same rate. That’s why it’s vital to process new updates promptly. Failing to do so could lead to a breach.

If you opt for a custom theme, ensure your developer will keep up with updates. Also, make sure it’s compliant.

Is WordPress easy to hack?

Unfortunately, hackers are talented and give security teams a run for their money. So guaranteeing an unhackable website is impossible.

That said, since WordPress employs an army of programmers and security engineers, you’re less likely to get hit if you maintain the updates.

A standard malware breach followed by the ensuing maelstrom can cripple a small business for weeks. So working with a managed WordPress hosting company is a wise choice. They’ll ensure you have the best defense at all times. And if something does finagle its way onto your server, your team can quickly resolve the issue without much damage to your bottom line.

Questions About WordPress Design

Let’s dive into some WordPress-related design questions.

Let’s talk if you’ve landed here because you’re considering working with a professional designer. Our development team has helped countless companies and entrepreneurs create and market their brands.

What is a WordPress theme?

In WordPress jargon, a theme is a design. It’s what users see when they land on your site. They also provide a backend framework for functionality, and they dictate how a platform operates.

How much do themes cost? Some are free; others will run you anywhere between $10 and $25,000. It all depends on the size of your site, customization level, and desired functionality.

Is it bad to use free themes?

As you may have immediately guessed, free themes aren’t the best option for several reasons. Here are a few:

  1. They’re often poorly coded.
  2. They’re more susceptible to hacks.
  3. Many include malware that could steal data from both your website and network files if connected.
  4. You always run the risk of having an identical website as someone else.
  5. Competitors can copy your brand look easily and siphon potential customers.

Your business website is your top salesperson. Make sure it adequately conveys your company’s professionalism and commitment to customer service.

Can you customize a design using WordPress?

Yes, you can customize themes for WordPress sites. The more complicated it is, the more it will cost.

If you go the personalized route, work with a developer that creates WP themes that sync with system updates and patches. Otherwise, you could be saddled with an obsolete site in just a few years.

Can I easily change the design using WordPress?

Changing a WordPress theme is easy. It’s a matter of uploading it and clicking activate. But developing a new one takes knowledge and time, especially if it’s customized.

When you hire a digital marketing team, they constantly update your platform and theme to keep up with business offerings and market conditions.

What if I want to change the colors of my website? Can I do that with WordPress?

Changing your website colors can be a snap or a nightmare, depending on your theme. Regardless, it is possible. However, committing to colors is best before finalizing your online platform. Consistency is a virtue when branding and marketing products and services.

I want to learn more about WordPress Design. Can you point me in the right direction?

Here are a few helpful links for learning more about WordPress design and development.

Questions About WordPress Plugins

Plugins are one of the main reasons WordPress is hugely popular. They allow for greater functionality without re-coding an entire website. But plugins can be tricky, and too many can cause massive problems.

Below, we’re breaking down the most-asked WordPress plugin questions. Get in touch if you need experienced eyes to look at a problem on your platform that may be related to the plug-and-play apps.

What are WordPress plugins?

Think of WordPress plugins as apps for your website. They’re installed via the plugin interface on the backend. Depending on the plugin, it may have additional setup procedures.

Some plugins require coding knowledge to install and operate. Others don’t. Before purchasing one, research it. The last thing you want is to pay for a plugin you don’t have the skills to launch.

Are plugins free?

Some popular plugins are free; others cost a pretty penny, but the majority are reasonably priced. Before installing any plugin, however, it’s vital to scan it for viruses and malware.

It’s good practice to do a quick search for the plugin before adding it to your site to see if there are any known problems. Moreover, if your site stops operating correctly after activating a new plugin, there may be a conflict between the app and your code. In those instances, deactivate the plugin to return to normal — then call in a programmer to help.

Can I make my own plugin?

Yes, many businesses have proprietary plugins to enhance their backend or user experiences. Note, however, that it’s not an inexpensive endeavor, and before moving forward, you should triple-check that a similar option doesn’t already exist.

Moreover, think long and hard if the program will provide true value or if it’s just a busy project you’ll regret doing 24 months from now.

How many plugins can I use per website?

Technically, you can use as many plugins as you want. However, practical limitations require restraint. Too many plugins will slow down your site, making it less user-friendly.

Moreover, today’s search engines consider site speed. The quicker it loads, the better it performs in SERP results. And yes, search engine result rankings still matter.

Can any plugin work with another?

The overwhelming majority of plugins play nicely with others. But a clash occurs every once in a while that breaks the site. When this happens, simply deactivate the problem plugin. If you don’t possess the needed programming and diagnosis skills, it’s probably time to get help.

Questions About WordPress Content

WordPress is the perfect platform for businesses wanting to maximize their online exposure. A nimble content management system, WordPress is an all-in-one publishing platform.

How easy is it to add blog posts to a WordPress-enabled website?

If you have a simple theme, once you learn how to add a post to WordPress, it’s easy.

However, the process may be more complex if your layout is complicated or you want media files added to your posts. But even then, once you get the hang of it, you likely won’t encounter many problems.

That said, most small businesses find that working with a digital marketing team that handles everything from creating a content schedule to publishing and formatting each post is the most profitable way to go. Doing it themselves takes way too much time.

Can I upload pictures to add to posts and pages with WordPress?

Yes, WordPress is built so users can add pictures and videos to posts and pages. Just ensure you get a quick tutorial from your developer or marketing team — because not all themes operate identically.

You’ll also want to be aware of file size if you have limited hosting space.

Is it better if I post content regularly?

Yes, posting content consistently is better than setting up a website and forgetting about it. The more you publish, the more traction you’ll get online.

These days, you’ll run across people who think search engine optimization is over and content is no longer important. They’re dead wrong. With competition as tight as it is, businesses that produce and publish quality content consistently profit more than those that don’t.

Can I hook up AI writing programs to a WordPress website?

Theoretically, it’s possible to create an artificial intelligence content pipeline. But at this point in the technology’s evolution, it’s unwise.

You may be thinking: Of course you’re going to say that! You’re a digital marketing firm! And sure, to some degree, it’s a fair assumption. But it’s equally true that AI content generators aren’t yet ready for prime time. They get things wrong all the time, and most programs sound like they were written by someone with weak language skills — which would reflect poorly on your business.

Besides, there are already programs that can detect A.I.-generated content. It won’t be long before search algorithms start punishing sites that use it to try and game the system.

And lastly, AI content bots cannot develop topics and post ideas.

Are there services that will write blog posts for me?

Quality content marketing can help exponentially grow a business. But it takes effort, resources, and knowledge. In 9 out of 10 cases, companies outsourcing their content creation get more bang for their buck.

Let’s talk if you’re interested in developing a digital marketing campaign supported by a robust publication schedule. We’ve done it for countless companies that are now sitting at the top of their search results and attracting new clients monthly.

Where can I find more information on how to maintain an active content marketing campaign using WordPress?

Let’s Chat About Your WordPress Needs

Need advice about an old WordPress build that needs an upgrade? Or maybe you’re ready to build a new site for your business. Either way, let’s talk about how our team can boost your bottom line with affordable digital marketing.