Today we are going to discuss the differences between Gold Coast WordPress Websites and HTML websites, and the benefits of each kind of website.
I actually do both, because it really depends on what kind of a website you want and the features you need etc; a 1-page website for a single person mobile hairdresser is a very different animal to a website selling hundreds of items online and requiring a full E-Commerce setup. This is something we discuss upfront before deciding on what type of Gold Coast Website is best for you.
There are also several different kinds of platforms built on their own proprietary system; while many of these are good, you are locked into the way they do things and sooner or later will hit a hurdle.
Some of the differences between Gold Coast WordPress Websites and HTML Websites can be both advantages and disadvantages. With a hand-coded HTML website you don’t have third party plugins which are in a position to compromise your website; on the other hand, third-party plugins USED PROPERLY can not only secure your site but also give it a range of functionality that may not be possible with a HTML website. Part of this “used properly” is making sure your plugins are updated asap when a new version is released.
Also, a HTML website is not very good for a large website or a content-driven website – I think HTML websites are best for websites that are limited to no more than 3 to 5 pages. If it gets any large than 5 pages it is very difficult to manage and update in html – one little mistake and the whole website can come crashing down.
A “content management system” (CMS) makes sense if you’re doing to do something like an online blog, a regular newsletter, a podcast or video blog, a portfolio of your work etc. Using the WordPress platform is the most practical solution. It makes life easier and making a brand-new page is pretty simple. If you are uploading a lot of media content it is less technical and it is probably going to be easier for you to manage using Gold Coast WordPress Websites.
I think it comes down to how you are going to use the website, what your priorities are and also what your budget is. A HTML website is usually cheaper than a Gold Coast WordPress Website, and we even have some “Websites to Go” options that are very reasonably priced because we simply add your details to a ready built website – See samples of Websites to Go here.
You will need web hosting whatever kind of website you build and we arrange this for you. We use Hostgator, Hostmonster and Justhost for our client’s websites (and our own websites). Again, there is a level of complexity you can avoid by letting us do it for you. Why do we use 3 different web hosts? If there is a major disruption to one web host, we still have two more where we can move your site if necessary. Which brings us to backups (you DID backup your computer this week, right?). Regular backups are part of our service to give you peace of mind.
Similarly, you must have a Domain Name – a fancy term for your website address. Your domain name needs to be linked up correctly with your web hosting; again, something we arrange for you. We have specialist tools for finding a great domain name to suit your business, so contact us before buying your Domain Name and we will give you some great options.
Domains are an annual expense, usually between $20 and $30 a year. Web hosting is a monthly expense, including backups and routine maintenance at $20 per month – but we give you a 6 month holiday to start making some money!
So, whatever type of Gold Coast Website you want – and especially if you are not sure – ring Terry on 0468 420 470 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.