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WordPress Guide → Good For Small Business
Is WordPress good for small businesses?
Getting your small business online hasn’t been optional for decades. But if you’re not a web designer or developer, choosing the right platform to build your website can feel overwhelming. One name you’ll see over and over again is WordPress.
Is WordPress still a good choice for small businesses? Let’s break it down so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Why WordPress works well for small businesses
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, and there’s a reason for that. It offers flexibility, control, and scalability, all without the steep costs of custom development.
User-friendly dashboard for non-tech users
WordPress was designed so that anyone—regardless of technical background—can update pages, publish blog posts, add images, etc. The backend dashboard uses menus, buttons, and visual editors that make it feel more like using Microsoft Word than writing code.
Even better: there’s a huge global community offering free tutorials, walkthroughs, and video guides if you ever get stuck.
Massive customization with themes and plugins
WordPress makes it easy to create a site that feels like your brand.
- Themes control your website’s design and layout. You can choose from thousands of free or premium options tailored to restaurants, salons, law firms, shops, and more.
- Plugins let you add new features like contact forms, appointment booking, popups, email signup forms, and even entire online stores—without writing a line of code.
Many of these tools are built to work out of the box, so you can launch quickly.
Scalable as your business grows
Start small with just a homepage and contact form. Later, add new features like customer testimonials, blog posts, or even ecommerce—without needing to switch platforms. WordPress adapts to your business as it expands.
Need to accept online payments? Launch a customer portal? Run an email newsletter? WordPress can handle it all with plugins or add-ons.
Cost-effective to launch and run
One of the best parts of WordPress is the price. The software itself is completely free. You only need to pay for:
- Hosting (starts at just a few dollars per month)
- Your domain name (usually $10–15/year)
- Optional premium themes or plugins
That means you can build a professional business site on a small budget and upgrade only when it makes sense for you.
Built-in SEO advantages
Search engine optimization (SEO) helps your site show up in Google when people search for what you offer. WordPress includes:
- Clean, readable URLs (also called permalinks)
- Easy-to-edit page titles and meta descriptions
- Integration with powerful SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math
These features give your small business a better chance to rank and get found online.
Open-source and community-backed
Because WordPress is open-source software, it’s maintained by a massive network of developers and contributors around the world. That means:
- Constant improvements and updates
- Fast patches for bugs or security issues
- Thousands of helpful forums and communities if you need support
Marketing and sales integrations
Most popular business tools—like Mailchimp, Google Analytics, HubSpot, and PayPal—connect easily to WordPress. That means you can track visitors, send email campaigns, manage customer info, and more.
You can also add social media sharing buttons, chat widgets, popups, and other tools to support your marketing goals.
Ecommerce-ready with WooCommerce
Need to sell products or services online? WordPress integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce, the most popular ecommerce plugin on the web. With it, you can:
- Add products and photos
- Accept credit cards or PayPal
- Manage inventory, taxes, and shipping
- Offer digital downloads, subscriptions, or bookings
Whether you’re selling cupcakes or consulting services, WooCommerce turns WordPress into a powerful online store.
What to consider before choosing WordPress
WordPress offers a lot, but there are a few things to be aware of, especially if this is your first website.
Some technical knowledge helps
While WordPress is user-friendly, it’s not completely plug-and-play like Wix or Squarespace. You’ll need to:
- Choose a hosting provider
- Install WordPress (often one click)
- Learn to use the dashboard, plugins, and themes
If you’re comfortable following video tutorials or learning by doing, you’ll do fine. But total beginners might prefer managed hosting for WordPress or working with a developer for setup.
Regular updates and maintenance
Like your phone or laptop, WordPress needs occasional updates:
- WordPress core software
- Plugins and themes
- Security patches
You’ll also want to back up your site regularly and scan for malware. Some hosting companies offer this as part of their managed WordPress hosting plans—something worth considering if you want peace of mind.
Plugin and theme conflicts
Most plugins and themes are safe and reliable, but using too many—or choosing poorly maintained ones—can cause slowdowns or issues. Stick to well-reviewed tools from trusted developers and update everything regularly.
Potential performance issues
Cheap hosting plans may not handle lots of traffic or heavy features (like ecommerce or video). If speed is a concern, look for optimized or managed WordPress hosting that focuses on performance.
When WordPress might not be the best fit
There are some scenarios where WordPress might not be the best tool for the job.
You want a no-maintenance, super simple site
Platforms like Wix or Squarespace are designed for non-technical users who want a totally hands-off experience. Everything from hosting to design is included, and you’ll never touch code or install updates.
| Learn more WordPress vs Wix → | Learn more WordPress vs Squarespace → |
You need highly specific or custom-built features
If your website needs to do something very niche—like complex scheduling logic, customer dashboards, or database-heavy tools—you might eventually need a custom solution. WordPress can still work as a base, but you’ll likely need a developer to help.
How to set up a small business WordPress site
Here’s what a simple, smart setup process looks like:
1. Choose a WordPress hosting provider
Look for a host that offers:
- One-click WordPress install
- Automatic updates and backups
- Strong customer support
Managed WordPress hosting handles updates, backups, and security for you, making it ideal for beginners.
2. Install a business-friendly theme
Start with a clean, responsive theme designed for businesses. Some solid options:
These all offer free versions and work well with popular page builders.
3. Add essential plugins
Recommended tools for a basic site:
- SEO: Yoast SEO or Rank Math
- Backups: UpdraftPlus
- Security: Wordfence
- Contact forms: WPForms or Ninja Forms
- Speed optimization: LiteSpeed Cache or WP Rocket
Install only what you need, and keep everything updated.
4. Build your pages
Typical small business sites include:
- Home
- About
- Services or Products
- Contact (with form)
- Blog (optional but great for SEO)
Use the WordPress block editor or a drag-and-drop builder like Elementor for easier design.
Learn more at “How to build a WordPress site” →
5. Test on mobile and optimize for speed
- Check how your site looks on phones and tablets
- Compress images with a plugin like Smush
- Use caching tools to improve load times
Most users will visit your site on mobile—make sure it loads fast and looks good.
Alternatives to WordPress (and when to consider them)
Still not sure if WordPress is right for you? Here’s how it compares to other tools:
Wix or Squarespace
- Best for non-technical users who want an all-in-one, done-for-you solution
- Great design options but limited control and flexibility
- Monthly pricing is higher long-term compared to WordPress
Shopify
- Excellent for ecommerce-only businesses
- More expensive and less customizable than WooCommerce
- Easier to manage for product-heavy stores
Custom-built websites
- Highly tailored but expensive to build and maintain
- Usually overkill for most small businesses
| Feature | WordPress | Wix | Squarespace | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Very Easy | Very Easy | Easy |
| Design Flexibility | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| Ecommerce Support | High | Moderate | Moderate | Very High |
| Cost | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Maintenance Required | Yes | No | No | No |
| SEO Capabilities | Excellent | Good | Good | Good |
| Scalability | Very High | Low | Low | High |
Next steps for using WordPress for small business
WordPress is a strong choice for small businesses that want full control over their website, need flexibility to grow, and prefer a cost-effective solution. It takes a little setup and maintenance, but the long-term benefits are worth it.
Start by choosing the right hosting and theme, then add features as your business grows. With WordPress, you don’t need to outgrow your website—you can build on it.
Ready to upgrade your WordPress experience? Professional hosting improves speeds, security, and reliability for a website and a brand that people find engaging and trustworthy.
Don’t want to deal with server management and maintenance? Our fully managed hosting for WordPress is the best in the industry. Our team are not only server IT experts, but WordPress hosting experts as well. Your server couldn’t be in better hands.
Click through below to explore all of our WordPress hosting options, or chat with a WordPress expert right now to get answers and advice.
Additional resources
What is managed WordPress hosting? →
Get details and decide if managed WordPress hosting is right for you.
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A complete guide to WordPress shortcodes →
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