WordPress is currently used by more than 60 million websites and is quickly becoming the content management system (CMS) of choice for larger corporations, including Fortune 500 companies like Sony, GM, UPS, and eBay. However, some large companies still refuse to use WordPress, mainly due to security concerns surrounding open source software (WordPress is, in fact, open source).

How valid are these concerns? Are large companies exposing themselves to security risks by using WordPress? Can larger companies actually benefit from switching to WordPress? Read on to find out.

What is Open Source Software?

Open source software is software that can be modified, distributed, or recreated for any purpose. The software code, or blueprint with which the program was built, is made freely available to anyone. Open source represents a revolution in the digital sphere as it allows developers to experiment and push the limits of what is possible. This type of development model promotes creative thinking, collaboration, and innovation – and is contributing to the expansion of our digital economy.

WordPress is an open source platform used for blogging and a well-known content management system (CMS). A CMS enables you to manage your website content in a platform that stores website images, documents, videos, and more. Due to its user-friendliness and simplicity, WordPress has been touted by many industry experts as the leading content management platform on the market – but does it work for larger companies as well?

Is WordPress Ideal for Large Companies?

In short, yes! For large companies, WordPress offers many advantages, including:

Ease of Use

WordPress is an intuitive, simple platform that even non-technical people can learn how to use. Switching to WordPress can empower your marketing department, as it will give them more control over your company website.

Inexpensive

WordPress itself is free. Since it’s so simple to use, it’s unlikely you will run into too many technical issues – and when you do, you can consult the vast WordPress community of technical experts for free, or at a very low cost. Another option is to consult Bay Area web design companies like Launch Brigade, who specialize in developing WordPress websites and can troubleshoot any issues you may be experiencing.

Search Engine Ready

WordPress was originally a blogging platform, but it quickly evolved into a CMS system suitable for creating professional looking websites. WordPress is optimized for content production and management, including on page Search Engine Optimization. If you own a large company or intend on growing your existing company, it is essential that your website has a strong web presence. Did you know that WordPress appears to be the preferred CMS by Google? If your website is built with WordPress, it may rank higher in search engine results. This can translate into more traffic to your website, and potentially more sales.

Customizable

Making improvements to your website is quick and easy. When it comes to using WordPress, the options are nearly limitless! There are thousands of plug-ins available to customize your website and increase its functionality. If you want to implement a new feature on your site, chances are a plug-in exists that offers exactly what you’re looking for. Being able to make quick adjustments to your site gives you a competitive edge.

Responsive

Many WordPress themes are responsive (a synonym for mobile friendly), which means your website will automatically adjust to the screen size of a viewer’s device. Having a mobile friendly website is becoming increasingly important, as a growing portion of the population is now using smart phones and tablets to browse the internet and make purchases online. As one of the leading responsive web design companies in the Bay Area, we specialize in building mobile-ready websites, so get in touch with us if you have any questions about mobile-friendly web design.

But What About Security Concerns?

Since WordPress is open source (anyone can review the code for security holes), some believe it may be more vulnerable to security threats. One of the advantages to Open Source is that a community of thousands of developers not only review the code, but quickly respond to patch any previously unknown security holes. There are additional ways you can mitigate risks so your company can still use WordPress and take advantage of the many benefits it offers:

Use the Official WordPress Edition

Ensure you are using the latest edition of WordPress. WordPress regularly releases new versions, many of which contain patches designed to fix or prevent security vulnerabilities.

Harden your WordPress Install

First remove the default Administrator account. The default username for the Administrator account is called “admin” and hackers will employ so called “brute force” attacks in an attempt to crack simple passwords. There are security plugins such as WordFence which can enhance security by blocking hackers when failed access attempts are detected.

Audit User Accounts and Change Passwords

Since WordPress allows multiple editors to manage and work on the content platform at the same time, make sure you know who has access to the platform, and encourage your team to change their passwords frequently. In addition, use unique passwords for each of your accounts as this will make it harder for hackers to compromise your private data.

Use a Managed WordPress Hosting Provider

A new type of hosting provider has emerged with the goal of providing fast and secure web hosting specifically for WordPress. There are about a dozen providers available including Launch Brigade’s Appterburner Managed WordPress Hosting platform. These providers have hardened server platforms including additional security measures that block hacker traffic before it even reaches your WordPress installation. This is particularly important because your site can become slow or unavailable when under attack on a traditional hosting service.

Check Reviews

Are you considering downloading a plug-in or a theme? Plug-ins are great as they can enable you to extend the functionality of your website – but they can pose security threats if downloaded from an untrustworthy source. Be sure to read the user reviews first, and do your due diligence. If a plugin is regularly updated (within two years) and contains a 4-5 star rating, it’s a good indicator that the plugin is of decent quality.

When in Doubt, Consult the Experts

Not sure if WordPress is right for your company? Go ahead and give us a call. Our web design agency specializes in building custom WordPress websites, and we also offer ongoing WordPress maintenance and support. Having a reputable firm who specializes in WordPress can save you significant time and money in the long run.