So why didn’t anyone tell me these things, huh? I was all excited to move over to WordPress and then last night, in the comfort of my couch I found out that WordPress wasn’t for me, the hard way! Despite advice from friends and colleagues that WordPress is the “cat’s meow” when it comes to things like layouts and plug-in’s, I must admit I was not impressed. Here are the turn-off’s for me.
1. While it easily imported all my posts from Blogger and automatically categorized them, I had tons of categories that I would have to manually edit. Um, I don’t have that kind of time. Why did it have to go and do that for? Why couldn’t I create my own on my time?
2. There is a charge for posting WordPress to my domain (lifeinmarketing) and yet again, it’s yet another process I have to manually go through getting servers to point here and there…I’m a marketer not a techie.
3. WordPress won’t allow any ads like AdSense or affiliate programs like Amazon on my blog. Hey I already have accounts with those two companies. I’m not blowing them off! Yet, WordPress tells me that from time to time, they will be putting ads on my site. What’s up with that?
4. Lastly, I want to keep it simple stupid. The good old KISS rule.
So it looks like I’m going to put more efforts into my existing Blogger account.
I have friends whose websites are built using WordPress and many others who swear by it. But for me and my needs, it doesn’t work for me at this point in time.
Any feedback would be great! I’m sure there’s so much about WordPress I still don’t know about.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey there Anna,
Well, you did set me this challenge and I accepted. So, here goes
1. The categories thing is a pain, but manageable (and it would be pretty much the same on any blog transfer). While there’s no easy solution, setting the categories up in your chosen WP account before importing is (relatively) painless and the way to go.
2. There will only be a charge if you self-host (that’s Wordpress.org). You can still use a free Wordpress account (Wordpress.com) and then probably use something like http://lifeinmarketing.wordpress.com but that’s no different from what’s happening with Blogspot being in your URL now. Depends on what you want from your blog. If it’s to help grow your brand, I’d definitely go self-hosted and incorporate that into your URL – and DNS transfers is easier than you think
3. You can use the text widgets on Wordpress.com (the free one) to place HTML code from your ads on there if you want. It’s only if it’s a Java code you’ll have problems. Self-hosted, you put whatever you want on there.
4. Wordpress is simpler than Forrest Gump!
)
Honestly, I started with Blogger, tried Squarespace, dabbled with TypePad, but I LOVE Wordpress. I would strongly recommend you go with the self-hosted option, though.
If you need any help, I’m always here with ears open.
Nice 12for12k badge, by the way
Danny.
Wordpress is far and away the superior blogging platform. It gives you so much control, but it does require a bit of tech-knowledge. Blogger is good to get started and see if you really have an interest in blogging, but if you are serious about blogging and want complete control of your site, WordPress is the way to go.
I would suggest finding a good Wordpress Expert to help you make the move, because once you do, you’ll never go back.
I am a techy and I did not want to go to WP for a few of the same reason. I was on a self coded ASP site with no sense whatsoever in my database tables. So the import for me would be a nightmare. But that is my fault I cut corners on the way I wrote my code and designed my db in a lazy fashion. But I am on a blank server hosting company. Where I can install whatever API or program in whatever language I wish.
I tried out the wordpress.com. limited. the self installed and configured WP.org API is ‘the shizzle’ It took a few months to get EVERY little thing that I could dream f working together, but it was not like I had to write all the code. I guess that people who like the easy of WP must be code writers. Novices are like what is the big deal.
I found that the plugins were very handy. You have similar things (functions) in almost all programming languages. But I did not have to code them myself.
Also being able to write PHP I could add and remove pieces of code all over the site. And I found a nice template that I like, after trying to decide on using my own custom made one or not.
Would I only use WP? No. I like a lot of things that are not WYSIWYG at all to go completely into the cult of WP. But it has saved me a bunch of time that I don’t have to spend typing in all of the 1000s of pages that are needed to get a site to work like I want it to.
Being a control freak, I really like it, and you can run ANY kind of add or code you like on the self hosted API version. Also I installed the dofollow plugin on my site to allow for following of links to peoples sites who comment on my blog. Google requires nofollow links. Cuts into my SEO flexibility.
If you would like to have a SUPER version of WP configured for you contact me.
@jchronowski47
WordPress installed on a quality host is far superior to using blogger or free WordPress or Typepad or any other option I’ve ever seen.
That is just as true as a reader and commentator as it is as a blogger. Any time you change from what you are used to – no matter what it is – to something else – even if that something else is better – there is a learning curve and some frustration involved.
Serious business blogs really need to be on WordPress for reasons ranging from better SEO and better Themes to the ability to add specific capabilities. If you need assistance with WordPress contact me. If I don’t know the answer I’ll know someone who does.
Hi Gail:
Nice to see you here! I went back and forth but am so glad I made the decision to go with WordPress. I have found that it is the most SEO friendly blogging platform and am discovering that many corporate websites are setting up on WordPress or Drupal as their site due to content management ease and search engine friendliness.
I have used this blog to talk about various topics from B2B to some personal posts. I figured I would be the “guinea pig” before suggesting it to clients. I am now going to spend more time on my corporate blog this year http://www.mpmri.com/mercuryblog/ and continue using this one for personal blogging since I’ve put so much work in establishing it and my personal brand.
Hope to share more with you this year and vice-versa.