| Turns out that the search engines as well as the | | | | design software. |
| 'net surfing public prefer weblog-based websites | | | | 3. Most People Know How Weblogs Work and |
| than static, HTML-built websites. The reason for | | | | Are Instantly Comfortable: Almost every internet |
| this is that a website built around a WordPress | | | | surfer is familiar with the weblog format. It's |
| theme, for example, has easily updated pages. No | | | | become the standard, and everyone knows how |
| need to fuss with getting the formatting of a | | | | to use it. So Instead of having to learn yet |
| HTML webpage just right to accept your article. | | | | another website format, they know exactly |
| Also... | | | | where to find things. For example, the date, |
| Visitors can leave blog posts (comments) about | | | | author's name, the archives of articles, the "about |
| things. Polls can be easily started and run. | | | | you" page - all have a standard position on a |
| Contests can be run. Basically, any user generated | | | | weblog. |
| content or site owner generated content or | | | | And when it comes to the interactive part of a |
| automated web generated content (like RSS | | | | weblog--the comments section--everyone already |
| feeds) can be implemented in a couple clicks of | | | | knows where and how to leave a comment. But |
| the mouse. Whereas with a "normal" HTML | | | | every non-weblog, static HTML site does this |
| website, these things would be tedious and | | | | radically different. You just can't get that great |
| time-consuming to implement, and updating it daily | | | | standardization with non-weblog sites. |
| would be a nightmare. | | | | 4. It's Easier To Add Content To A Weblog: |
| Since the search engines reward websites that | | | | Instead of having to stick to a grueling schedule |
| have fresh, continually-updated content, it's easy | | | | of adding perfectly-formatted articles to a static |
| to see why WordPress-based website builders are | | | | website, weblogs allow you to write only when |
| becoming more popular with each passing day. | | | | you're inspired and ignore it when you're not |
| But remember that search engines, by | | | | inspired. And when you do add content, it's in |
| themselves, can't make a purchase from your | | | | small, manageable chunks. This is more natural |
| site or sign up for your newsletter; only humans | | | | looking as well, for search engine credit. |
| can. But since people like to feel like they are part | | | | 5. Get More Backlinks or "Trackbacks" (as it's |
| of a community, weblog-based websites tend to | | | | called in weblog lingo): Most weblog software |
| attract and keep people as well as the search | | | | supports trackbacks, which makes other weblogs |
| engines. Because people are just naturally drawn | | | | more likely to link to you, because they know |
| to groups of other people. A static HTML built | | | | that their site will appear in your trackbacks |
| website that contains only the same articles | | | | section. This replaces the time-consuming and |
| unchanged for weeks on end, can only get but so | | | | tedious link exchange chores you have to do with |
| popular. | | | | the SEO of a static website. |
| Here are some specific examples of why | | | | 6. RSS and Syndication: Weblog built sites already |
| WordPress-based web design software is better... | | | | have a built-in RSS (really simple syndication) |
| 1. Articles Can Be Added with One-Click Ease: | | | | "announcement" function: Whenever a post is |
| With a WordPress built site, any article can be | | | | made to your blog, the software "announces" the |
| simply pasted into the box where it will be | | | | post to whatever RSS feeds that it supports. |
| automatically formatted and posted to your site. | | | | Users can then 'subscribe' to these feeds and |
| No messing with margins, fonts, special | | | | keep track of your latest posts, clicking links that |
| characters, or having the online version of your | | | | may be in your posts. This has the effect of |
| article appear different than the version you see | | | | turning your existing content into an email |
| while you're editing it. Big time saver and | | | | newsletter, with no extra trouble on your part. |
| frustration saver. | | | | That way, these RSS subscribers can return to |
| 2. No Need for an add-on CMS (Content | | | | your website over and over again with no extra |
| Management System): Categories of content are | | | | effort on your part. |
| automatically generated as you add content, so | | | | Are you beginning to see the advantages of |
| no having to fuss with complex CMS software; | | | | building a website using a WordPress-based |
| the CMS is built-in to the website already just by | | | | site-builder over static web design software? |
| the fact you're using WordPress as your web | | | | |