Lots of small businesses that need a new website or are looking for a fresh design choose WordPress, and with good reason. Lots of small businesses that need a new website or are looking for a fresh design choose WordPress, and with good reason. It’s estimated that nearly half of small businesses in the UK use WordPress. Marketing materials often emphasise the fact that it’s free, easy to use, offers thousands of plugins to meet business needs, and can have you up and running in a matter of hours.
I’m not here to criticise or bash it at all! It’s a platform I’ve worked with for many years. When used well, WordPress is brilliant… But it’s not always as straightforward as people expect.
Here’s what I’ve seen trip up small businesses time and again:
✅ “Free” isn’t really free
The software itself costs nothing, but good hosting, premium themes, essential plugins, and expert help when things go wrong can quickly add up.
✅ Plugins are both powerful and risky
Plugins are one of WordPress’s biggest strengths, but installing too many (or poor-quality ones) can slow your site down, cause conflicts, or even crash it.
✅ You’re responsible for maintenance
If you’re not keeping plugins and core software updated, running backups, and staying on top of security, you’re leaving your site and your business exposed.
✅ It suits businesses with a plan
WordPress is ideal if you want flexibility, control, and room to grow. But it works best when you have the time (or support) to manage it effectively.
If you’re already using WordPress and aren’t sure if it’s working for you, or if you’re considering it for a new site, it’s worth looking beyond the marketing hype.
Used correctly, WordPress is a solid, scalable foundation for your online presence. But it’s not “set and forget.” Like any part of your business, it needs proper management.
Need help making sense of it all? I’m happy to have a chat.
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