For years, WordPress has been one of the best Content Management Systems on the market. The thing that makes WordPress standout is its limitless possibilities. Many individuals and companies (large and small) use WordPress for their websites, e-commerce stores and blogs.
It’s not uncommon to hear or read about how easy WordPress is to use but it’s usually when comparing it to competitors. Even though WordPress isn’t as complex as some of the other Content Management Systems on the market, if you’re not a developer or extremely tech savvy, the learning curve can be rather steep.
The Best Way to Learn WordPress
Self-taught
So, what is the best way to learn WordPress? This really depends on the individual. There are some people that teach themselves how to navigate around WordPress. It’s true, there are resources online that can teach you WordPress. Through careful searches you’ll be able to find tutorials, YouTube videos and even forums where people discuss WordPress tips and tricks. This may work for some but it does take a great deal of time and patience to find everything you may need and to become proficient.
Online training
If you’re looking to speed up the process, an online course may not be a bad option. Yes, there is a financial commitment but you’ll save time and energy by not having to search for information and go through numerous sites to find what you’re looking for. Most online courses also come with resources prepackaged to give participants what they need and the ability to go back and refresh themselves on what they learned.
In person training
For most people, the best way to learn WordPress is by taking a live class with a real instructor. No website or video can take the place of a physical person standing in front of you and answering the specific questions you have as soon as they pop in your head.
In person trainers are good for individual training and small groups. Often times, companies that use WordPress for their CMS will hire an instructor to come in and train their staff. The great thing about an instructor is that they can tailor classes to meet specific needs.
If your goal is to become a WordPress expert, an instructor can start from scratch and give you all the tools and resources you need to help you along the way. On the other hand, if you are a business owner and you need an instructor to come in and train employees on different aspects of your site, the instructor can give them exactly what they need and not waste time teaching things that won’t be used. For example, if you your team has an intranet, the WordPress trainer can teach the person in HR how to maintain and update this section of the website, while your marketing team may need to learn how to update the landing pages and opt-in forms within your website.
Conclusion
WordPress is a powerful CMS and it continues to grow in popularity. Learning WordPress on your own is a tall task but totally possible. There are many resources available to help you along the way. But if you’re looking to save time and you prefer a more personable approach, hiring an instructor is the way to go.
Trena V. Stubbs has been teaching individuals, small groups and even companies how to use WordPress for 10+ years. Participants learn how to navigate through the administrative panel of WordPress, how to create their own website, how to optimize it and much more. If you need help or additional information, please call (770) 847-0266.