Q. What is WordPress?
A. WordPress was originally built as blogging software; which has evolved into the Internet’s most popular website building software. WordPress by itself is a raw core file. It’s not pretty by itself. I like to compare WordPress to a race car engine; just the engine, not the frame or body.
Q. Why should I use WordPress?
A. WordPress has changed the Internet for the better. Before WordPress if you wanted a custom built website or even a simple website with your content, it would cost several thousand dollars easily going to tens of thousands of dollars over time. If you didn’t have that kind of money, your only option is to pay a template website company. Template companies are cheaper, but VERY limited in their look and feel of the website. Plus NO changes could be made to the layout of the website, and every update or page added came with a support fee.
Put simply, WordPress brings the extremely expensive custom website world and the template world together. WordPress works a lot like iphones. The iphone has thousands of independent developers competing to create applications and software for the iphone. WordPress similarly has thousands of independent developers competing to create skins, themes and layouts for WordPress users.
The result is the consumer being able to have a website that look any way he or she wants, without the 5 digit figure; as well as being very easy to maintain.
Q. Do I own my WordPress website or am I renting it like those other website companies?
A. Another reason WordPress is so popular is because it puts the customer in control. With WordPress, you need to own a website name. With that website name, we then help you get it hosted (online storage for the website files) and everything is done in your name. Once the website is built, you own it. Kind of like having a home built by a contractor.
Q. I already have a website my real estate company gave me, or I am paying for.
A. We are glad you are already on the internet somewhere. You need to ask yourself, how much business has your current website brought you? If you are like most real estate agents, you probably said, “none”. That’s ok, it should be expected that a template website with thousands of duplicate templates on the internet wouldn’t be very effective.
Google and other search engines penalize and remove duplicate websites from their registry. If your website is basically the same as the other agents in your office except for your name and picture, no one is finding it on the internet.
A WordPress website is a blank canvas, just waiting to be painted and created into something unique; which is what search engines love. Plus, if you ever leave your company, your WordPress website will not be affected, because it has NOTHING to do with your broker. All of your original content stays with you, because you own 100% of it.
Q. What are the long term costs of owning a WordPress website?
A. That’s the best part of owning your own website; the only costs are the annual domain name and the hosting. Annual domain costs are around $9 a year and major hosting companies charge around $10 a month. WordPress has helped push the middlemen OUT of the relationship between you and your website!
Q. Can I still blog on my WordPress website?
A. Of course! WordPress is the Internet’s most popular blogging software. The built in blogging features make writing and sharing your content easier than ever.
Q. I don’t know much about technology or websites. How do I know if I am ready to run a WordPress website/blog?
A. We do all the complicated stuff such as registering a domain, setting up hosting, switching name servers, setting up the WordPress core files, installing a theme and any skins that may apply. After that, WordPress is a breeze. We will conduct “turn-over” training to either you or any of your team members. We won’t let you walk away until you feel comfortable using WordPress. Trust us, it is very easy to operate once installed and setup.
Q. How will this ultimately help me get more business?
A. WordPress is great, but like any other software or website company, it won’t magically bring you business. Website traffic primarily comes from great content on your website or having such a helpful and impressive website that people link to you, which in turn drives traffic.
We recommend starting with the old saying, “content is king”. Consistently writing keyword rich and original content on pages and blogs is the best way get traffic. We will conduct an analysis with you regarding your business and determine what keywords will be your target keywords. Ultimately it is up to you, to build or hire someone to help you build that content.
I do want to mention searchable or indexable IDX services. Real estate agents are fortunate in that content already exists in their MLS. An indexable IDX will pull that data from the MLS and transform it into text onto your website. Instantly creating and maintaining new content on your website. We can help you create hundreds of landing pages with the IDX installed on every page.
We don’t recommend you solely rely on the IDX. We recommend you utilize both the IDX and the consistent creation of content.
Q. Where do I start?
A. As wonderful as WordPress is, if you don’t consider yourself technically savvy, then you will probably need help getting the your domain purchased, changing the name servers, setting up hosting, getting the WordPress files installed, and installing your theme(s) and any skins that may apply. If you think you are up for the challenge, visit our instructional video on setting up your WordPress website.
Q. I thought you said it was easy?
A. WordPress really is easy once it is setup and someone sits down and explains the back-office and how to add pages and blogs. WordPress is world-famous mostly for its user friendly back office. However like all websites, they are complicated to setup and organize to fit your business and brand.
Q. I’m still a little confused…
A. If you are new to the website owning and building world or if you are just new to WordPress, it can be confusing. You’re not alone, WordPress is making the whole world rethink how websites are built and maintained (all the better for consumers and businesses).
Contact us so we can explain everything. There are no pushy salesmen at WPchemist. We simply want to help clean up the internet. 
Q. I’ve heard great things about WPchemist. Can I hire your team to set everything up and then hand it over to me?
A. Of course. Our specialty is consulting on your needs, setting up the website to match your brand and taste. More importantly, we want to train you to take everything over and maintain your website by yourself. Of course we will always be here to help and answer questions.
WordPress is changing the way the world builds and maintains websites
