5 Surprising Things You Can Do With WordPress

Expanding the Capabilities of WordPress: Beyond Blogging

WordPress has established itself as an exceptionally adaptable content management system. Its flexibility has inspired developers to extend its functionality significantly through the implementation of plugins.

Many assume WordPress is solely a blogging platform, however, its potential extends far beyond that initial purpose.

Five Alternative Uses for WordPress

Here are five distinct ways WordPress can be utilized, with both complimentary and paid options available where applicable.

• E-commerce Store: WordPress, coupled with plugins like WooCommerce, transforms into a robust online storefront.
• Portfolio Website: Showcase creative work effectively using dedicated portfolio themes and plugins.
• Forum/Community Site: Plugins such as bbPress enable the creation of thriving online communities and discussion forums.
• Membership Site: Restrict content access and offer exclusive benefits through membership plugins.
• Business Website: Establish a professional online presence with a fully customizable business website.

The availability of both free and premium plugins allows users to tailor WordPress to their specific needs and budget.

Through strategic plugin selection, WordPress can be molded into a diverse range of web applications, demonstrating its remarkable versatility.

Establishing an Online Store with E-Commerce

It may be unexpected, but a complete online store can be operated directly from the Wordpress platform, and crucially, this can be achieved without any initial cost.

For a considerable period, WP eCommerce has been the leading solution, successfully supporting numerous substantial websites, including Icon Dock. It offers a robust free core functionality, alongside premium extensions – such as supplementary payment gateways and affiliate management tools – making it a favored option among developers due to its easily adaptable templates.

However, when considering simplicity of initial configuration for users without extensive technical expertise, JigoShop stands out as my preferred choice.

With JigoShop, a visually appealing and fully operational online shop can be launched in a matter of minutes.

It boasts complete compatibility with the standard twenty-eleven Wordpress theme, providing a seamless integration experience.

Classifieds and Employment Opportunities

Local websites can significantly benefit from incorporating classified advertisements and a dedicated job board. However, it’s crucial to recognize that these types of platforms require substantial initial engagement and a growing user base to remain dynamic and relevant.

A proactive approach – building a community before launching a classifieds or job site – often yields better results than simply creating the platform and anticipating organic user adoption.

Classified Advertisement Solutions

When considering classified ad systems, Classipress stands out as the leading option. This premium WordPress theme, priced at $99, offers a comprehensive feature set, robust functionality, and dedicated support.

The same development team also provides Jobroller, a highly regarded job listing theme available at a comparable premium cost.

Free Classifieds Alternatives

For those seeking a cost-effective solution, Another WordPress Classifieds Plugin presents a compelling alternative. It boasts a solid selection of core features, including the capability to monetize listings through integrations with Google Checkout or PayPal.

Job Listing Platforms

In the realm of free job listing plugins, WordPress Job Manager performs admirably. The developer consistently maintains active participation in support forums and ongoing project enhancements.

Its seamless integration capabilities and positive reviews within the plugin repository make it a strong contender. If customization and integration with an existing design are priorities, Job Manager may prove a more advantageous choice than a more expensive premium plugin.

Membership Subscriptions

Despite the decline in physical newspaper sales and growing resistance to paywalls, offering website subscriptions can still be a viable option.

This is particularly true if you possess specialized knowledge in a niche area that doesn't generate sufficient traffic for traditional advertising revenue.

WordPress Membership Plugins

Membership is a robust, freely available plugin designed to manage all facets of operating a members-only website.

It is fully compatible with the newest versions of WordPress and is a popular choice among many developers.

Premium Membership Solutions

For those seeking a premium solution, Wishlist Member is frequently cited as the leading option by professionals in the field.

However, its pricing – $99 per single domain – necessitates a confident expectation of a substantial subscriber base.

Fortunately, a 30-day free trial is provided, allowing potential users to evaluate its suitability before committing to a purchase.

Key Features of Wishlist Member

Wishlist Member boasts a comprehensive feature set, including:

• Extensive training videos.
• Sequential content delivery.
• Integration with numerous payment processors.

These features contribute to its reputation as a powerful and versatile platform for managing online memberships.

iPad Board Game Reviews Platform

The iPad Board Games website I maintain is a review platform built on WordPress, leveraging the excellent GD Star Ratings plugin. This plugin, available at no cost, enables user voting on games and is central to the site’s functionality.

It’s a sophisticated plugin offering diverse rating methods – including ratings for posts, comments, and multiple rating blocks, as well as star and thumbs-up/down systems.

Maximizing its potential requires a thorough understanding of its extensive templating capabilities, but the investment of time is undoubtedly worthwhile.