11 ways to use WordPress
WordPress is one of the best CMS. As a matter of fact: it feeds over 26% of the top 10 million websites. WordPress is seen as a blog platform. However, it is much more flexible and can be used in other ways like Forum, e-commerce site, membership site, worksite, aggregation site, social network and much more.
1. Forum
Not only that, if someone is facing the same problem, but they could also look for similar threads and solve the problem. Therefore, they don't have to ask you the same question again.The Press forum plug-in allows you to start a forum on your WordPress website. Allows forum members to start new threads or discussions and to comment on existing discussions.
2. Social Network
Can WordPress be used to create a social network site like Facebook?The answer is yes.
Using the BuddyPress plug-in, you can start a niche community, a networking site for professionals, a student community and more.
It comes with feature member profiles, messages, notifications, groups, activity streams and everything you can expect from a social network site. You can also integrate BuddyPress with the bbPress plug-in to improve its functionality.
3. Microblogging
Yes, you can start a microblogging site like Twitter using WordPress. Like?Have you ever heard of Prologue? A few years ago, the company behind WordPress (Automattic) recreated WordPress to work as a Twitter clone. It took the name of Prologue and was available as a theme.
Currently, they have launched a GPL theme with the name P2, which is available for free on WordPress.com and WordPress.org. In addition, some P2-based themes like O2, etc. take your microblogging website to another level.
These themes transform the CMS into minimal external needs and offer front-end users to post their mini blog posts.
You can increase the functionality of this theme by using some plugins like P2 Like, Who's Online and others.
4. Aggregator site
What is an aggregator website? Well, it's a website that shows some specific types of information from various sources. So you want to start an aggregator site like Alltop? Don't worry, you can do it with the help of WordPress.You can easily create a similar site using a plugin called the WP RSS Aggregator plugin. The basic plug-in is available for free in the WordPress.org plug-in directory.
Once the plug-in is installed, just get the source feed URLs and add them to the plug-in. That's all. Now use the shortcode generated on any page or post and it will show the aggregated content on your website. Easy, right?
5. Job notice board
You can convert the WordPress CMS into a job listing site with the help of some plugins or themes on the job board. There is WP Job Manager to add, manage and classify job lists. Create front-end forms for registered and unregistered users to submit and manage the job list.There is the function of adding a URL or email for job seekers to apply. Create accounts for employers to list jobs, edit, view applications and delete active job lists.
Through these plugins, a WordPress site can be transformed into an active job list site. These sites can be monetized through memberships of employers and employees.
6. Review the site
The WordPress CMS can be useful for creating an in-depth review site, useful for the purpose of earning affiliates. While a script with custom code is usable, plug-ins exist to simplify the work in the WordPress repository.The MyThemeShop WP Review plug-in has features that allow you to create a review site. Not only that, but it also includes the review scheme.
The scheme is necessary for a better SERP. The plug-in works with Google compatible formats and connects to Google's structured data testing tool for perfect viewing.
7. Billing and billing
You can also turn your WordPress CMS installation into an integrated list for customers and invoices. The option is perfect for SEO consultants and contractors.There is the WP Invoice plug-in to track clients from the WP user database section. After generating an invoice, the customer receives an email with a description and a unique link to view and pay the invoice. All paid and unpaid invoices are displayed on the dashboard.
Likewise, there are Sprout Invoices to create custom invoices and customer estimates of events. There is a full customization payment management option, along with customer management and multi-currency support. It syncs with software like Harvest and Fresh Books and also offers tax options.
With both plugins, a customer can cancel the invoice via PayPal, check, Stripe, 2Checkout, Authorize.net and other gateways, available through paid options.
8. Membership sites
Internet Marketers sell products through membership sites and WordPress CMS is a good option for creating such membership sites. Matthew Woodward offers a detailed tutorial on how to create a 6-digit income membership site. There are many membership plugins in the repository, which serve various purposes.It allows the user to create multilevel subscription options and offers the most popular payment gateways. There are over 42 add-ons, compatible with all WordPress themes and it is 100% compatible with the GPL. Another option is to Restrict Content Pro from Pippins plugins.
Content dripping is a strategy for sharing planned content over a period. Here is an interesting article about creating and running the first membership site on Copyblogger.
9. List of companies
I am a resource for the Internet world. A localized business directory helps people get information about certain companies. In addition, the creator of the corporate directory can earn a decent income by offering a paid business listing.Check out the Business Directory plug-in to create a Yelp-like review directory or a Yellow Pages-like directory. A versatile and widely installed plug-in, which allows the acceptance of payments (one-off and recurring), allows you to stickily list the features, create multiple tariff plans, download CSV files, support reCAPTCHA, implement Yoast SEO, view the headquarters of the business, offer ZIP searches and more It is a complete suite of services needed to create a corporate directory site.
There is the Connections Business Directory for creating a simple address book, keeping the staff list or a staff directory and is compatible with all interfaces. The Dashboard offers a quick glimpse of birthdays, current and future anniversaries and more. The list is viewable for categories such as family, individual and organization. There is full control over public and private directories. The data are downloadable in CSV format and are provided with strong SEO customization.
Created for local publishers, the Broad Street plug-in advertises itself as the "first practical and portable business directory for WordPress". In addition to the essential elements of a corporate directory, this plug-in allows a company to publish messages on its official directory profile via Facebook, Twitter or a simple text message.
10. E-commerce website
After the blog, eCommerce is perhaps the most common application given the availability of multiple high-end themes and plugins. However, here it presents itself as an "unconventional" voice due to the indecision experienced by new and existing eCommerce vendors to trust CMS as a dual platform. Instead, preference tilts towards creating an e-commerce site from scratch. Although that's fine, let's see today how WordPress CMS is equally suitable for creating fantastic e-commerce sites.Let's start with the WooCommerce plugin, probably the world's favorite e-commerce solution for developers and shop owners. With both free and paid options, the plug-in offers infinite flexibility and boosts 30% of all online stores. Sell both physical and digital goods with multiple configurations, instant download options, and even affiliate goods. The paid version offers recurring subscriptions, reservations and subscription options. With over 140 region-specific gateway integrations, WooCommerce is the best eCommerce option available for WordPress.
This is followed by Easy Digital Downloads, preferable for the sale of digital goods and WP eCommerce to sell goods anywhere, anytime. These plugins and integrations such as Shopify completely overhaul the WordPress CMS and turn it into an e-commerce store with all the necessary functionality. With a quick support system, these services are easy to use and scalable.
This is an example of an e-commerce site created with the paid WP e-commerce plug-in. WordPress for eCommerce offers many advantages and customizations without creating a single line of code and is more suitable for the budget.
11. Podcasts
WordPress can become a podcast channel. A new interruption, podcasts change the way audiences interact with a website. The PowerPress Blubrry Podcasting plug-in is plug-in no. 1 on podcasting, with benefits such as advanced SEO settings, audio/video options, multiple modules, iTunes and Google Play support and synchronization with other podcasting applications. Create a subscription page with Shortcodes and import your podcast from other channels like Squarespace, LibSyn, PodBean, and SoundCloud.There is the Seriously Simple Podcasting plug-in that uses the native WordPress interface and offers minimal settings. From the Dashboard, see podcast statistics, quickly publish podcasts, use any type of post for publishing, solid RSS feed configurations with Google Play, iTunes and Stitcher and more makes it a good option for beginner podcasts. A list of other plug-in options is available here.