Go Ahead and Use WordPress Your Way

WordPress is inherently flexible. You can use it to build virtually any kind of website. There are no hard and fast limits.

We can say the same about its user workflow. There is more than one way to accomplish your desired result.

Maybe you use a page builder. Perhaps you prefer pairing the Site Editor with a block theme. Heck, you could hard-code a layout into your classic theme. Who says you can’t?

Well, there are likely a few people who would argue. WordPressers are passionate about their workflows. Some might declare their way as the only way.

Some approaches are indeed better than others. They may be more sustainable, compatible, and secure. However, the discourse we see isn’t always about these factors.

Those of us who build websites are left to navigate this virtual minefield. Are we doing it wrong? Or are we being bombarded with propaganda?

Perhaps we should read between the lines and not worry so much about what others think.

WordPress Offers Different Paths to the Same Destination

I’ve spent over 25 years in this industry. As such, I’ve gone through several preferred workflows. I started with writing HTML by hand. So yeah, I’ve seen it all.

There have been several shifts over the years. I went to WYSIWYG tools like Dreamweaver. From there, it was experimenting with PHP. I then landed on WordPress – and have been happy with the results.

Flexibility is what first attracted me to WordPress. I loved that I could achieve a look or functionality in a way that suited me.

Still, my WordPress journey has evolved quite a bit. I can still recall ripping apart the Kubrick theme. I replaced all of the CSS containers with…HTML tables. Yes, I was that guy.

I’ve used starter themes, custom solutions, and the occasional page builder. Whatever empowered me to do things my way.

The point is that WordPress offers us options. That’s one reason it can power anything from a brochure site to an enterprise-level shop.

It’s also why the software remains a market leader. We don’t have to settle for a singular way of doing things. There’s freedom in this blank canvas.

Evolution and Experimentation Helps Us Learn

Sure, I’ve made mistakes. I’ve built websites that worked well enough. Not all of them aged as well, though. But they served as valuable lessons.

For one, these experiences showed me how a site holds up in the long term. Adjusting a custom theme to accommodate new features is one example. So is relying so heavily on a page builder. Not everything adapts to your changing needs.

I also learned various tricks to increase efficiency and stability. That includes better ways to allow clients access while reducing the risk of breakage.

The results helped me determine what I was doing well. They also inspired positive change. I discovered better ways to build. I resolved the pain points that held me back.

There’s a lot of trial and error involved. Experimentation is one of the best ways to learn. Maybe WordPress is more like life than we thought.

Why Is There So Much Focus on Workflows?

Social media and blogs are full of opinions on WordPress workflows. Some declare that a specific approach is wrong. Or that they don’t like a particular tool.

There’s nothing wrong with expressing these thoughts. But it’s hard to read them and not question yourself.

“Person A said that they can’t stand Gutenberg. They think it’s hard to use and not powerful enough. They recommend a page builder.”

“On the other hand, Person B says that block themes are the future. We should already be adopting them.”

“What should I be doing? Am I messing up my projects?”

These outbursts are often emotionally charged. It’s worth keeping them in perspective. Their opinion may be a strong one. But it’s only one person’s take.

No matter the tool, there will be unsatisfied users. Regardless of where it comes from or who built it. And there will always be people who aim to push an agenda.

No two developers go about site building the same way. Nor do they need to. And WordPress won’t limit your options.

When Is It Time to Change?

None of this means that there isn’t valuable advice out there. There is always an opportunity to learn from others.

The challenge is in separating the bluster from the helpful. Sometimes, we’ll need to do it within the same content.

Plenty of valid points could be hiding within a rant. It’s up to us to identify them and determine if they’re worth our time.

But how do you know when it’s time to change your workflow? Sometimes, the writing is on the wall. Like when you realize you’re doing something that compromises security. Or that maintenance is a pain.

Other cases may require you to think deeper. Making improvements in quality and efficiency isn’t always obvious.

Consider the Block Editor. Perhaps you’ve shied away from using it and are still working with the Classic Editor.

The benefits of changing may not be immediately apparent. It may take experimentation for you to see them. Or, you might discover that Gutenberg is still not for you.

Experience will often signal when you’re ready for a change. The result of your analysis will provide you with proof.

Move Forward with Confidence, WordPress Builder

A lot of us work with WordPress. But we all do so differently. There are just so many possibilities.

That can be maddening at times. So much of how we build and maintain websites is up to interpretation. Choosing the best path isn’t easy. And it’s possible to go against best practices.

Still, you get to decide your workflow. There’s freedom in setting things up just the way you want them. It’s all about doing your work your way.

It’s also something you can share with the world. Others can learn from your journey and vice-versa.

So, don’t worry about how your workflow compares to others. There’s more than one way to build a WordPress site. And the odds are that you’ll change when the time is right. That’s the beauty of the experience.