Wordpress is more than just a blogging platform. With the ability to make static pages, and thousands of plugins to choose from, Wordpress goes above and beyond simple blogging software.
One thing that sets Wordpress apart from other platforms is its ability to integrate static pages into your blog. Static pages sit outside the normal flow of content. As you post blog entries, they get listed in chronological order; older entries get pushed down as new posts are added. Pages exist outside this continuum so that the information is always accessible.
There are a few common (almost ubiquitous) uses for pages, but there are also very unique applications as well. The most common uses include “About Me” and “Contact” pages. The About Me pages list information about the author of the blog, especially as it pertains to the blog itself; why they’re qualified to write the blog. Darren Rowse over at Problogger.net has a short, informative post about writing an “About Me” page.
Some blogs choose to include contact information in their About Me page, but some choose to use a separate page. There are several plugins that will put a contact form on your page for you. You can see an example on my own Contact Page.
Plugins provide added functionality to more than just contact forms. There are thousands of plugins that can extend your Wordpress installation far beyond being just a blog. Many plugins run behind the scenes, like Akismet, which filters spam from your comments. Others can enrich the reader’s experience. The NextGen Gallery plugin provides an attractive environment for displaying images. There’s very little plugins can’t do.
All this versatility and expandability wouldn’t amount to much, however, without an easy-to-use interface. Wordpress excels in this regard. The developers continue to optimize the administration area, making it more organized and easier to find what you’re looking for. This user-friendly interface, as well as the huge support community and extensive versatility, allows Wordpress to bridge the gap between Powerful and Easy-to-Use.
