17 Awesome Web Sites You Can Do With WordPress

Posted by on Jan 8, 2012 in Wordpress | 26 comments

WordPress has come a long way… a very, very long way. It started out as personal blogging platform but now it’s being used for corporate web sites, online directories, personal portfolios, etc. The possibilities are plenty and from the standpoint of a passionate blogger, they’re just awesome.  Just to give you an idea of how far WP has come, here are the different kinds of web sites you can do with WordPress.
 

awesome wordpress

 

  1.  Blog — This is a personal journal published on the web. There are so many things you can blog about — your personal struggles, travel experiences, dreams, celebrity news, and more. I started out with a personal blog that has now become a lifestyle blog.  Check it out: Nica’s Day Out.
  2. Corporate Web Site —  Many web publishing platforms are difficult to manage for business owners…but not WordPress. I worked with several clients in the past whose business web sites were only single page web sites. After a long discussion, I have convinced them to redo their web sites using WordPress. They’re very happy with it. 
  3. Link Directory – I helped a client create an online directory of coffee-related businesses using phpDirectory. It was hard making it do what I wanted it to do and I spent quite a lot of time contacting the tech support. I got fed up and persuaded my client to buy a premium WordPress theme, DirectoryPress. There are also plug-ins you can use to turn your current theme into an online directory. WPDirectoryPro is one such plugin. Check out this directory site of Facebook pages and while you’re at it, I suggest you add yours: FB Business Pages Diretory
  4. Classified Ads  – Planning to compete with Craigslist or build a local classified ads site? You can do that with WordPress using themes or plugins.  Another WordPress Classifieds Plugin is one of the more popular plugins you can use.
  5. Question -and-Answer Site – Some authority bloggers and web sites want their readers to be able to ask questions like they do in Yahoo Answers or Quora.  I’m aware of one premium WP theme that you can buy to make a site like this: AskIt from Elegant Themes. You can buy this as single theme or you can do what I did, become a member for $79.
  6. Online Store — Many home-based businesses are now using the Internet to sell their wares. Some are using Multiply, while some are using Facebook. However, it’s still important for you to have your own self-hosted online store. Multiply and Facebook may shut you down for no good reason. Having an a self-hosted online stores ensures that you will still have an online presence when this disaster happens. Here’s one really simple WP theme and plugin that you can use for your online store.
  7. Online Newspaper or Magazine — Do you fancy becoming a journalist or an editor? You can easily realize that dream by running your own online newspaper or magazine web site using WordPress themes. Theme Junkie has nice collection of magazine-style WordPress themes that you’ll love. One theme, aptly called Newspaper, looks like the layout of Huffington Post. I created a blogazine for our town using it’s Clear Type theme. Check it out: The San  Pedronian
  8. Membership Site — Many Internet and affiliate marketers, as well as gurus, earn a lot from making paid membership sites. I had created one for our online community using Ning but last year, around July, they discontinued their free accounts. That’s the time I started looking around for membership plugins for WordPress. I found a lot of amazing plugins but one that really caught my attention — because it’s free — is S2Member.
  9. Photo Gallery – This might fall under personal blog but I guess if it’s all pictures, that couldn’t be really a blog. Anyway there are WordPress themes that will showcase your photo. Great for professional, amateur, and hobby photographers.
  10. Online Forum — A discussion forum is a great venue to deliver customer service/support. By just using plug-ins, you can add a forum function to your site. One such plugin is Simple Press Forum.
  11. Aggregator Site– Would you like to curate your own content or publish something like Alltop? Then you can do so using an aggregator site. There are themes that are specifically designed for this function, including Elegant Theme’s Aggregate theme.
  12. Review Site -- Many bloggers focus on reviewing products and services.  I know one who focuses on reviewing and rating gadgets. With a theme like Elegant Theme’s InReview, this would be easily done.
  13. Resume — Do you want an online resume? Easily done through WordPress. It’s usually one page site. Here’s an example of a resume theme for WP. 
  14. Social Network — Using the Buddypress plugin, you can make your own Facebook-like network under WordPress. It’s like a membership site with just more features. You can add groups, make friends with other members, write blogs, and have a discussion forum. 
  15. Property Listings – I’ve noticed that a lot of real estate agents are now getting on social media to reach out to potential customers. At the same time, they are building their own web sites. I was thinking that if you real estate agents can get their listings all in one roof, they’d impress a lot of customers. Check out Domestica for an all-in-one real estate WP theme.
  16. Booking / Reservation Site -- Managers of small hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts would love this. Why? Because web sites with booking systems are really expensive to put up and maintain, yet you can buy a premium WP theme for a one time fee and have a booking system in a box. I’ve used such a theme for a spa business. But you can also use a plugin such as WP-Reservation to achieve the same effect. Cool, huh?
  17. Project Management Portal – Tired of logging into different sites just to maintain your site and manage your clients? Why not bring them all under one roof — your WP-based site? There are numerous plugins you can use to turn your simple business site into a powerful task management tool. A good example would be WP-Project. 

Is there more?

I think I’ve really got a great list here but if you can think of something to add to this list, please let me know in the comment section below. I would update the post (or make another one if there’s many suggestions) and give you credit for it. I would also appreciate it if you can share this post to your network. The buttons below make it easier to share!

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26 Responses to “17 Awesome Web Sites You Can Do With WordPress”

  1. Justin Mazza says:
    January 9, 2012 at 7:05 PM

    Hi Nica,
    I was wondering if WordPress would be good for Corporate websites as opposed to personal blogs.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Justin Mazza recently posted..Peter G James Sinclair Self Development Mastermind CourseMy Profile

    Reply
  2. May says:
    January 10, 2012 at 10:11 PM

    My sites are mostly blogs but I am very aware of the other uses you can find for WP. I love it’s flexibility and how you can turn a site into something completely unique.
    May recently posted..it’s more fun in the philippines ~ yes, it kinda is!My Profile

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  3. dimaks says:
    January 10, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    This is a superb list Nica. You’ve done a great post. I agree with the power of wordpress. I also tried using the platform for my high school reunion update site and everything were all easy to manage and perform.
    dimaks recently posted..Snackin’ New Treats FREE From Mister Donut!My Profile

    Reply
  4. Jupiter Jim says:
    January 18, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Nica,

    Great post and Great List!!! I build WordPress websites for a living and I had forgotten the different uses that WordPress can have! There are lots of themes for WordPress but I prefer the Thesis Theme and use that for 99% of my sites!

    Take Care,

    Jupiter Jim

    p.s. Love the fact that you use CommentLuv
    Jupiter Jim recently posted..The Proper Way to Paste MS Word Text into your WordPress Blog Post or PageMy Profile

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  5. serge says:
    January 19, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    Great post

    you may use wordpress to manage your mailing list as well in the same time when you have the site + blog + store + forum …

    and easy to use for non techny people.

    ps bookmarked the list for my future client argumentation, thanks
    serge recently posted..Sell your downloadable products with E-junkieMy Profile

    Reply
  6. GreenDei/Daryll says:
    January 20, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    Hi Nica, you’ve thought of some feasible and concrete ideas using WP platform. It’s good heads up for those wanting to create something within their niches.
    GreenDei/Daryll recently posted..Philam Life welcomes Chinese New Year with Giant DragonMy Profile

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  7. Always10 - Top 10 List Collection says:
    January 20, 2012 at 7:11 AM

    I haven’t been to wordpress though I’m planning to migrate this year 2012. I never expect it to be this good and convenient since I’m more at home with blogger but definitely migrating this year. :)
    Always10 – Top 10 List Collection recently posted..10 of the Chunky Bits about SOPA: The Internet Blacklist BillMy Profile

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  8. Ion Gonzaga (@ionGonzaga) says:
    January 20, 2012 at 7:54 AM

    you can absolutely do anything online on WP. If I may add on your list, Portfolio – Some graphic designers who have not much knowledge in web development can opt to build their portfolio using WordPress
    Ion Gonzaga (@ionGonzaga) recently posted..Google’s First Hangout with UAE Bloggers in DubaiMy Profile

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  9. Herbert says:
    January 20, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    WordPress indeed the best platform. A one stop shop for all your needs. Aside from its user-friendly interpace, its also SEO friendly :D
    Herbert recently posted..Ways to Identify and Tackle Click FraudMy Profile

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  10. Lizzie Dee says:
    January 20, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    Almost everyone has a blog in WordPress. So yeah, it is pretty popular. :)
    Lizzie Dee recently posted..Tips When Hiring Content WritersMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Kid says:
    January 20, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    Most of the e-commerce sites run using WP as their CMS. WP is totally cool! THumbs up for this post. ;)

    Reply
  12. Tara Woodruff says:
    January 20, 2012 at 11:26 AM

    I have been considering WordPress for some time, Now there is not much more to consider! Word Press here I come! Thank you!
    Tara Woodruff recently posted..Day 8 *In the Flow of Appreciation*My Profile

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  13. Stacy says:
    January 20, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    great list! Now we know what we should be capable of to be a VA
    Stacy recently posted..Food Trauma from Mexicali Restaurant and 500PesoDeals.ComMy Profile

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  14. Peter North says:
    February 5, 2012 at 12:17 AM

    cool topic, very relevant now!

    Reply
  15. mike@Social Media Management says:
    February 19, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    I couldn’t agree more Nica.. The versatility of WordPress is what makes it such a great decision for websites. The ability for the small business owner to have some control over his website with easy updates and changes that can be made. Love the all-in-one SEO box to make it easy for a ‘local’ small business to play..
    mike@Social Media Management recently posted..Social Media FragmentationMy Profile

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