WordPress is by far the best CMS system out there, you can do so many different things with it, from running a job board site to a CSS gallery. Today I wanted to showcase some of the best alternative ways to using WordPress and prove that it can be so much more than just a blog. The great thing about WordPress is it’s so easy to use, in fact I would go as far as saying it’s idiot proof because all you have to do is fill in fields and your page is done. This is why so many other people use it as there platform for other type websites, such as Membership Sites, Review Sites and Portfolio Websites. I hope you enjoy the list and let me know how your online business has benefited from WordPress.
WordPress WooCommerce
This plugin makes WordPress into a really neat online store. Most online stores are bulky, expensive and complicated, not this one, it’s simple and free, just like WordPress itself!
* * * * *
WishList Member
WishList Member is the fastest way to turn a WordPress site into a full Membership Site. And if you buy now, you get a free copy of “Crush It”.
* * * * *
WP Review Site
This plugin enables you to turn your WordPress website into a fully functional review site. At the moment there is a special introductory price of only $97.
* * * * *
BB Press
This is a WordPress forum plugin from the creators of WordPress. Its free to download, and handles any task you throw at it.
* * * * *
Portfolio Blog
This is an extraordinary WordPress theme that enables you to have a full single page portfolio layout that runs entirely on WordPress. And its only $25.
Another recommended portfolio theme plugin is YourFolio and Modern Portfolio.
* * * * *
WordPress Gallery
There are so many galleries out on the internet. Gallery Pro is a WordPress Theme that allows you to change your blog into a gallery. Another cool gallery theme for WordPress is Showcase Theme.
* * * * *
JobPress
JobPress integrates a job board into your WordPress website. It comes with all the features you would expect from a professional job board software, but half the price. This plug-in could be used as a standalone website or as a great additional way to monetize your blog, I will be using this plug-in on one of my sites very soon!
* * * * *
WP Contact Manager
WP Contact Manager is a low priced WordPress theme that turns your site into a contact book.
* * * * *
OneNews
OneNews is a WordPress theme that allows you to easily create a single-page news aggregator such as PpoURL’s or Alltop within a few clicks.
* * * * *
Classipress
This is a WordPress theme that turns your WordPress website into a classified ads site. They call it Craigslist for WordPress.
* * * * *
Article Directory
Here is a neat WordPress build for an article directory website. This article directory plugin has many different features, and is free to download!
* * * * *
Video Site
Ever wanted to have your own video trailer site? Video Flick is a low priced video trailer theme for WordPress.
* * * * *
WordPress Multi-User
WordPress Multi-User (MU for short) is a blog tool and publishing platform that allows you to run thousands of WordPress blogs with one single install of WordPress. A great way to built your own Blogspot/Wordpress.com style website, I personally have used this to build a niche travel site, offering all customers a blog so they can share their experiences with friends and family back home.
* * * * *
BuddyPress
BuddyPress is a huge mix of WordPress plugins and themes, to run a social network based on WordPress MU.
* * * * *
WordPress CMS
With the Arthemia theme, you can run it like a content management system, rather than a blog.
* * * * *
P2 Theme
The P2 theme is like twitter in a box. Great theme for companys or organisations to stay up to date with what everyone is doing, all in one place.
* * * * *
Digg Clone
This plugin adds voting functionality for posts. This function is similar to Reddit or Digg, in that visitors can vote for and against.
* * * * *
When I began to research for different ways to using WordPress, I soon realised that I could be doing a lot more to improve my website. For example I could use the Wiki theme for a Wikipedia area on any blogging FAQ people have and I could add a job board for those looking for web design work to be done for their blog.
I hope you enjoyed today’s post.
To Our Success,
Michael Dunlop
PS. What’s your goal for your blog? is it to share knowledge or are you using it in a different way to most others?