Yes, you read that right. That’s a staggering testament to its unwavering popularity and trust among website creators worldwide.

What's more impressive is its stronghold in crucial sectors like enterprise and government. (Have you seen NASA’s website or WhiteHouse.gov? Both are built on WordPress!)

Recent studies have shown that WordPress is the leading choice for enterprise websites, with over 60% of the top 100 companies leveraging its robust features for their online presence. It's not just limited to businesses; even governmental entities worldwide rely on WordPress, with a substantial 40% using it as their CMS platform. These statistics underscore WordPress' unparalleled reliability and scalability, making it the go-to solution for entities that demand top-notch performance and security.

Speaking of advancements, 2023 has been an exciting year for WordPress. The community witnessed groundbreaking improvements aimed at elevating user experience and functionality. The Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities have revolutionized website creation, allowing for unparalleled customization and seamless design with its block-based editor. This innovative approach empowers both beginners and seasoned developers to craft visually stunning and user-friendly websites effortlessly.

Moreover, WordPress has intensified its focus on accessibility, ensuring inclusivity across all user interfaces. Recent strides in enhancing core features, refining security protocols, and optimizing performance reaffirm WordPress's commitment to staying ahead of the curve and setting new standards for excellence.

As we embrace the future, let's recognize WordPress as more than just a CMS platform. It's an ecosystem fostering creativity, innovation, and endless possibilities. Our dedication to mastering this platform and leveraging its capabilities will continue to propel our success in the digital landscape.

Let's harness the power of WordPress to craft unparalleled digital experiences, stay at the forefront of innovation, and redefine excellence in our industry. When you’re ready to migrate your organization’s website to WordPress or redesign the WordPress site you already have, I hope you contact us. Happy New Year!

Still on the fence with our WordPress plugin WP Search with Algolia? You won't be when you watch WebDevStudios CEO Brad Williams demonstrate how easy it is to install and use.

Just a few weeks ago, Brad was a featured speaker at Algolia DevBit, a virtual conference that is dedicated to the Algolia development community. Brad addressed the importance of fast, relevant search and showed how to acquire that with WP Search with Algolia. 

Watch the video of Brad's live demo now. 

As we bid farewell to another year, it's essential to reflect on the evolving nature of online experiences. The year 2023 witnessed remarkable advancements in web design, user experience, and technological innovations. However, amid this progress, certain trends and features have become relics of the past, no longer aligning with the demands of modern users and the ever-shifting digital landscape.

To ensure that your online presence remains at the forefront of innovation and user-centricity, it's imperative to bid adieu to outdated website practices. These relics, once heralded as cutting-edge elements, now hinder user experience, impede accessibility, and no longer meet the evolving needs of today's digital consumers.

Below, we highlight a collection of website trends, functions, and features that should be gracefully left behind as we embrace the promising opportunities of the future. Let's explore these outdated practices to pave the way for more impactful web experiences.

Overly Complicated Navigation Menus
Simplify navigation. Avoid overwhelming visitors with complex menus and opt for intuitive, streamlined navigation structures.

Autoplaying Videos and Audio
Avoid forcing visitors to listen or watch content without their consent. Autoplaying media can be disruptive and negatively impact user experience.

Excessive Pop-Ups and Intrusive Ads
Minimize pop-ups and intrusive ads that hinder user interaction and disrupt content consumption. Choose more subtle and user-friendly advertising methods.

Flash-Based Content
Flash has become outdated and is no longer supported by many devices and browsers. Shift to modern, HTML5-based alternatives for multimedia content.

Cluttered and Overcrowded Designs
Move away from cluttered layouts with excessive elements. Embrace minimalist and clean designs that prioritize content clarity and user experience.

Non-Responsive Websites
With the majority of web traffic coming from mobile devices, non-responsive websites are a big no. Ensure websites are fully responsive and optimized for various screen sizes.

Complex Registration Processes
Simplify registration and checkout processes. Avoid asking for excessive information upfront; instead, opt for progressive profiling or post-purchase follow-ups.

Ignoring Accessibility Standards
Pay attention to accessibility guidelines (WCAG). Websites should be inclusive and cater to users with disabilities, ensuring equal access to content and functionality.

Expensive CMS Licensing Fees
Content management system licensing fees can significantly impact a company's budget, limiting resources that could otherwise be invested in user experience enhancements. Avoiding hefty licensing costs by migrating your website to WordPress in 2024.

Keyword Stuffing for SEO
Avoid stuffing content with excessive keywords. Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that naturally incorporates relevant keywords.

Intrusive Cookie Consent Pop-Ups
While cookie consent is necessary, intrusive or confusing pop-ups can be frustrating. Instead, use user-friendly ways to obtain consent.

Infinite Scrolling Without Load Indicators
Infinite scrolling without clear load indicators can lead to frustration. Ensure users understand there's more content to load and provide clear cues

Not Asking for Help
Stop struggling and doing it all yourself. There is nothing wrong with reaching out to experts like WebDevStudios for support and expert consultation. Contact us.

By leaving behind these outdated trends and features, websites can enhance user experience, improve functionality, and stay aligned with modern web standards, fostering better engagement and user satisfaction.