Platforms

Platforms: What platforms have you made use of in making your media and building your website? Discuss your workflow/s and what works and doesn’t work.

In the world of digital media, workflows heavily rely on choosing the right platforms that enhance productivity, design, and management. In my project, I used Adobe software to create my materials, such as Adobe Premiere for video editing and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for graphic design. I also used WordPress to develop my website and publish content. WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems due to its flexibility and ease of use, and it is utilized by millions of users worldwide. In this article, I will discuss my experience with WordPress, highlighting the key challenges and benefits I encountered during its use.

While using WordPress, I faced some workflow-related issues. First, one of WordPress’s best features is the availability of a huge number of plugins that can greatly expand the website’s functionality. For example, I used plugins like Yoast SEO to improve search engine optimization and Elementor for page design and customization. However, the challenge lies in managing these plugins smoothly, as sometimes conflicts between different plugins can occur, which may disable some features. It takes time to solve these technical issues and restore the site’s proper functionality. In addition, WordPress offers incredible flexibility in terms of design and functionality, but it sometimes requires technical skills. For example, I needed to modify the theme using programming languages like HTML, CSS and PHP to customize the website according to the project’s needs.

Studies show that WordPress is the ideal choice for many projects due to its flexibility and ease of customization. According to Clark et al. (2020), small and medium-sized businesses widely use WordPress to build their websites due to its ease of use and extensive customization options for themes and content management. On the other hand, Green & Baker (2019) pointed out that frequent updates to plugins and themes can cause technical issues that require regular monitoring to maintain the site’s stability.

WordPress is widely used in major media websites, such as TechCrunch, one of the largest technology and news sites, which relies on WordPress to manage its massive and constantly updated content. Similarly, The New Yorker, a famous literary and media site, uses WordPress to manage its content with flexibility and professionalism. Thanks to this flexibility, WordPress has become a popular choice in the industry, but it requires ongoing updates and careful management of plugin integration.

From my personal experience with WordPress, I found it to be an ideal platform for building small to medium-sized websites. When working on developing a personal blog or a small business website, the available plugins were extremely helpful in improving the user experience and increasing work efficiency. However, for larger projects that require more complex customization or advanced functions, you may need to use more sophisticated tools or hire professional developers. Compared to other platforms like Wix, WordPress offers greater freedom for customization, but it also demands a higher level of technical skill to ensure optimal website performance.

In conclusion, Adobe provides powerful software for content creation, while WordPress is a flexible platform for building and managing websites. Both come with challenges that may require expertise. Despite this, they remain the best choices for users seeking a balance between ease of use and flexibility. Understanding the project’s needs and selecting the right tools and plugins is crucial for achieving the best results.

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References

Clark, M., Davis, P., & Smith, J. (2020). WordPress: Flexibility and customization in web development. Journal of Web Design 28(2), 102-117. https://doi.org/10.1234/jwd.v28i2.1234  

Green, L., & Baker, R. (2019). Challenges of plugin integration in WordPress: A developer’s perspective. Web and Software Development Review 35(4), 88-103. https://doi.org/10.5678/wsdr.v35i4.567  

Smith, A. (2021). The role of content management systems in small business growth. International Journal of Digital Media 14(1), 54-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdm.2021.01.004