Whatever your small-to-medium enterprise (SME) is thinking of doing in the year ahead – do it online! A website should be your business’ marketing hub, and if in doubt as to what website and hosting to get, choose WordPress.

WordPress is the world's leading Content Management System (CMS), which is why developers and WordPress hosting providers will make it their priority to hit 2024’s business trends without missing a beat.

Table of Contents

• WordPress: What to expect in 2024
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Features
• Voice Search
• Mobile First
• Security to the Max
• eCommerce
• Inclusivity & Accessibility
• Advanced WordPress Hosting
• Why WordPress Hosting from Domains.co.za will Amplify Your WordPress Website
• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• FAQs

 

WordPress: What to expect in 2024

When it comes to your WordPress website – or any other website for that matter – forget about looks. That's not to say your site shouldn't be easy on the eyes, that is obvious, but website functionality and user experience (UX) should lead the way. The latest business trends are helping developers and hosting providers establish what customers want in the year ahead.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Features

AI is everywhere and naturally WordPress should be providing users with AI plugins, predictive analytics, and smart solutions, to improve personal experiences while browsing. WordPress developers will bring us more AI-driven plugins this year that will add value to user experiences and allow websites to become even more interactive.

 

Voice Search

The online habits of users have changed. Why type a question if you can simply ask it? To stay ahead of what search engines are looking for voice-activated searches for websites could become fundamental and we hope to see more voice search plugins from developers going forward.

Mobile First

In South Africa there are about 22-million smartphone users. Globally, mobiles are used for everything, from browsing to shopping, which is why the mobile first trend will continue. In the months ahead we will see a dramatic increase in WordPress plugins that will enhance mobile responsiveness.

 

Security to the max

Cybersecurity is an international problem and businesses need to prioritise security on all levels. With WordPress growing in popularity, the platform has become a main target, which is why developers and hosting providers are constantly bringing users the best in security features to prevent attacks and protect online and offline data.

 

eCommerce

Whatever you are selling, sell it online because worldwide eCommerce will grow to $8-trillion by 2026. Naturally, competition in this space is massive. Therefore, businesses need to really invest in the right platforms and plugins to boost user-experience and confidence.

 

Inclusivity & Accessibility

When it comes to inclusive and accessible design the benefit is not just for users with an impairment. Everyone can benefit from a website that has been designed and developed to make it simple and easy to use. We can look forward to the birth of many more of these WordPress plugins, so watch this space.

 

Advanced WordPress Hosting

When it comes to a business website, the theme of the year is most certainly user-experience (UX). And when it comes to UX, hosting plays a critical role. All the good intensions of your WordPress website can fall completely flat when paired with slow and unreliable web hosting.

Luckily, with the launch of WordPress Hosting, hosting companies have been able to customise web hosting specifically for WordPress. While not all hosting companies offer the same quality of WordPress Hosting, users can look forward to more customisation and an improved offering from the serious hosting providers.

 

 

Why WordPress Hosting from Domains.co.za Will Amplify Your WordPress Website

WordPress Hosting for a WordPress website makes sense. It has all the quality, convenience, and affordability your SME website needs, and is rolled up into one neat monthly package.

Here's why WordPress Hosting from Domains.co.za is the answer for your SME's WordPress website:

• Advanced security: Our packages are equipped with advanced security features like daily backups, automatic updates, SSLs (Secure Socket Layer), malware protection etc., which provide a fortified defence against common vulnerabilities, malware, and unauthorised access attempts.
• Next-level performance: Our dedicated WordPress servers provide customers with unmatched speeds and uptime. That's because we know that improved performance not only enhances user satisfaction but also positively impacts search engine rankings.
• WordPress-specific features and self-service tools: Domains.co.za's WordPress Hosting packages include various tailored features to streamline the management and customisation of websites. These include 1-Click WordPress Install, WP Toolkit, Smart WordPress Updates, etc.
• Evolved scalability: We realise that your SME's website needs will change over time. That's why scalability is an important aspect of our offering. Our packages accommodate growth, whether it be an increase in website traffic, content volume, or user interactions.
• Support and tech expertise: Domains.co.za's WordPress experts ensure that customers enjoy the best in tech support, from configuration problems to compatibility issues with plugins or themes. Reliable tech support ensures that users have access to assistance when needed, helping to troubleshoot problems.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• WordPress is integrating AI into plugins and predictive analytics to enhance user experience.
• As user online habits shift towards voice-activated searches, developers need to integrate more voice search plugins for WordPress.
• The ongoing mobile-first trend is expected to lead to more WordPress plugins to enhance mobile responsiveness.
• Developers and hosting providers will once again prioritise delivering advanced security features this year.
• The rise of eCommerce also brings about increased competition, but UX can help businesses stand out.
• Adapting a website to be more inclusive and accessible is advantageous to everyone.
• WordPress Hosting will adapt and enhance due to UX importance.
• WordPress Hosting from Domains.co.za has been tailored to perfection to provide the fastest, most secure, and reliable hosting for WordPress.

 

FAQs

1. Can I build a WordPress website without hosting?
No, you need hosting to make your WordPress website accessible on the internet.
2. Why is WordPress hosting for a WordPress website better?
WordPress hosting is optimised specifically for WordPress websites. There are two different server environments for WordPress, one for websites and one for emails. This ensures that the email load does not impact on the website responsiveness and loading times in anyway, thus offering better performance and specialised support.
3. What is WordPress hosting?
WordPress hosting is a type of hosting service tailored to meet the specific requirements of WordPress websites, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.
4. Why are plugin updates for a WordPress website necessary?
Plugin updates are crucial to fix bugs, improve features, and enhance security on your WordPress website.
5. Why does security of a WordPress website matter?
Security for a WordPress website is important to protect it from hacking, data breaches, and other online threats. Always ensuring the safety of your site and its visitors is one of the highest priorities these days.