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Pressable’s new initiative, ‘Hosting For Good,’ is shining a spotlight on organizations using WordPress to make a significant community impact. Among these is the Extension Foundation, a key player in disseminating reliable, research-based information nationwide.
Pressable — Starting at /mo — Managed WordPress hosting (Automattic).
With more than 800 million websites powered by WordPress, it’s unsurprising that some incredible organizations leverage this platform to serve their communities. Pressable, a leader in managed WordPress hosting, is now showcasing these efforts through a series that highlights technological contributions to societal betterment. The Extension Foundation stands as a prime example.
Extension Foundation: A National Knowledge Network
The Extension Foundation, formed in 2006, initially aimed to create custom technology platforms to spread research-driven content to the public. However, they soon realized the efficiency of WordPress for this purpose. Today, they manage approximately 100 WordPress sites that range in focus from agricultural safety to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As Aaron Weibel, the Extension Foundation’s communication and engagement manager, explains, these sites have become collaboration hubs for researchers across the nation. The Cooperative Extension Service, supported by thousands of university and county-based extension employees and over two million volunteers, ensures that this academic knowledge reaches communities efficiently.
WordPress has facilitated the migration of extensive content produced by local communities, helping universities and researchers avoid duplicating efforts. This has established a national presence for their content and a cohesive way for researchers to work together on projects.
Why Reliable Hosting Matters
The need for managed WordPress hosting is critical for the Extension Foundation. Reliable, accessible websites ensure that community members can reach the information they need. “Things can’t go down,” Aaron Weibel emphasizes. Managed hosting from Pressable provides the support necessary to maintain site availability and launch new sites swiftly when needed.
WordPress’s ease of use allows the Foundation’s technology team to quickly establish sandbox sites, enhancing their capability to respond to urgent informational needs. This flexibility is crucial for hosting special sites or landing pages as required.
What To Do
- Developers: Consider the benefits of WordPress for managing large-scale information dissemination projects.
- Hosting Providers: Evaluate the reliability and support services you offer to ensure they meet the needs of organizations like the Extension Foundation.
- Site Operators: Ensure your WordPress sites are optimized for reliability to support critical content access.
