photo credit: ecastro

There are several reasons why we primarily use open-source software for Web development, but we’re always amazed by the number of people who are bothered by the idea. On a certain level, people seem to think that without spending big bucks on proprietary applications and tools to build a Web site, somehow the final product will be worth less. This just isn’t true.

So, without further ado, here are the top three reasons Madigram Media loves open-source.

1. Best of Breed, Baby

The most important reason we love open-source is because there is so much to love, frankly. These applications often grow out of a rich community of developers who are committed to making a product that actually meets their needs. Instead of buying a proprietary product that some corporation has market-researched to death, when I install an open-source application, I know that it’s grown organically out of the user community. The final result is often a best-of-breed tool that is far superior to anything I could pay big bucks for.

2.The Secret is in the Support

Because open source software is developed by a community of users, that also means that there is a rich support community for when you run into difficulties. Almost every big-name open source tool has an active discussion forum (if not several) where you can post your questions. The responses you get are, more often then not, going to be from folks who are using the application every day. In many cases, they may even be developers who helped to build the application. By contrast, when you search the forums of your software company of choice, chances are your answers are not being supplied by the product engineers.

3. Cheap Ain’t SO Bad

We’d be lying if we didn’t say the lower price tag for open source software doesn’t factor into our decision to use these tools. But, we’re not seeking cheap for OUR sake, we’re seaking cheap for YOUR sake. The fact of the matter is, if we can install and manage open-source applications less expensively on our end, that means the cost of development is going to be lower on your end. In our mind, that’s a win-win.

4. Plugins, Tweaks, Extensions, and General Hacks¹

At the heart of open-source is the word OPEN. What does that mean? Basically, it means that we’ve got access to the actual code that runs the applications that runs your Web site. And if we have access to it, that means we can make it do what you need it to do. Most proprietary software not only doesn’t give you access to the code; if you can see the code, you’re often forbidden to change it. Frankly, we don’t like to work that way.

photo credit: quinn.anya

1. Did you notice we threw in a fourth bonus reason?!

There are lots of Web design firms out there that will offer you “turn-key” solutions, guarantee SEO results¹, and quick turn around. While we know some people may be happy with this kind of “one-size-fits-all” service, that’s not the service Madigram Media wants to provide.

Our goal is to get to know your business or organization, understand what you’re doing now on the Web and what you wish you could do better, and then develop creative, effective, personalized solutions. In fact, there is nothing we enjoy more than taking the challenges customers throw our way and coming up with ways to solve their problems.

If you’re ready to redesign your site or if you want to do something new with your Web presence, fill out our contact form today. We’ll be in touch right away.

cc licensed flickr photo shared by blmurch

1. Please don’t trust anyone who guarantees your SEO results. That’s impossible and unethical. We’ll talk about this more in a future post, but, in the meantime, check out what Google has to say about guaranteed SEO results.