Do People Want Wordpress Websites?

[timbonitus]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this thread but i have a question on my mind and since my question is about wordpress and this is the wordpress discussion forum i figured it is the right place to post it.

My question is: Do people want wordpress websiteS?

In other words, do you think people will hire someone to make wordpress websites for them? To me it looks like small businesses will prefer to have websites built from scratch instead of with wordpress. However, a lot of wordpress themes look great it does not really make a difference whether or not your website is built with wordpress or not.

In general, do you think a wordpress website creation service would be profitable or not really? I am quite interested in designing websites but i only know wordpress so i would like to discuss the matter further before i start seriously advertising my wordpress website creation services. You can check out my website [URL removed by mod - wait for signature] to see the type of services i am offering. I simply want to know your opinion on this little business venture, do you think its worth putting in hundreds of hours of effort into advertising or not?

Thanks.

[antihero13]

I don't think people really care. Most people just want websites that work and look good. They don't know or care about the different tools you could use in order to achieve that goal.

One thing to remember is that most of your clients hire web designers because they themselves are not web designers Many people not involved in the web development business couldn't tell you what Wordpress or most other web development tools are. They just want the job done.

In fact, I wouldn't even disclose that I'm using Wordpress unless the client really wants to know or demands you use a certain tool. You don't want to tip the client off to some of the secrets of the trade and how easy Wordpress is to use. Deliver them a good website by whatever means necessary and they'll be happy.

[timbonitus]

Thanks for the tip, but a lot of people want websites which they can upload content to regularly - is there an alternative way to upload content to a wordpress website instead of logging into the WP dashoboard and click add new post?

[MaineWeb]

I agree with Antihero, for sure. And, yes, there is a way to add a post to a WordPress blog via Email. See this WordPress support page: http://en.support.wordpress.com/post-by-email/

[timbonitus]

Thanks for the advice. I always thought people would prefer websites that are programmed from scratch over wordpress websites but i guess it all comes down to what the website looks like and how easy it is to manage/update.

[MaineWeb]

You have to remember who you're dealing with. They don't know the difference and there is no advantage to a hand-coded site that I can think of!

[ronniethedodger]

Thanks for the tip, but a lot of people want websites which they can upload content to regularly - is there an alternative way to upload content to a wordpress website instead of logging into the WP dashoboard and click add new post?

Not sure why you would want to bypass the post editor to add a post. Your end result is to allow the client to easily add content.

You can simplify and brand the backend for the client if you want. Only allow what you want them to see. There is a plugin called White Label CMS which allows you to give your client a more personalized and less confusing CMS. Well worth checking out.

With WP 3.3 they make it easy to script that little "help" tab in the upper right corner too. Check out Help and screen API changes in 3.3 and New in WordPress 3.3: More Useful Help Screens to custom fit that help for your client.

I agree with Antihero, for sure. And, yes, there is a way to add a post to a WordPress blog via Email. See this WordPress support page: http://en.support.wordpress.com/post-by-email/

While this is true, probably good for some quick asides or brief news tidbits. I think it is lacks presentation-wise. Think of it as text-based messaging, more or less.

Thanks for the advice. I always thought people would prefer websites that are programmed from scratch over wordpress websites but i guess it all comes down to what the website looks like and how easy it is to manage/update.

Exactly. WordPress themes are fairly straight-forward with a lot of freedom over other CMS in my opinion. You can fashion this puppy into something that does not even resemble WordPress for that matter, it is all in the eye of the developer.

[C0ldf1re]

... a lot of people want websites which they can upload content to regularly - is there an alternative way to upload content to a wordpress website instead of logging into the WP dashoboard and click add new post?

... yes, there is a way to add a post to a WordPress blog via Email...

I have a feeling that the question means a little more than that, perhaps some new generated content e.g. latest sales figures, that a user would like uploaded with minimal human intervention. It all can be done, but we are now in the realm of bespoke customizations.

[mjtaylor]

Almost every new website query I get is for a wordpress site .. and most of my longer time clients want a blog on their site or to move to wp ... they want to be able to control content on their own terms and timing.

I don't think people really care. Most people just want websites that work and look good. They don't know or care about the different tools you could use in order to achieve that goal.

One thing to remember is that most of your clients hire web designers because they themselves are not web designers Many people not involved in the web development business couldn't tell you what Wordpress or most other web development tools are. They just want the job done.

In fact, I wouldn't even disclose that I'm using Wordpress unless the client really wants to know or demands you use a certain tool. You don't want to tip the client off to some of the secrets of the trade and how easy Wordpress is to use. Deliver them a good website by whatever means necessary and they'll be happy.

Most of the people I meet professionally are well informed about wordpress; I'm surprised to hear otherwise. If they haven't already asked for wordpress I absolutely disclose that I plan to use it. I tell them if they don't use me, they definitely want wordpress no matter who develops it. And I would far rather empower them to update their content and leave me more free to concentrate on SEO -- or the next website. The more the client can do, the more clients I can service.

[timbonitus]

The reason i was asking if there was a way to bypass regular wordpress log in was because someone mentioned that it would be better not to disclose that the website was built with wordpress. I guess people don't mind if their website is built with wordpress - its all about the theme. I am learning how to program wordpress themes right now but i don't know much. Hopefully sometime in the future i will be able to make my own wordpress themes for clients.