Hi, I have limited coding knowledge, but know wordpress quite well. Would it be possible for me to sell websites to local business's based off wordpress or will they want somone to code them a proper website? I just think wordpress would be easy for them as they would easily be able to keep it up. I was thinking of buying a framework such as Thesis for it. Any opinons on this? Thanks
WordPress sites are "proper", and more useful to most than a static HTML site. Go for it, but if you're not a very good designer offering people setup of a site with a bought template (with colour modifications etc) is better than trying to give them a custom site and having it turn out substandard.
Thanks - yeah will be reselling with a premium theme modified with their content on etc. Was also going to set it up as part of the package and also host it.
I make a living ( as do many people) doing Wordpress sites for businesses. So yes. Of course you can make money doing it. It is pretty well known these days and anyone thinking of putting up a website that does even a little research will have heard of it.
Nice! Don't people get put off that wordpress is pretty simple and can be done by themselves for free?
No. Wordpress can get pretty complex, especially when dealing with Buddypress or the multi site functions. Even though setting up a single user site can be simple, the average person really doesn't have or spend the time to learn how to do it. Nor do they want to. Besides, most people want customizations, and special functions. Things we can do fairly easily, but not so much for people in other businesses with no web skills. I've never had anyone say to me, "I could have done that on my own". More often than not I get people that may have gotten it started and need help to do what they want and get it finished and everything functioning properly. It's not that easy for the average non-web person.
Fair enough thanks, just out of interest do you have to do much coding? Do you buy premium themes or make them from scratch or? I have no knowledge of php etc. Have basic knowledge of html/css - will I need to use HTML/CSS?
Yes to all of the above. Every client has different needs. I started out thinking I would just be doing basic installs and some customizations and I haven't done one that simple in months. You almost always need to know at least basic HTML and CSS. When people want what they want, they don't have any knowledge of how it's done. If they say "I want that over there and can you put this here an add these to these page"..you have to crack open the theme files and make it happen. There are 1000 designs out there that can be easily customized but some people need a custom design. Especially when dealing with Buddypress since there aren't that many stable ones out there or reliable designers to get them from. You need to be familiar with all of the latest plug ins. Know which ones are stable and which aren't. Know how they interact with each other, how to make basic edits to them, know when a plug in isn't necessary and do it by hand, and when needed have someone that can create them if you can't. I can remember a few times where I looked into someone's admin panel and deleted 5 or more plug ins that are a waste of resources. All things that could be done with a couple of lines of code. Many times you have to know how to troubleshoot and track down issues with no error log or idea of where the problem exists. Also, people don't differentiate between skills. Most times even a simple job needs the services of a Wordpress person, a graphic designer, a copywriter, an SEO guy and more. When people come to you with nothing...not even a logo. A simple installation won't do. You need to know how to do some of everything and when specialized needs pop up, you need to make connection with others that can fill that void. You don't have to provide every kind of service. But when my phone rings, it's rarely just the simple install and theme set up. Almost every new site that I do now , I look back and think to myself, "Hm, that's the first time I've ever done that on a Wordpress site." I didn't start out to do all of those things, but when you promote your self as a Wordpress person, people expect you to know how to do everything possible with a Wordpress site, and many times it has nothing to do with Wordpress itself. I was caught off guard at first becuase I didn't even know that many "regular" people know what Wordpress was. But what I found is that a lot of business have Wordpress sites and who ever built them for them back then, is gone, closed up shop, didn't really know what they were doing, or can't be found and they need help. So apparently there is a market for the services.
Thesis is a nice theme and easy for people to change layout color or something like dropdown menu, the color, etc. However to insert something on Thesis, non-techie person will hard time for it. What great about Thesis, is it has 30 moneys back guarantee, try it and if you think it is not the right theme for you, then give it back
Here's something that is really funny/cool. I get jobs from people that promote that they can do Wordpress work along with other services, but really just know how to do the basics. So the market to be outsourced to is decent as well. I just finished one that was a client of a client's client. 3 businesses back. Make me wonder how much the mark up was by the time it got to me.
I also just want to add: The hardest part of it all is when people come to you with an existing site that some else put together (who is no longer in business) , including the theme and it's not working or not compatible anymore, and you have to make edits to a crappy coded design. Those suck.
Don't overlook the value of easy to use. Training employees how to use the sites you create is a big deal. WordPress makes it much easier. Business wants Simple solutions their employees can manage. That's how they make more money. WordPress is a great site tool and fits nearly all small business with minimal modifications and quick training nearly any computer literate person can learn quickly. The last thing I want to do is the grunt work on some companies site.
wordpress is free and easy to use and maintain. I am sure many of the small business who does not have enough technical skills to create a website or enough money to hire a good IT firm can benefit from your work. But if they are your target (small businesses with limited resources) then it will be good idea to know about web hosting as well. I mean buying domain, hosting space that can provide wordpress, as well as reliable service. If you are clear on these things then it is certainly a good business to get involved in. Also if the customers are happy then they may give you contract for maintenance or future extensions/designs....very good idea.
I like to call this "managed hosting" where you install, configure, and maintain the installation ... plus are available 24/7. You can get a little extra a month for the hosting. After the initial few months of constant bewilderment from the client, they settle down, and it is easy-breasy afterward. Managed hosting commands a higher price for maintenance of the site which doesn't require too much time on your part, if set up right. You can get 2-3 times the going price of cheap hosting multiplied by the amount of clients you have, you can have some nice residual income.
It can be one way of doing it. Interestingly enough, I always caution my clients about having all eggs in one basket. Having one person or company in charge of not just your site but it's hosting as well is a very precarious position to be in should something happen to that person or organization.
True enough. I have a few people that I do this for and am above-board with them. That may not be the case in the real world I would guess. Strange thing is though, I get the feeling that they like a person to come in and take charge. They know nothing about the web and how it works, and if they find the right person to take care of things, then they will pay the extra money. They are in business to make business after all.