Does anyone have any experience of using WordPress? Is it as simple as the advertising suggests, or would a client need a webdesigner to set up the site initially?

 

Does anyone consider this the way forward for websites?

 

I would be interested in your views. Many thanks, Kathleen

Does anyone have any experience of using WordPress? Is it as simple as the advertising suggests, or would a client need a webdesigner to set up the site initially?

 

Does anyone consider this the way forward for websites?

 

I would be interested in your views. Many thanks, Kathleen

 

Well I am currently (struggling) designing a site using wordpress and I can honestly say it's a right pain in the butt, lol. Anybody could edit a basic template but designing from scratch or anything a little complex and I think your basic 'client' will struggle.

 

Don't get me wrong, it's a great bit of kit with tons of features but certain things I find really awkward and it certainly isn't easy.

Edited June 5, 201115 yr by roothost

you can always buy a template, there're thousands of then literally. All depends on the functionality you need for the site. If you want original design/functionality then yes, you will need to hire a designer

Well I am currently (struggling) designing a site using wordpress and I can honestly say it's a right pain in the butt, lol. Anybody could edit a basic template but designing from scratch or anything a little complex and I think your basic 'client' will struggle.

 

Don't get me wrong, it's a great bit of kit with tons of features but certain things I find really awkward and it certainly isn't easy.

 

Thanks for your reply

 

Interesting! I'm really looking for a solution to CMS systems while I am learning PHP. Could WordPress be the solution? Not sure if it's worth the investment of time - but if the results are good?

you can always buy a template, there're thousands of then literally. All depends on the functionality you need for the site. If you want original design/functionality then yes, you will need to hire a designer

 

 

Thanks for that. Where could you buy a template for a CMS site?

I'm really looking for a solution to CMS systems while I am learning PHP. Could WordPress be the solution? Not sure if it's worth the investment of time - but if the results are good?

You have to remember that Wordpress is primarily a blogging platform so it works best for news/blog type sites. You can extend it to do other things but the further away you get from it's core blog functions the harder it gets to work with. Wordpress excels at what it does, but every system has practical limits.

 

If you need a more adaptable CMS then you really need to start looking at the likes of Drupal, Expressionengine, ModX etc which essentially give you a blank sheet to start with so you can build the site around it's content any way you want.

 

It's really a case of finding out what CMS will best fit the content and the client

Edited June 5, 201115 yr by BlueDreamer

You have to remember that Wordpress is primarily a blogging platform so it works best for news/blog type sites. You can extend it to do other things but the further away you get from it's core blog functions the harder it gets to work with. Wordpress excels at what it does, but every system has practical limits.

 

If you need a more adaptable CMS then you really need to start looking at the likes of Drupal, Expressionengine, ModX etc which essentially give you a blank sheet to start with so you can build the site around it's content any way you want.

 

It's really a case of finding out what CMS will best fit the content and the client

 

Thanks, I will check out some of these.

Wordpress has come on a long way. It is no longer just blogging software. You can create almost any kind of site with it.

 

You need to have good CSS skills if you are going to tackle the implementation of your own bespoke design but ere are thousands of free themes available that you can download and use. If you find one very similar to what you want your desired look to be it wouldn't take much effort to tweak it.

Wordpress has come on a long way. It is no longer just blogging software. You can create almost any kind of site with it.

 

You need to have good CSS skills if you are going to tackle the implementation of your own bespoke design but ere are thousands of free themes available that you can download and use. If you find one very similar to what you want your desired look to be it wouldn't take much effort to tweak it.

 

Thank you. I think I will give it a try. It is the only way to find out, and it is free, so only time wasted if it does not work out.

Wordpress is fantastic. Every type of site can use a WP install (some better than others... but still). CSS is a defo. Basic HTML and a bit of PHP will get you on the way to designing your own theme.

Wordpress is fantastic. Every type of site can use a WP install (some better than others... but still). CSS is a defo. Basic HTML and a bit of PHP will get you on the way to designing your own theme.

 

Thanks, must give it a go.

Every type of site can use a WP install (some better than others... but still).

I can think of at least 100 sites I've built where WP wouldn't be a decent fit, so that's a bit misleading

I can think of at least 100 sites I've built where WP wouldn't be a decent fit, so that's a bit misleading

 

Gotta agree here, although WP is powerful, I certainly won't be adding the extra work and using it for every site. Simply no need.

Does anyone have any experience of using WordPress? Is it as simple as the advertising suggests, or would a client need a webdesigner to set up the site initially?

 

Does anyone consider this the way forward for websites?

 

I would be interested in your views. Many thanks, Kathleen

 

Since the release of 3.0, Wordpress is no longer regarded as just a blogging software - it's a full on CMS and if anyone disagrees then you should take a better look at it! NOW!

 

But to answer your question(s)......Yes it is a piece of p*** for your clients to use that's why so many people use it. But without a basic understanding of PHP, you yourself will find it a struggle to develop a theme without the right training. But i can say(after developing over a dozen themes) that once you follow along with a few tutorials(lynda.com - Chris coyer), it will become a breeze.

Edited June 15, 201115 yr by neilp

I can think of at least 100 sites I've built where WP wouldn't be a decent fit, so that's a bit misleading

 

Unless your talking about Ecommerce sites or full flash sites then i strongly disagree! WP can be used for almost any site. The Wordpress community, plugins, documentation that is available is astounding. You can take any HTML template and turn it into a WP theme with tonnes of added features. If anyone has developed a theme here then you will know what i am talking about - dynamic menus, custom post types, plugins, shortcodes. With a little bit of effort in learning how wordpress works you could make some great looking sites.

 

Everyone is asking for a CMS and the easiest and most profitable one is without doubt Wordpress! .. so ner ner na ner ner!

Edited June 15, 201115 yr by neilp

As you said yourself Kath, it's free so it's worth a shot. I'd say 80% of all work I currently do at the moment is Wordpress. It fits into so many projects easily and couples great flexibility with great power.