Offline Marketers: Do you always use WP for Client Sites?

[Dexx]

Sup gang,

Just curious how many of the Offline Marketers stick to using Wordpress when creating sites for clients, and how many still use HTML?

I have a prospective bar client I'm about to close, and I don't really see Wordpress' look to be really needed. (yes I know I can get the website designed to look nothing like a blog yadda yadda)

But I'm thinking of getting a pretty jazzy theme from templatemonster.com instead.

The main strategy of this client isn't really SEO rankings, but they are really big fans of the video marketing concept and building a list of customers for promotions etc.

All of which can be done via an easy to use html template with some flash to impress here and there (but not the whole site).

Thoughts?

Anyone still using html templates for customers, or is everyone essentially setting up Wordpress sites now?

[thunderbird]

Looks to me like most IM marketers are doing it with wordpress. I mostly use Wordpress myself, because it is easier. A few mentioned that they use XSite Pro. Much depends on what is the right fit for any given project. For example, I "worked" (if that is the right word for outsourcing) on a massive project and Joomla was definitely more viable for that particular project (involved some very complex shopping cart requirements, eg parallel dropdown fields). Drupal is excellent too (if one has the means to customize it. It isn't simple). Whatever system you use, I suggest that you take extra steps to improve the site's security, including a host that is strong on Internet security. In recent years, I've had an array of different projects in different CMS hacked (WP, html, Joomla, to name just a few), but since taking extra measures, never had it happen again (knock on wood).

[iplusgold]

When i was doing sites for clients I would strictlyuse HTML mainly because I could then charge a regular monthly maintanence fee...wordpress is sooo easy that many clients would end up just doing it themselves after a while and it cut me out of the loop.

Hope that helps.

P.S my biz model was setup with a VERY low initial rate which i then made up on monthly contracts etc...so def not trapping ppl into an expensive arrangement.

[Jagged]

Hey Dexx,

It really boils down to what the client has in mind...and is trying to achieve.....Bottomline....As long as the check clears I'll make them what ever they want!

For the most part I use HTML. Call me old fashion but I still prefer HTML... But...I just had a client last week that wanted 3 sites done with wordpress....as of now I'm running about 65% HTML to 35% Wordpress for designs to date...

Hope that helps...
Ken

[AndrewCavanagh]

I usually use plain html if it's going to be a site with just a few pages.

Wordpress is great if you want to add a lot of content and it has a pile of other features too but if I just want a sales page up selling a service then that's what I'm going to write.

Fast and easy.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

[Francois du_Toit]

Hi Dexx,

Personally, I prefer using either Wordpress or XSitePro to build sites for my offline clients.

As far as Wordpress is concerned, the fact that they can update / add some content themselves on Wordpress is a big advantage for many... It makes them feel more in control and I still charge them a monthly fee for things such as hosting, site maintenance, making sure their sites continue to rank well, etc.

All the best,

Francois

[GoGetta]

I was more for HTML, but with the array of awesome WP templates for static sites now, I prefer these. They are easier to setup and you can offer your client a CMS system for half the price a custom CMS system would be, so its WIN WIN!

GoGetta

[madison_avenue]

For simple business site say 10-15 pages or so Wordpress is overkill. A lot of business don't want a blog platform they want, basically an extended brochure on line with their companies information, phones numbers etc. Xsitepro is good for setting these up.

Most corporate sites are in fact HTML based, as are most big authority sites.

[Keith Boisvert]

I primarily use WP for client sites due to ease of use, and the large selection of available templates.

BUT, it all boils down to the clients application. I am quoting a job right now that integrates a third party app that messes up WP, so chances have it I will be using html.

Really its up to the customer. I use WP because 95% of my clients want to update the sites themselves(even though they never end up doing so), and wp allows them to do so without any fancy programs and coding. For me that's a huge selling point.

The site I am quoting now will most likely be almost all html, but the info presented will be constant, so I am also recommending a blog(in a sub-folder) so that they can post regular updates on new products, media releases etc...

There are a lot of wp media related themes in your case though, but for complete layout control and ease on your end, a html page might be just the answer.

...I know I didn't answer your question, just showing both sides.

~keith

[Irishman]

I use HTML 99% of the time, but will often plug a WP blog on the domain to supplement the website. aka - create interactive conversations for clients as appropriate.

I know there are a bunch of different takes on this, but really it does come down to what you're trying to accomplish for the business. If a client has an exisitng website, I will usually build seo'd pages out using keyword focused domains pointing to their website for a fuller visibility.

For those without a website, I will build out an HTML or even PHP site with a supplemental WP blog.

For me, I feel I can "Control" the seo peice of it better with HTML. That's just me. There are some real WP geniuses out there that could probably know how to manage WP much better than I.

Will

PS- Keith had a good point about clients wanting to update themselves and not pay you maintenance and WP as a CMS is a good route. I typically don't give my clients that option on the norm, but that is something to consider here too.

[Louise Green]

I always use WP for clients sites.. it's quick and easy to install, easy to modify templates and easy to SEO.

[JohnMcCabe]

I think a lot of people use only WP because it's all they know. Use Fantastico to install, upload a theme, throw in a few plugins, and bingo, site is designed.

If all your client wants is a few pages of static information, why saddle them with MySQL databases, security holes, continuous updates, and so on?

Like any good craftsman, I believe in using the right tool for the job.

[Lloyd Buchinski]

Michael Sylvester had a wso for $7 quite awhile ago, and his preference for client's sites was Template Monster too. I assumed he was an affiliate but he wasn't. He would just get an idea of what the customer wanted and let them choose from a few pics for the theme they would like, but wouldn't tell them it was from tm.

best wishes, lloyd
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