Selling Single Digital Product: Use Wordpress or Regular HTML?

20 replies
Hey guys.

I'm so accustomed to using wordpress for everything, but I'm wondering if it's not a good idea to use it to sell say, an ebook.. wont have any blog or anything like that.. I also plan to split test multiple landing pages (I know wordpress has a plugin to do this, but I think it could be more of a hassle).


I just wanted to get you guys opinions, and from your experiences, is there any benefits to using wordpress if I'm just going to have a whiteboard video and a buy now button?


Will give thanks for your input!
#digital #html #product #regular #selling #single #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Ron Desi
    I'm not proficient in HTML so I use wordress for everything. It's easier to create pages and maintain them. I'd go the Wordpress route
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  • Profile picture of the author espresso
    I am a big fan of building my own sites
    Si I always say HTML
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonwebb
    Really its up to you, I have I have been making my landing pages in html with dream weaver. Ether way is fine
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  • Profile picture of the author bobtracz
    I would use wordpress and check out optimizepress to create your own great looking, high converting squeeze page. cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author TheInfoMarket
    Whichever you find quicker and easier to setup would be the best option.

    Though if you're going to have a page with just a video and buy button, WordPress is a bit much. Unless you want to use a particular plugin or plan on expanding the site later on.

    For a simple site you could use a ready made template and a basic html editor. If you know some basic HTML, you could even just use a text editor for a simple site.

    Edit: If you choose to go with WordPress, I agree with bobtracz that you should consider optimizepress.
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  • Profile picture of the author drumguru69
    Something like https://www.zaxaa.com/ would probably be your easiest way..
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    • Profile picture of the author jamescanz
      Just the fact that you are so accustomed to using WP...

      I would go with that.
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  • Profile picture of the author NatesMarketing
    I personally use HTML for all of my sales pages. Why? It's faster - both "internet speed wise" and for me...creation wise. I know I can make the same sales page with Wordpress, but why bother when I can crank one out in HTML in half the time?
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    • Profile picture of the author MarketingVet09
      Originally Posted by NatesMarketing View Post

      I personally use HTML for all of my sales pages. Why? It's faster - both "internet speed wise" and for me...creation wise. I know I can make the same sales page with Wordpress, but why bother when I can crank one out in HTML in half the time?

      This is what I was looking for, and probably should have been more specific in my opening post...


      I know with wordpress you need: total cache, and a few other plugins simply to optimize the speed of the page loading... This would definitely be big for me.


      And then, I plan on making 3 versions of the landing page, so then I'd have to learn a wordpress plugin (though it could be simple) that will let me alternate themes depending on the page...


      I think editing could be easier on wordpress, but then again, what would I ever have to edit besides a privacy policy page etc? (since the video is pretty much their to stay)...


      I've looked at 3 top clickbank products with whiteboard videos, and none of them use wordpress...



      So, at this time, I think I should just lean towards the HTML... though if anyone still had a convincing argument for wordpress, I'm all ears!!


      probably the main disadvantage I would think of would be the possible delay in loading of the page, which is unecessary If I dont have a blog.


      Thanks for your responses again.
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      • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
        It really depends upon what your skill level is at HTML
        and/or WordPress as well as the design and functionality
        you want in your sequence of pages.

        I tend to use very simple squeeze pages that I've created
        myself (but I normally use php pages instead of HTML).

        I like to use various testing and tracking scripts that often
        cause problems in WordPress sites or need a workaround.

        However, there are some sites where I'll use a WordPress
        site with say an OptimizePress theme.

        It depends upon the specific site as to what route I choose.

        The most important thing is to first decide what you want
        your pages to do, and then choose the most suitable tools
        for the job.

        Dedicated to mutual success,

        Shaun
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        • Profile picture of the author MarketingVet09
          Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

          It really depends upon what your skill level is at HTML
          and/or WordPress as well as the design and functionality
          you want in your sequence of pages.

          I tend to use very simple squeeze pages that I've created
          myself (but I normally use php pages instead of HTML).

          I like to use various testing and tracking scripts that often
          cause problems in WordPress sites or need a workaround.

          However, there are some sites where I'll use a WordPress
          site with say an OptimizePress theme.

          It depends upon the specific site as to what route I choose.

          The most important thing is to first decide what you want
          your pages to do, and then choose the most suitable tools
          for the job.

          Dedicated to mutual success,

          Shaun


          Hey Shaun, I've built sites with HTML before and wordpress, so neither one is a problem... (and besides, I'm going to pay a designer for the best design, whichever route I go with)..


          With that in mind, if you had one choice for a site with just a whiteboard video, buy now button, and a disclaimer and privacy policy page... (keep in mind you want to test 4 versions of the page)... would you personally simply go the HTML right?
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          • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
            Originally Posted by MarketingVet09 View Post

            Hey Shaun, I've built sites with HTML before and wordpress, so neither one is a problem... (and besides, I'm going to pay a designer for the best design, whichever route I go with)..


            With that in mind, if you had one choice for a site with just a whiteboard video, buy now button, and a disclaimer and privacy policy page... (keep in mind you want to test 4 versions of the page)... would you personally simply go the HTML right?
            In the situation you mentioned, I would likely go with a set
            of simple php pages rather than a WordPress driven site.

            I mostly use php pages rather than HTML pages because
            of the additional functionality that I can get vis php.

            Dedicated to mutual success,

            Shaun
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            .

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            • Profile picture of the author MarketingVet09
              Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

              In the situation you mentioned, I would likely go with a set
              of simple php pages rather than a WordPress driven site.

              I mostly use php pages rather than HTML pages because
              of the additional functionality that I can get vis php.

              Dedicated to mutual success,

              Shaun

              Hey, just for my knowledge.. Since I have no idea: what functionality differences does .php pages have from .html?


              I've made up my mind to go the non wordpress route... but could you give me a few examples of functionality differences between the 2?


              Thanks
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              • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
                Originally Posted by MarketingVet09 View Post

                Hey, just for my knowledge.. Since I have no idea: what functionality differences does .php pages have from .html?

                I've made up my mind to go the non wordpress route... but could you give me a few examples of functionality differences between the 2?
                Sure...

                PHP is a server-side language that allows you to do some
                neat stuff on web pages.

                For example, you can create dynamic pages that change
                what page elements are presented to the site visitor.

                I normally use php pages because it allows me to add
                important data into my opt-in forms in the background,
                e.g. lead source, affiliate ID for the person who sent
                the visitor, etc.

                That said, it's also possible to have some functional php
                code on HTML pages by modifying the .htaccess file but
                I just default to php pages.

                Dedicated to mutual success,

                Shaun
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                • Profile picture of the author MarketingVet09
                  Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

                  Sure...

                  PHP is a server-side language that allows you to do some
                  neat stuff on web pages.

                  For example, you can create dynamic pages that change
                  what page elements are presented to the site visitor.

                  I normally use php pages because it allows me to add
                  important data into my opt-in forms in the background,
                  e.g. lead source, affiliate ID for the person who sent
                  the visitor, etc.

                  That said, it's also possible to have some functional php
                  code on HTML pages by modifying the .htaccess file but
                  I just default to php pages.

                  Dedicated to mutual success,

                  Shaun

                  Hey Shaun.

                  Thanks, this is helpful.


                  Think I'll go with PHP in case I choose to add opt in form etc. in the future.


                  Thanks
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              • Profile picture of the author TheInfoMarket
                Originally Posted by MarketingVet09 View Post

                Hey, just for my knowledge.. Since I have no idea: what functionality differences does .php pages have from .html?


                I've made up my mind to go the non wordpress route... but could you give me a few examples of functionality differences between the 2?


                Thanks
                One use of PHP could be to customise upsell sales pages with the buyers name or other details, by collecting them in a form and passing them on to the upsell page. Another use would be for split testing a page with different variation.

                @ John Romaine, I get what you mean. They are two vastly different things, but the question is sill legitimate.
                For the type of site mentioned in the op, both methods are completely reasonable options. So asking about the pros and cons, is fair enough.
                Comparing WordPress and HTML directly makes no sense, but choosing between one of them for a particular project does.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Oh man.....not this question again.

    Did I miss something here?

    Wordpress is a content management system
    HTML is basic markup code that allows web pages to be displayed and viewed, within a web browser.

    What is HTML?
    HTML - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    What is Wordpress?
    WordPress - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    This question is like asking ...

    "Should I catch the train or travel?"
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    • Profile picture of the author MarketingVet09
      Originally Posted by John Romaine View Post

      Oh man.....not this question again.

      Did I miss something here?

      Wordpress is a content management system
      HTML is basic markup code that allows web pages to be displayed and viewed, within a web browser.

      What is HTML?
      HTML - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

      What is Wordpress?
      WordPress - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

      This question is like asking ...

      "Should I catch the train or travel?"


      Bad analogy... Makes no sense actually.


      If you said: "Should I catch the train or airplane"... That would make sense and be a more accurate analogy.


      I'm well aware of the differences in wordpress and html static sites, simply was asking any possible pros and cons of each that I might not have been aware of.


      But thanks for your gracious insight!
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      • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
        Originally Posted by MarketingVet09 View Post

        Bad analogy... Makes no sense actually.
        You're right. It doesn't make any sense. Which demonstrates my point perfectly.

        Comparing html and wordpress doesnt make sense.

        What's better, the color red or a bucket?

        Originally Posted by MarketingVet09 View Post

        If you said: "Should I catch the train or airplane"... That would make sense and be a more accurate analogy.
        Yes it would have, if you had of asked a question that actually made sense. For example "What's a better content management system, Wordpress or Joomla?" or "What's the most efficient programming language, .net or php?"

        Then you would've made sense.

        Originally Posted by MarketingVet09 View Post

        I'm well aware of the differences in wordpress and html static sites,
        HTML is just the output rendeed to screen via the web browser. You can right click view source from php, .net, classic asp and so on - it's all spat out in HTML.

        I'm not having a go at you, I'm just trying to help you understand.
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  • Profile picture of the author philrich21
    I would say the level of complexity of your site should be the deciding factor here. As with anything you can over complicate the solution. If its a simple one or two page site the overhead of WordPress wouldn't be worth it. However if you are considerinv building out the site WordPress plug-ins an make lots of complicated tasks simpler than learning to script JavaScript.
    There's nothing stopping you starting with html/php and then adding a WordPress site should you require in the future
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