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OK here I am with a handful of clients needing "SITES"!

by BradB
19 replies
Really this offline marketing is the thing right now and talking to people and finding out what their problems are is not something I struggle with at all.

Listening more than I talk IS sometimes but I am getting better everyday.

But here is the thing for me, and may be for some others as well, these people want a site and they will be more impressed if you can show them one fast.

Now I can whip up a quick wordpress that is from the standard pile that you find in WP, but for some businesses they won't do unless you know how to manipulate the code etc, add pictures and that stuff.

And I can't do that all too well just YET,...as I just proved to myself this past week.
I could have just walked across the keyboard and gotten better results....

Not that I will give up trying but I need a method that will give good results that I can optimize and that I can add to as I improve.... to create a solid dense site that will pull for years.....and YET will get me acceptable results in a day or two..

WP is my weapon of choice too by the way.
I don't even know why anymore,...it just is.

What do you think about those theme generators and is anyone using them to create client websites.......not blogs but sites.

Looks to me to be a good temporary solution to handle the clients I have right now just from going shopping with my kids.

If you have a favorite throw it in there too if you don't mind.
I need to hear from people who are actually using these things.

Thanks for sharing it is appreciated. ;-))
#clients #handful #needing #sites
  • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
    Hi,

    At WordPress Theme for Small Business Websites – The Expand2Web SmallBiz WordPress Theme | The Expand2Web Blog
    you will find all you need.

    It's Wordpress
    mobile phone enabled
    local maps optimized
    sample sites to show your clients
    fast support
    training
    forum

    And a few other reasons I've forgotten.

    Best,
    Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Perkins
    Originally Posted by BradB View Post

    Really this offline marketing is the thing right now and talking to people and finding out what their problems are is not something I struggle with at all.

    Listening more than I talk IS sometimes but I am getting better everyday.

    But here is the thing for me, and may be for some others as well, these people want a site and they will be more impressed if you can show them one fast.

    Now I can whip up a quick wordpress that is from the standard pile that you find in WP, but for some businesses they won't do unless you know how to manipulate the code etc, add pictures and that stuff.

    And I can't do that all too well just YET,...as I just proved to myself this past week.
    I could have just walked across the keyboard and gotten better results....

    Not that I will give up trying but I need a method that will give good results that I can optimize and that I can add to as I improve.... to create a solid dense site that will pull for years.....and YET will get me acceptable results in a day or two..

    WP is my weapon of choice too by the way.
    I don't even know why anymore,...it just is.

    What do you think about those theme generators and is anyone using them to create client websites.......not blogs but sites.

    Looks to me to be a good temporary solution to handle the clients I have right now just from going shopping with my kids.

    If you have a favorite throw it in there too if you don't mind.
    I need to hear from people who are actually using these things.

    Thanks for sharing it is appreciated. ;-))
    Theme generator? I'd highly not recommend one. Better to hire a designer and to just code a site, then go through "how to make your own wordpress theme" tutorials here: Creating Wordpress Themes from scratch. - Web design video tutorials for beginners - Killersites.com Blog

    Should help you out some, but I'd never give a client a 'generated' template.
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    • Profile picture of the author JimmyD
      I wouldn't buy a theme generator either. I bought Artisteer a couple of years ago and personally I think it's horrible. However WP framework type themes like Thesis, which I use a lot, are much better and allow you full control.
      What I will say though is I have a programming background so fiddling with HTML, Php and CSS is no big deal, but if that's not your thing you should really outsource as you will spend far too much time on that aspect when you should be out selling.
      I outsource the design side sometimes as I am crap at that part.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by Will Perkins View Post

      Theme generator? I'd highly not recommend one. Better to hire a designer and to just code a site, then go through "how to make your own wordpress theme" tutorials here: Creating Wordpress Themes from scratch. - Web design video tutorials for beginners - Killersites.com Blog

      Should help you out some, but I'd never give a client a 'generated' template.
      Providing that there are 'paid" clients, I'd farm out the design work for now. Easy enough, there are a ton of people looking for work. And then I'd study the tutorials over coming weeks and learn, but by all means, get the jobs done for the clients , dont dilly dally, get solid sites up.

      Learn as you go, but farm out the work for now. Its too easy and too simple to do. In fact you could ask right here on this thread for quotes and you would get them!

      You could have your client up in 72 hours no prob!
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      • Profile picture of the author BradB
        Thanks John

        I am at a place now where I wish I had someone I trusted to do this for me but have yet to take the plunge into outsourcing,..... in internet work that is.

        Face to face is easier in everything for me.

        I looked at that SmallBiz setup but can you tell me what they do and what is included? Because the website does not........?
        I know it has a video all about mobile sites but I'm not looking for one of those!!!

        Is this an appropriate place to ask for a site builder ??

        If not boot me in the right direction...

        Here goes.

        Have already bought a theme from ThemeForest......freaking nightmare.......

        I finally got it loaded after many hours of trial, error and poor instructions from people who just assume I must know all things programming!!!

        Now that I am in and see the instructions I see at least a week of installing and tweaking and maybe longer because every step involves a learning curve for me.

        I need someone who can take this theme or whatever works to accomplish the same or similar effect, FIX IT, and tweak it the way I want it as I interview the client and test it for results and his or her satisfaction level.

        If the cost is too high then I will need to learn this SmallBiz or similar to do it myself but to be honest right now it is not where my strengths are.

        I have always had an eye for design and know what I want a site to do I just have a hard time with the html, css, php stuff in the middle.

        So if you are the opposite I might have a fair bit of work for you.

        Hows that John?
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      • Profile picture of the author Russell Hall
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Providing that there are 'paid" clients, I'd farm out the design work for now. Easy enough, there are a ton of people looking for work. And then I'd study the tutorials over coming weeks and learn, but by all means, get the jobs done for the clients , dont dilly dally, get solid sites up.

        Learn as you go, but farm out the work for now. Its too easy and too simple to do. In fact you could ask right here on this thread for quotes and you would get them!

        You could have your client up in 72 hours no prob!
        Got to agree with John 100% on this one.

        Your main focus should be on getting something up and running immediately for the client.
        Even the simplest of website-builder type sites can take a bit of learning and time investment before you get the gist of what you're doing.
        Once you've signed up the client and paid someone to set up the site for you then you can as John said take a bit of time to work yourself into your website site builder of choice and get some speed up prior to the next round of sites you need to pump out.

        Another thing you could do would be to offer them a very simple single page (lead capture style) of site with a few footer pages like *Privacy *Terms *Contact that are readily available as templates that you could knock out in standard html and convert later to WP or whatever your end choice was.

        I'm personally a WordPress man but I still to this day use some html single page style sites because they're 100% fuss free and can be deployed within an hour or so. Sometimes the simplest of tasks in WP can take ages and especially when you're dealing with a new theme you're not familiar with. Heaven knows that every time Thesis comes out with a new version I spend at least half a day fiddling with all the new settings until I can feel confident enough to take it for a fly,.. and I'm a guy that's very familiar with WP!
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        • Profile picture of the author BradB
          Originally Posted by Russell Hall View Post

          Got to agree with John 100% on this one.

          Your main focus should be on getting something up and running immediately for the client.
          Even the simplest of website-builder type sites can take a bit of learning and time investment before you get the gist of what you're doing.
          Once you've signed up the client and paid someone to set up the site for you then you can as John said take a bit of time to work yourself into your website site builder of choice and get some speed up prior to the next round of sites you need to pump out.

          Another thing you could do would be to offer them a very simple single page (lead capture style) of site with a few footer pages like *Privacy *Terms *Contact that are readily available as templates that you could knock out in standard html and convert later to WP or whatever your end choice was.

          I'm personally a WordPress man but I still to this day use some html single page style sites because they're 100% fuss free and can be deployed within an hour or so. Sometimes the simplest of tasks in WP can take ages and especially when you're dealing with a new theme you're not familiar with. Heaven knows that every time Thesis comes out with a new version I spend at least half a day fiddling with all the new settings until I can feel confident enough to take it for a fly,.. and I'm a guy that's very familiar with WP!

          Thanks Russel, it really is helping a lot to see this stuff written out. Makes a lot of sense and is easy to implement.

          Especially the bit about putting a landing type of page up for them to see.
          That is something I can get results with starting right now.

          And Will thanks for the links that is a good site to have bookmarked.

          I have to go back to visiting with our Sunday guests here,......though they are not nearly as much fun as you guy's.

          Have a prosperous and results driven week.
          B
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  • Profile picture of the author Trapped
    Definitively not a theme generator thats for sure. What you can do tho (depending on your profit margins you expect) is to outsource everything since you are not able to build one your self. In meanwhile you outsource you can also learn how to manipulate wordpress yourself and perhaps one day do it yourself.
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    • Profile picture of the author CleanMountainLiving
      I couldn't agree more with Ewen above...Smallbiz theme is great!
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      • Profile picture of the author BerkleyStreet
        I've got to give my vote to SmallBiz as well. With the upgrades that Don and his team provides, it keeps getting better and better. One click Mobile? Love that.
        My only regret is that i'm NOT learning Wordpress by using this theme. Only minimal access to the code is needed at times.
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  • Profile picture of the author JamieSEO
    If you plan to use Wordpress then I would not use a theme generator. You can pick up great premium themes cheaply or hire someone to throw together a quick new theme.

    I do recommend that you grab something like the WPTwin plugin though since many of the sites you create will need the same settings and plugins, with only the content needing to be changed. That can save you one heck of a lot of time
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    • Profile picture of the author BradB
      Thanks Ewan for the lead to Small biz
      And JimmyD, Clean Mountain & BerkleyStreet for adding to that.

      And Will for the tutorials, man I have looked high and low for just such a connection?

      And Jamie for the plugin........never even heard of it before,... excellent.

      Hey Jimmy having a background in programming is a goal of mine I am fed up TO_THE_EYEBALLS with not being able to do what I see needs to be done in the way of websites etc.
      So many times now it has stalled me,...or slowed me down some anyway.

      I will make this a new topic I think but are there any sources you know of to get some real training in this area.
      I know the trial and error method already........not particularly fond of that one even though it is addicting...

      I'm off to check out these recommendations.

      Why do I even bother looking elsewhere for info. and straight talk......"sheep-dip"
      Thanks again.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    @Brad

    Because you have a savvy eye for design, you can

    A: Pick a template or some graphics, and describe your design in detail including keywords , metatags... in a few paragraphs, and put it in a word file.

    B: Either ask in this thread for a design quote, saying " I have $150 to spend on a 5 page websites...", or go to the warriors for hire section and say that...

    In the words of George Wright, "thats not just what I would do, its what I DID".

    So simple that I kicked myself later for not having done it sooner! Seriously. Plus giving others work is good for the community as a whole.

    How do you know you can trust them? Look at their clientele, their feedback... If they have a thousand posts or more and are still around and Paul hasnt zapped them... there's a 70% chance they have demonstrated to be halfway decent business folk in my experience.

    You can outsource and get exactly what you want from a designer as long as you can be clear and concise on paper about what you want. Discussing with them on skype is always good and developing a relationship also. You can also work with them in real time elbow to elbow online. Thats what I do alot of the time.

    I met my designer Darren here on the WF in a similar manner. Darren and I schedule meetings... "Okay we are going to design a sales page complete with optin page, graphics follow up email../ also second email to follow up with newsletter optins... write ad copy... create payments system... blah blah... post payment thank you page copy..."...all that stuff (the details) that go along with a campaign.

    So we just get together and say "You up for 6 hours work tonight"?

    "Okay lets go for it"!

    And we get on skype chat and work together for hours on end and complete a project from start to finish in like 4-6 hours...

    Its very cool. Once you develop a relationship with a designer you will enjoy working with them alot.
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    • Profile picture of the author BradB
      Thanks for the pokes John.

      It's strange how in the offline world this is really easy to grasp.

      I have been contracted for building in the past and trust me I did not dig out the foundation myself by hand nor did i even consider doing it.
      Nor the forming or concrete work or the framing or any of the other trade work did i do myself.

      Yet when they took possession and handed me the final payment it was me who got the thanks and the well-Done.

      BUT on the other hand when it comes to sports and my hobbies I DO want to do it all myself.....hmmm is Dr. Freud in the house?

      Something that needs to be beaten into proper prospective ASAP.

      I have found someone, or i should say they have contacted me, who is in Europe who knows the theme I bought and will do the work for what I consider a very reasonable price,.....Right--On.

      ALSO Picked up the recommended software and so far I can only see "great potential" for what I want to do,.....but mastery is still weeks away and maybe freaking longer, (sorry ladies) ;-)) because I was talking in the coffee shop yesterday, practicing a little caffeinated enthusiasm, and some people overheard me and I now have two more clients........WTF!
      The kind that want to get started like last week and are very willing to pay my, go away and let me think price......[I have to learn to tone down the "Enthusiasm" a bit in my presentations I guess.....] NOT!

      So here I am with visions of being the do it all guy who is programming these killer sites you know ...simple yet powerful with all the content that blows the doors off of Google and on and on with addons that,...to tell the truth....since early this morning I have begun to forget about.

      I know I could get good at a lot of it and I could get just proficient at a whole lot more but I'm only really NATURAL and have a lot of fun doing some of it.

      And I don't know about you Warriors but when it comes to the fun and rewarding stuff I can go on strong all day and into the night.

      So I am asking myself; SELF? where else in this world and how many other times are you going to be presented with the opportunity to make a lot of money doing what you are really tuned to do and HONESTLY has serious benefits for your clients???

      I have to go and rethink ,.....pretty much everything........

      So what do I need
      -a site builder, coder? builds what i envision for online presentation.
      - someone who can take my copy or rough ideas for copy and turn it into a classic online work
      - new shoes and clothes for the presentation.

      - take all the affiliate marketing and MLM and other assorted related garbage on my hard drive and throw it back into the dark and unfocused WWW from whence it came and focus on one and only one Business Model.

      Thank-You All.
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  • Profile picture of the author mogema
    I use Wordpress for all my sites, usually after securing a new client i get an idea of what type of design they like by referring me to websites they have seen.

    Then i head over to themeforest and find a business theme that gets close to what they have shown me. I can usually have a draft site ready for them in a day or two and they cant believe how i got such a great looking site done in such a short time, talk about over delivering!

    There are new templates added almost daily and they are easy to use and install and only cost around $25 - $35 each. (Can only use it on one site though).

    Works well for me and saves a ton of time & money
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    • Profile picture of the author Derek Salfen
      Great thread guys.

      I'm in a similar boat, I can get clients, but I'm held back by my lack of design knowledge. I'm thinking after reading this, "Close the deal, let the Warrior Forum sort it out"

      Derek
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      • Profile picture of the author tanya7zhou
        Originally Posted by Derek Salfen View Post

        Great thread guys.

        I'm in a similar boat, I can get clients, but I'm held back by my lack of design knowledge. I'm thinking after reading this, "Close the deal, let the Warrior Forum sort it out"

        Derek
        Derek that's it boy. Don't ever think you have got 'NO' knowledge or experience; you do!!!!

        Close the deal and come over here. There are so many warriors here who can do things you can't do. So if they say; "Can you do an ecommerce site?" Say Yes. "Can you do this and that?" Say Yes of coz I am talking about questions relating to Internet Marketing, Design, Copywriting, product creation, written or video, or audio, etc

        There is nothing you can't do when it comes to these sort of projects; coz you belong to a community of intelligent individuals.

        I wish I understood this way back. You should have seen how terrified I used to be, running away from projects, coz I didn't realize the power of been the inbetween guy. Think of companies like Google, they make money from other people's products. They are the inbetween guys, helping people find what they want & helping vendors find their customers.

        I rest my case
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        It's not over until it is Over!

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