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Expand2Web for a newbie

by Chewbacca
13 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
I'm looking to out together my first Wordpress website (accountancy business). I've been advised that Thesis and uDesign are bit too much for a newbie so am interested in what people think of Expand2Web. it sounds like it can be set up fairly easily out of the box, or is that wishful promotional speak?

Is it fairly understandable for a newbie? I want to learn Wordpress so don't just want to give it to a designer, though I might if I can't come up with anything reasonable.

Any advice?
#expand2web #newbie
  • Profile picture of the author Carl Potts
    do you know any web development Languages chewy?
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    • Profile picture of the author Chewbacca
      No I don't but given that I've seen some people being doing Wordpress for very little time and proclaiming themselves experts I'm wondering how difficult it is, I don'y know if it is or not (no disrespect intended to WP professionals)
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      • Profile picture of the author johnlanglois
        I build WordPress sites from scratch, have used Thesis and I like the Expand2Web product. The thing I like best is I can turn a client loose with it after about an hour's worth of training. The product is flexible enough that you can change styling via CSS, insert widgets with executable code and it plays well with all the plug-ins that I choose, such as Yoast SEO. More importantly, the membership group and weekly seminars provide a community that is helpful. The editor that comes with the basic page could use improvement, but you can add Advanced Tiny MCE to get something that works well.

        For someone new to WordPress, this will save you a lot of time not having to wade through the plug-ins that don't work.
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  • Profile picture of the author ronc0011
    If it's your first encounter with Wordpress and setting up a website I would suggest going with a free theme. In the mean time be looking at paid themes I doubt any of them are going to be tooo difficult. Whichever one you choose be sure to cheek what kind of support they have. Do they have a users forum on their site. Other than that I'd say go for it have fun.
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    • Profile picture of the author Derek Salfen
      I use Expand2Web's Smallbiz theme for all my clients' websites. There are prettier themes out there, but for easy of use and flexibility Smallbiz is the best option for our business. Also, the support can't be beat; every time I've had a question, Don or Thomas has got right back to me.

      I've tried Thesis and couldn't wrap my head around it.
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    • Profile picture of the author doncampbell
      Originally Posted by ronc0011 View Post

      If it's your first encounter with Wordpress and setting up a website I would suggest going with a free theme. In the mean time be looking at paid themes I doubt any of them are going to be tooo difficult. Whichever one you choose be sure to cheek what kind of support they have. Do they have a users forum on their site. Other than that I'd say go for it have fun.
      Good advice ronc0011. You get can get a feel for WordPress by trying out a free theme, and then step up to a premium theme that has the features/look close to what you want.

      I'm the creator of the SmallBiz theme - just so you know we provide email support, an online User Guide and over 100 video tutorials.
      -Don
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      • Profile picture of the author Eileen Lonergan
        Expand2Web and the SmallBiz theme are perfect for a Newbie. The structure of the them is built for search engine optimization, so just follow through with the steps in the dashboard, and fill in your meta titles and descriptions and you are off to a great start with seo.

        You will be able to upload a custom header (or use one that is built in), easily change the background color, links colors, menu bars, etc. There are 11 different layouts, a one click activation to enable a mobile theme, which you can then customize, a built in Facebook App for integrating your WordPress site with Facebook (giving you a little mini website within Facebook).

        A while ago I did a post SmallBiz vs Thesis on my website (eileenlonergan.com) I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the theme! There are plenty of sample sites in my portfolio if you want to get some customization ideas.
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        • Profile picture of the author momwow
          I wouldn't go with a free theme if you're new. Not all are well done but you don't KNOW that until you try to make one work. It can get very frustrating, and ofttimes there's not much support or the theme is not updated after a while.

          I've used quite a few web design tools - have had my own sites since 1999 - and I too use the Smallbiz theme from Expand2Web as my "go to" theme.

          I'm teaching my son web design (he's 25) and he's picking it up very easily.
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  • Profile picture of the author CloudBoomers
    My partner and I build WordPress websites and we use the Expand2Web SmallBiz Theme exclusively for all client sites. It's so versatile and will work for almost any type business. Plus, it's got the SEO and mobile formatting built right in to the theme. Don Campbell & Thomas "the Magician" Hasch provide us with the best support ever! Plus, people like John Langlois and Derek Salfen are always there to support one another within our members group.

    Chewbacca, you really can't go wrong with the SmallBiz Theme and I find it much easier to use than some of the free themes. Expand2Web makes it really easy!
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  • Profile picture of the author Simple2Web
    Hi,

    I agree don't try it with a free one, it got me totally lost. You can get the Small Biz theme free and hosting thru Bluehost. They are awesome and the theme can be tried out and expanded - actually it is great in the free version as well.

    If you have questions, just message me.

    Enjoy!

    Tim
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    • Profile picture of the author DivasMobileSolutions
      Yes, Expand2Web SmallBiz theme is a great way to go. We have used other themes and now the only theme Julie and I use is The SmallBiz theme! : ) The support is excellent. Not that you will know this since they have put together a package and tutorials that almost always answers any questions you might have.
      Enjoy!
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  • Profile picture of the author Chewbacca
    Great guys, thanks for all replies, decision made...Thanks Don also for replying to message sent via your site...
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  • Profile picture of the author Blaine Smitley
    You will not be disappointed with expand 2 web. I use their theme for all of my sites, and I've tried others.. I just keep coming back to expand 2 web for to many reasons to list here, It's a company you will fall in love with.
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