Please Help with Wordpress/Website Design

41 replies
Hi,

I am tired of getting screwed over by 'web designers'. I wrote an ebook about my real estate investing and am trying to sell it over the internet. I went to elance first and spent two months corresponding with some guy in India who ended up making me a Wordpress blog that I could barely use. Then I went to a guy on Craigslist in the local area who redesigned it so I could use it a little, promised me 9 months of free technical support, and then disappeared off the face of the earth before I got any support. So the site still sucks. So far I paid these clowns $375 total. I am starting to realize you get what you pay for. I'm sure it is important to make your website look professional, and I want to work with someone who can do that.

So I am wondering if there is actually a TRUSTWORTHY web designer out there who can help me create a blog/website to sell my ebook that is not wildly expensive? I am willing to pay more than $375 but I would like to see good references, some examples of other ebook websites they have done, and some proof that they might know about things like SEO and how to get your ebook to sell on the web.

Am I asking too much? Do any of you know anyone who would fit the bill? I really like to write and plan on publishing more ebooks, so I could give this designer longer-term work, but I just really don't want to get screwed again. Can anyone help? Thanks so much.
#design #wordpress or website
  • Profile picture of the author DomenicoGrecojr
    I've used Freelance Writer | Business In A Box | Ghostwriters for some of my web designs.

    Good final product and very helpful. They're much more than a web designer.

    Or you can go for the Warrior For Hire section and checkout the designers that many good feedback.

    Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
      Hey Hal:

      I can help you out if you want to use Thesis or Genesis.
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    • Profile picture of the author H2Nation
      I hate hearing stories like this. I am a web designer of 14 years and I hear this all too many times. Sorry to say this but, but unfortunately, you get what you pay for. This doesn't mean you have to pay out the wazoo for a decent design. Next designer you contact, ask for references and phone numbers.
      Judd
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    • Profile picture of the author Richnana
      I just finished a free course on building a wordpress blog It was fantastic. If you will pm me I will send you the link. It was the best thing I have used online and did not cost me a dime. it shows how to put an optin on your wordpress blog... unbelievable. Shows how to put the All In One Plug IN. How to change themes
      really really good.
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  • Profile picture of the author GoogleWarrior
    look for JVPress in the WSO section under the SEARCH THIS FORUM Red BUTTON.

    It works well. If you want to take a look at it check out my sig.
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  • Profile picture of the author stumpy
    Get Thesis and build it yourself. It is easy as the blog software is designed for non-programmers to make fancy blogs.
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  • Profile picture of the author vstar00
    go for feedback on elance, take very structured steps and and set strict guide lines including explicitly stating " I will not pay you unless xyz is met"
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    Originally Posted by hal1989 View Post

    I am willing to pay more than $375 but I would like to see good references, some examples of other ebook websites they have done, and some proof that they might know about things like SEO and how to get your ebook to sell on the web.
    You're asking more than you think you are. You want someone who can design a web site AND knows SEO AND knows "how to get your ebook to sell on the web".

    So you need a designer, coder, seo person, and an internet marketer, all rolled into one. Pretty big shoes to fill.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

      You're asking more than you think you are. You want someone who can design a web site AND knows SEO AND knows "how to get your ebook to sell on the web".

      So you need a designer, coder, seo person, and an internet marketer, all rolled into one. Pretty big shoes to fill.
      I agree. For best results, separate the jobs. Web designers ... design. SEO people do SEO. Marketers ... market. Don't expect one person to do everything.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

      You're asking more than you think you are. You want someone who can design a web site AND knows SEO AND knows "how to get your ebook to sell on the web".

      So you need a designer, coder, seo person, and an internet marketer, all rolled into one. Pretty big shoes to fill.
      This is so true, you may be asking for far more than is even possible at the $400 price point. You can probably get someone to create a decent website for you that is also optimized ON PAGE for the search engines at that price, but asking for someone to also market AND SEO your website is asking way too much.

      Focus on finding a good designer to design a site that is decently optimized (on page) for around $400, and then plan on spending at least $500 for the SEO and marketing part of things (it is likely to cost far more than that).
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    • Profile picture of the author darrin_cooper
      Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

      You're asking more than you think you are. You want someone who can design a web site AND knows SEO AND knows "how to get your ebook to sell on the web".

      So you need a designer, coder, seo person, and an internet marketer, all rolled into one. Pretty big shoes to fill.

      False. Many graphic designers "TODAY" have cross-functional abilities, whereas, they can create great graphic design, as well as provide a quality website.

      We should be helping this person out with a specific solution, versus being critical of his needs.

      With technology today, he should be advised of options.
      Because of technology, the OP will be able to get a very high quality site development that will include all the items you mentioned: designer, coder, seo, & internet marketer -- and he can get ramped up for all of that using 1 person.

      This person can use:
      1. Wordpress -- Selecting a theme & framework will already have SEO optons built in. It's the method that is implemented for SEO sustainability is the key.

      2. Design: Because of wordpress platform, designing can be extremely easy, whether it be landing pages, squeeze pages, sales pages, and even your blog or content distribution area.

      3. Internet Marketing --OP can choose an additional person for this or still find a person w/ all these unique abilities -- in regards to this, it's more of providing consulting to the OP or providing some type of guidance that will get him going.

      To the OP, I recommend the following if you want to do things yourself:
      1. Select Wordpress platform - many have pre-selected designs
      2. Grab a designer/developer to customize that existing platform
      3. Grab a copywriter right here on WF or from the original person you selected.

      OR

      You can select a person like myself, and I'd be glad to discuss this project with you.
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    • Profile picture of the author jlxsolutions
      Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

      You're asking more than you think you are. You want someone who can design a web site AND knows SEO AND knows "how to get your ebook to sell on the web".

      So you need a designer, coder, seo person, and an internet marketer, all rolled into one. Pretty big shoes to fill.
      The odd thing is a friend of mine is just that and he has trouble getting clients....
      :confused:
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  • Profile picture of the author KarlWarren
    Originally Posted by hal1989 View Post

    Hi,

    I am tired of getting screwed over by 'web designers'. I wrote an ebook about my real estate investing and am trying to sell it over the internet. I went to elance first and spent two months corresponding with some guy in India who ended up making me a Wordpress blog that I could barely use. Then I went to a guy on Craigslist in the local area who redesigned it so I could use it a little, promised me 9 months of free technical support, and then disappeared off the face of the earth before I got any support. So the site still sucks. So far I paid these clowns $375 total. I am starting to realize you get what you pay for. I'm sure it is important to make your website look professional, and I want to work with someone who can do that.

    So I am wondering if there is actually a TRUSTWORTHY web designer out there who can help me create a blog/website to sell my ebook that is not wildly expensive? I am willing to pay more than $375 but I would like to see good references, some examples of other ebook websites they have done, and some proof that they might know about things like SEO and how to get your ebook to sell on the web.

    Am I asking too much? Do any of you know anyone who would fit the bill? I really like to write and plan on publishing more ebooks, so I could give this designer longer-term work, but I just really don't want to get screwed again. Can anyone help? Thanks so much.
    As a trustworthy web designer,

    I can offer you some advice - but at the moment I can't take on any jobs. I'm going to subscribe to this thread to hear any replies you have.

    It seems to me you're looking in the wrong places to find someone who is best for the job. You talk about a "site" for selling your ebook - then a wordpress blog.

    The best ways to use a wordpress blog when selling an ebook is to have the following setup.

    Traffic >> Wordpress blog >> Free offer (list) >> Follow up emails >> Salespage

    Traffic >> Wordpress blog >> Free offer (list) >> Sign up thankyou page = salespage

    Traffic >> Wordpress blog >> Salespage

    Traffic >> Salespage

    In all truth, you don't need a wordpress blog at all to sell an ebook - but you do need a good salespage and quality traffic.

    A good salespage will consist of:

    - Convincing copy (the sales message)
    - Well presented text (the copy formatting)
    - The design (does NOT have to be a flashy salespage, but you need to test)

    Then, once you've got that in place - it's time to start driving traffic, through

    -SEO
    -article marketing
    -backlinks etc

    One other piece of advice I'll give you...

    Don't rely on the front end (the ebook) to make you rich.

    Build a list of buyers and funnel them into move valuable and higher priced offers.

    Something like this:

    Visitor > $7 report > $37 ebook > $97 video series > $297 group coaching

    Somewhere on this forum I saw a link to a mind-map/flowchart of Eben Pagan's business model. He funds his marketing by selling his front end product, putting 100% of the profit into marketing it. And making money on the backend.

    Hope this helps somewhat, because it seems from your post like your focus is on the site and the ebook - when it should be on the overall business model.

    Kindest regards,
    Karl.
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    eCoverNinja - Sales Page Graphics & Layout Specialist
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    • Profile picture of the author karunnt
      Look at the eBook theme from Templatic: Templatic Themes Demo

      But my question is:

      What is wrong with your theme? Why can't you use it?
      What kind of support do you need?

      $375 is not a lot of money. Would you read and answer emails and modify a WP theme for 9 months for this amount?
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      • Profile picture of the author Kirk Ward
        Originally Posted by karunnt View Post

        Look at the eBook theme from Templatic: Templatic Themes Demo

        But my question is:

        What is wrong with your theme? Why can't you use it?
        What kind of support do you need?

        $375 is not a lot of money. Would you read and answer emails and modify a WP theme for 9 months for this amount?
        That looks a lot like the Edublogs theme.
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        "We are not here to sell a parcel of boilers and vats, but the potentiality of growing rich beyond the dreams of avarice."

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  • Profile picture of the author AlanGNW
    $375!

    Yes, you got what you paid for....
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  • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
    What you need to do, is find people reliable and talented then stick with them.

    Once you've gone through a few cowboys, you always eventually end up with 1 or 2 gems who you can use for years.

    In my experience though, if you want the best you have to pay for it.

    Whether it is websites, articles or anything else you pay for - there is usually a correlation between the price and the quality of work you get.
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    • Profile picture of the author hal1989
      Thanks to everyone for the advice.

      It's not so much the $375 - it's the fact that one guy advertised that he knew what he was doing and then wasted a couple months of my time - then the other guy even signed a contract with me saying he would give me 9 months of support and then disappears.

      I know it's the internet where there are a lot of scams - it just bugs me that people can be so unethical. I almost feel sorry for them though because pretty soon they will lose all their business if they run it like that.

      Just tell me what you are going to do up front, how much it will cost, and then deliver it! That's what I do with the rental properties I own, and every other business dealing I have.

      Sorry for my rant. Back to the replies. So I guess I am trying to learn and you can see I am all over the place. A lot of these posts just confused me. What is my next step once I have the ebook written?

      The website I have is homeswithoutpayments.com. Any advice - should I just get a better web designer and turn it into a site with a sales page and a blog? Or just a sales page and then write articles with backlinks to it?

      What about building a list?

      I am willing to write lots of articles or do the backlinking thing, as well as pay for a good website. I realize that I won't get rich off my ebook alone, but I also don't have time to make lots of videos and fancy packages and seminars. I was hoping to earn a little extra income in my spare time and devote 8-10 hours a week promoting other products on my blog as well.

      Any tips or suggestions? Thanks.
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      • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
        Hal:

        Look at my signature. That's one of my skins for Thesis. You can change everything on the skin. Width, color, show/hide footer, everything. You use the Thesis logo uploader to upload your header image. You can have unlimited sales/landing pages. I give my stuff away for free.

        This skin is designed for Thesis 1.8, you're site is using Thesis 1.8.

        You can create your site faster than you can reply to this thread.
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        • Profile picture of the author karunnt
          You want something like this?

          Roger C. Parker's Design, Copywriting, & Marketing Tips

          I would take some time to write down *exactly* what the site should look like. Down the the colors, dimensions, content, links etc. Research what the ideal website for your type of project should look like.

          Write all your content first and then give this to a local designer and make sure they can do the work. Sign a contract and don't pay the final payment until you are satisfied.

          If they charge more than you have then delay the project until you have the funds. This is a business with a business plan. So write a business plan.

          My father spent $40k trying to get his herbal newsletter website written and that was not a success.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    I am a website designer and seo specialist who has built ecommerce stores on wordpress.

    Let me know if my help is required.


    Regards,
    Ashish H Thakkar
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff-Simmons
      Hey Hal,

      Thanks for starting this thread. I have struggled with web designers too, forking over thousands of dollars with disappointing results. Lots of time wasted too, which hurts more than the $$.

      I agree that "you get what you pay for", but it seems like it should be really simple to come up with a template for selling ebooks that authors can plug into.

      It's not rocket science, and there's tons of proof out there about what works. So why pay a designer to re-invent the wheel?

      Thanks Karl for laying out the e-book business model. That was REALLY helpful.

      The other thing I would add to the key elements you listed for a sales page, besides:

      - your Convincing copy (the sales message)
      - Well presented text (the copy formatting)
      - The design (does NOT have to be a flashy salespage, but you need to test)...

      Is having easy back-end administrative tools so the author can tweak things on the sales page. That's huge.

      That said, the Templatic themes look perfect. Anybody else have experience with them?

      Thanks again,
      Jeff Simmons
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  • Profile picture of the author cma01
    I am starting to realize you get what you pay for.
    Yes. If quality and someone actually knowing what they are doing is important to you, then be willing to step up and pay the price for it.

    I'm not sure why it's such a mystery, you find a good web designer just as you would any other service provider.

    Don't you have friends that own businesses that have web sites? Who did theirs?

    Go to networking meetings in your area, I'm sure there are web developers in the groups.

    Who are the top sites in your industry? Which ones look good and who designed those?

    $375 is not a lot of money. Would you read and answer emails and modify a WP theme for 9 months for this amount?
    No kidding.

    ETA: I just went and looked at your site.

    1. I think the colors are hideous. You obviously signed off on them, so next time have your wife or girlfriend give you some input. It does not look professional or inspire trust at all. Look at the big real estate sites and get a feel for it. Just because you're selling an ebook, it doesn't have to look so internet markety ugly.

    2. Your sales copy is awful and that has nothing to do with the web designer.

    3. You have no newsletter signup/teaser report/mini course/etc. If someone doesn't buy on the first visit after reading that uninspiring copy, they are going to be gone off into the ether. This has nothing to do with your web designer.

    4. If you need guidance on "what to do to sell an ebook," Niche Profit Classroom's training is based on that model. The training also includes a customized Wordpress theme. Not that I'm particularly a fan of their stock theme, but it would be way better than what you have now.
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    • Profile picture of the author bellis160
      Originally Posted by cma01 View Post

      ...

      Niche Profit Classroom's training is based on that model. The training also includes a customized Wordpress theme. Not that I'm particularly a fan of their stock theme, but it would be way better than what you have now.
      I agree, NPC would be a great place to learn how to market this book. I am a member of NPC and can say Adam Short gives just about the best training I've seen anywhere. They have a WordPress website builder that's easy to use so you will not need someone to build your site for you.

      It will take some time to go through all the training but you will get a good internet marketing education in the end. And you will have a website that is up and profitable when you are done. That is, if you have a product that can be profitable in the first place.

      If you don't want to take the time to learn this stuff then the only other real alternative is to hire someone to do it for you. Expect to pay WAY more than $375 for that kind of service though.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author perkiekat
    Wow...sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I am a website designer and have had clients tell me of previous issues of being ripped off or was being quoted such a high rate they couldn't afford them.
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  • Profile picture of the author kkrueger
    I try and get lots of references and look at their work before hiring. I usually charged my offline clients 1/2 up front and then the balance when finished. Now I just build them to keep or sell. I had the same thing happen to me, so I bought artisteer, and joined forums that teach how to build wordpress sites. Sorry you had such a bad experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author HigherPrThanGod
    Originally Posted by hal1989 View Post

    who ended up making me a Wordpress blog that I could barely use.
    Why don't you just learn how to use Wordpress? It's actually the best option for a non-designer. You're better off getting some experience with general web design because at some point you're bound to be on your own.

    I can design anyone a nice Wordpress blog, but how will you manage it? Having me or anyone teach will take a lot more time and money.

    My suggestion? Go to Vtc.com, sign up for their monthly program and watch their course on Wordpress. WordPress Blogging Tutorials
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  • Profile picture of the author Coby
    Hard to say something that hasn't already been said execpt that you can find a lot of people who do what your looking for here on WF just cruise on over to the 'warriors for hire' section. I have used this section several times for work on my sites, ranging from graphics design to WP transfers.
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  • Profile picture of the author iLifestyleClub
    Hey Hal1989
    I can empathize with you as my husband and I have also had some bad experiences, but if you persist and ask for references and phone numbers, as others have suggested, then you will find someone.

    There definitely are Honest and Trustworthy Web designers out there.

    All the best with your ebooks and website development.

    Best
    Leanne
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  • Profile picture of the author pammap26
    Before, I had the same struggle on locating for web designers that are for-the-job. But when I tried these 2 websites (Located below), they maximized their help on my dilemma and I find them to be excellent references and helping hands. Also, they will surely help you on your 375-dollar budget.

    If you want trustworthy and reasonable web designers, try these websites now.
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  • Profile picture of the author myeanne
    Hi,

    Sorry to hear about your bad experienced on other providers. What you have paid for wasn't enough to get what you're asking for.

    The best thing to do now is to find the reputable one who can fix all the messed up done by your previous staff. A firm/company would be fit on your project, because there's a shift supervisor who will always check your staff performance and productivity.
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  • Profile picture of the author Diane S
    Sorry you are having this problem. I think you definitely paid too much money for the design you have shown us. Thesis is capable of much more attractive sites. I think your sales page might be too long, as well. It might be good to give away a free report to build your customer base, then upsell with your ebook and other products you have yet to create...

    Good luck and wish you all the best in your business. Looks like a good information product, especially in these economic times.
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  • Profile picture of the author poojagoyal
    I'm not a techie at all but I would recommend that you learn the basics your self.This way you will have the knowledge to get the work done from others as per your requirement. And if you want to save money then you would be able to do it yourself. WordPress is very easy-if I can learn it in a few days, I'm sure you can too.

    I think it would be very difficult to find a person with so many skills-designer, SEO, internet marketing. And even if you find such a person you will have to pay up big money.
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  • Profile picture of the author chooch
    If you are feeling very creative. Buy the Socrates theme...it's based on WordPress. You can also make your own opt-in pages and sales pages with this theme.

    You can build a basic website (without content) in less than 5 minutes.

    You can use your own header if you like.

    I use this theme and I build 3 websites in about 20 minutes.
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  • Profile picture of the author madmmd
    learn to create websites with wordpress by yourself.. its really easy.. and once you learn it becomes a lot of fun..
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  • Profile picture of the author Randy Daugherty
    My sympathy for you. It is sad that you are spending much while you're not getting anything. But don't worry things will be get done soon...Just have patience. Cheer up!
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  • Profile picture of the author jlxsolutions
    ugh i offered 8 years of free hosting and a friend of mine who knows his shiz lol
    and asked for nothing in return.
    How about you do the same pointing to previuos poster
    Why does one see profit in one others demise huh?
    He needs help not a fuxing leech.
    sigh i guess i was right when i was 15 and said this world is going to hell.
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    • Profile picture of the author jlxsolutions
      Originally Posted by Black Magick View Post

      How about you mind your own business. I don't give a **** what you did for your friend. You offered free hosting to a friend while I offered to help a complete stranger. How is it leeching when I'm offering to sell his product for him on my site? Shut the hell up and stay out of my business. Focus on your own.
      i offered free help to a complete stranger and recommended someone who can help him. (read)
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  • Profile picture of the author mithunsingh
    I don't have more ideas about wordpress... but i hope you are getting here more helping users.

    Thanks
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