Creating Websites For Businesses

18 replies
I have a ton of clients looking for websites for their business. Yes I know, I've hit the jack pot haha.

Anyways, I'm just wondering if I could get everyone's opinion on what platforms or types of whatever I should offer.

Some people will say do them all in WordPress, others might say Dreamweaver or Flash. Let me know. I'm a techie type of person, and do ok with programming. Suggest your opinion!
#businesses #creating #websites
  • Profile picture of the author MattAdamo
    I would definitely stick with wordpress. There are just so many awesome themes already out there. (and if need be, you could just alter them)

    Plus, it gives the owner an easy platform for updating content if they want to do it.

    Also, just as a tip (if your not already doing) Get a reseller hosting account and offer them to use your hosting service.
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
      Originally Posted by MattAdamo View Post

      I would definitely stick with wordpress. There are just so many awesome themes already out there. (and if need be, you could just alter them)

      Plus, it gives the owner an easy platform for updating content if they want to do it.

      Also, just as a tip (if your not already doing) Get a reseller hosting account and offer them to use your hosting service.
      Or I can send them to an affiliate link for hosting.
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  • Profile picture of the author webapex
    Wordpress allows clients to do their own content updates, you decide of that's a plus or negative. Easy to change AP themes, many free, more likely? an html template will cost.

    Of course Flash is a search rank black hole, but OK for supplemental gallery like elements.

    If local businesses be sure to bundle in a Google Places page, typically the will rank much more quickly than company site or their home town.
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    “An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field” Niels Bohr

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  • Profile picture of the author mikeroosa
    I always go with Wordpress unless my client specifically states they want something else. If they do then I'll explain why I think they should use wordpress, but ultimately I'll give them what they want (except flash). Don't do that.

    There is one exception and that's if they have an existing html site and it's ranking well in Google. If this is the case, I leave it in html and leave all the page names/tags/content the same on those pages.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mutiny
    Wordpress is great for businesses on a budget that don't want to pay for updates to their site content. For this reason, it's easy to sell.

    For businesses that have more to spend, you can offer custom WP templates that they can still edit but don't look like everyone else's sites.

    The only time I use html is when the business's website goals can't be achieved via the methods above, meaning they want something a WP site can't offer - like a really fancy custom job.

    I say a big NO to flash because it's still not viewable on IPhone. There are other platforms which can be used to create similar effects.
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    • Profile picture of the author RubenJames
      WordPress - Hands Down!

      Ruben
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  • Profile picture of the author Chr
    You could give them an option, and if they don't know you could choose the best platform for their skills and needs. I think this would mean a lot of Wordpress and Joomla.
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  • Profile picture of the author KabanaSoft
    I've been designing business websites for the past few years before i made a switch to designing and selling software. Most of mine were on the high end and i had clients willing to pay me anywhere between $2K and $6K per site with custom designed graphics and integrated custom wordpress themes based on the custom graphics.

    From my experience, It really depends on:

    1) How much your cleint is willing to spend
    2) How much time you have and what your willing to deliver

    If they only have $1-$2K, i'd say find them a decent wordpress theme or get one designed for you, and roll with that. Only problem with using existing wordpress themes is that there might be someone out there with a similar site, so at very minimum change up the CSS a little and add a custom header and footer to the theme so it doesn't look like you copied someone else's site.

    If they have more money to spend and you have enough time, what i did was use dreamweaver with jQuery to deliver some great results...

    All depends on your experience level and what your comfortable doing...i can tell you right now it took me a while to learn how to do custom sites with dreamweaver and adding fancy effects with jQuery, but the results i delivered were better than any wordpress theme out there...as the sites were completely customized to the client's liking and i was even able to find a base wordpress theme and customize it according to the look and feel of the site...

    Not easy to do you will have alot to learn (you said you are good with programming, so you should be fine) but after i made a few custom sites, i had so many referrals from people who would visit my sites that i couldn't handle taking them all on.

    I'd suggest spending a little extra time and over delivering on your first few sites and then using those as references to new clients. Once they see good work they will be easy sales and you will be able to get them to pay more for your services.
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  • Profile picture of the author Targeted Traffic
    You heart it, go for WordPress.WordPress revolutionized the web because it made website building and changes accessible to everyone. Why? Fast development, low cost, search engine magnet, plugins allow you to easily do almost anything easily, themes are widely available, and there is tons of support available.Nuff said
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  • Profile picture of the author addison.agnote
    I would prefer wordpress. There are many awesome themes available out there. Also, it gives the owner an easy platform for updating content whenever they want to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author bestrevenueshare
    If they're ready to build their websites, you can just provide web hosting affiliate links, otherwise it depends on your expertise, you can offer webdesign for them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    It depends primarily on your clients' needs, and secondarily on your skills, don't you think? I know everybody is saying Wordpress, but that's not always the best choice, especially if you don't know how to secure it from hackers.
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    • Profile picture of the author ghen
      Like you, I have good technical skills and previously always viewed WordPress as a way for people to do websites without having to learn programming. But look at it this way: Even though you may know how to do the PHP, .Net, and database programming, your time is also valuable. Use Wordpress, or better yet, outsource the creation of the site to someone else and just collect the check. Rinse, repeat.
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      • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
        Originally Posted by ghen View Post

        Use Wordpress, or better yet, outsource the creation of the site to someone else and just collect the check. Rinse, repeat.
        Bingo! Excellent advise.

        Of course that makes you more of an Internet business owner and less of a programming job owner.

        Hey, I'm just saying.

        Joe Mobley
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  • Profile picture of the author blillard
    Wordress hands down. Its is easy for you and easier for them. Hosting should be your own reseller hosting. Get that monthly income from them hosting on your servers.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    You should be doing a needs analysis for each individual client - not asking strangers on a public forum.
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    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

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  • Profile picture of the author ZaphodBeebleBrox
    Yep, easy answer really...WordPress.

    Need to learn more about WordPress? Check out my signature
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