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Is this possible?

by LGCalab
11 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
Hi all.
I'm not a web designer, at all, but I have come across a task that I'd like to complete. I'm pretty savvy with WordPress and I'd like to stick to that platform if I can.

I've been searching around for someone who can build me a custom WP site but so far, I keep getting "sorry, can't do that". I think it's because my needs for the site are not WP friendly?

So, my question is, is it possible to build a custom WordPress site? From scratch, doing exactly what I need it to do. Are there designers that do this?

Sorry, I am so green at this but I really need a direction to go. I've been stuck on this way too long.

Getting frustrated,
Lou
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    If the 'needs for the site are not Wordpress friendly' - why insist on using Wordpress?


    If several people who build blogs don't want to take it on - maybe they know it won't work well. Why not go with another platform instead?


    Have you tried placing an ad on Freelancer or similar site listing your requirements and taking bids for the work?
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    • Profile picture of the author LGCalab
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      If the 'needs for the site are not Wordpress friendly' - why insist on using Wordpress?


      If several people who build blogs don't want to take it on - maybe they know it won't work well. Why not go with another platform instead?


      Have you tried placing an ad on Freelancer or similar site listing your requirements and taking bids for the work?
      Thank you for the reply Kay.

      I prefer to stick with WP so I'm able to manage it. I really don't want to rely on someone else to manage the site if needed.

      As it looks, I think I will have to have it on a different platform. Best I have it done right the first time.

      I will take a look at Freelancer and I think Upwork??
      Thanks again!
      Lou
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  • Profile picture of the author dpwilliams
    Hello LG,


    Can you give a description of what you need it to do? It's hard to answer without an understanding of what you need.
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    • Profile picture of the author LGCalab
      Originally Posted by dpwilliams View Post

      Hello LG,


      Can you give a description of what you need it to do? It's hard to answer without an understanding of what you need.
      Hi!
      It's a type of classified ads website, but only one niche, not multiple niches. I would like people that are posting free and paid ads to be able to upload their information and pictures and have it load on it's own.

      My biggest glitch is the plugins I have found, one will let a person submit an ad, but when they create an account and log in, now their a user in the back office. It will be confusing to them, and I really don't want them in the back office of the site.

      The other one is a bit more user friendly, but it doesn't allow enough options for the ad poster.

      Both, you have to buy some their add on options for things like PayPal or Stripe. I don't really mind that, but adding in ALL the things I need, I may as well pay someone to build the darned thing from scratch and get the look and functions I want.

      Kay recommended I use another platform, that would mean learning a whole new platform, more time delaying this project... I want to stay with WP because I know how to use it.

      I can PM you an example site if you're interested in looking at it.

      Thank you for the response
      Lou
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      • Profile picture of the author NetMan
        Originally Posted by LGCalab View Post

        Hi!
        It's a type of classified ads website, but only one niche, not multiple niches. I would like people that are posting free and paid ads to be able to upload their information and pictures and have it load on it's own.

        My biggest glitch is the plugins I have found, one will let a person submit an ad, but when they create an account and log in, now their a user in the back office. It will be confusing to them, and I really don't want them in the back office of the site.

        The other one is a bit more user friendly, but it doesn't allow enough options for the ad poster.

        Both, you have to buy some their add on options for things like PayPal or Stripe. I don't really mind that, but adding in ALL the things I need, I may as well pay someone to build the darned thing from scratch and get the look and functions I want.

        Kay recommended I use another platform, that would mean learning a whole new platform, more time delaying this project... I want to stay with WP because I know how to use it.

        I can PM you an example site if you're interested in looking at it.

        Thank you for the response
        Lou
        Lou, I see you haven't posted more about this in a while, so maybe you have finally found what you have been looking for.

        Anyway, I can tell you that I don't understand that you have not found someone to do this for you, because it is doable of course. So, if you have not resolved your problem and have any more questions, do not hesitate.

        Out of the box plugins rarely do exactly everything we would want it to do, however there are many ways to face a solution that will achieve what we want.

        I agree you should stay with WP since this is what you are comfortable with btw, because the platform allows also to scale and diversify relatively easily, and of course lets you save a lot of time in development and management.

        Cheers!
        Andy
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        • Profile picture of the author LGCalab
          Originally Posted by NetMan View Post

          Lou, I see you haven't posted more about this in a while, so maybe you have finally found what you have been looking for.

          Anyway, I can tell you that I don't understand that you have not found someone to do this for you, because it is doable of course. So, if you have not resolved your problem and have any more questions, do not hesitate.

          Out of the box plugins rarely do exactly everything we would want it to do, however there are many ways to face a solution that will achieve what we want.

          I agree you should stay with WP since this is what you are comfortable with btw, because the platform allows also to scale and diversify relatively easily, and of course lets you save a lot of time in development and management.

          Cheers!
          Andy
          Hey Andy, thank you for replying.
          No, I haven't found anyone for this particular site. I'm still stuck doing everything manually, which I believe is hindering my sales. A person should be able to see their ad live after submitting and paying for it. My payment gateway is chunky as hell, too.

          This is the best way I can think of to explain things without giving away the niche. Say I was a magazine that advertised nothing but sports cars. On my front page, I'd like the visitors to see a big slider with the newest cars.

          Then, below that, a grid section with a featured photo, some info about the car, price and brief description. When someone clicks on that grid, it takes them to a full page about the car with more photos, maybe some bullet points (that the seller could check when filling out the form). Finally, a feature on the ad that would allow a buyer to contact that particular seller.

          A custom form that a seller can fill out (but I design) and a payment gateway. Once all is done, the ad goes live. Slider photo gets posted, it goes right into the featured grid and leads to a page/post.

          All of this without them being being added as a user in the back office. I'd like them to have their own account to edit or delete the ad, but the back office of WP, I think, would be confusing for a person that has never used it.

          I have looked at every type of theme I can think of. Classified, membership, directory, and still haven't found one that would suit my needs. Ergo, I was looking for someone to build me a custom Wordpress theme.

          I know exactly how I want it to look and function but I am stumped on finding the right plugins to make it all work. I wanted to outsmart it, but I'm obviously losing that battle.

          I did find someone to build me a custom site for another domain that I was working on, and he is very good! It's not WP, though.

          Thank you for taking your time to respond. You mentioned "many ways to face a solution that will achieve what we want", I'm all ears if you have one!

          Lou
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          • Profile picture of the author NetMan
            Originally Posted by LGCalab View Post

            Hey Andy, thank you for replying. ...

            You mentioned "many ways to face a solution that will achieve what we want", I'm all ears if you have one!

            Lou
            What I mean is by integration, by integrating different solutions together to achieve the expected result, whatever it is. This only viewable when you are aware of the marketing technology market and doing integration in this market for years. Like I said, rarely a plugin will do the trick out of the box, but we often can achieve the same result by integration. That could be as much reliable but much less expensive than having a script built from scratch.

            That being said, looking at your description, again, I'm startled of what you have been told because personally I see no problem with doing exactly what you want. On top of that, would you like the possibility to recruit and track affiliates sales?

            Regards,
            Andy
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            • Profile picture of the author LGCalab
              Originally Posted by NetMan View Post

              What I mean is by integration, by integrating different solutions together to achieve the expected result, whatever it is. This only viewable when you are aware of the marketing technology market and doing integration in this market for years. Like I said, rarely a plugin will do the trick out of the box, but we often can achieve the same result by integration. That could be as much reliable but much less expensive than having a script built from scratch.

              That being said, looking at your description, again, I'm startled of what you have been told because personally I see no problem with doing exactly what you want. On top of that, would you like the possibility to recruit and track affiliates sales?

              Regards,
              Andy
              Thanks again Andy!
              To go along with what Daniel said above, about being stuck on using WP, here's why.

              Not only am I familiar with it, but I love the look of the site I built, it's features, and everything else, and I worked damned hard on it! For a moment, I was pleased. This site is already generating revenue and when this started, that's when my problems began. I was looking for a way to automate everything so I could concentrate on it's growth.
              I'm sure there is a way to achieve the result I am looking for, though integration, hence why I came here for help.
              To answer your question about affiliates, the answer is yes. I do want to add affiliates.

              Perhaps my problem isn't WP, but my being stuck on the site, or theme, itself. No matter, I see I am way out of my wheelhouse. This was a hobby type thing that grew into an actual income. I'm as shocked as the rest of you.

              For now, it's the hard way. I suppose that's how we all learn. I'll keep working on a solution or go back to what I know best, construction. Problem there is my wife took my ladder away from me.

              Thank you all for the time.
              Lou
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              • Profile picture of the author NetMan
                Originally Posted by LGCalab View Post

                Thanks again Andy!
                To go along with what Daniel said above, about being stuck on using WP, here's why.

                Not only am I familiar with it, but I love the look of the site I built, it's features, and everything else, and I worked damned hard on it! For a moment, I was pleased. This site is already generating revenue and when this started, that's when my problems began. I was looking for a way to automate everything so I could concentrate on it's growth.
                I'm sure there is a way to achieve the result I am looking for, though integration, hence why I came here for help.
                To answer your question about affiliates, the answer is yes. I do want to add affiliates.

                Perhaps my problem isn't WP, but my being stuck on the site, or theme, itself. No matter, I see I am way out of my wheelhouse. This was a hobby type thing that grew into an actual income. I'm as shocked as the rest of you.

                For now, it's the hard way. I suppose that's how we all learn. I'll keep working on a solution or go back to what I know best, construction. Problem there is my wife took my ladder away from me.

                Thank you all for the time.
                Lou
                I might have not been clear enough, when I say "personally I see no problem with doing exactly what you want" I meant WITH WordPress and I mean the same thing for the integration.

                I saw how you were holding to keep your wordpress and so I'm not suggesting doing your solution outside of WordPress.

                Best regards,
                Andy
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
    It would appear that you are facing this problem as a product of your own stringencies, by insisting you stick to Wordpress.

    It's worth bearing in mind that a Wordpress plugin of this nature wouldn't take less of a learning curve that a custom classified script to develop an independent 'CMS' based site- which sounds like what you need, which can be obtained without conflict of interest.

    Wordpress, together with it's vast range of plugins can do a lot, but there are other more appropriate options for certain applications.

    It's worth considering.
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    • Profile picture of the author LGCalab
      Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

      It would appear that you are facing this problem as a product of your own stringencies, by insisting you stick to Wordpress.

      It's worth bearing in mind that a Wordpress plugin of this nature wouldn't take less of a learning curve that a custom classified script to develop an independent 'CMS' based site- which sounds like what you need, which can be obtained without conflict of interest.

      Wordpress, together with it's vast range of plugins can do a lot, but there are other more appropriate options for certain applications.

      It's worth considering.
      Thank you Daniel

      I'm off to go learn something new.
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