New to the Wordpress scene, creating sites for clients

13 years ago

it would take not more than an hour maximum if you want to setup basic slideshows and galleries coz there are plugins out there already which do the need, so you just need to install them and setup.

But if you are talking of full scale customization like changing stuff in the design, then you need to know css and html which you say you already do, so it wont be a big thing for you to change it.

As far as wordpress programming is concerned, if you refer to the codex, it would be very helpful, everything is out there and in detail too, so a bit of reading here and there would really help you a lot in the long run.

Main Page « WordPress Codex

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Alex6534 13 years ago

Thanks for the info, I'm currently looking into frameworks, they seem to be a good half way between the use of themes and custom themes. I'm looking Thesis and wondering if anyone has any experience with this or another recommended framework? This way I can (hopefully) deliver what the client wants and charge a bit more.
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Alex6534

13 years ago

Oh and here's the link for the reference site:

Papa Zita | Glasgow Rock Band

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rhinocl 13 years ago

The first time you start pulling a theme apart and building a customized template it could take up to a week of work depending on how much you want to change and how precisely you want to position everything. Like anything else the time decreases the 2nd and third time. I expect the people who write complicated commercial themes can knock out most templates in 5minutes and a more complex ones in under 3 hours.
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Alex6534

13 years ago

^That's what I'm thinking, I want a balance between customisation and quick turn-around. I'm looking at frameworks as we speak and I'm liking the look of Headway, has anyone used this? I like the Grid system it uses but curious if you can add elements such as media players, scrolling navigation, slideshows etc in it as well?

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massiveappeal 13 years ago

Have you heard of a theme called U-Design? Check it out, its on themeforrest.

The reason why I suggest this theme is because its so flexible. There A LOT of settings built in that would save you tons of time in coding. I have built a lot of websites with the this theme and each one looks completely different.

I looked at the website you posted and I think you can easily make something similar with U Design, check it out and let me know what you think.

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- rhinocl 13 years ago
  
  You might want to look into themeframe.It was built by the same person who designed the theme I prefer.
  
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  Alex6534 13 years ago
  
  Thanks, why do you prefer ThemeFrame? I'm looking into it as we speak, eventually I would like to become accustomed to using most of the popular frameworks, but cost is stopping me buying them all aha. Since I'm fairly new to this sort of thing, is adding stuff like jquery scrolling navigation done via code, or can you select an option for the type of navigation you want? Thanks
  
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  rhinocl 13 years ago
  
  Personally I use his other theme Atahualpa. What I see there is a lot of attention to detail and ease of customization. The forum support is also better than for many paid themes. His framework is a paid product created after the other. Generally when a person does a good job on one theme, their next one will be as good or better.
  
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Alex6534

13 years ago

Thanks I'll look into it

does anyone have experience with Genesis? Seems to be the most commonly used for client sites and uses correct Wordpress practices.

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Alex6534

13 years ago

Also, sorry for the noobish question. Say I design the website on MY hosting account, do I then simply transfer the site over to the client? Or is it better that I design it on their login/hosting plan once it is set up? I'm too use to uploading files to the clients ftp so not sure how to go about this?

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eve2

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Alex6534

Also, sorry for the noobish question. Say I design the website on MY hosting account, do I then simply transfer the site over to the client? Or is it better that I design it on their login/hosting plan once it is set up? I'm too use to uploading files to the clients ftp so not sure how to go about this?

I develop WP sites too and the fastest and easiest way to transfer the site over to the client that I've found is using a free Plugin called "Duplicator" (you can search for it in the Wordpress plugin directory).

As for frameworks, my preference is Thesis and Genesis. In my experience, Thesis is more for developers who can code, and Genesis is more user-friendly for none-coders. I choose these two frameworks because of their built-in SEO capabilities (both were developed by copywriters/coders with SEO in mind).

I'm not sure if your clients are concerned with that but if you're going to build sites as a business, I'd start with these two frameworks.

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Alex6534 13 years ago

Thanks for the heads up, I've bought Elegant Themes developer packs to start me off. Would you recommend buying the pro pack for Genesis?
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- Alex6534 13 years ago
  
  Now I just need to figure out how to price myself. From what I've saw for an average wordpress site (5 pages, home, about, blog, contact and booking etc) it's about £2/300. Thing is, it looks like a lot of clients will be musicians/local acts (to get me started off/get a portfolio of work to show) and I'm not sure they can afford SEO optimisation, html5 music players, Social Media networking and the sorts. I'll need to use the Elegant themes to get a few clients done to pay for Genesis. However I reckon it would be well worth it. Then I could just stick with Genesis or Elegant themes.
  
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eve2

13 years ago

Yes, I'd definitely recommend the Pro pack for Genesis if you can afford it - if you're crunched for time, it's great to have ready-made templates/skins. Plus, depending on what businesses you're building for, the child themes may already have the functions you're looking to include built-in.

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eve2

13 years ago

If you're working with musicians and local acts who can't afford your services, maybe you can barter with them - trade services. It's definitely worth looking into to get your portfolio started.

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Jonas Glad

13 years ago

Originally Posted by eve2

If you're working with musicians and local acts who can't afford your services, maybe you can barter with them - trade services. It's definitely worth looking into to get your portfolio started.

So true!

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Alex6534

13 years ago

Like your thinking! I think Genesis will be more customisable for them anyway. Hoping the first few clients will pay for the pro pack, all the child themes would be very useful. Slowly finding my way around Wordpress, just need to brush up on PHP to make full use of it.

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Alex6534

13 years ago

Sorry for another question haha, but in Elegant Themes can you add other elements such as audio players or change the appearance of the navigation menu? Found one that I like but want some things added/changed. Also change the layout slightly.

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rhinocl 13 years ago

Just a suggestion. Slow down. Buy less stuff and spend more time learning the basics. If you understand the basics you'll know that you can add almost anything to any theme. It is just a matter of how easy it is with any particular theme.
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Alex6534

13 years ago

^Haha I know, getting ahead of myself

. I've been looking at the Elegant Themes templates and they seem to be a good starting point. I'll have to edit them quite a bit to get them to what I want, but that's the main point of themes for designers. They save a lot of time building the skeleton of the site and you (I) just fill it out and create it as how I see fit. Just need to brush up on my php first haha!

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Bryan Zazz

13 years ago

just a thought: have you heard of Facebook by any chance?
I believe for that demographic you're targeting,
doing custom work - like their own sites - may not be the best.
I'm not a Facebook fan myself, but for you (your prospects)
this may be a better alternative: gives you free web presence,
and a social infrastructure to connect with musicians' fans.
Costs you Zero.
And you don't have the learning curve you have now (learn WP, etc.)

hope this helps

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Quoia

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Bryan Zazz

just a thought: have you heard of Facebook by any chance?
I believe for that demographic you're targeting,
doing custom work - like their own sites - may not be the best.
I'm not a Facebook fan myself, but for you (your prospects)
this may be a better alternative: gives you free web presence,
and a social infrastructure to connect with musicians' fans.
Costs you Zero.
And you don't have the learning curve you have now (learn WP, etc.)

hope this helps

The problem with depending on Facebook (or any other site that doesn't belong to you for that matter) as your only presence online is that you are completely at the mercy of what the platform owner decides to do. Zuckerberg's last update to Facebook made more than a few businesses very unhappy and cost some that depended on FB as a primary revenue stream lots of $$$. I never endorse using a social media site as your only web portal.

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davidg109 13 years ago

Social media sites are great for keeping fans fresh on news and interacting with them, but as your main website? No way, don't.

Aside from Facebook's awful interface, you have no control to the changes they make to it, restrictions they add, etc. That and the fact that your Facebook "site" looks like everyone else's, with the exception of the timeline banner.
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eluminoustechnologies

13 years ago

Hello Alex,

The site you referred in your post is using 'Locus' theme of wordpress available on themeforest.

You can easily make a site for clients as per their requierments on Wordpress just you need to find the correct plug-ins and themes for required functionality.

All the themes provide the settings area for their available functions you can easily make changes for gallery, homepage slider, favicon etc. from there

Free themes need to make changes in stylesheet or other functioning php files sometimes but 99.99% of paid themes can work best.

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andreisaioc

13 years ago

try to look for nice themes, but really try to look for a good framework which you can add plugins to it. Right now im working on a new wordpress framework and set of themes. Its called theme miner: WordPress Premium Responsive Themes | ThemeMiner.com

You will see it up in 2 months, meanwhile i can help you with advices on themes and plugins.

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skyichigo

13 years ago

Templatesold.com. You can get great templates for just 1$/each.

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