should I use Wordpress? (I have design/html skill)

by KathyAd

Posted: 12 years ago 9 replies

WEB DESIGN

Hi, everyone. I am jobhunting and want to design a web site for myself to help find a job. (I know HTML quite well, decent at CSS, and a tad ASP. I also have graphic design skill, so I can do the graphics, then code the site.)

(1) I am wondering if I should just design it from scratch, use Wordpress.ORG, or use Wordpress.COM?
(2) And I am wondering what medium-sized companies and/or large companies do?
(3) And if companies are using Wordpress, is it the .org or the .com version?
(4) If I design a site from scratch, is it possible to use a Wordpress widget/plugin just for the portfolio section, so I have a nice scrolling area to show work I've done?

I have been working for a medium-sized company for quite a while. We do not have a CMS and the site is a combo of static html and database-driven pages from SQL.

A friend of mine tells me lots (most?) companies use Wordpress for their web sites these days. But I thought Wordpress was more for small companies who don't really have inhouse resources? Or that companies use it for their blog?

I like the idea of designing and coding a site from scratch, since it showcases to employers that I can do it and have those skills. (And then maybe linking to Wordpress widget/plugin just for the portfolio section, so that part is a fancy scrolling area.)

I realize this is alot of questions in one post. I reallllly appreciate the help!!!

#design or html #skill #wordpress

rrogers82 12 years ago

Hi Kathy,

I have a web background as well, I created my blog using wordpress.org, (just installed it onto my server through hostgator)

I did this just because its much easier and time saving. I can just concentrate on posts and not worry about the layout too much, because im fond of tickering and changing things as apose to actually creating some content.

Its a tricky one, If you have a portfolio of websites you could create a site in wordpress and similar to what you said link to a portfolio of created websites, there are tons of plugins for SEO and linking in to twitter, facebook and Linkedin (which I hear is good for attracting employers)

If you have the skills make the website, i guess its one of the first things they see and if it stands out above others, it's a good thing. A lot of wordpress blogs to tend to look the same.

anyway not sure i was much help, hope you get it sorted and let me know how you get on and what you decide.

Cheers

Rick
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8640881].message }}

run

12 years ago

Originally Posted by KathyAd

(1) I am wondering if I should just design it from scratch, use Wordpress.ORG, or use Wordpress.COM?
(2) And I am wondering what medium-sized companies and/or large companies do?
(3) And if companies are using Wordpress, is it the .org or the .com version?
(4) If I design a site from scratch, is it possible to use a Wordpress widget/plugin just for the portfolio section, so I have a nice scrolling area to show work I've done?

1- First thing, if you tend to use WordPress as your base site, you must get to know the different between WordPress.ORG & WordPress.COM.
- Self-Hosted WordPress.ORG = Taking control over pretty much everything including hosting, themes, plugins and ads.
- Hosted WordPress.COM = Hosting at WordPress server; Only verified themes and plugins available in WordPress.COM to use; No Ads allow for general privilege.

Even if you design from scratch, you must learn and identify some pieces of PHP codes that use to form a WordPress theme inside the template files. WordPress Codex is your friend.

2- It depends.

3- Refer to number 1.

4- Not clear about this question. Widget & Plugin are different thing in WordPress.
- What is WordPress widget.
- What is WordPress plugin.
You could definitely create a custom page dedicated to (Portfolio) section.

Thanks

Signature

I just wanna tell you that most of the links in the signature are trash and/or a trap to make you pay!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8641930].message }}

David V 12 years ago

I'm a WP guy and I love WP, but from the sounds of what your trying to do, and the skills you have mentioned, it seems easier just to throw up an html site.

If your not familiar with WP, there's a small learning curve which will just drag this out.
Static html is so fast and easy, I would just do that.
It doesn't sounds like you'll have many pages.
Creating a portfolio page is really no different than in WP, you'll still load the same type of assets for the lightbox, slider, or however you plan to have your portfolio.
You said you were job hunting so I would do whatever will take the least amount of time so you can find a job.
I'm assuming your talking about a "job", meaning employee.

I agree, making a site from scratch may be a good representation of your ability, but going to WP would really not do that if your not already an expert with WP.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8641985].message }}
- DailyIncome 12 years ago
  
  REPLY IN LARGE CAPS (NOT BEING RUDE... HEEHE)
  
  (1) I am wondering if I should just design it from scratch, use Wordpress.ORG, or use Wordpress.COM?
  
  THEMEFOREST, BUY A THEME & SAVE YOURSELF HOURS AND HOURS.
  
  (2) And I am wondering what medium-sized companies and/or large companies do?
  
  VERY LARGE COMPANIES USE WORDPRESS... I THINK NYTIMES.COM IS ON WORDPRESS
  
  (3) And if companies are using Wordpress, is it the .org or the .com version?
  
  THEY WOULD BE SELF HOSTING ON THEIR OWN DOMAINS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY WOULD BE LOAD BALANCING WORDPRESS ON GOD KNOWS HOW MANY SERVERS. THATS HOW POWERFUL WORDPRESS CAN BE.
  
  (4) If I design a site from scratch, is it possible to use a Wordpress widget/plugin just for the portfolio section, so I have a nice scrolling area to show work I've done?
  
  BUY A THEME WITH SLIDER FUNCTIONS... THE TOP 10 BEST SELLING THEMES HAVE SLIDERS BUILT IN SHORTCODES FOR EVERY AREA OF THE PAGE.
  
  MY 2 CENTS, IF YOU ONLY HAVE A STATIC FEW PAGES, SURE JUST USE HTML/PHP OR ASP... BUT IF YOU WANT TO START SHOWING PORTFOLIOS OR HAVE MENU'S USE WORDPRESS..
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8648766].message }}
  
  MadamM 12 years ago
  
  The question is: Do you need a website to find a job?
  I don't know what you do, but there are many websites with high traffic (which your lonely website won't have) that allow profile creation and that can help you get noticed. For ex. if you are a graphic designer, use Dribbble and Behance to expose your work and as portfolio for potential clients/hiring people.
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  Web Design & Development
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8648911].message }}
kpmedia 12 years ago

Given the questions, you don't know enough about WP. The design is only part of it. Securing it well is the other half of the equation.

Either
(A) Use WordPress, but find a host or developer that will take care of security for you
(B) Design plain HTML for now. Maybe learn WP in your free time for later.
- Thanks
Signature
FAQ: Need a Site5/Arvixe/Hostgator alternative? And who is EIG?
Reviews: Need a good VPS, dedicated server, or unlimited host? (This is NOT a fake "top 10" list!)
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8649566].message }}
AnaThemes 12 years ago

Everybody can use Wordpress, Plugins and themes very easily. Start using it.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8651922].message }}
yestyle Banned 12 years ago

Worpdress is very easy to develop and expanding so according to me, you should go with wordpress. If you have good skills on designing with wordpress, I suggest you should design from scratch as I did.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8651994].message }}
copilu0 12 years ago

Because you want a website just to help you to find a job I think Wordpress is exactly what you need.

1) Use wordpress.org
2) There are too many examples here and also you want just a portfolio site
3) Most of them are using wordpress.org
4) I guess you can if you modify the plugin or you can install WP in a separate folder on your server and make a portfolio page for your website
- Thanks
Signature
Snow Blower Garage
Electric Toothbrush Reviews
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8652287].message }}

should I use Wordpress? (I have design/html skill)

Trending Topics

How to add Backlink ? I am under thread of losing the job

Which Social Platform Is Giving You the Best ROI This Year?

Is Off-page SEO become hard as Ai Energizes

Digital Marketing & Instagram Growth -- Beginner Friendly Strategies?

How you guys normally spend your weekend?