Build your own web site, it is easy

**pietpetoors** · 16-Jan-10, 08:21 PM

pap sak, another eason why I use WordPress. I also used to design sites for clients but got fed-up with the support side. Because I normaly have a good relation with clients they think they can phone you at 22h00 in the evening to say that they cannot download their email or that they lost their microsoft word file.

So I stopped doing work for others completely. But most people who ask me to do a web site for them (which I reject) want to edit and change their sites themselves. So either I can build them a database driven site with DW which wil cost them a fortune and which is not worth doing for a 2 or 3 page guest house site, or I can show them how to do their own wordpress site and maintain it themselves.

**tonyflanigan** · 18-Jan-10, 10:07 PM

Ah yes. Different strokes for different folks. There is no single solution that will suit everyone. We use Wordpress for our blog, and it is, quite simply the best blogging option available. As regards design. I haven't used a WYSIWYG editor in ages, preferring to work with Notepad++, Topstyle, and a few browsers. For development work (php), I have xampp installed.

Since making the decision to code correctly, and switching to the tools I now use I enjoy what I do so much more. WYSIWYG makes you lazy, but yeah, no perfect solution for all. It boils down to personal choice and preference.

And by the way, thanks for not bothering with the little sites, cos now they come to us!

**Marq** · 19-Jan-10, 08:46 AM

So either I can build them a database driven site with DW which wil cost them a fortune and which is not worth doing for a 2 or 3 page guest house site

As a matter of interest, Piet; What would you charge for say a 3 pager with its own database?

**Pap_sak** · 19-Jan-10, 10:36 AM

Hi Piet. Agree with you, Wordpress is excellent for those wanting to make their own site. We've also just turn away a client that we know will want changes done at the drop of a hat, for thier budget, it just was not possible. My wife also wanted to update her site regulary - so she is using wordpress, works very well. It still takes a fair amount of knowledge/ time to make the site stand out though, but I guess would work for some on a small budget, and a bit of time on thier hands.

**tonyflanigan** · 19-Jan-10, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by Pap_sak

... turn away a client that we know will want changes done at the drop of a hat...

Changes at the drop of a hat? Uithaal en wys pal. I think I've lost a client cos I didn't want to play his game of making changes and then waiting for weeks for payment. I couldn't give a toss.

**pietpetoors** · 20-Jan-10, 07:49 AM

Pap sak, instead of showing them away you can offer a package where you can install and setup their wordpress site for them so that they can then just start adding their own content, or even setup the basic thing with the content and from there they can maintain it themselves.

**Pap_sak** · 20-Jan-10, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by pietpetoors

Pap sak, instead of showing them away you can offer a package where you can install and setup their wordpress site for them so that they can then just start adding their own content, or even setup the basic thing with the content and from there they can maintain it themselves.

Spot on Piet. Planning to learn SQL and PHP this year, of course have been saying that for a couple of years...Have quite a few projects of my own to do so will have to wait and see. No harm becoming a wordpress guru though, seems pretty powerfull.

**pietpetoors** · 21-Jan-10, 09:40 AM

Pap Sak, I taught myself php, mysql and using Dreamweaver years ago. Spent many nights till 02h00 or 03h00 in the mornings to get it all to work.

But if I would have to start all over today I would rather use WordPress as back end and spend my time on mastering the skills of customizing WordPress themes or creating your own themes.

This is NOT one of my sites, but I like to refer to it; Look at http://riverclub.co.za/ . At the looks of it you would never say that it is a WorPress site? This shows what you can do if you know how to create your own themes. Another example is http://www.sailduesouth.com/ . Shows that WordPress can be used as a normal web site and it does not have to look like a blog.

The way I see it most people nowadays wants a web site which they can update themselves, that is where the demand is.

The way I see it, if you build, maintain and host the sites you can be limited unless you employ people. If you build and host and let the client maintain it themselves you can take on more hosting clients which is a better passive income which is in the end which buys you time freedom.

**AndyD** · 23-Jan-10, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by pietpetoors

Pap Sak, I taught myself php, mysql and using Dreamweaver years ago. Spent many nights till 02h00 or 03h00 in the mornings to get it all to work.

But if I would have to start all over today I would rather use WordPress as back end and spend my time on mastering the skills of customizing WordPress themes or creating your own themes.

Hi Pietpetoors. Would you recommend Wordpress over Joomla, if so why?

**Pap_sak** · 23-Jan-10, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by pietpetoors

Pap Sak, I taught myself php, mysql and using Dreamweaver years ago. Spent many nights till 02h00 or 03h00 in the mornings to get it all to work.

But if I would have to start all over today I would rather use WordPress as back end and spend my time on mastering the skills of customizing WordPress themes or creating your own themes.

This is NOT one of my sites, but I like to refer to it; Look at http://riverclub.co.za/ . At the looks of it you would never say that it is a WorPress site? This shows what you can do if you know how to create your own themes. Another example is http://www.sailduesouth.com/ . Shows that WordPress can be used as a normal web site and it does not have to look like a blog.

The way I see it most people nowadays wants a web site which they can update themselves, that is where the demand is.

The way I see it, if you build, maintain and host the sites you can be limited unless you employ people. If you build and host and let the client maintain it themselves you can take on more hosting clients which is a better passive income which is in the end which buys you time freedom.

Hi Piet. Actually, you might be able to help the client that I had to let go. They are based in Piketberg - so not too far from you. They have a small but ok budget and we have done most of the ground work. Can I get them to contact you? I think a decent wordpress site that they can update might be perfect.