What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open source project that began years ago when Blogging started to evolve. Since then WordPress has become not just a Blog platform, but a sophisticated Content Management System that can be used as a website, or as a Blog or both.
Two types of WordPress
There are two different types of WordPress. WordPress.org provides the source code for WordPress. Anyone who is interested in learning to install WordPress and develop their own websites can download it and install it. Installation is not difficult but I find people who do not have a natural interest in computers find it overwhelming. In that instance they often seek out the help of friends, family or a professional to help them get setup. This type of WordPress needs a hosting plan. In this regard we call it “self hosted WordPress” because you are hosting WordPress yourself on your own web server.
The other type of WordPress comes from WordPress.com – it’s a free site where anyone can go and get their own instance of WordPress but the difference is there is nothing to install. You can just sign up for a WordPress.com user account, pick a name for your site or Blog and get rolling. You can even buy a domain name for this site.
Self Hosted WordPress is preferable (in my opinion) because it gives you complete control over your site. On WordPress.com there are limitations with what you can do. If you are running any type of business then you should have a self hosted WordPress site.
If you are not sure which one is right for you please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to advise you.
What I do
Many people want to run their own website on their own hosting but have no idea where to begin. I take the pain out of learning WordPress for people who desperately want to control and manage their own site.
I have been using WordPress for years and I offer the following package:
- 12 months web hosting and support
- Installation of WordPress
- Installation of WordPress Plugins to add extra functionality
- Installation of WordPress security plugins to keep your site safe from hackers
- 12 months of regular backups to a remote secure server so we can get your site back on quickly if anything goes wrong
- 12 months of WordPress upgrades
- 1 user access to WordPress Training
I suggest to all clients that they learn to use WordPress first before getting involved in the techie stuff. WordPress is a little technical to setup and backup properly. This is where new WordPress users can loose the plot. If you have to learn all that just to get a site up and running you can waste hours of time reading, researching and asking for advice on different forums.
The best way to start is get someone like me to get your WordPress installation happening. My prices are really cost effective. Once I’ve set up your site you can access my training videos and learn to add content to your site – that is text, graphics, videos, information.
Lots of clients like doing this part without all the technical headaches.
Design
I am not a graphic designer although I can customise a WordPress theme for you if you supply me some graphics or a logo for your project. If you don’t have any art work talk to me and I will explain how to get this organised. WordPress also comes with a default theme called Twenty Eleven. I find many first time users are happy to start with this Theme. Users can change the banner, background image or color and link colors. Once you get proficient with WordPress and your site starts to evolve we can customise the Theme (design) with a framework that gives many more design options. Or if you want to hit the ground running with something more customised we can do that too.
Please contact me to find out more about pricing.