Nowadays, creating an online presence to get your product or service in front of thousands or millions of people doesn’t have to take long. Gone are the days when you had to rely on someone to build a website from scratch.
Do a quick search and you’ll find hundreds of easy to use platforms that enable you to set up your website and be in business in less than a day. All you need to do is choose a template, drag and drop a few elements and add the content. Beginners or advanced users can even use a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, which doesn’t take that much of a learning curve.
When it comes to wanting something unique however, a website that is built using a template will only get you so far. If you’re offering a product or service that has strong competition, the most you can expect to get from your template is a ‘me-too’ look. The fonts and colours you use may be different, but the clone-like structure may weaken your impact.
A unique website design alongside what you’d normally expect from an online business – products that work, excellent customer service, unique positioning – can act as the catalyst for a thriving business.
Get the right help for your WordPress idea
Many people who choose to go down the one-of-a-kind route turn to a web developer. If they choose to use WordPress, they often look more specifically for someone or an agency that has knowledge in WordPress development.
There are many people who claim to be WordPress developers but in fact, only know how to install a theme and plugins. They may even know how to write a little bit of code but that doesn’t mean they can build a website for you.
If you want it done properly, you’ll need to go to experts who have comprehensive knowledge of WordPress. They’ll ask all the right questions to ensure the end result matches your vision.
You don’t even need to stick to your own location. If you find an individual or WordPress development agency across the other side of the world that you believe can help you, you can work with them easily. That’s thanks to the many free and paid online applications widely available today that makes keeping in touch a breeze.
Before you go rushing off to hire any developer that says they can create what you want, there are some questions you should ask to ensure you choose the right person or agency for you. If they’re really good at what they do, they’ll probably anticipate many of your questions.
Getting answers to your questions upfront will act as reassurance that your WordPress developer of choice won’t disappear off the face of the earth. That’s the last thing you need when you have no idea how to fix a problem.
Here are some questions to consider asking before you hire anyone for WordPress development work:
- How long have you been working with the WordPress platform?
- Will you show me how to update my website once it’s completed?
- Could you help me to improve the overall look of my site?
- Can you suggest a good hosting provider?
- Can you help with search engine optimisation (SEO)?
- Does the cost include aftercare support or will there be extra fees?
- Are backups included?
- Will you help keep my site protected from hackers?
- Can I contact you by phone and email?
- How would you respond if I had an emergency?
If you already know how to use WordPress, many of these questions won’t be relevant to you. You could, however, ask them if you’re uncertain about a person’s ability to carry out the work to the level you require. You can also use the questions as a way to determine the level of ongoing support you may or may not get.
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced user, having a website that keeps both you and your visitors happy is the foundation to an enjoyable and sustainable business. It may take some time to find the right WordPress developer who provides a high quality service, but once you do, you’re all set. You won’t ever have to worry about wasting hours searching for answers to fix problems when you need help.
