Tag Archive for: Brand

The Calm Before The Storm

We’ve all had those days; You know, when your WordPress Website has been running smooth for weeks and then BANG! It just breaks.

One of the ‘problems’, is when you set plugins to update automatically. Sometimes, just sometimes, plugin updates may very well be good for the plugin, but may not want to party with other plugins, or your theme. Unfortunately, it’s a sad fact that this happens.

Don’t worry though, what breaks, can be fixed – if you know what to do.

The first step, is to get onto YouTube and search for a fix – you may find a solution that was created back in 2011. JUST KIDDING! Kind of. Current updates that cause problems will not have a fix available on YouTube, although if you know what to look for, some simple error messages can be fixed by searching YouTube.

The easiest way to resolve a plugin issue, is to deactivate all your plugins (place your website into maintenance mode if possible first), then reactivate each one, refreshing the website in another tab. When your website ‘breaks’ again, you found the culprit. You can install a FREE plugin called WP Rollback that will allow you to go back to the previous version of the plugin. Then you can just wait until there is a fix from the plugin developer, and update again. Simple.

It’s not always as ‘simple’ as that though.

Sometimes, the best method, especially if you operate an e-Commerce website, is to contact a WordPress Professional, like me, who will pinpoint your problem and resolve your issue rather quickly. It can be the difference between a minor fix, or a more complex repair or total rebuild – that may cost you thousands.

Do you operate a commercial (e-Commerce) WordPress Website that you rely on to pay your bills?

I’ve stated this before – Over the years, I’ve been contacted by people that needed some ‘maintenance’ work done to their website, only to thumb their nose at the price. They’ve gone elsewhere, only to find cheap doesn’t always work right. In the end it’s cost them more. This guarantees me more work, because they know who to turn to when they need to update. Besides, it’s all tax deductible anyway.

I began providing a monitoring service late 2018. I charge $199 per month which gives you access to a cheaper rate for all work required (half price). I also maintain an active monitoring of all websites, and check for updates 3 times per week, and perform all necessary work relating to plugin updates and website security as part of the monthly fee.

It’s called Peace of Mind for WordPress. I’m notified via email as soon as there’s an issue (monitored 24/7), and can perform all work to repair – even when not in ‘the office’, so you’re up and running again as soon as possible.

Protect your Business. Protect your Brand. What price do you put on your future income? I’d like to think most people take their business seriously.

Note* Although I’m notified immediately of ‘problems’, I perform the majority of all work between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am – 7 days. I’m like that guy that polishes the floor at your local supermarket – I work when your customers sleep. Less disruption = more business, for you.

Like always, if you have a question or comment about this post or any other post on this website, contact me. I’d also appreciate a share or 15, to your friends if you believe they may be interested.

Until next time, I hope everything remains calm :)

 

/by

Freelance Websites Vs Local Business

Great subject. Who would you rather turn to, to get work done on your WordPress Website? Local or International?

I watched the video below, a few days ago – Stefan is worth subbing, if you’re into development, and I’ve been thinking about writing about this subject, discussing what I believe are the Pro’s and Con’s with using Freelance Websites as opposed to a Local WordPress Professional.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on websites that weren’t based in Australia. The issues I primarily faced, was payment related, and time differences which was a bit of a problem when needing to communicate with the websites’ owner. Chasing someone overseas for payment was pretty much a waste of time.

In Australia, we have a rather high cost of living / standard. Sometimes, if you’re doing work on a US or Canadian, or European Country-based website, the exchange rate can work in your favor, because you can lower your rate to match or ‘beat’ another WordPress Professionals’ rate. Other things that come into play, are the quality of work, and accessibility of communications, so it’s not always price-based that matters most.

The ‘problem’ we, as professionals, now face – and I use that term loosely, is that you have emerging economies such as India / Pakistan, and the Philippines, who have entered this area of work, and are charging ridiculously low rates, and they ARE getting the work. In some ways, this has ‘forced’ some WordPress Professionals to lower their rates, to get any work at all.

This is where your Branding comes into play – and has the ability to benefit you so much more than someone operating in one of the BRIC economies.

Some people with a little entrepreneurial flare have embraced this, and actually build their brand, based on pushing out cheap websites – using people in BRIC economies to build these cheap websites. The issue I have with using these operators, is that people have been left with ‘broken’ websites, that these operators refuse to repair. People like me are left to pick up the pieces and fix websites that are just horribly written, and most need to be built again, from scratch. These operators will take your money and run.

This is part of the reason why I tell people up-front, that I am not cheap – but I get the job done, and will provide assistance free-of-charge, if there’s an issue. Not one customer of mine has ever had to say a bad word against me – because I do whatever it takes to do the job. I don’t leave people in the lurch if there’s an issue.

My name is my brand. I’ve said it before, and will continue to say it.

The option you have is simple – Pay the going rate (based on experience and quality) in the country you live, or pay the penalty through a dud WordPress Website.

We all have choices. Sometimes we make choices based on what we can afford, I get that. But, given the fact that more and more WordPress Websites are used for business, I ask you this very simple question;

What value do you place on your business, your brand, your future?

I often ask people to think very carefully about who they trust with their websites. The consequences can be pretty scary.

In Australia, for example, we have plenty of laws that basically make you liable for security breaches – be it, insurance-wise, or criminally. I for one, work within these laws, because I know that I ‘could’ face charges of not securing your data, whereas, if you (for example) were to have a website built by someone from a BRIC economy, they would be untouchable, whereas you would be completely liable.

I think it’s a very serious subject, that needs greater transparency regarding liability.

Just think about your choices. It could mean the difference between owning your home, or losing it – and going to jail.

Whatever you choose, make it the right one.

As always, I’d appreciate a share or seven, and please feel free to contact me for any information about this post or any other subject I’ve written about.

EDIT – I’ve been asked by a few people where I get my images for websites that I build. If you’re in need of images for a new website, or if you’re updating a website, visit websites such as Pixabay or Unsplash – AVOID using images you ‘just like’, it’s illegal unless the image has been labelled for reuse.

Finding your own images can save you hundreds of dollars off a build.

/by

300,000 Years’ Experience?

Um. OK. Parts of this post are meant to be kind of ‘sarcastic’ in nature. You’ll understand.

Several days ago, I received an email from, whom I believe was just a ‘competitor’, or someone trying to ‘belittle’ me? Not sure. Their IP is located in Queensland, but I haven’t bothered looking into it. BUT, it led me to think about writing about the seriousness of ‘con-artists’ trying to tell people that they should be ‘THE’ go-to for WordPress assistance.

I’m not going to publish the email, the persons ‘name’, or provide their Outlook email address. It’s probably fake anyway.

In the email, I was asked about my ’10 + Years’ working with WordPress. It went on to say, that there are businesses out there that have dozens of years’ of experience, then questioned my rate, saying that (business name provided) charges a ‘LOT’ less than I do.

For full disclosure, I actually say quite a lot here, on this website and elsewhere, that I’m not cheap.

I don’t particularly care what other people charge. My rate is my rate. I get so much work, that I actually outsource two thirds of it (and earn 25% of the work passively, btw), to other WordPress Professionals. Even after posting a couple of months ago, that I was winding down for 6 months, the requests keep coming, and I’m still doing 6-8 hours per night – 6 to 7 days per week.

If you are the owner of a business that provides professional WordPress services, and are the person that sent the email I discussed above, just contact me directly and if you’re genuine, and can handle some more work, I’ll pass some on to you.

I’m still trying to get my head around the ‘motive’ of the email. Childish behavior comes to mind. I mean, if you want to make me feel bad (or try to) go to a very busy city, get on your soap box and tell people how bad and expensive I am. Actually, I’ll join you and talk about the ridiculous ‘idea’ that you somehow have dozens of years in collective experience.

This is the purpose of the Post – 300,000 years’ experience.

I’ve never come to the ‘understanding’ that a business has x-multiple-amount of years’ experience. I can understand if you learnt an old traditional way of doing something – for example, lopping trees in a way that was done 200 years ago.

Imagine this. Bunnings, the hardware shop, has hundreds of warehouses scattered around Australia, and employs more than 30,000 people. For the sake of this exercise, lets round it down to 30,000.

Again, for the sake of this exercise, imagine if each employee has worked in hardware for 10 years. Does this then mean that Bunnings has 300,000 years’ of experience? No. Because there were no retail shops, or hardware to sell. I mean, the wheel was only invented around 5,500 years ago. You will never see Bunnings or any other business making such claims.

OK, another example. iPhone X, came out November 2017, but for arguments sake, we’ll say 2 years to round it up. I have no idea how many people worked on the development, but lets say 1000. Would Apple then suggest that there was 2,000 years’ of experience put into the iPhone X? Bloody hell, no.

Right, back to WordPress. WordPress was released in 2003. So, Nobody can claim to have more than 16 years experience with it. No matter how many people work for a business, the years’ of experience can NEVER be greater than its’ creation date.

Me? I became involved in WordPress late – roughly 3 years after it was initially released. I have followed its’ development closely ever since, and need no gimmicks to sell myself to clients.

Bottom line, is that I have 13 years’ experience to date. Even if I was to include those of whom I collaborate with, my experience will still be 13 years. If we all had 13 years experience, I would not be running around saying that my business has 39 years of experience. It’s wrong. It’s misleading, and with all honesty, it does you no favors by saying it.

My sister has traced our family back to somewhere around the year 1200. Should I add up all of my ancestors, and start saying something like ‘I have 40,000 years’ experience breathing’?

Today’s topic was meant to be a little relaxed.

Question or comment on today’s Post? You know what to do. I’d appreciate a share or three, using the links below – that would be great.

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