Tag Archive for: e-Commerce

The Rise of WordPress

We all know how good WordPress can be. Millions of people cannot be wrong.

https://pagely.com/blog/wordpress-internet-dominance/

The continued growth of WordPress over the years, and the fact that it now powers so many websites, is fantastic. Not only from my perspective, but from the perspective of those operating a website, using the WordPress Platform.

The constant development (and improvement) of the platform for more than dozen years, has enabled so many people to make a living from it, such as theme and plugin developers, e-Commerce managers, and businesses relying on Woo Commerce, which powers so many online shops. Best part is, WordPress is FREE.

Consider this. If WordPress was to ‘just maintain’ its’ approximate 30% share of websites that ‘power’ the internet, it’s usage will still grow rapidly – as evidenced by the constant growth of online traffic, especially e-Commerce and business to business websites.

WordPress now powers 30% of websites

As demand for WordPress Professionals increases, it is providing more and more opportunities for people to ‘live a laptop lifestyle’, so to speak – if you are dedicated, and good at your work, the ability to earn six figures (net) is just too easy.

Here’s a post that was originally posted in 2012, that I found online.

https://barn2.co.uk/why-wordpress-developers-are-the-future-of-web-design/

It’s interesting in this post, that there’s a ‘widespread attitude’ that WordPress ‘isn’t proper web design’ – Now, it’s not the opinion of the writer, they are discussing the ‘attitude’.

My answer to this ‘really stupid’ ‘attitude’ is that the facts speak for themselves. The world is moving forward, it’s more automated and self-managed. People can now ‘safely’ have a website built, and if they do a little research, or learn how to manage and update their website, they are better off, aren’t they?

The whole purpose of WordPress, is to give people the power. Just imagine how expensive it would be, if developers ran the show! ‘Oh….you want to update your phone number, do you? That’ll be $250, thank you very much’. But no, WordPress allows the average user to login to their dashboard, and update their own phone number – for FREE.

Power to the people.

Obviously, with more technical ‘demands’, clients have the option to request changes to their websites by WordPress Developers / Managers.

You see, this is a whole new business that never existed prior to the development of the WordPress Platform. You now have people that are skilled in WordPress, with no experience in coding, that can safely manage websites for individuals and businesses, at a cheaper rate, than someone like me.

Which is why I’ve decided to set up a Monitoring Service, that will incorporate updates and assistance to those with existing websites. My aim is to manage no more than 50 websites, at $199 per month. I can host your website on my server at an additional fee, which is subject to requirements. Contact Me for more information, providing as much information as you can – communication is secure.

By using my Monitoring Services, if your website requires any technical work done, my services will be available at an additional $55 per hour (saving you $66 an hour), with a minimum of 1 hour.

Why use a Monitoring Service?

  • Peace of mind
  • Added security
  • Up to date website
  • Limited downtime

Obviously, there are numerous other benefits, as some people will benefit in more ways than others, depending on the type of website / business that is monitored.

Like always, I am open and honest. I am not the cheapest WordPress Professional. If you check me out and think I’m too expensive, then return to have someone else’s mistakes fixed, I normally won’t assist – Because that’s the price you need to pay for wanting to be cheap.

Interested in more information? Feel free to contact me or search for another WordPress Professional.

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Code is Poetry – Lets Keep It That Way

It’s true, code is poetry. Well, that’s what WordPress would like.

Unfortunately, if something bad happens to your website, the only poem you’ll be reciting is something like ‘oh WordPress, you’ve made me depressed….’.

It doesn’t though, have to be this way.

I’ve had clients in the past, that I had told to take their business elsewhere, simply for the fact that they considered their website was really just a part-time thing, that would look after itself.

To give you an example, I was contacted by a client who’s website had been out of action (it was broken) for approximately 8 months. That is eight months that people could have thought they were out of business, or considered that their business was ‘that bad’, that is wasn’t ‘worth’ the time of day.

Websites break. That is the reality. It could be that a vulnerability was found in your contact form (for example), and a fix may have been issued. Hackers can ‘easily’ locate websites that are not updated regularly, and exploit them through a ‘back door’ vulnerability, such as my example of the contact form. Simple updates can resolve problems, and prevent data breaches and theft of customer, or business information, such as credit card details, addresses, etc.

What price though, do you put on this information?

Website management should be an integral part of your online presence. You service your car regularly right? You mow your lawn? Go to the doctor? Well then, you should be vigilant regarding your website’s health, and ensure it’s functioning properly.

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be introducing a monitoring service, that shall compliment my Auditing and Security services.

There may be figures that I’ve splashed around, but I believe the number I’m going to settle on, is $99 per month. This amount will include in it, a basic audit and security check, as well as plugin updates and general website health checks.

If you’re new to my site, there is one thing you may notice. I don’t hide from the fact that I’m not cheap, and am not concerned about people leaving when they see the price. The one thing I’m proud of, is the fact that I’ve managed to do this work as a freelancer for so long, without the need of looking for work – in fact, I turn more potential work away, than what I actually do.

I made a choice a few years back, to work on my own terms, and the reality is, at the end of the day, you are the one that decides whether to use my services, or not. I have no intention of competing with anyone on price, or comparing my skills to anyone else.

The decision to offer monitoring services was simply to allow me to focus more on the Auditing and Security aspect of my business. I’m currently engaging with several developers to come on board and help grow my business to the next level. Judging by the amount of work on offer at the moment, I believe people are now accepting (and embracing) WordPress is the future of personal, small business and e-commerce websites.

For your sake, I hope you choose to ensure the security of your website. Obviously, I am not the only person that can help you – there are a few people out there. Be sure to choose a WordPress Professional, someone that understands code, not someone who ‘just’ stumbled upon WordPress and decided ‘I can do this’. They’ll take your money and run.

You have a choice, choose wisely.

If you are interested in having your website monitored, or need to ask something, please contact me.

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How Does A Freelancer Find Work?

When you do this kind of work, which is so obviously web-related, and especially work from home, people often snicker behind your back about the ‘fact’ that you don’t leave home – so HOW on earth do you find the work that you ‘claim’ to do?

Interesting question. Kind of.

The first couple of years, after you decide to go down the freelancing / independent / self-employed route, it’s tough. Real tough.

Nobody has your back. You’re left out in the wilderness, with not many people wanting to pass on any work (for fear that you’re no good).

I guess that like everything in life, people have their own ways of finding ‘a way’ to succeed in their chosen path.

Personally, the way I succeeded was simple. I built my own websites and signed up as an affiliate to a lot of companies. Some websites I built were niche (adult), but they all did alright – they did what I wanted them to do, they made money.

Suddenly, I would get emails from people, asking if I could help build them a website, and THAT is how it started.

When I moved onto WordPress, and eventually eCommerce sites, I began to join forums, and I would purchase WordPress themes to test them out, see what they could do. If I came across an error, or even a ‘better’ way for something to be implemented, I’d reach out to the developer – free of charge.

Now, some developers reach out to me. But now, I charge. Not only do I ‘find’ work in this manner, but every now and then I login to a theme support page and look at problems people are having – you have to remember, a lot of people try and work out this whole WordPress thing themselves, until they can’t. Generally, I’ll help them – for free, but they know where to find me if they need more help. This is where my paid service begins.

Over the past decade, I’ve helped thousands of people in this way – and found repeat clients as a result, and they also refer people to me. They are happy to pay what I ask, because I helped and respected them early on, without charge. And, they know I can help them. Providing free support for work you’ve done is also an added bonus that people like. Mind you, it is built into the price, and my clients know that.

I know this post is short, but the experience gained over the years, and the work that’s gone into helping people build and maintain their websites, is massive. I definitely didn’t get to this point overnight.

People in general, I believe, just don’t understand the amount of work available using this platform – if you’re good. So far this month, I’ve completed (about) 120 hours of work, with no shortage of work to do. Actually, I didn’t want to do anything this month at all – November was a 200 hour month, and I need a break. I’ll stick it out though, you never know what’s around the corner.

If you’re interested in Website Design / Development, stay motivated. Read up, stay focused and even watch (and subscribe) to some experts, like Stefan Mischook on YouTube, see below.

Are you a WordPress Professional, looking for some extra work? If so, I could use some extra hands. Contact me using the link at the top of this page.

As always, if you have a question, contact me.

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