Best way to approach WordPress?

  • aggk

    (@aggk)


    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hi,

    I have been developing websites for a long time both as freelance and on web agencies.
    I´m not an expert on anything as each project has been unique and I have been involved in different parts but mainly programming.
    A few years ago I built a custom WordPress site for a small company as a childtheme from twentyeleven and that is my WordPress experience so far.

    I have now been asked by the owner of a startup marketing agency to create a workflow for upgrading 4 of his customer’s websites to a new platform (to newly designed websites) over the period of app. one year.
    It´s fairly large business sites (app. 50-200 employees), with pretty basic functionality.

    I think WordPress would be a good way to start this but I´m just not sure which way would be the best/smartest and most efficient approach?
    I see this as a long term project and would like to get it right from the start
    …secure, good code and modern functionality taking advantage of premium services where possible, for efficient production

    1.Should I be developing childthemes from Twenty Sixteen (or other quality themes)?
    It seem like the first choice but then It´s probably not the most efficient way to work
    I might end doing unnecessary work not utilizing services like dynamik?

    2.Should I choose a framework like Genesis?
    I read a lot of good things about Genesis, it does seem like stabile choice with a large number of users.
    Tempting to start here, possibly in conjunction with dynamik

    3.Should I use a multipurpose theme from Themeforest?
    Avada at Themeforest seem to have all the looks and “finesse” that clients are asking for.
    4.77 average based on 11969 ratings is very impressive.
    Some seem to think code gets “bad” and bloated with a multipurpose theme but I looks like they are doing a good job upgrading continuously
    Avada combined with the best Security and SEO plugins might be a wise choice

    …I´m sure there are lots of other approaches

    Greatful for any comments, thanks!

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Andrew Nevins

    (@anevins)

    WCLDN 2018 Contributor | Volunteer support

    10 years, 7 months ago

    The options are relative to the amount of time you have to spend on the project, developing (think about change requests too) and supporting, and your knowledge of the technologies involved in rebuilding their site.

    Thread Starter aggk

    (@aggk)

    10 years, 7 months ago

    Yes, I realize each project will be unique.
    But I was looking for comments on these specific approaches (and perhaps other)
    pros, cons, experiences…recommendations on a smart way to get started with WordPress development.

    Thanks!

    Andrew Nevins

    (@anevins)

    WCLDN 2018 Contributor | Volunteer support

    10 years, 7 months ago

    Should you consider a framework in general – Yes, don’t re-invent the wheel.

    catacaustic

    (@catacaustic)

    10 years, 7 months ago

    For my own ways of working I’d answer like this…

    1.Should I be developing childthemes from Twenty Sixteen (or other quality themes)?

    The reason for using child themes are that the parent theme closely matches what you want it to be, and you will be doing some (relatively) minor chnages to the layout and functionality. If you need to do anything larger then I would normally suggest creating your own theme and making it work and look the way that it’s supposed to right from the start.

    2.Should I choose a framework like Genesis?

    If you’re new to WordPress devleopment, frameowrks like Genesis can speed up your devleopment time and give some extra functioanlity over the base WordPress system. The only drawback is that when you use something like this, you have to do things their way which may or may not suite the site. Most times it will help, and Genesis is one of the most popular ones around so there will be a good deal of support for it as well.

    3.Should I use a multipurpose theme from Themeforest?

    Personally… I wouldn’t do this, but it can work for lots of people. Again, its going to depend if you can find one that will match what you want to do and how you want to do it. The biggest drawback with the “general purpose” themes is that they are very general so a lot of things are done in a more round-about way then they would be if you were doing the development yourself for the way that it should be working.

    Thread Starter aggk

    (@aggk)

    10 years, 7 months ago

    Thanks so much for your response!

    I will be trying out different WordPress “ways” the coming weeks, before we decide on our approach/workflow.

    Any other advice/comments for a WordPress marketing/web agency business startup would be welcome!

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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