FAQ

• I am here to help you by providing an overview of the WordPress website solution.
• Then I will assist you with all the major decisions required to complete the website.
•  We (website's owner and designer) share a common goal.
• Our goal is to create and build a website that communicates effectively with the end user.

• The purpose of your website could be selling products or services, a nonprofit who sponsors events targeted to their membership, a blog with specialized content and the list goes on . . .
• However, selling products, services, or events all depend on creating a "user friendly"website that
  communicates effectively with the people who are looking for information on your website.

The website's owner and designer work together toward a common goal, which is to communicate clearly with the website’s end users.

Owner

As the Website’s Owner, the goal is to reach your targeted audience via a website. Your understand how to communicate with your audience and have worked on a user profile that further defines the audience’s characteristics. Plus you have the written copy and gathered the other assets (photos, videos, recordings) together. Additionally, you will provide important feedback during the website’s creation process.

Designer

As the Website’s Designer, my goal is to take your concept and content and then create the best possible “user experience” for the website’s intended visitor(s).(Read more about the “user experience” at Wikipedia.)

Website's End User

So both of our goals overlap in wanting to communicate effectively with the Website’s Users. The User wants to find the information that they are looking for easily and intuitively without having to spend much time or energy figuring out how to use the website.

• Almost any type of website that you might need or want can be built using WordPress*
  
• This means that the templates offer a specialized layout for many professions and services and plugins, additional code written to extend the functionality of WordPress, offer many choices in terms of the graphical look and functions that the website can perform.

*“WordPress (WP, WordPress.org) is a free and open-source content management system (CMS). . . Features include a plugin architecture and a template system, referred to within WordPress as Themes.” (Read more about WordPress at Wikipedia.)

A website requires the following, a domain name, and a hosting company.

• Some hosting companies offer new customers a low introductory rate that is paid in advancefor a specified time period. After that initial term (6 months, 1 year or longer) is over, then the hosting price will increase.
• The domain name (URL) can be purchased from the same, or a different company who is hosting the website on their server.
• (If the domain name is purchased from the same company who hosts the website,then sometimes the domain name's charge will be waived.)
• My rates are listed on the Home Page under Pricing.
• Please note that other costs may be incurred for a theme, plugins, security and backups.)

WordPress themes range from basic to specialized ones for a specific purpose, profession or organization with customized ways of presenting content.

There are still many free WordPress themes, which is great, if consistent updates are provided. However, most themes with specialized functionality will cost money.

"A plugin is defined as code written to extend the functionality of WordPress." Read more about plugins at Wikipedia.org

Typically, a developer will offer two versions: a free plugin, and the paid version that includes more options.

• The WordPress template itself may include all of the needed functionality, but there might be other requirements NOT met by the theme. A plugins can add graphic elements to the theme, such as a calendar or photo gallery to name just two examples.
• Plugins are used as an alternative for providing essential services in order to run a WordPress website, such as security, backup and many other functions.

Website security is mandatory because your website will almost immediately become infected without security.

Plugins can be used to provide website security, again free plugins are available and the developer will usually provide a paid version as well. There are also companies that provide website security as well.

Money spent on website security is money well spent.

• If the website is compromised by any malicious attack, then it needs to be cleaned and a backup installed.
• A backup of the website’s content (database, plugins, themes, uploads and others) is crucial for reloading the pages and/or posts.
• If a plugin is used for making backups then there are free versions and the developer will usually provide a paid version. Also, the Internet Hosting Provider will offer a backup service that might or might not be included in your plan.