I am using WordPress to develop three of my clients’ websites. Even though I have used it in the past, I am learning things that I previously did not know. I do not use Elementor to build the site, I use the classic WordPress editor. I have learned how to duplicate pages, work with different themes, build a site from my wireframes, and incorporate a Google map and calendar with events.
For my fourth client, I am hand coding his website. He just needs a static website and does not need a calendar, social media links, or anything really interactive. The only interactive element on his website is a contact form that users can use to book appointments with him. A majority of my websites are hand-coded so this website is giving more experience.
I prefer to hand-code my websites than use WordPress because I enjoy creating the different elements of the website, along with the different pages. I will be adding a reCAPTCHA to a form for the first time. All of my clients websites should be completed by the end of the week, unless I don’t receive everything I need for the sites. I am still waiting on content and pictures from some of my clients. I do have a little time left to get everything in order to finish the websites before the end of class.
I was able to 80% finish one of my clients’ websites and they love it so far. They are going to let me know if the pictures are on the correct pages or if they want to make any changes. After that, I will optimize the photos, add a few plugins, do some testing, do a client presentation on adding content, and migrate the website. Hopefully, all my clients will love their websites.
It is taking longer than I expected to code my websites so I should have enough hours to complete my internship. I might even go over my hours a little. I have really enjoyed this experience so far. It is almost the end of the semester and I am getting excited about graduating in a few weeks.
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I love hand-coding websites also. I have a greater sense of pride when I am done. I also really enjoy having to figure out where I messed up in order to fix whatever issue I am having. I get frustrated, don’t get me wrong, but I also feel like my skills get that much better when I have to find and fix my own mistakes.
I like using WordPress also because there are a lot of people who want to have the ability to edit their websites without having to pay someone to do so every time they have a change. Therefore, knowing what to do is super important.
I use Reddit and I follow a bunch of web dev, WordPress, front-end, back-end, etc. subreddits and there can be a lot of really helpful information on there. Just like any other social media platform, there is a lot of complaining or people not being nice, but there are a lot of really helpful people too. I have made a few posts and have gotten some really great feedback from people who say they have been in the field for many years.
I’m also glad you were able to fill in your hours! That’s really awesome!
I have had WordPress for all of my projects so far, but I can see why you would prefer hand-coding! I am actually planning to learn how to build WordPress themes this summer in the hopes that I can combine these two approaches since most clients want to be able to update their own websites independently. I will have to blog about what I learn about this, in case you may find it helpful in your future projects. WordPress is a very powerful CMS, and I myself want to get more experience with the tools and add-ons it provides.