How to Create Wordpress Website for your Client

Creating a WordPress website for a business client can be a rewarding experience. It's a chance to showcase your skills, help a client achieve their goals, and build a strong working relationship.

However, navigating the world of WordPress can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to it.

The good news is, by taking a structured approach and utilizing the right tools, you can create a compelling WordPress website for your clients without any hassle. Let’s break down the process step-by-step:

1. Understanding Your Client’s Goals

Before you start building, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of what your client envisions for their website. This involves asking the right questions and gathering essential information.

• What's the website’s primary purpose? This could be anything from showcasing products and services, generating leads, driving online sales, or building brand awareness.

• Who is the target audience? Knowing who the client is trying to reach will help you tailor the design and content to their preferences.

• What are their specific goals for the website? Do they want to increase website traffic, boost sales, or improve customer engagement?

• Do they have any existing brand guidelines or assets? These can help ensure consistency in the website’s visual identity.

2. Choosing the Right Hosting Provider

Selecting the right web hosting provider is a critical step in building a website. The chosen host will affect your client’s website performance, security, and overall experience. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Website type: Different website types require different hosting options. For example, a simple blog website might need a shared hosting plan, while an e-commerce store might require a more robust VPS or dedicated server.

• Budget: Determine the client’s budget and choose a hosting plan that fits their needs and financial constraints.

• WordPress compatibility: Make sure the chosen hosting provider is fully compatible with WordPress, including plugins and themes.

• Security: Look for hosting providers that offer robust security features like SSL certificates, automatic backups, regular software updates, and access management.

3. Defining the Scope of the Project

Once you have a clear understanding of the client’s goals and the type of website they want, it’s time to define the project’s scope. This involves addressing key questions that will shape your plan of action.

• What is your client’s vision for the website?

• Do they have any specific brand guidelines or assets?

• Do they have any website examples they want to reference?

• Will they want to integrate email marketing or social media platforms?

• What is the estimated size of the website? Is it a simple five-page website or a complex e-commerce platform with multiple product categories?

• What functionality will be included on the website?

• What is the timeline for completing the project?

4. Creating a WordPress Admin User for Your Client

WordPress offers a user role system that allows you to manage website access levels. This is essential for handing over control to your client after completion.

• Grant your client the “Administrator” role: This gives them full control over the website, including content management, settings, and plugins.

• Add a new user: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Users,” and click on “Add New.”

• Set up the user profile: Fill in the necessary information, create a strong password, and select the “Administrator” role from the drop-down menu.

5. Crafting the Website Sitemap and Visual Design

Before you start designing, it’s crucial to create a sitemap, which outlines the website’s structure and how different pages connect. This helps search engines understand the website’s organization and improves indexing.

• List all major pages: Start by listing all the primary pages on the website, like the homepage, about page, contact page, and any other key sections.

• Include subcategories: Add any subcategories within those primary pages.

• Calculate click depth: Determine how many clicks it takes to reach each subcategory from the homepage.

Once you have a solid framework, it’s time to focus on the visual design.

• Develop a mood board: Use your client’s answers from step 3 to gather inspiration and create a mood board that reflects the desired website style.

• Define key design elements: This includes selecting fonts, colors, icons, buttons, and overall layout.

• Choose a visual style: Consider factors like the target audience, brand identity, and website’s purpose.

• Ensure responsiveness: Ensure that the website adapts to different screen sizes, making it accessible on desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.

6. Choosing the Right Plugins and Theme

WordPress thrives on its vast library of plugins and themes. Plugins add functionality, while themes determine the website’s visual appearance.

• Select core plugins: Some essential plugins to consider include:

  • SeedProd: A drag-and-drop theme builder for easy website customization.

  • AIOSEO: An automated tool to optimize website SEO.

  • MonsterInsights: Connects your website to Google Analytics.

  • WPForms: Creates forms and surveys for your website.

  • WooCommerce: A popular e-commerce plugin for building online stores.

  • WordFence: Enhances basic website security.

• Choose the perfect theme: When selecting a theme, consider:

  • Budget: Premium themes often offer more features but require a fee.

  • Website type: Select a theme designed specifically for your client’s website type.

  • Brand aesthetics: Choose a theme that aligns with the client’s brand identity.

  • Performance: Ensure the theme is responsive, customizable, accessible, and has positive reviews and reliable support.

7. Creating Website Documentation for Client Management

Website documentation is a valuable resource for your clients. It provides instructions on how to manage and maintain the website, ensuring they can effectively use it after launch.

• Project description: Include details about the website’s purpose, target audience, and goals.

• Front-end functionality: List all essential website features and include wireframe templates.

• Back-end functionality: Explain how to log in to the website, edit content, and manage settings.

• Design considerations: Provide information about brand identity, fonts, color palettes, images, videos, and overall website style.

• Contact information: Include your contact details for future questions or assistance.

8. Delivering the Website to Your Client

After you’ve completed the website, it’s time to hand it over to your client. Before doing so, ensure you’ve addressed these important aspects:

• Proofreading and error checking: Thoroughly review the website’s text for any errors or typos.

• Functionality testing: Test all buttons, forms, and website features to confirm they work correctly.

• Backup policies: Establish a clear backup policy for website data.

• Payment and invoicing: Ensure all invoices are settled.

• Provide login credentials: Give your client the necessary login information, including WordPress admin credentials, hosting account details, and domain registrar access.

• Remove your own admin account: Once the client has been added as an administrator, remove your own admin account to ensure they have full control.

Tips for Building WordPress Websites for Clients

Here are additional tips to make the website building process smoother:

• Discuss service options with your clients: Clearly define the scope of your services to avoid any misunderstandings. You can offer three main service options:

  • Website creation only: You build the website locally, and the client handles hosting and publishing.

  • Website creation and online publishing: You build and publish the website, then hand over ownership.

  • Website creation and hosting: You manage both website creation and hosting.

• Utilize a WordPress staging site: A staging site is a copy of your live website where you can test changes before applying them to the live version. This is essential for preventing website downtime or data loss.

• Encourage clients to choose their own domain: The domain name is crucial for brand recognition and online presence. Help your clients choose a domain that aligns with their brand identity and target audience.

• Employ a migration plugin for website transfer: Migration plugins automate the transfer process, ensuring a smooth transition without data loss.

Conclusion

Building a WordPress website for clients can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By following these steps, you can create a functional and aesthetically pleasing website that meets your clients’ needs and helps them achieve their online goals. Remember to communicate effectively, prioritize quality, and leverage the power of WordPress’s tools and resources to ensure a successful project for both you and your clients.