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WordPress

Mike Mitchell
PLUS
Mike Mitchell
Courses Plus Student 27,026 Points
Posted by Mike Mitchell
Mike Mitchell
Courses Plus Student 27,026 Points

Freelance problems

I've been working with a client for the last three weeks on switching their old web site in Joomla to a new Wordpress site.

I've recreated most of the content but have discovered that it's too much for me. I just don't have the skills to get the site up and running.

I'm looking to hire a design firm or a designer who knows what she or he is doing to finish the project because I can't.

Has anyone out there run into a similar problem? Any advice would be much appreciated!

3 Answers

Mike Bronner
Mike Bronner
16,395 Points
Mike Bronner
Mike Bronner
16,395 Points

What issues are you running into specifically? Is it that you can't get the theme to match, or is it a plugin issue, where the functionality doesn't line up? Does the client expect it to be EXACTLY like it was under Joomla, or is there some leeway for changes?

I have converted sites from Joomla in the past, but never ran into any trouble, because I was able to replicate most of the functionality in similar fashion using WP plugins that already existed.

My method of attack is:

  1. Create a basic Wordpress site with no special theme.
  2. Migrate all the content over, ignoring any theming issues, this is usually just setting up the respective pages and posts.
  3. Add any necessary plugins (again, ignoring design completely at this point), customize as necessary
  4. Once content and functionality is in place, start creating the theme.
  5. Once theme is done, get customer sign-off.

Not sure if this helps, but it may provide some idea for where you are at and what your options are. I'd be happy to work with you on the project, if you're looking to bring in another Freelancer -- just to put that out there, if that's what you're looking for. If not, no worries, I'll also be happy to provide feedback and suggestions as you go along.

Best of luck, and happy new year!

~Mike

Mike Mitchell
Mike Mitchell
Courses Plus Student 27,026 Points
Mike Mitchell
Mike Mitchell
Courses Plus Student 27,026 Points

Mike,

Awesome response!

I should have approached it how you outlined. Instead, I built it most of it in a child theme based on the Genesis framework and then locked myself into a corner.

If you have a site where I can contact you about freelancing, let me know. This one's way above me.

Thanks Mike!

Mike Bronner
Mike Bronner
16,395 Points
Mike Bronner
Mike Bronner
16,395 Points

My site isn't quite ready yet (going through a business transition and making a new site), but you can contact me at mike dot bronner at gmail dot com. I'll be happy to help you out as needed, or co-work the project with you, whatever you want to do. :) I'll keep an eye out for an email from you and we can discuss things in more detail. Thanks!

Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell
9,767 Points
Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell
9,767 Points

You can email me at matthew@globotek.net and I'd be happy to go over things with you.

Mike Mitchell
PLUS
Mike Mitchell
Courses Plus Student 27,026 Points
Mike Mitchell
Mike Mitchell
Courses Plus Student 27,026 Points

Thanks Mike and Matt for being willing to help me out.

I decided to be totally honest with my client and tell them what's going on. I explained how I'm struggling and that the coding my be above my level.

They are going to bring on another freelancer and pay me a small fee for the work I've done.

It sucks to lose a client, but I know that if I were working with a designer, I'd like to know exactly what was happening.

I'm going to just add this to my list of learning opportunities and move on.

Mike Bronner
Mike Bronner
16,395 Points
Mike Bronner
Mike Bronner
16,395 Points

Hi Mike, enormous props for your honesty! Did the client appreciate that you were challenged with this project and that you were honest with them? It's probably the best move. :)

Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell
9,767 Points
Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell
9,767 Points

Hey Mike. Respect to you dude, it's tough to fess up when you're in over your head. Take it as a benchmark for how far along your learning experience you are. I've been learning on Treehouse since April 1 and am only recently at a point where I can take on most projects confidently in the know that I'll be able to complete them. However, I restrict myself to WordPress and associated languages like PHP, have no idea about Drupal or anything.