Need website developer

Zenify · 09-12-2020 5:40pm #1

I have created a website thats pretty good and responsive and is everything my business needs. I created it from a template online using Dreamweaver (i have a little experience from a long time ago).

its a simple website with no cart or methods to purchase on it. i was planning on launching it but I've gotten some funding (TOV) so I'm hoping to improve it by adding a cart etc. I've asked a few companies for help but they all use WordPress and say they wouldn't be able to help with Dreamweaver. They all say (without seeing the site) that it should be scrapped and start again on WordPress.

Should it be scrapped and start again using WordPress or wouldni find somebody who could add these functions to a site?

also, pm me any recommendations please

Boards.ie: Niamh · 10-12-2020 12:39pm

Hi Zenify, I have moved your post to the Development forum where you might get more advice.

10-12-2020 6:34pm

Impossible to say without knowing more about your site, but of adding a cart, you'll likely need to convert your design to be a theme for the cart you choose. Just starting again may be quicker. You could look at something like snipcart if you are determined to use your own design.

is_that_so · 10-12-2020 6:41pm

Zenify wrote: »

I have created a website thats pretty good and responsive and is everything my business needs. I created it from a template online using Dreamweaver (i have a little experience from a long time ago).

its a simple website with no cart or methods to purchase on it. i was planning on launching it but I've gotten some funding (TOV) so I'm hoping to improve it by adding a cart etc. I've asked a few companies for help but they all use WordPress and say they wouldn't be able to help with Dreamweaver. They all say (without seeing the site) that it should be scrapped and start again on WordPress.

Should it be scrapped and start again using WordPress or wouldni find somebody who could add these functions to a site?

also, pm me any recommendations please

Have you had a look at what deals hosting companies offer? A few of them will do a site for you at a very reasonable price and they have packages.

Wordpress sounds like it's more what you want to do. I'd look at Elementor, they have stacks of templates and I think they will also do work for you as well. Wordpress itself now has a vast range of plugins and functionality as well as being very easy to work with and maintain.

Zenify · 10-12-2020 7:15pm

Yeah I've kinda come to the conclusion now to start again after talking with a few people. thanks for your help. at the very least the site will give other developers an idea of what I'm looking for.

B.A._Baracus · 10-12-2020 7:25pm

Honestly?
You would be better off starting with wordpress. It comes with WooCommerce which is free. You could modify an existing free template to look like yours (tip: make something known as a child theme If you do) or you could buy a really great them for around 60 dollars.

Obviously the above is if you want to do it yourself but using WordPress works out cheaper if paying someone else.

Trust me wordpress is the way to go. Also if you wanted to add any functionality to it (like I dunno, generated barcodes for orders that customers could scan in shops) there would be a million and one wordpress plugins to help any solution.

Discod · 12-12-2020 3:02pm

pm you, check please

zom · 14-12-2020 7:45pm

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Honestly?
You would be better off starting with wordpress. .

Agree - especially if you expect page (business) to grow.
Wordpress is easier to maintain, easier to teach someone to maintain it, easier to update, change a look or add new functionality. It has few small drawbacks but if you are not to fussy about website looking EXACTLY like you dreamed it, you will be glad you moved to Wordpress.

Zenify · 14-12-2020 8:49pm

currently learning WordPress, thanks all for input

pnecilcaser · 19-12-2020 1:55pm

I've done WordPress sites with woo commerce integration. Its straight forward enough and there are loads of themes available to make it look and behave the way you want it to. Always get someone who hasn't seen it to test it for you from a user perspective and if it is a commerce website make sure you put enough effort into the emails that will be sent out by the system.

look into the TRADING ONLINE VOUCHERS offered by your Local Enterprise Boards also to see if you can get a grant for the development

Zenify · 05-03-2021 10:26am

Thanks for much for all the advice everyone.

So I did WordPress, Elementor pro, and WooCommerce. I spent about a week learning how to use it all by watching YouTube videos. I ended up only using a bare bones theme (hello) and building the site up from scratch. I also got a Trading Online Voucher to cover costs such as hosting, elementor pro, and i will be adding in marketing costs for Google etc.

All I can say is these programs are AMAZING. I would recommend any small business owner to learn them as websites need constant updating.

I would love to get some feedback on the site. It hasn't officially launched yet. I have just sent it to some friends to test etc. So making any edits where problems are coming up.

https://theivoryfeather.ie/

Zenify · 05-03-2021 10:30am

Last thing I haven't done yet is WooCommerce shipping rates. Will probably do that today. Also I am struggling with the WooCommerce emails. They are going into people's spam. I think it's because the SPF record isn't right and I don't have a DKIM in my dns. I watched videos but still haven't been able to do it. Any advice ?

Zenify · 05-03-2021 4:28pm

I had to take it back offline because it hasn't launched yet. I'll let you know when it's back up.

Zenify · 07-03-2021 8:40pm

Website officially launched

John_Mc · 08-03-2021 12:04pm

Looks good - simple but functional design which is enhanced by the pictures of your products (which look good by the way). You have SSL set up which would be the most important thing with commerce.

Fair play for taking it on yourself and getting up and running so quickly. That knowledge & ownership will give you the ability to make any changes you want/need and that advantage is huge.

Best of luck with your business!

Zenify · 12-03-2021 3:31pm

There is something I need help with... The site is a bit slow and I would like to speed it up. I installed wp-rocket and that help a good bit. The main stumbling block is "eliminate render-blocking resources". Most of the wp-rocket settings that help with this cause problems with the appearance of my site so I have to toggle them off.

Should I hire someone or is there an easy fix?

John_Mc · 12-03-2021 3:57pm

Zenify wrote: »

There is something I need help with... The site is a bit slow and I would like to speed it up. I installed wp-rocket and that help a good bit. The main stumbling block is "eliminate render-blocking resources". Most of the wp-rocket settings that help with this cause problems with the appearance of my site so I have to toggle them off.

Should I hire someone or is there an easy fix?

Render blocking resources are probably the images you have? The only thing you can do is optimise them in terms of size without impacting quality too much.

I certainly wouldn't hire anyone to do that

Zenify · 12-03-2021 4:03pm

I reduced their size through photoshops image processor already. They are a little bigger than a normal picture for a website but we think users will zoom in on them.

Oranage2 · 12-03-2021 4:06pm

Have you tried changing the slider plugin? Word press has many options so you can try a few. Also you should optimize the photos if you haven't, use some Software to reduce the size of all your photos. Lastly it could be the websites host, it might not be able to load pictures quickly.

Zenify · 12-03-2021 4:51pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

Have you tried changing the slider plugin? Word press has many options so you can try a few. Also you should optimize the photos if you haven't, use some Software to reduce the size of all your photos. Lastly it could be the websites host, it might not be able to load pictures quickly.

Slider plugin? I'm just using the standard image slider on elementor if that is what you are talking about for my pics? I did optimize the pics, most of them are around 150-200kb they are big but the photos are very important in this work. I ran the website through some online speed tests and the score wasn't great, I'm starting to realize maybe it's no big deal and the site is fine...

jimmycrackcorm · 12-03-2021 5:03pm

Zenify wrote: »

I reduced their size through photoshops image processor already. They are a little bigger than a normal picture for a website but we think users will zoom in on them.

If you want users to be able to zoom in then have higher resolution versions as a separate click through. That way you can minimize the size of the initial images and allow the user to choose what they want to see in detail after loading.

They may not want to zoom on any, or maybe just one. But no need to slow the whole site down just on a chance they might want to.

Zenify · 12-03-2021 5:05pm

how much smaller should I make the pictures?

Oranage2 · 12-03-2021 5:15pm

Zenify wrote: »

Slider plugin? I'm just using the standard image slider on elementor if that is what you are talking about for my pics? I did optimize the pics, most of them are around 150-200kb they are big but the photos are very important in this work. I ran the website through some online speed tests and the score wasn't great, I'm starting to realize maybe it's no big deal and the site is fine...

Look in the add-ons for different sliders. Check some others out.

Could you also reduce the amount of photos in the slider album and say more pictures are on request. Tbh I didn't know if they were stock photos or legit photos from just looking at them, I'd probably do more close ups of just the writing on the paper, that might help reduce the size of the photos too.

Also as you said, the website could be just fine as it is.

John_Mc · 12-03-2021 5:28pm

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

If you want users to be able to zoom in then have higher resolution versions as a separate click through. That way you can minimize the size of the initial images and allow the user to choose what they want to see in detail after loading.

They may not want to zoom on any, or maybe just one. But no need to slow the whole site down just on a chance they might want to.

Yeah good idea there. Lazy loading is what you want:

https://kinsta.com/blog/wordpress-lazy-load/

wba88 · 28-03-2021 1:36am

Zenify wrote: »

There is something I need help with... The site is a bit slow and I would like to speed it up. I installed wp-rocket and that help a good bit. The main stumbling block is "eliminate render-blocking resources". Most of the wp-rocket settings that help with this cause problems with the appearance of my site so I have to toggle them off.

Should I hire someone or is there an easy fix?

The Good
Your server is fine
You have 1 image loading which is optimised well (before a user scrolls -thanks to lazy loading)
It's a nice looking site

The Bad
Your site makes ~70 file requests before user interaction. 28 CSS and 32 JS. That's a lot. This is due to the use of Elementor and its plugins. Even though your cache is great it's still slow to load because of the amount of files and their size. If you're able to reduce some of that then you'll see an improvement

The Ugly (Non dev advice)
Please put your prices on your website. Your website is a 24/7 salesperson, let it weed out people who aren't prepared to pay what you're charging and then you know the ones that do contact you know how much you charge and are still interested. It'll save you time in the long run. You can say contact us for bespoke orders etc. too

AndrewJRenko · 28-03-2021 7:36am

Constructive feedback on design - a lot of the content is difficult to read, particularly for older people and people with any degree of sight loss.

The main scheme of grey text on a white background doesn't provide enough contrast between text and background.

The ALLCAPS headings are hard to read, as people rely on the shape of the words to read. ALLCAPS words have no shape.

The cursive font used for the main heading isn't the most legible either. There's no point having stuff that looks beautiful if a chunk of your audience can't actually read it.

Zenify · 28-03-2021 10:44am

wba88 wrote: »

The Good
Your server is fine
You have 1 image loading which is optimised well (before a user scrolls -thanks to lazy loading)
It's a nice looking site

The Bad
Your site makes ~70 file requests before user interaction. 28 CSS and 32 JS. That's a lot. This is due to the use of Elementor and its plugins. Even though your cache is great it's still slow to load because of the amount of files and their size. If you're able to reduce some of that then you'll see an improvement

The Ugly (Non dev advice)
Please put your prices on your website. Your website is a 24/7 salesperson, let it weed out people who aren't prepared to pay what you're charging and then you know the ones that do contact you know how much you charge and are still interested. It'll save you time in the long run. You can say contact us for bespoke orders etc. too

The Good
Thanks

The Bad
Do you mean reduce plugins or reduce the css and Javascript? How would I go about identifying the CSS and JS to delete?

The Ugly
This is actually something we put a lot of thought into, and we still don't know if it is right or not. It is working well at the moment though. The price list is automatically sent with the form submission. Obviously we could lose people from this method but we will have to test either way I suppose. I also use it as a conversion for Google and Facebook marketing. The people that submit that form are not Tyre kickers and therefore I tell marketing platforms to find lookalike audiences.

Thanks for the help.

Zenify · 28-03-2021 10:51am

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Constructive feedback on design - a lot of the content is difficult to read, particularly for older people and people with any degree of sight loss.

The main scheme of grey text on a white background doesn't provide enough contrast between text and background.

The ALLCAPS headings are hard to read, as people rely on the shape of the words to read. ALLCAPS words have no shape.

The cursive font used for the main heading isn't the most legible either. There's no point having stuff that looks beautiful if a chunk of your audience can't actually read it.

I agree, I would have made it all much easier to read. My wife is the creator and founder of this business and that's how she wants it. It's more about art than function for her. I just do the business end of everything. She designed the website on paper and I just put it together.

One other thing older people struggle with is finding the menu on a mobile device. It is the Feather. We like it as it adds branding but we aren't sure if we are losing potential customers from it? Any opinions?

wba88 · 28-03-2021 2:14pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Constructive feedback on design - a lot of the content is difficult to read, particularly for older people and people with any degree of sight loss.

The main scheme of grey text on a white background doesn't provide enough contrast between text and background.

The ALLCAPS headings are hard to read, as people rely on the shape of the words to read. ALLCAPS words have no shape.

The cursive font used for the main heading isn't the most legible either. There's no point having stuff that looks beautiful if a chunk of your audience can't actually read it.

This is good advice

Zenify wrote: »

The Bad
Do you mean reduce plugins or reduce the css and Javascript? How would I go about identifying the CSS and JS to delete?

It's always best to reduce your reliance on plugins.
11 requests are from WooCommerce (somewhat acceptable)
43 requests from Elementor (that's a lot but I don't know Elementor so it's hard to weed out the unneeded ones)
It's a common issue, you're using an "all-in-one" builder so it's loading code for 100x more things than you want it to do. Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've seen a lot worse and there's not an awful lot you can do unless you move away from Elementor and instead build off of a theme

The price list is automatically sent with the form submission.

Ok, so it's not a matter of potential customers getting "price-shock" and you wanting to talk them through the validation of the pricing

We use the price list as a treat in order to get peoples email addresses

NO

This enables us to send a follow up email and have their details as a lead

NO

I also use it as a conversion for Google and Facebook marketing. The people that submit that form are not Tyre kickers and therefore I tell marketing platforms to find lookalike audiences.

PLEASE NO. STOP!

This is exactly why the GDPR was brought in. Just because the person gave you their email address (for a one-time exchange of information) does not constitute the explicit consent needed to use their personal information to contact them in the future (for sales purposes) or to use their email for marketing purposes.

I strongly advise you stop this immediately until you understand how to ask for their permissions for the above in accordance with GDPR. I would suggest listing the prices on the page with a contact form or information below it

p.s. Pricing shouldn't be hidden under About in the menu

Zenify · 28-03-2021 2:32pm

wba88 wrote: »

I strongly advise you stop this immediately until you understand how to ask for their permissions for the above in accordance with GDPR. I would suggest listing the prices on the page with a contact form or information below it

We say that this will happen in our privacy policy. The privacy policy is on the bottom of every page and I will include it on the cookie pop up too.

They get one automated email with the list and then a second 2 days later with more details about the price list and how we are honering the price based on low numbers due to Covid.

I probably worded it wrongly, saying we get their email details. It's just one email sent afterwards with more pricing details.

wba88 · 28-03-2021 5:56pm

Zenify wrote: »

We say that this will happen in our privacy policy. The privacy policy is on the bottom of every page and I will include it on the cookie pop up too.

They get one automated email with the list and then a second 2 days later with more details about the price list and how we are honering the price based on low numbers due to Covid.

I probably worded it wrongly, saying we get their email details. It's just one email sent afterwards with more pricing details.

Again I suggest you read up on GDPR if you want to keep doing that. It states that consent needs to be opt-in at the point that they are handing over their data i.e. they need to click a checkbox to allow you to contact them and use their email for marketing purposes. It is not enough that it is in your privacy policy

Zenify · 28-03-2021 7:02pm

wba88 wrote: »

Again I suggest you read up on GDPR if you want to keep doing that. It states that consent needs to be opt-in at the point that they are handing over their data i.e. they need to click a checkbox to allow you to contact them and use their email for marketing purposes. It is not enough that it is in your privacy policy

Is the first email we send them with the price list OK under GDPR?

We can combine the 2 emails into one. The first one is generic and the second one is the current info if we can take bookings and covid prices for small weddings. It just means we have to keep updating the automatic email.

It's not a newsletter sign up or anything. We even specify that in our privacy policy. It is purely information that is all part of a price list and they entered their details asking for it.

AndrewJRenko · 28-03-2021 9:39pm

Zenify wrote: »

It's more about art than function for her.

A great designer will make sure it's about both.

wba88 · 28-03-2021 10:52pm

Zenify wrote: »

Is the first email we send them with the price list OK under GDPR?

AFAIK yes this is fine, they want something and tell you where to delivery it. You send it to them and then do not retain their information for use for future marketing purposes or for uploading to Google/Facebook marketing campaigns and the like

I really do suggest you experiment with a price list on the page and your contact information or contact form below it

p.s. I appreciate you being receptive of the feedback, a lot of people see compliance as a chore and impeding what they really want to do but GDPR really is good for everyone and the future of everything digital

Zenify · 28-03-2021 11:00pm

wba88 wrote: »

uploading to Google/Facebook marketing campaigns and the like

This is not what we do, we have the facebook pixel to do all of that. Remarketing to visitors is automatic now with tags, their is no reason to keep or upload these details anymore. Google tag manager has been a great tool and I've found it incredibly interesting.

I did phrase it completely wrong when I said we had peoples email addresses. I think you are assuming far beyond what we are actually doing.

It's the action of submitting the button that is important to us for marketing purposes. Not the email address itself. The information is fed to the facebook pixel and its a converion for our google and bing marketing campaigns. The email address itself is irrelevant.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup · 29-03-2021 4:13pm

got nothing to say except site looks great to me. very classy looking. crazy how much money is in the wedding market

Need website developer

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