Custom WordPress Website Design
I design and develop custom WordPress themes from scratch*. The design process includes your input at every step, starting from your ideas and concepts all the way to the final site. The end result is a unique, fast loading, thoroughly tested, mobile friendly website that is easy to manage from the WordPress admin.
Custom Web Design Process
Before we begin:
- Content Development – Bring your already complete content or work with a copywriter/photographer to develop your content.
- Free Website Design Estimate – We'll meet in person or talk on the phone to discuss your project requirements. I'll provide you with a free estimate based on your goals, as well as a copy of my contract and an outline of your project requirements. Before we begin, you'll be required to pay a percentage of the estimate as a deposit.
Process:
- Wireframe – Laying out your content to determine placement and priority.
An example wireframe for BCFoodSecurityGateway.ca
- Design – Multiple design concepts offered based on your preferences and branding
- Development – HTML5, CSS, JS, and PHP development of your design into a custom, mobile friendly WordPress theme.
- Testing – Tested in the most popular browsers and mobile devices (older browser support available on request), Validating for HTML5 and CSS W3C compliance.
- Adding content – Adding your content, photos, video, etc
- Search Engine Optimization – HTML title and description tags for your pages
- Feedback and final revisions - You'll have an opportunity to review the site and make additional changes before we launch.
- WordPress Security Checklist - Adding additional security to keep your site safe from hackers, bots, and spammers.
- Launch – Includes site submission to Google and Bing, Google Analytics (site stats)
- WordPress Training Available – In person or web conference tutorials on your site, and/or written documentation
Responsive Website Design
Google's recommended development method for mobile friendly websites
I build mobile friendly websites using the "Responsive Design" method. Google recommends responsive website design vs a dedicated mobile site because...
- Responsive websites use a single URL which is easier for users to share
- It doesn't require users to be redirected to a mobile URL
- Easier for Google's algorithms to index a single page
- Easier to update content on single site
Advanced Custom Fields
You control your content without breaking the design
I build custom WordPress themes that use the Advanced Custom Fields plugin to add content areas that are easy to edit from the WordPress admin.
Many free themes and templates offer a visual editor, however many WordPress users either don’t have the time or the skills to focus on the layout as well as the content.
The Advanced Custom Fields plugin allows the creation of separate editor fields and custom content areas that allow a more unique design (not just one block of text as per the default WordPress editor).
*When I say “from scratch” I mean, not using free/premium themes that have been built by other designers. I do however use code frameworks such as Bootstrap and other tools that help speed up the development process.