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Jw may presentation
- 1. Help Your SmallBusiness Client Maintain Their Own WordPress Site Jonathan May
- 2. Agenda § Introductions § What This Is – and Isn’t – About § The Four Steps to Self-Maintenance Nirvana § Questions, Success Stories and War Stories
- 3. Introductions • Who areyou??? • Freelance Website designers/developers • Small business or not-for-profit people • In-house IT guys • Tool developers (themes, plugins, etc.) • Not Sure/Other
- 4. Introductions, cont’d • Whoam I? • Currently a freelance Web Hmmm… whatever marketer, designer, developer happened to and chief-cook-and-bottle- COBOL??? washer at YourPresenceOnTheWeb.com • I have been programming, project managing, consulting and loving/hating everything to do with computers and software for over 30 years *COBOL => COmmon • Relatively new to WordPress… Business-Oriented and loving it! Language
- 5. What This Is– and Isn’t – About • This is NOT about technology (very much) • It’s all about becoming a trusted advisor to your client • As a trusted advisor, you are: • More valued than a whiz-bang code jockey • More likely to obtain follow-on business from a client • More likely to be referred to other clients • The catch: It doesn’t come easy
- 6. What This Is– and Isn’t – About • The scenario: • You are a freelance Web designer/deverloper • Joe’s Tax Service wants you to create a WordPress site for them • Joe is just getting started in business, doesn’t have much cash flow, and – to keep ongoing expenses down – doesn’t want to pay someone else to maintain his Website • What should you do? a. Jump right in and hope for the best – it’ll all work out b. Walk away from this soon-to-be mess, or…. c. Take the Four Steps to Self-Maintenance Nirvana!
- 7. The Four Stepsto Self- Maintenance Nirvana 1. Evaluate the Risk 2. Plan the Approach 3. Execute the Plan 4. Re-evaluate and Adjust • This is really “Consulting 101”
- 8. Pop Quiz #1 Q: Who is this guy???
- 9. Pop Quiz #1 A:Matt Mullenweg
- 10. Pop Quiz #2 Q:Who is Matt Mullenweg???
- 11. Pop Quiz #2 A:Matt Mullenweg is the original creator of
- 12. Step #0: ProvideSome “Escape Clauses” • Build at least a modest amount of “warranty time” into your development agreement • Consider offering the client a “bare bones” ongoing maintenance and support agreement • Small monthly retainer (perhaps at a discounted rate) for a minimum number of billable hours • Additional time supporting the site above and beyond the minimum to be billed at your standard hourly rate • Minimum duration of 3 – 6 months
- 13. Step #1: Evaluatethe Risk • Before you start the project, assess how risky it would be to have the client self-maintain the site • Why do that? • WordPress is supposed to be the Website development tool for the masses, isn’t it? • Well, yes, but… • But it takes training, experience and some basic aptitude to avoid botching up a site • A botched-up Website will hurt the client’s business, and possibly your business, too • Before you sign up for this gig, determine if the level of risk is acceptable
- 14. Step #1: Evaluatethe Risk • Scenario #1: Acceptable risk • Site design is relatively simple, e.g, a basic “brochure site” with • 6 – 8 pages • A few key plugins • Little/no custom code • No e-commerce • No plans to make major changes/enhancements to the site immediately after launch • Site owner has some computer savvy This could work!
- 15. Step #1: Evaluatethe Risk • Scenario #2: Danger, danger, Will Robinson! • Complex site design • Owner will be depending on site to generate significant revenue • Big plans for ongoing enhancement of the site after launch • Site owner possesses little/no basic computer skills or aptitude Consider a different approach!
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- 17. Step #2: PlanYour Approach • Provide ways to reduce how much time they need to spend in the tool • Example: submit posts via e-mail • Work with your client to determine how they will get the training and experience they need to become a self-maintainer • WARNING: Do not attempt this with someone who lacks basic computer skills/aptitude
- 18. Step #2: PlanYour Approach • Plan the Training • Create a simple inventory of the set of skills the client must have • Focus on the 80/20 items • Start early in the process • Training Resources • Books (Lots of them available, but probably better as reference guides) • You (in a limited way only) • On-line videos (now you’re talking!) • Free: wpapprentice.com and freewptraining.com • NOT Free: lynda.com and wp101.com
- 19. Step #2: PlanYour Approach • Create a practice plan • Set up a practice sandbox • To avoid conflicts with development, consider creating a site at wordpress.com • Start with simple exercises, move to more complex • Drive off the skills inventory with 80/20 focus • Again, start early – “doing is learning” • Last but not least: Make sure the site owner buys into the plan!
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- 21. Step #3: Executethe Plan • Do regular progress check-ins with the client • Have them show you the practice work they have done • Your role should be primarily to answer questions and provide feedback • Make sure any time you personally spend on training them is focused on high-leverage topics
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- 23. Step #4: Re-evaluateand Adjust • If the client is really floundering or just isn’t making any progress… • Time to “Have The Talk” • As needed: • Step up training/practice efforts by the client • Invest more 1-on-1 training time with the client • Suggest re-considering at least a bare bones support agreement
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- 25. Questions Success Stories, and War Stories
- 26. Thank You! For listening For sharing For laughing (?) at the lame cartoons Jonathan May jwmay@yourpresenceontheweb.com (603) 801-0688