Personally, I am a big fan of Wordpress websites. It's amazing how a simple blog has evolved into a fully functional website with a ton of capabilities!

I also find that it is easier to train my clients to manage their websites using Wordpress as oppose to content management systems like Joomla or CMSMS.

The free report, "10 Reasons Why You Should Use Wordpress" elaborates on the pros of using Wordpress for business sites.

What has been your experiece and what is your web design skill level?

Thanks for sharing,
Dawn

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Dawn Lawson | At Your Service
http://freelanceadminsupport.com

I am curious about this too. My old web designer has gone to using Wordpress for sites the same as you mention but I am curious to hear what others think so I know where to go with my self-training.
Thanks!
Vanessa

My client actually turned me on to using Wordpress for websites. She uses the Thesis theme, and it is amazing in the flexibility it offers to HTML/CSS coders or those who prefer WYSIWYG.

I've just set up a membership site for her with WishList member, LiveChat embedded, some basic plug-ins and some light code changes to the layout for background color.

Seeing the results, I transformed my own website from a basic web template, to a new WordPress site using a CMS template from Elegant Themes. While there is some knowledge required to do some initial set-up - I really do prefer having a site in WP just for the plug-ins and customizations.

I'm actually looking at taking further training in WordPress, since I do love working with it so much. Maybe it's an idea for a niche for me.

Anyways, those are my thoughts on WP as a website!

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Crystal Coleman, The Northern Edge

I have been leaning toward using WP for my new site. This topic has me pretty much convinced.

I have worked with WP a bit, but I was wondering how you get it to just use your URL (www.yourdomain.com) instead of www.yourdomain.com/wordpress <--or whatever you named the folder for WP.

Crystal - I love your new look!!! Very professional!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Jules - thanks!

To host on your own domain, you need to use wordpress.org, not wordpress.com (which is the free hosted version).

My hosting company makes it easy with a quick click to automatically install to my root directory, but you can also do it manually. Just follow the instructions for the download at wordpress.org.

[off-topic]
After I had written my first post and was driving to town, I started thinking I should clarify: I think web designers are the experts in web design, and others who use templates etc should respect the knowledge of the true designers.

If I were to take Wordpress training, it would not be to call myself a WP designer - because I'm not qualified to do major changes to templates or in-depth tweaks. I believe the professionals who "speak" html/css as a second language really should handle those types of tasks. However, knowing and understanding WP enough to make small changes to pre-designed templates in addition to basic set-up, installation and customization through plug-ins is perhaps a value-added service that I could add to my offerings and perhaps become a small niche for my business.

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Crystal Coleman, The Northern Edge

Originally Posted by CMColeman

After I had written my first post and was driving to town, I started thinking I should clarify: I think web designers are the experts in web design, and others who use templates etc should respect the knowledge of the true designers....

I agree with Crystal and Dawn. I know a tiny little bit about designing a website from scratch (very tiny), but it's enough to know that I don't want to do it myself. There is a lot involved and I have too much else to do instead. I use Wordpress.org on my own domain with Thesis theme (which I love). It works great for me and is quite easy to use. Thesis is not free, but there are plenty of other Wordpress themes out there.

I would say that if you were planning on offering web design services, that you'd definitely need to take all the proper courses. But if you are just looking for a website for yourself and don't have the time or inclination to build it from scratch, Wordpress works just tickety-boo.

Deb

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Deb at Ivy Freelance
Metrics, Marketing and Macros

"Tickety-boo?!?" I love that.

I agree with all, Wordpress is phenomenal.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Hi All,

I agree Wordpress is fantastic.

I changed my site over to Wordpress about a month ago, and just love it! It is so easy to make changes to my site and content.

Plus it is really good for SEO, and the different array of plugins are just amazing.

I would recommend it to everyone.

Cheers
Nicole

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Little Miss Useful
www.littlemissuseful.com

Originally Posted by CMColeman

Jules - thanks! To host on your own domain, you need to use wordpress.org, not wordpress.com (which is the free hosted version). My hosting company makes it easy with a quick click to automatically install to my root directory, but you can also do it manually. Just follow the instructions for the download at wordpress.org.

Yeah, I've got a downloaded copy on one of my sites that I've messed around with, but it seems to me it had to go in its own folder (it's been quite awhile ago). My host has the wordpress.org one and installing was easy.

Off to check out themes that I can customize!

Thank you!

ETA: Duh. The reason it had to go in its own folder was because the domain was used by a site. Sheesh.

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

I was totally unaware that wordpress was this functional as a website and not just a blog site. I am goingto have to look more into this. I have been looking to create a new website .... this is probably just what I am looking for.