Should I Use WordPress?

  • Sorry if this is long: I’d like to build a WP site for a band, and along the way, learn WP so I can build/update a few other sites I have. I was initially excited to dig into WP because of its purported intuitive, user-friendly design/functionality qualities. I started out by designing a rough layout (in Pages for Mac): background, colors, images, fonts, nav bar placement, content ideas, etc. When I showed my rough layout to WP “experts” (friends and others who use WP), they were confident that I could set up a WP site like that. Being completely new to WP, I started out with a free theme and it was garbage: no versatility, clunky layout, etc. So I bit the bullet and paid for a theme. It was the same problem – no flexibility, limited choices, ugly backgrounds, etc.

    A bit of history: a few years ago, I used iWeb for awhile, and while it had its problems, you had versatility, you had choices, you had freedom – to move things around, experiment with fonts and colors, place the nav bar where you want. My experience with the WP themes so far offers none of that. Maybe I’m naive, but in the year 2014, shouldn’t we have access to a user-friendly/beginner site builder that offers choices without having to utilize workarounds and running to a forum with questions and begging the theme designer for help?

    So back to my topic title: should I use WordPress? I don’t want to “learn Latin” – I’m not a professional web designer, so I can’t justify months and months of learning curve to end up with a head full of obsolete knowledge about an end product I don’t like in the first place (read as: an ugly, dysfunctional web site). Am I missing something? Are there WP themes out there that will allow me the versatility to do basic things like choose my nav bar placement, try out different fonts, experiment with background transparency while I work, etc.?

    I have a friend who will build me a simple, effective web site in Dreamweaver, and that’s fine, he’s done good work for me before. But that defeats the purpose of me learning how to build a web site, in WP or elsewhere (btw – I looked into Weebly, Wix, Squarespace, and Hostbaby’s site builder – they were either ineffective, confusing, or the online reviews were horrible. WP has the strongest endorsements, which is why I’m here and spending money on it).

    If you’re in this forum, there’s a good chance you love WP, so no need to scold me or school me about how great it is. At this point, I disagree, but I can be convinced otherwise if someone is able to point me towards a real solution – a theme or methodology that will allow a beginner like me freedom of design, layout, and functionality. I don’t mind spending a few days working on building a site if I have something to show for it when I’m done. I just don’t want to be watching YouTube tutorials and digging through forums and pleading for advice, etc. It’s just not worth my time.

    If anyone’s interested in seeing a PDF of my rough layout (so you can assess my needs), I’ll be happy to send it to you. Not sure how to contact people privately here – you can send me a message: my username at yahoo.

    Thanks for your time.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

  • You might check out Divi by Elegant Themes.
    https://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/divi/
    It’s a drag and drop builder that is very easy to use.
    You can test drive the theme for free for 7 days before you buy it.
    Also they have wonderful support forums.

    For what it’s worth when I first started out I went through several themes. Give it some time and consider joining your local WP users group to meet others that work with and/or use WP. Or attending a WordCamp conference.

    I’d recommend you to check the Codex in general and Themes for layout and design.

    Thread Starter damonpipitone

    (@damonpipitone)

    SOSPaula: I think I visited elegantthemes. I’ll check it out again. Drag and drop is great, but the question is – will I like the look of it once it’s been dragged and dropped? Or will it just look like all the other yucky WP sites out there? But thanks, I’ll look into it again.

    Lampelina: Fair enough. I’m sure the tutorials are easy to understand, I’m just concerned when I come out the other side I’ll still be faced with the same limited choices in WP. No one seems able to address this concern. Thanks, I’ll dig through them.

    Michael

    (@mikeyhoward1977)

    I can also recommend Themify’s itheme2 theme. It is free and includes a builder function which makes it easy for non-developers to add cool content to their websites.

    Also take a look at the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin which can also be a very handy tool to easily add cool content to any theme – best thing with this plugin is that the codes work on all themes.

    For event management you may also want to consider Mobile DJ Management which, as the name suggests, might be geared more towards mobile DJ’s it could be useful for bands too. It’s free for 30 days so you can try it out before you commit to buying.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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