WordPress developer for California businesses

Start with how your team wants to edit. The WordPress block editor, also called Gutenberg, suits varied pages built within your design rules. Custom blocks give editors options without adding a separate page builder. A custom theme with Advanced Custom Fields suits more structured content: editors fill in fields and the layout stays fixed.

A ready-made theme suits a small site with a modest brief. It takes configuration, though it can include features you do not use, and deep changes can be harder than building a custom theme. Elementor or Divi gives your team drag-and-drop freedom, but pages can be heavier, editors can break layouts and content can become tied to the builder.

The choice affects what your team can change later and how much control it has over each layout. We start by learning about your business, audience and goals, then agree the scope with you. That gives us a basis for choosing the editing approach before the design and build begin.

For a business open to the public, US guidance says the ADA covers goods and services offered on the web and points to WCAG as helpful guidance. We use that guidance when setting up page structure and navigation, so accessibility is considered in the build. We also use it to guide decisions about how content is presented, rather than leaving those decisions until the pages are ready to publish.

Bring what you have, so we can discuss the scope around your team and your existing site.

• EditorsList who will update the site and what they change most often, such as news, team profiles or product pages.
• AccessGather administrator access to the current site, hosting and domain, plus a list of plugins your team relies on and what each does.
• HostingDecide whether to keep your host, move to managed WordPress hosting or ask for a recommendation based on traffic and support needs.
• Existing siteNote any speed, security or editing problems you want addressed.
• Member accessIf you offer memberships or courses, note the content and payments that need a login.

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  Adding a plugin for every small feature

  Large plugin counts can slow the site, create conflicts and multiply updates. Give each plugin a clear job.

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  Putting off updates

  Outdated plugins are a frequent route into hacked sites. Test updates on staging first to remove most of the risk.

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  Updating without a backup

  Back up the site’s files and database before an upgrade, so you have a way to restore them if something breaks.

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  Giving everyone administrator access

  Use editor and author roles for staff who do not need full control. That limits the damage if a login is stolen.