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Unlock Your WordPress Potential: Get Valuable Introductory Insights

Discover how to enhance your WordPress experience and boost your online presence! Dive into our blog for introductory insights on WordPress and its features.

Title: Unlock Your WordPress Potential: Get Valuable Introductory Insights

Discover ways to elevate your WordPress journey and amplify your online visibility! Delve into our blog for a beginner's guide to WordPress, exploring topics such as "WordPress for Beginners," "Page Builders & Themes," "Writing Tools & Plugins," and "Performance & Analysis." While our content caters to novice users, don't hesitate to seek tailored advice from our team or industry experts. Enjoy the read!

Please be aware:

Our policy is not to display affiliate links or back-links on the public-facing front end of our website. With that said, clients will find affiliate offers from our partners on their dedicated page within the customer portal. Ultimately, we aim to impart WordPress knowledge gleaned from years of experience without any external affiliations.

Adjrien Goddard

Director

Softworks Interactive LinkedIn Profile

Gaining insights into WordPress and its blogging features offers numerous advantages, allowing you to amplify your voice and expertise to a broader audience, and bettering your user engagement.

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FEATURED POST

Introduction to WordPress: Why It's the Perfect Platform for Beginners

As the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, WordPress offers a user-friendly interface and tons of features making it ideal for beginners.


Explore WordPress from a beginner's perspective and glean a casual understanding of the platform.

Welcome to WordPress for Beginners, your gateway to the world of WordPress. Explore this category for a casual understanding of the platform, perfect for those new to blogging or simply curious about WordPress. From basic setup to exploring key features, dive into the essentials at your own pace and level of interest.

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Embark on your blogging journey by creating your first blog post. Learn how to craft compelling content, add media, and optimize your post for search engines.

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Elevate your blog's visual appeal with the perfect WordPress theme & customizations. Explore some of the key factors to consider when selecting a new theme.

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Dive into the heart of your WordPress website with a quick tour of the Dashboard. Learn to navigate the interface, customize settings, and kickstart blogging!


Here, we'll showcase some great WordPress page builders and themes we've used over the years.

Explore Page Builders & Themes to customize your WordPress site effortlessly. Find the perfect tools to design stunning pages and elevate your website's aesthetic appeal. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned user, discover our experiences with page builders and themes we've used over the last decade.


This blog series shines a light on some essential writing tools and WordPress plugins that'll help you succeed.

WordPress has a vast ecosystem of plugins. At last count, this was nearly 60,000 in its library. Here, we will shed some light on the various plugins we have used over the years. Also, with WordPress being a blogging platform, we'll discuss some great tools outside the blogosphere to help you write excellent blog posts!



Disclaimer: We are builders, not bloggers. Our expertise lies in front-end design, where we bring visions to life with expert HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. We focus on creating visually stunning and seamlessly functional websites, with all services provided on a pay-as-you-go basis. For more details, please refer to the General FAQ below.

General questions?

We like to keep life simple. That said, if you can't find an answer that fits, you can book a Zoom call or, send us your query by email any time.


What kinds of services does your agency provide?

Our agency specializes in graphic design as well as full-stack WordPress website development, management, and care. We offer a wide range of services, including but not limited to, creative design, identity conception, brand guides (brand books), new website development, ongoing website maintenance, and standby development support. Check out our Design, Development, and Support service pages for details.

What do you mean by white-label design and development services?

White-label design and development services entail a business model where we, as artists, designers, and WordPress website developers, create graphics, websites, themes, or plugins on behalf of other agencies, companies, or individuals. These clients can subsequently rebrand and market these services as their own. In this setup, the end clients are typically unaware that the work was outsourced to a third-party developer. Instead, they perceive it as the product or service of the agency, company or individual that offers it.

How do I submit a work request through the customer portal?

To submit a work request, log in to the customer portal and navigate to the "Projects" section. Here, you'll find an option to submit a new work request. You also have a direct link on your dashboard for convenience. When you are ready, fill in the required details, attach any necessary files, and submit your request. You can track the progress of your work requests under the "Projects" tab.

What is WordPress, and why should I use it for my website?

WordPress is a popular and versatile content management system (CMS) that powers millions of websites worldwide. It's user-friendly, highly customizable, and offers a wide range of plugins and themes to meet your specific needs.

How do you define your agency's expertise in WordPress development?

Our agency specializes in the design, development, maintenance, and optimization of WordPress websites. We have a team of experienced (LAMP & LEMP) developers and designers who are passionate about creating functional and visually appealing products using WordPress (what continues to be) the world's most popular CMS platform.

Where can I view the status of my projects?

You can view the status of all your ongoing projects in the "Projects" section of the customer portal. Each project will have a status indicator, and you can click on individual projects to see detailed progress updates, milestones, and any associated tasks.

How do you define your agency's expertise in graphic design?

We have decades of graphical experience on hand. In terms of expertise, we specialize in crafting unique identities (logo and logomark design), and offer complete brand guides as part of our robust design services. Moreover, our trademarked agency logo symbolizes our dedication to originality and quality. For details on our trademark, please visit our official trademark registration page.

Do you develop for technology stacks other than WordPress?

The short answer, no. While our team has experience with Angular (MEAN) and React (MERN) stacks, our agency has chosen to specialize in WordPress development (LAMP and LEMP stacks). Truth is, as developers, we find WordPress to be easier to learn for customers, exceptionally adaptable and know it's widely embraced, offering our clients a mature and user-friendly platform for their web projects to thrive on. Our focused expertise in WordPress further allows us to deliver efficient and tailored solutions that align with the generally diverse needs of our clientele.

How do I manage my appointments and view my calendar?

You can manage your appointments and view upcoming meetings by accessing the "Calendar" section in the customer portal. The calendar will display all your scheduled appointments, including consultations. From here, you can also reschedule or cancel appointments if needed.

Do you offer any website hosting services?

Yes, in certain circumstances, we provide hosting solutions for customers needing assistance in this regard. That said, we are not a traditional web host and as such, we extend our hosting support (in limited cases) to clients starting out their sites (with planned transition), simple brochure sites, and low traffic sites (less than 5000 visitors per month). As hosting is not our main focus we reserve the right to exercise our discretion on a case-by-case basis.

Will my website be SEO-friendly?

Typically your WordPress theme will come optimized for search engines, providing you with a strong foundation. However, for more in-depth on-page SEO enhancements tailored to your specific needs, there will be an additional cost. We offer on-page SEO tasking as part of new site builds and from our standby development block services (see development services page for details) to ensure your website is fully optimized for improved visibility and performance.

How do I submit a support ticket if I encounter an issue?

If you need support, you can submit a ticket by navigating to the "Support" section in the customer portal. Click on "Submit a Ticket," provide a detailed description of your issue, and attach any relevant files. Once submitted, you can track the status of your ticket and communicate with the support team directly through this section.

Do you offer website maintenance and care services?

Yes, we provide ongoing maintenance packages and monthly website care with reports to ensure you continue to be strategically informed, your website remains secure, up-to-date, and performs optimally. There are also some great member benefits that come along with your subscription. Check out the support services page for details.

Do you offer e-commerce solutions and integration with payment gateways?

Yes, we specialize in service-based e-commerce and have experience with native solutions like WooCommerce, and alternates like Shopify. If that does not suite the job however, we can integrate one or various payment gateways through WordPress's vast third-party integrations and plugins library so as to meet your specific needs.

How can I manage my billing and payments?

To manage billing and payments, go to the "Billing" section in the customer portal. Here, you can view your invoices, make payments, and manage payment methods. You can also view your billing history and download past invoices for your records.

Can you assist with website performance optimization and speed improvements?

Certainly! As part of our monthly website care support services, we actively assist you in optimizing your website's performance and enhancing its speed through industry best practices. This includes implementing services like Cloudflare, optimizing images for faster loading, and employing techniques such as caching and code minification. Our goal is to ensure your WordPress website not only runs smoothly but also delivers an optimal user experience with improved speed and performance.

What is your approach to user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design?

Our approach to User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design is rooted in creating seamless and engaging digital experiences. With UI designs that lean heavily on aesthetics and UX strategies that aim to enhance usability, our focus is on overall user satisfaction by crafting intuitive navigation, pleasing interactive elements, and captivating visuals.

How do I change the interface language in the customer portal?

You can change the interface language by going to your profile settings in the customer portal. Under "Translation," you can select either English or Français. This setting will only change the language of the interface.

How does the payment process work for services?

For website and graphic projects, the payment process involves a phased payment system invoicing upfront for each individual project stage. This pay-as-you-go method not only provides financial transparency but ensures that each phase of the project is completed to your satisfaction. For our ongoing services, we implement a pay-as-you-go system for standby development blocks, and we employ a subscription-based model for ongoing website care. Regardless of the scope of work, we prioritize your privacy and security. To ensure this, all payments are securely processed through our trusted gateway partners, Stripe and/or PayPal.

How exactly do service consultations work?

All consultations last exclusively 30 minutes and are always personally conducted via the Zoom platform. Before purchasing, you can review example topics listed in the services price table on our website. This ensures clarity on the types of questions and topics suitable for discussion within the allocated timeframe. To schedule, simply choose a convenient date and timeslot for your meeting. Please note, that consultations are designed for kickoff meetings, candid discussions on service verticals, and brief overviews. They serve as an excellent opportunity for you to gauge our understanding and approach, while also allowing us to better assess your project scope and expectations.

What is the difference between 'Translation' and 'Correspondence Language'?

The "Translation" setting in your profile changes the interface language of the customer portal, allowing you to switch between English and French. On the other hand, the "Correspondence Language" setting controls the language used in documentation, forms, emails, and other communications sent through the portal. You can choose either English or Français for your correspondence language.

Is it possible to reschedule or cancel a consultation?

Rescheduling or canceling a consultation is possible with some considerations. Our consultations are specifically designed for kickoffs, candid discussions, and brief overviews of your goals and objectives. In the past, allowing for constant rescheduling actually led to more scheduling conflicts. To ensure efficiency and respect for everyone's time, we've implemented a policy that prioritizes adherence to the scheduled appointments. However, we understand that circumstances may change, and you have the flexibility to cancel your service consultation up to 24 hours in advance by submitting a ticket through your client portal dashboard. It's important to note that no-shows or cancelation requests made within less than 24 hours are not eligible for refunds due to scheduling constraints.

Can you help with WordPress theme customization and design?

Certainly, our team is experienced in working with popular themes like Astra, Divi, Ultra, and others, ensuring that we can adapt and tailor the chosen theme to suit your specific needs. With that said, we can easily scratch-build custom elements, blocks, and complete sections on the fly. Whether you have a preference for customization within an existing theme or desire a more bespoke design, we're here to collaborate with you and create a website that aligns with your unique brand identity and objectives.

How do I manage and access shared documents and files?

All shared documents and files can be found in the "Files" section of the customer portal. Each user has a dedicated folder where all shared documents are stored. You can easily access, download, and manage these files directly from your folder.

Do you offer any support for website hosting services?

The short answer is, no. Having your webserver setup, secure, and ready to go is the clients responsibility. However, in exceptional cases, we can provide for temporary hosting for customers needing assistance in this regard. In these limited cases, we extend our support offering to include hosting support. That said, as hosting is not our main focus we rarely if ever host client sites and always reserve the right to exercise our discretion for any additional hosting services and hosting support we afford on a case-by-case basis. In all circumstances though, we can be called upon to help with basic things like pointing of DNS records for example.

Do you have experience with third-party integrations and plugins for WordPress?

Yes, with more than a decade of experience in the WordPress ecosystem, we can safely say, we have extensive experience with a wide range of plugins and third-party integrations to enhance your website's functionality. Baring that in mind, WordPress alone has a robust library of some 50,000+ plugins and while we a familiar with some of the best, we can't know them all. That said, if you need a specific plugin or integration that we lack knowledge in, we will advise you and proceed accordingly.

Where can I find my documents, proposals, and estimates?

All your important documents, proposals, and estimates are stored in the "Office" section of the customer portal. This section provides easy access to all your business-related files, ensuring you have everything you need in one organized place.

Will I have control over updating and managing content on my website?

With WordPress, you'll typically have seamless control over your website's content, thanks to its user-friendly interface. Depending on your chosen theme or builder, you can easily update text, images, and multimedia elements without necessarily having to be dependent on technical expertise. This flexibility, coupled with efficient content management tools, empowers you to keep your online presence dynamic and tailored to your evolving needs.

Does your agency have experience with WordPress page builders?

Indeed, our team possesses extensive experience with a variety of top WordPress page builders and themes, catering to a spectrum of needs. This spans the gamut from user-friendly theme options like Astra, suitable for non-developers, to more developer-centric tools tools like Oxygen Page Builder. All of that to say, our diversity of knowledge in this regard ensures that we can seamlessly adapt to your project requirements, creating websites that both function in accordance with your technical specifications and visually align with your design preferences.


Have more specific questions? See our other FAQs or query us via the contact page.

Create your website with us today

Our team has over 20 years experience in the web.

UNIQUE FEATURES OUR TEAM HAS TO OFFER

We are a seasoned crew of early adopters with insights into what's now and what's next.

We have been working in the web since HTML 4.0 (that's... 1997).

We don't just want to help you build a site, we want to help you build a business.

We create designs that speak and make products with analytical insights that deliver tangible results.

We are fully rounded with experience in graphics, front-end and back-end development as well as marketing, admin and, ops.

Reach out and get started today!

ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SIGN IN

Create your website with us today

Our team has over 20 years experience in the web.

UNIQUE FEATURES OUR TEAM HAS TO OFFER

We are a seasoned crew of early adopters with insights into what's now and what's next.

We have been working in the web since HTML 4.0 (that's... 1997).

We don't just want to help you build a site, we want to help you build a business.

We create designs that speak and make products with analytical insights that deliver tangible results.

We are fully rounded with experience in graphics, front-end and back-end development as well as marketing, admin and, ops.

Reach out and get started today!

ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SIGN IN

SOFTWORKS INTERACTIVE

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