Advice for WordPress Website DIYers
Reading Time: 8 minutes 
I’m big on helping folks be self-sufficient regarding their WordPress websites. Throughout the process, from updating their current sites to the necessary follow-through after launch, I genuinely enjoy coaching small business owners on all the variables required for their success.
However, there is a growing resistance to the reality of online success. I get it—it’s a lot.
If you want to play, you must pay for time, knowledge, services, expenses, supplies, and so on. If you don’t want to be an expert in something, it’s best to partner with those who can fill the gap.
For decades, consulting and coaching have allowed me to detect the direct correlation between involvement and success. So, I encourage and support you in being as involved with your website as possible. However, you must also be realistic about what your level of involvement will produce.
Let’s discuss…
FACT: You can’t do it all
“Involvement” does not necessarily mean you will do everything and then, which happens quite often, ignore what you don’t want to do or don’t know how to do. Unfortunately, that’s what many website DIYers do.
Embrace what they know and sort of enjoy, and neglect the rest. So, it’s essential to start with the understanding that you just can’t do it all — even I can’t, after all this time.
When DIY is not Good Enough
Don’t get me wrong; I’m a huge fan of DIY. That’s how I started. DIY was the thing. Because no one knew anything, you had no choice but to dive in and learn. There were no standards or best practices—yet.
We were all newbies, and we learned by doing. We made mistakes and then had to figure out how to fix them. At the same time, we tried new things and noted the results—the good, the bad, and, yes, the really ugly.
Your statistical data will reflect your performance over time based on your effort and skills. Reviewing this data and embracing where you need to improve is crucial. Data doesn’t lie.
The DIYers of Today
Now, decades later, WordPress site owners ruin beautifully developed websites with incorrectly sized images, unformatted text, clashing colors, a diluted content focus, and ignored best practices because it’s “what I want” or, worse, “what I want to spend.”
Their decisions are often based on what they can only do themselves, which is usually inadequate. Nor are expectations met as quickly as presumed. Sadly, online success is not awarded to those who only do what they are willing to do or spend.
Success is enjoyed by the rabidly aggressive, not by the passively involved. One key to achieving business success is knowing what you know and what you don’t.
It’s crucial to acknowledge your strengths and recognize your weaknesses. Using your established skills and knowing where you need to learn more is imperative. Then, either learn what you need to or rely on trusted partners to fill the gaps.
I believe part of the problem is too much information. How do you know what works, what is true, what is real, and which resources are trustworthy and worth investing in? At times, that’s even a challenge for me.
Nurture Realistic Confidence
Confidence is a good thing — when applied realistically. For example, when it comes to technology, I know more than most. But as much as I know about WordPress, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and databases, I would never consider myself a programmer or WordPress developer.
Developers create themes, plugins, and applications from scratch. They know the code intimately and write it like I’m typing this article.
For example, I know what works visually for branding, graphics, website images, fonts, and combinations. I’ve always had an eye for simplicity, but I wouldn’t call myself a graphic designer.
Just because you made something yourself doesn’t mean it will produce the desired results. Do your best to avoid the “I made that” syndrome of overconfidence. More on that later…
Being Honest and Humble
It’s common to be confident because you can do a lot on your own. But is that good enough? Maybe not.
Every site owner must regularly conduct an honest self-assessment if they genuinely want to take advantage of the potential that awaits them. Do not hesitate to hire professionals whose skills, expertise, and experience can help you achieve your goals.
Just Because You Can
That doesn’t mean you do. I can write code. So, should I sell myself as a developer? I have graphic design software, but do I have the creativity to create memorable logos from scratch that represent my clients’ brands and make them stand out from the competition?
Nope, and nope.
Each of us has unique talents and skills we’ve learned or that come naturally. You can most likely parlay those traits into a successful effort on your website. But be willing to fill the gaps where you fall short.
Your skills are primarily tied to your business expertise and how you run it. Not as a web developer, graphic artist, or programmer. Yes, we can all have different mixes of both, but the key is to be completely honest about your specific capabilities.
Here’s another example. Suppose I help you create a real estate website—that doesn’t make me a realtor. If you own a business with a website, that doesn’t necessarily make you an adequate web designer.
What You Need to Learn
So, you want to be a professional DIYer. Even though WordPress may be easy in that you don’t have to “know code,” it’s best to learn as much as you can to have a solid understanding of what is possible, what is involved, and how things work.
There are several key topics you should focus on to create a successful website. Here are a few areas that you’ll want to learn as much as you can about:
FREE: Find new keywords for your market…
Remember that having a website is an ever-evolving process, and staying up to date with the latest technologies, trends, and best practices is essential. Continuous learning and staying up to date with industry standards are crucial for your website’s success.
Know What You Need to Know
If you are an amateur DIY’er, it would help to have intimate knowledge and competency in the following areas:
Yes, you can do all of the above yourself. However, you must also be willing to learn all the necessary variables to implement them properly.
Without this knowledge…
If that’s not motivation to learn as much as you can, what is?
Motivation
Being a coach ensures that clients know what to do, whether they like it or not. We work together to hold them accountable. (Some have noted that I run a sort of boot camp.)
This approach requires significant time, commitment from all involved, a decent budget, and a serious work ethic. Without this methodology, you’ll waste a lot of time and money.
Now, back to you…
As the business owner, your decisions and actions directly determine your business’s success. Do you want to spend your time hitting walls, learning things you are not enthusiastic about, or embracing the necessary “time sucks” required to get your website where it needs to be to compete?
Read that last question again. How can you expect prosperity without being enthused, committed, or willing?
Invest to Succeed
I hear you: “I have a budget.” I’m fully aware of budgets and have one of my own. I commit to learning and excelling at what I can’t afford to do, or I hire someone who can.
I constantly modify my plan and expectations if I have no choice but to do without. Sadly, over the years, I’ve learned that half-hearted efforts aren’t worth the effort. So ask yourself…
Your answers to these three simple questions will impact your potential and help you to set the right expectations.
Regardless, you must review and invest in your skills and knowledge when creating a website. Need to learn something? Take that course or have someone teach you. Then, spend time on the tasks you need to accomplish to produce a return on investment (ROI).
You really need this level of investment to succeed. As you now know, “investment” is not just a monetary term. It applies to your time, ethics, and level of commitment.
To be a DIYer at any level, you should regularly assess your interests, time availability, and skills. Know what you are passionate about learning, and then do it. Mark your calendar, block out time to learn, and then apply.
Then, put your ego aside, be brutally honest about the results, and seek help where you need it. The last thing you want to do is become paralyzed and do nothing.
“I made this!”
Don’t get so wrapped up in the “I made this” mentality that you don’t recognize your site isn’t what it needs to be to thrive. Don’t think the overall presentation, including content and visuals, is good enough, even when an experienced eye can see it’s not.
As accommodating as WordPress is for those who insist on doing it all by themselves, true entrepreneurs recognize they are not technology experts and seek out those who can complement what they know and will do what they are unwilling or unable to do.
At your service,
P.S. Bookmark my blog — there are many articles to help you on your journey.
