Issue #143 Loop WP

Hi, friend. 👋

Welcome to Issue #143 of Loop WP!

Last week, we continued the positivity within the community as we looked at the WP Community Collective.

This week, we are discussing client relationships, and I’ll give you an example from my recent client work.

Let’s go! 👇

Client Relationships

In a slight deviation from our regular programming, I want to share a WordPress experience with a new client (TLDR: I have never felt so sorry for a new client).

✋ Before we go further, a client is not just a client to me.

❤️ I want to build relationships with my clients and retain them. They are not just numbers on my balance sheet.

Before you read on, ask yourself, friend, "Would I do the same, or is there anything missing?"

Righteous Anger

😡 I have never been so angry and disappointed for a client. This is righteous anger, unlike Samuel L. Jackson's below (IYKYK).

So much so I had to write about it.

What Happened Immediately

⚡️ For a number of reasons, the client couldn't complete a lot of orders and had to issue refunds, so I helped the client:

• Configure some complex shipping requirements for their WooCommerce website.

• Updated the server to PHP 8.0 (we are now on 8.3.13)

• Configured Cloudflare.

• Carried out some minor cosmetic fixes with front-end bugs.

Don't Take Advantage

🚨 The website needed fixing a lot, but the client just needed some ad hoc work immediately.

WordPress was outdated, as were all the plugins. There were many inactive plugins on the website and several other warning signs.

💡 I raised these with the client, who allowed me to perform a technical audit on the website.

Words still escape me when I consider how horrifically built this WooCommerce website is and how much the previous design agency took advantage of this client.

😞 Then, I found out how much the client had paid, and I was gutted for them.

How I'm Restoring Client Trust

🧠 When a designer, developer, or agency does this much damage to a client, it becomes harder for the client to trust the next freelancer or agency (in this case, me).

And their actions can also give WooCommerce and WordPress a lousy name.

Sure, there are many ways to build the same thing with a WordPress website (it's not easy sometimes), but this was shocking and not optimised for eCommerce.

The Next Steps

1. I've migrated this client to Kinsta, and there was an instant improvement. **
    

2. All spam submissions on forms have been successfully stopped; wow, it was terrible!
   

3. Next, all the inactive plugins get removed, and existing plugin settings are checked.
    

4. Database optimisation and a look at the autoload of the options table in particular.
    

5. Checking for redundant Cron events and adding a performance plugin. ***
    

6. Replace the Divi theme with GeneratePress.
    

7. Perform an SEO audit.

** (I've talked about WordPress Hosting and WooCommerce Managed Hosting before in my newsletters)

*** (Either WP Rocket or Perfmatters. The WP Rocket link will get you 20% off)

In The Future

⚡️ The website is in a highly competitive industry, and they have a proven track record of sales until some shipping issues last year (which I resolved).

The site has excellent potential, but I want to earn the client's trust and generate steady sales, which will take time.

🛠️ A significant redesign is now planned for later this year.

Deferring a complete redesign until the end of the year will allow the client to:

• Budget for this. 

• Allows for important technical/performance work to be carried out now.

• The marketing team will be able to start promoting the site again immediately and get sales flowing back in.

Before You Go

🏕️ Next week, I will be on holiday (the kids are off for half-term).

This newsletter will go out as usual, except for the News & Tips section below.

I curate the News & Tips on a weekly basis, and I won’t be doing this while I’m on holiday.

⏭️ Next week’s topic will be a look at one of my favourite plugins for WooCommerce websites.

See you next week! 😀

Sponsorship Opportunities

🚨 The Google Doc contains all the details if you’re interested in sponsoring the Loop WP Newsletter.

Weekly WordPress News, Tips & Black Friday Deals

This week's excellent and insightful WordPress News & Tips:

• Pre-Beta - AspirePress now has a functional API which also supports plugins and themes outside of w.org in place. (Aspirepress)

• Here’s Lookin’ at Woo - A revitalized brand for a new commerce landscape. (WooCommerce)

• Acquisition - Cory Miller on A2 & Post Status Acquisitions. (The WP Minute)

• Apply now! - Call for Organizers Extended! (WordPress Accessibility Day)

• Call for Testing - As we get closer to delivering a more modernized email experience inside of WooCommerce. (WooCommerce)

• Guidelines Change - Changes in the sponsor review process highlighting guidelines and stricter checks on GPL and Trademark. (WordPress)

• Is it possible? - Getting the Block Editor Ready for AI. (Brian Coords)

• We need to Fix - The Crisis of Themes in WordPress. (Hendrik Luehrsen)

• WP Content Creators Live - Talking WordPress & More... (WP Tuts)

• Event Recap - Let’s talk Accessibility & Compliance in Woo Stores. (WooCommerce)

• Controversial - Festinger Vault Returns After Settling Legal Dispute with Automattic. (The Repository)

• Katie Keith - Diversify with Shopify. (The WP Minute)

• A2 Hosting Acquired - World Host Group Acquires A2 Hosting to Create the World’s Most Trusted, Innovative Hosting Brand. (A2 Hosting)

• Building Etch - Why Does WordPress Need Another Page Builder? ft. Kevin Geary. (Webmasters.fm)

• Tutorial - Effortless WordPress Frontend Forms with MetaBox – No Coding Needed! (WP Tuts)

If you have a question about this email or WordPress, reply, and I will answer you as soon as possible.

👋 Until next time,