I have to say, using Wordpress has made my life easier, and yet more complicated.
I mean, with Wordpress, you can do a whole lot, in regards to adding unique content. With static sites, there is a ton of coding needed to make a page look just right, while with Wordpress, you just add it the stuff, and it’s done for you… mostly.
Many assume that because they use a blogging platform, like Wordpress, they don’t have to bother with CSS or HTML. Uh, NOPE!
Perhaps you can get away with knowing less, but I kind of think even that is wrong. I mean Wordpress is CSS driven, and there is nothing simple about that. It isn’t just about learning the basics, it is about knowing how to correct the issues, once you find them. AND that takes knowledge.
Sure, it is easy to add some images, even get them to align to the left or right, or centered. Even relatively simple to center them, but then comes the fun part, not having them run into your text. NOT all wordpress themes are so simple to allow you to pad the space between the text and the image.
Other’s will still require a thumbnail size for the picture, otherwise you will get this huge full sized image loading, and that takes up space, and adds to the page load. Like that’s going to make you popular. It also ruins the structure of the layout, so you still NEED TO KNOW.
Take this theme, as an example. Let me tell you, without having a decent background in CSS & HTML, it wouldn’t be the theme we are using. Even now, it isn’t exactly as it should be, simply due to my lack of knowledge in PHP.
Did I mention, static sites can get by nicely with just CSS & HTML, while Wordpress needs both, PLUS PHP.
Then too, the use of plugins helps make life simpler, until they stop working, or start acting up. Then the headaches are a lot worse, when you know diddly about programming, or even where to look. Some basic knowledge can help you figure it out, if that is in CSS & PHP.
So, while many get by, if you want to run an online biz, then you should at least try, to get a basic understanding of the languages being used, to create your online presence. It doesn’t mean you have to become a code jockey, but if you know some key elements, it might make your online venture more profitable, or at least less frustrating.
That’s kind of worth something, don’t you think?
Jul 13th by Malcontent