I’ve always had a knack for designing pleasing, user-friendly Web sites using HTML and cascading style sheets. However, basic Web site design only takes you so far. Without knowing some serious Javascript or Flash, or knowing how to create and manage databases, you’re pretty much limited to information-only Web sites. Even creating a contact form involves CGI scripts and a basic understanding of forms. You can have a great idea for a Web site layout, options, and so on, but without the programming knowledge, you’re stuck. Enter WordPress.

WordPress and it’s seemingly limitless number of plug-ins do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Without WordPress, my Web site would not exist.  Having a basic understanding of style sheets is still helpful. I can tweak style sheets and some php functions here and there to personalize an existing theme. For example, setting the size of the header, font choices, footer content, navigation, and others. But, I could never write my own theme without some serious programming knowledge. Forums, blogs, dynamic photo galleries, complex contact forms – all made easy with WordPress plugins.

With tools like WordPress, Technical Communicators can honestly say that we can help make a small business look big with a professional looking web site, and more importantly, a professional sounding web site. Many small businesses don’t have great writers on staff, and the Web design firm they hire probably won’t either. A nice looking Web site with a few interactive features is nice, but it still comes down to content. A Technical Communicator with experience in setting up WordPress sites is invaluable as a contracted resource for small companies.