As an open source content management system, WordPress is meant to provide flexibility, extensibility and full control to website owners. However, we’ve seen an alarming trend lately of clients coming to us because their agency has locked them out of their own WordPress site.
As a powerful open source content management system, WordPress is designed to offer robust content management even for high demand websites. Its vast ecosystem of themes and plugins, combined with its inherent customizability, enables the creation of websites that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual or organization.
However, a disturbing trend has emerged in the WordPress agency landscape. An increasing number of clients are seeking our services due to being locked out of their own WordPress websites by their current agencies. This practice not only undermines the fundamental principles of the open source movement but also raises serious ethical concerns.
Agencies that engage in this behavior often justify their actions by claiming it streamlines maintenance and updates. However, this comes at a steep cost: the client’s autonomy and the website’s versatility are severely compromised. In many cases, these websites are structured in a simplistic, blog-like manner with linear user pathways that fail to harness the true potential of the WordPress platform.
As a CMS that powers over 40% of the web, WordPress is capable of so much more than basic blog functionality. Its true strength lies in its ability to adapt to the diverse needs of businesses, organizations, and individuals alike. By locking clients out of their sites and limiting the functionality, these agencies are not only doing a disservice to their clients but also to the WordPress community as a whole.
At ArtVersion, we are committed to empowering our clients by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and complete access they need to take full control of their digital presence. Our approach is rooted in the belief that a website should be a dynamic, evolving extension of a client’s brand, not a static, limited platform held hostage by an agency.
Here’s what we do differently:
- Full Admin Access: From day one, you will have full admin access to your WordPress site.
- User-Friendly Structure: We organize content and architect user flows in intuitive ways that are user-friendly for both you and your audience. Your site will not be locked into simplistic blog-like structures.
- Thoughtful Customization: We take the time to understand your unique needs and goals, then we leverage the power of WordPress to build custom themes, plugins, and more to bring your vision to life. Cookie-cutter won’t cut it.
- Plug-in Independence: While we take full advantage of the WordPress plug-in ecosystem where it makes sense, we will never leave you reliant on a constellation of plugins that only we control. If a feature is mission-critical, we’ll make sure it’s part of your core site.
- Portability: Because you have full access and we build with plug-in independence in mind, you’re never locked in to us as an agency. You can take your site to any WordPress developer.
We follow best practices in coding and custom web development to deliver high-performing, user-friendly WordPress sites that you have full control over. Our process includes:
- Discovery: We start by gaining a deep understanding of your business, audience, and goals. This lays the foundation for an effective, tailored solution.
- Strategy: Our team crafts a comprehensive strategy spanning UX, design, development and more, to create a site that aligns perfectly with your needs.
- Design & Development: Our skilled designers and developers bring your vision to life with clean code, engaging visuals, and intuitive interfaces. We prioritize performance, accessibility, and adherence to WordPress VIP coding standards.
- WordPress VIP Hosting: We recommend hosting your site on the WordPress VIP platform. With its robust infrastructure, strict coding standards, and expert support, WordPress VIP enables your site to handle high traffic effortlessly and securely. It’s where the true potential of enterprise WordPress becomes immediately noticeable.
- Ongoing Support: Our partnership doesn’t end at launch. We provide ongoing support and optimization to ensure your site continues to perform at its best.
If you’re ready for a WordPress site that leverages the full power of the platform and positions you for digital success, let’s talk. Our team is ready to bring your vision to life.