Ideas for Helping Your Clients Evolve with WordPress

WordPress’s beauty is that it remains familiar despite constant change. Sure, sometimes change can be frustrating. However, a linear path ensures that we’ll adapt.

Freelancers often serve as a guide when it comes to these new tools and techniques. It starts when we build a site for a client. We choose an approach that best serves their needs at the time.

But what comes next? Client websites often stay frozen until it’s time for a redesign. New content may be added. However, the site’s features and functionality remain the same. Meanwhile, the ecosystem has moved on to better things.

That’s a missed opportunity for freelancers. A new feature or mid-cycle refresh can boost a client’s site while helping your bottom line.

Let’s look at ideas to help you and your clients take advantage of a shifting WordPress ecosystem.

Switch to the Block Editor

The Classic Editor plugin has – wait for it – over 10 million active installations. And there is no shortage of websites using outdated page builder plugins. You know, the one that came bundled with that theme you installed years ago.

You might have some sites in your portfolio that match the above. Perhaps it’s not a big deal for sites that never see new content. But it might be holding some of your clients back.

Outdated editing experiences can hurt website performance and accessibility. They may also face compatibility issues with modern themes and plugins.

Love it or not, blocks are now the way of WordPress. Most new products are developed with them in mind. That should hasten a move to the Block Editor.

Identify clients who could benefit from a switch. Look for instances where blocks will increase efficiency. Or an opportunity to remove a long-expired page builder.

Determine the difficulty of converting their site and how much it will cost. WordPress has a few helpful tools for this task via the Data Liberation project. Finally, approach your client with a plan and a list of benefits.

The Block Editor is a different world, though. Your clients may need training to learn how it works. That’s yet another opportunity to increase revenue and share your knowledge.

Help Early Adopters Catch Up

Your client’s website might be an early adopter of a new feature. For example, maybe it uses one of the first available block themes. Or it was built using an early version of the Block Editor.

In either case, the site isn’t taking advantage of recent improvements to these tools. The editing experience has come a long way since those humble beginnings. Much has changed under the hood as well. The techniques behind theme.json and block.json are recent examples.

Being first on the bandwagon often means using hacks and workarounds. Installing plugins to fill gaps in WordPress core’s functionality is one example. Writing custom CSS to fix front-end bugs in Gutenberg is another common trick.

Here’s a chance to take a second look. It’s all about refining how the site looks and functions.

You could remove an unnecessary plugin and replace it with a core solution. There are also opportunities to clean up custom code and rebuild buggy layouts. And there could be a new block or two worth implementing.

Clients will benefit from a more standards-compliant site. It will perform better and be less likely to break as new versions of WordPress are released.

Suggest New Features That Benefit Clients

The WordPress ecosystem is always innovating. New plugins are released and existing ones gain new features.

Take time to keep up with what’s happening in this space. You could find an item that’s a perfect fit for your clients.

Look for products that solve pain points. Perhaps it’s a tool that will streamline a client’s workflow. Or a feature that will help them generate more sales. The possibilities are pretty much endless.

Reach out when you find something of value. Provide examples of any competitors who are already using it. Clients are usually receptive to ideas that save them time and/or make them money. They’ll also appreciate that you’re looking out for their best interest.

It’s also a way to improve your cash flow. And it’s particularly handy during slow periods. Your suggestion could result in a new project.

Perform Yearly Website Audits

WordPress has been around for over two decades now. It’s a remarkable feat for any web-based software. But it also means that there are a lot of old websites out there.

It’s not unusual for a longtime freelancer to manage sites that are 10+ years old. Think about all that’s happened since then. It goes well beyond the Block and Site editors. There could be all manner of gremlins within.

These sites could be using abandoned plugins or lacking in areas like accessibility. You might also find sites that aren’t compatible with newer versions of PHP and security may also be less-than-ideal.

One reason for this is that we tend to focus our attention on new projects. While we do the work in front of us, dust gathers on the old stuff.

Performing a yearly website audit is one way to avoid this fate. It helps you catch small issues before they become bigger ones.

You could offer the service as an add-on or roll it into your yearly maintenance packages. Inspect your client’s site, report the findings, and propose a solution.

It’s an opportunity for your clients to stay current. In some cases, you may find a full redesign is in order. Otherwise, a handful of fixes may be all that’s necessary.

There are multiple benefits to this approach. First, you’ll keep an open line of communication with your clients. Second, you’ll avoid major technical issues down the road. Third, it’s extra revenue!

Show Clients Your Expertise and Vision

Being a freelancer who specializes in WordPress is still a profitable endeavor. There’s always a need for expert designers and developers. But an ever-changing landscape is just as important to job security.

Not everyone takes advantage, though. Keeping clients on the cutting edge is a growth opportunity for them and you.

Doing so requires leadership qualities and a proactive vision for improvement. It doesn’t come naturally to all of us. However, a little practice and a few small successes will put you on the right path.

So, stay informed regarding new products and features. Look for opportunities to help clients and share your ideas with them. You might be surprised at their level of interest.

In all, it’s another way to keep your freelance business going strong.