I’ve been extremely busy for the last few weeks on a big website rebuild, but the finish line is now in sight! 🏁 90% of the template work is complete and my client has got most of their content populated, so we’re now in the part of the project where everyone is making spreadsheets of the bits and pieces still to be done so they don’t forget!
This week I’m using Advanced Custom Fields to create a bespoke page-builder for my big WordPress project. I’m leaning on the ‘clone’ functionality and nested template parts to make it super modular, rather the bunging everything into one sprawling repeater field as I’ve seen on other sites. I think too often developers try to make page-builders cover every possibility under the sun, but my aim is to carefully construct a small but versatile range of reusable blocks that always adhere to the client’s brand guidelines, letting them focus on messaging instead of design whenever they add a new page.
I’m starting a new-build website project this week, something I’ve not done for about 18 months! Most of my work is done on existing sites, either refactoring the code or adding new functionality. This job is for a client whose old website I’ve been helping out with for a few years, but now they are having a major rebrand and that means I get to create a whole new WordPress theme from scratch! 😃
This week I’ve been trying out some fairly old – but new to me – technology, stuff that I’ve relied on plugins for in the past and never tried to implement myself. One client needs QR codes generating for the links in their fulfilment system, so staff in the warehouse can scan a sticker and load up the order details on a tablet. And for another I’m adding reCAPTCHA V3 to some custom registration forms to stop the flood of spammy registrations.
Spent the weekend launching… this website! It’s only a small site and a slight switch in brand, but it makes you appreciate the work of people in different fields when you have to do all the server, security and SEO work yourself! I started the design and build of this back in the summer but not had time to finish it until now, so I’m happy to finally be able to share it.