- December 2, 2020
Adam Bradford: “A WordPress expert must be able to accept change and move with the times”
Reading Time: 2 minutesAdam Bradford is a multi-disciplined creative, a freelance web designer and developer. In conversation with Neolo, he told us how is being a WordPress Expert and many tips about designing.
What do you do for a living nowadays? How would you define working freelance?
I am a Freelance Web Designer and Developer, working almost exclusively with WordPress. Working freelance means working for a wide variety of clients from multiple sectors.
What’s your experience in website design?
Over 20 years! I was employed full time as a Graphic Designer and started doing Web Design on the side back in the 90s. At first it was all HTML and simple table layouts, then along came CSS to expand the possibilities, then CMS platforms began to emerge and WordPress became the dominant player. I sometimes miss the days when the web was new and exciting, but I don’t miss Internet Explorer.
How do you work with your clients? Are you used to working with startups and multinationals?
I have worked with everyone from start-ups to multinationals. I find them basically the same. If you are fair with people and try to give the best possible service, people will be the same with you.
How do you think a WordPress Expert needs to be?
A WordPress expert must be able to accept change and move with the times.
You must be willing to throw out old methods, even if they took you a long time to perfect, in favour of something new that does the job better. You must be an enthusiastic researcher, always looking for the most efficient way to achieve what your client needs.
What would you say are the advantages of WordPress?
I like the fact that a dedicated group of people look after it and continually make it better and keep it moving forward. I also enjoy the way it can be made to do just about anything in the right hands. Whatever you need a website to do, the chances are somebody has climbed that mountain before and there’s a particular combination of plugins and custom code that will work.
What tools would you recommend when designing?
A Macbook, BBEdit or your text editor of choice, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator or similar, plus a large collection of little ‘one trick pony’ apps to make life easier. Finally, a good music library to keep you uplifted and inspired during your working day.
What is the best lesson you have learned through your experience?
My two most important lessons are (1) don’t give up, a solution can always be found and (2) always take a deposit before commencing work.
If you have to give one tip to create a website, what would it be?
Try to put yourself in the website visitor’s place. What would they want to see? What would make their visit an easy and pleasant experience?
Are you ready to have your own WordPress Hosting?
