Working with clients often presents a spectrum of technical familiarity. Some clients may already be well-acquainted with the WordPress platform, perhaps from previous projects or existing websites. In such cases, your role might involve a site redesign or an update to their current online presence. However, it's equally common to encounter clients who have limited or no prior exposure to WordPress, perhaps being introduced to its capabilities through your guidance. These clients typically face a steeper learning curve, requiring additional support to fully grasp the platform's functionalities.

While the immediate temptation might be to simply launch the site and move on to the next task, investing a little extra effort to provide educational resources can yield significant long-term benefits. By offering effective learning tools, you can achieve several key objectives:

• Proactively address common queries, significantly reducing the volume of urgent support requests and allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Enhance client satisfaction and build stronger relationships, fostering a positive experience that can lead to valuable referrals and sustained business growth.
• Solidify your reputation as a knowledgeable and supportive professional. This expertise will encourage clients to return to you for future projects or advanced learning opportunities related to their digital presence.

If you're ready to empower your clients with a deeper understanding of WordPress, consider these practical and effective strategies.

Start Them Off on the Right Foot

Upon the completion of a client's website, it is advisable to schedule a dedicated session to not only present the finished product but also allocate additional time to thoroughly explain the fundamentals of the WordPress Dashboard. This hands-on walkthrough can significantly demystify the platform for new users. Key areas to cover include:

• Navigating the Dashboard Screen: Provide a comprehensive explanation of each widget present on the Dashboard, clarifying its purpose and the information it conveys. If certain widgets are not relevant to the client's needs, demonstrate how to customize the view using Screen Options. Conversely, be prepared to articulate the value of essential widgets.
• Distinguishing Between Posts and Pages: For individuals new to WordPress, the concepts of "Posts" and "Pages" can often be a source of confusion. Clearly differentiate between these two content types, illustrating their distinct purposes. Crucially, show live examples of each on their new website to solidify their understanding of how each content type functions and appears upon publication.
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• Demonstrating Post Creation: Guide your client through the process of creating and publishing a new post. Following publication, show them precisely how the new content appears on their site. Extend this demonstration to include how to delete or unpublish a post, a valuable skill for when content is accidentally published prematurely or requires removal.
• Adding Media: While media integration can be part of the post creation process, it's essential to also cover the dedicated Media Library section within the Dashboard. Explain both methods of adding media and clarify that they lead to the same central library, preventing potential confusion.
• Managing Comments and Pingbacks: Instruct clients on how to effectively respond to comments on their content. It is particularly important to explain "Pingbacks," as these can appear perplexing to new users and might even raise concerns about security. Provide a clear example and assure them that Pingbacks are a normal and expected part of WordPress interaction.
• Creating Pages and Strategic Considerations: Although most core pages are likely established during development, explain the process of creating new pages. Emphasize that clients typically won't need to create new pages frequently unless they plan to introduce entirely new sections or significant content additions to their site.
• Reviewing Installed Plugins: Depending on the plugins implemented, you can either offer a high-level overview of their general functions or delve into the specific settings of each. For plugins that the client will actively manage or utilize, a detailed walkthrough of their settings is highly recommended. For background plugins, a brief summary may suffice.
• Explaining Custom Shortcodes: If you've developed custom shortcodes for their site, demonstrate their proper insertion and show the live output. Providing a supplementary document detailing all available shortcodes with descriptions of their functionality can be exceptionally helpful.
• Understanding User Roles: Educate clients on the various user roles within WordPress and their associated permissions. Assist them in adding new users and determining the appropriate roles and access levels for their team members, ensuring proper site management and security.
• Configuring Site Settings: Conclude the walkthrough by reviewing the site's general settings. While a deep dive into every single setting might not be necessary, ensure that fundamental configurations such as the time zone and blog-specific options are correctly set and understood by the client.

When conducting these educational sessions, the most crucial aspect is to personalize the information to the client's specific website and operational needs. For instance, if their site does not feature a blog, focus less on intricate blogging details and more on relevant functionalities. Strive to develop a consistent internal process for this informational meeting, addressing practical considerations such as whether this service is an additional charge or included in the project fee, the allocated time limit, and the protocol for clients requesting further assistance.

Should clients express a desire for more in-depth learning, consider the following resources.

Provide Comprehensive Resources

One of the most effective strategies for fostering client understanding of WordPress is to offer a suite of resources that they can access and utilize long after the initial website handover. Curated content, whether digital or printable, serves as an invaluable reference point. This approach not only empowers clients to find answers independently but also significantly reduces the frequency of repetitive inquiries, freeing up your time for more complex tasks.

Consider offering the following types of resources:

• Dedicated Blog Posts: If content creation, particularly on WordPress topics or how-to guides, aligns with your expertise, developing a series of blog posts can be highly beneficial. Encourage new clients to subscribe to your blog for ongoing tips and insights. You can also direct them to specific "Beginner" category articles to help them get started.
• Educational Ebooks: For those who enjoy more extensive writing, creating ebooks for client download can be an excellent option. Ebooks don't need to be excessively long but should offer more depth than a standard blog post. This can also serve as an opportunity to collect email addresses in exchange for valuable content, ensuring the content's quality justifies the exchange.
• Instructional Videos: If you are comfortable with video production, developing how-to video tutorials can be a highly engaging resource. Recall the WordPress Dashboard walkthrough you provided earlier; transforming that into a screencast can create a valuable supplementary resource. While one-on-one sessions are crucial, a follow-up video provides a persistent reference for clients' future questions. Videos are also versatile, easily integrated into emails, blog posts, or hosted as standalone content on your website, enhancing the overall quality of your educational offerings.
• Downloadable PDFs: For professionals with a strong graphic design inclination, crafting visually appealing, branded PDFs can be a perfect solution. These are easily emailed to clients or offered as downloadable links on your site. This format can also extend to infographics, ideal for educating clients on concepts rather than purely instructional tasks.
• Printable Guides: While related to downloadable graphics, the emphasis here is on resources specifically designed for printing. Clients can print these for their own records, or you can print for your client before you physically meet with them. Examples include a "WordPress Dashboard Cheat Sheet" or a "WordPress Vocabulary Guide," offering a tangible and accessible learning aid.
• Online Learning Courses: For a significant number of clients seeking advanced WordPress knowledge, developing an online course can be the next logical step. This could range from a curated collection of exclusive resources to a full webinar series. However, course development requires substantial planning and coordination, so this path should be pursued only if sufficient time and resources are available to create a high-quality program. Begin with a pilot class, inviting a select group of trusted clients for feedback. Their insights will be invaluable for refining the course content and delivery. Once optimized, online courses offer an efficient way to educate multiple clients, and even prospective clients, simultaneously, streamlining your informational sessions.

Publishing these resources publicly on your website can also significantly enhance its value. Doing so can:

1. Expand your audience: By offering valuable content that encourages sign-ups, you can steadily grow your list of potential clients.
2. Reinforce your authority: Demonstrating your comprehensive knowledge establishes you as a credible expert in the field.
3. Generate additional revenue: For exceptionally high-quality content, such as a premium ebook, you might consider offering it for sale on your site, directing clients to it as a valuable self-help tool.

However, developing and maintaining extensive resources and courses demands a considerable time investment, which may not align with every professional's approach. In such instances, consider alternative strategies for empowering your clients.

Empower Future Self-Education

Even if you opt not to develop and maintain your own extensive educational resources, it is crucial to direct your clients to reliable external sources where they can find information independently. Introducing them to these foundational resources will equip them for ongoing learning. Key resources to recommend include:

• The WordPress Codex: While potentially overwhelming for absolute beginners, the official WordPress Codex is an unparalleled and comprehensive knowledge base. Explain to your clients that as their familiarity with WordPress grows, and particularly when they perform online searches for solutions, they will inevitably encounter the Codex. Introduce it as an incredibly valuable, authoritative resource that they will come to appreciate as their skills advance.
• Curated Industry Blogs: You likely have preferred blogs you consult for WordPress insights. Share these trusted resources with your clients. If you don't maintain your own blog, recommending established industry blogs provides a consistent and accessible knowledge base. It's vital to suggest blogs that cater to your client's current skill level, ideally those with an approachable tone that cover topics ranging from beginner to advanced. For example, consider recommending:
  • A popular beginner-focused blog: Known for content tailored to new WordPress users, often featuring dedicated "Beginner's Guide" sections.
  • Another helpful resource: Offers insightful blog posts and may provide a "Beginner's Handbook" with valuable tools for first-time users.
  • A comprehensive development-oriented publication: This type of publication often covers a broad spectrum of WordPress topics, from foundational concepts for beginners to advanced development insights, supporting clients throughout their learning journey.
• Collaborative Partnerships: If direct teaching and resource creation aren't your primary focus, consider forming strategic partnerships with other professionals. For example, a collaboration with a designer or educator who specializes in client training could be mutually beneficial. In this model, you focus on website development, while your partner handles client education, ensuring clients receive thorough guidance without adding to your workload. This can foster strong professional relationships and enhance your overall service offering.

Ultimately, there are numerous effective approaches to helping your clients understand the intricacies of WordPress. The most successful strategy will be one that aligns with your business model and effectively meets the diverse needs of your client base. By implementing these tips, you can empower your clients to confidently manage their WordPress sites and deepen their appreciation for the platform's capabilities.