Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

General Discussion

Posted by Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
9,152 Points

Portfolio Design, Wordpress etc or from scratch!

Hi,

I have been designing a few websites and been going backwards and forwards with my own portfolio site. Im still deciding how i want to build it.

Ive got the experience and knowledge to build it either through Wordpress, From scratch or using one of the frameworks like bootstrap, skeleton etc..

I realise most people may just say design from scratch to learn more but i want to see what people views are on creating a more long lasting site that could be updated easily but also fast which is why im hesitant from Wordpress.

I imagine the main thing i want on this site will be my blog but also want to showcase my work as best as possible.

Any thoughts would be helpful!

Cheers,

Sam

3 Answers

chezkystern
chezkystern
3,353 Points
chezkystern
chezkystern
3,353 Points

Even though you are a web designer I still think you should use Wordpress as it will be easier to update in the long run and I would go with a premium theme so you don't run into issues and have a good documentation to work from, check these out http://www.themezilla.com/ or anything you like from themeforest, I've had good experiences with those

Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
9,152 Points

Thanks Miriam, I agree Wordpress would be easier to upload things in the future and save time that side so will take that on board. Sometimes i guess using a pre made theme feels like 'cheating a bit' if that makes sense but then it is properly documented which is a bonus!

Julian Price
Julian Price
11,760 Points
Julian Price
Julian Price
11,760 Points

I would encourage you to understand that wordpress is cms that's make publishing and editing your content faster. It's core php functions which is backend development . Bootstrap and Skelton frameworks are front end development (html/CSS)

Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
9,152 Points

Thanks Julian, I completely understand your point and didnt really think about like that but that makes sense. I have been using Wordpress to create my own themes using php and Wordpress codex and using simple php for various functions on other sites. I suppose really the question i wanted answered is it worth the time investment to create a custom Wordpress theme (including all the learning that will happen along the way) in order to save time in future updates vs creating a purely front-end site which would be quicker but then take slightly longer to update etc...

Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
9,152 Points
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
9,152 Points

After my last comment to julian it seems it would make sense to create my own front-end site then as time goes on it could be integrated into Wordpress therefore the site could go live quicker and i would see the benefits of adding it to a CMS after?

Julian Price
Julian Price
11,760 Points

I would encourage maybe looking at a wordpress starter theme like roots, bones or underscores. I agree with you impart that sometimes just working on basic html/css maybe best to first get idea or direction of were you wanting it to go.

Thats where I am at with my site because all larger chunky themes gets in the way trying to understand how it works.

Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
9,152 Points

Thanks Julian, thats sort of the same situation as me. I have developed a few styles for my site using basic HTML/CSS then have started putting them onto a Wordpress theme which incurs a learning curve hence why i wanted to ensure it was the best decision especially as reading so many people complaining on the speeds of their Wordpress sites however i feel this would be minimal as my site will not be over complex.

Il check out the three you mentioned and see how i get on :) Happy New Year!!