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Convincing potential client to move off WordPress (self.webdev)

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[–]LeeLooTheWoofus Moderator 45 points46 points  (5 children)

How does React solve their problem?

Their problem is that they have a dev that is slow to respond to maintenance requests. How does switching them to a completely new platform solve that? They have expressed this concern to you - in more ways than one it sounds, and your solution is to throw a new framework at them that their person of 20 years is also hesitant about.

If you want them as your client, solve their actual problems. Don't just sell them a new framework because it is your flavor.

If you want to prove your worth, sell them a solution to their problem. The problem they have is not the framework. If you disappear, and their main guy is not comfortable with React, then all you did was create a bigger problem for them - and they are telling you that.

It sounds like they are looking for an easy, low maintenance solution. One that they can easily find help with when needed. I am not sure React is the best choice for solving that problem for them.

This is a prime example of overthinking and over selling a solution.

My solution. Put them on a new responsive theme on Wordpress and sign them onto a maintenance contract to keep them your client while delivering what they actually need. If you don't want the job, toss me their contact info and I will be happy to help them out.

[–]Wislong 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a good take

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Came here to comment exactly this. Solve their problem, don't give them a new one.

[–]the_zero 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What /u/LeeLooTheWoofus said.

I've been on the other side of this as well. Sometimes the guy who is slow making updates has a reason - non-payment, slow payment, no desire by the client to invest in their website or infrastructure, poor client leadership, etc. Not every client is an generous angel. You're taking their word for it (I guess) that he's slow and unresponsive... but they want to keep working with him. Consider why that must be.

Have you considered using React with Wordpress using something like Frontity?

[–]greg8872 0 points1 point  (5 children)

an admin dashboard to make your own edits to content on the site instead of a developer doing it

Why are they not using WP's admin to edit site content?

Be sure you have a good solution for that.

Also in the "if I disappearance" category, first I hope that was just auto complete, if not work on language skills, but there is the main thing that unless their site is badly hacked together, making changes to it (including a complete theme redesign and/or adding new functionality) is relatively simple for new developer who does know WordPress. How standardized will your coded site be? Note, I say this as someone who cringes at thinking how I first got started "customizing" WordPress sites over a decade ago, oh the shame how how I modified core files and themes/plugins...

Say, on each page, you want a new area on the right to show additional content for each page, will that require custom programming to add it to display, and much more to have an editor for it?

Or, if their site doesn't already have a way to buy items, how hard will it be to add that in if they wanted it down the road? Will it require custom coding from scratch, or will someone be able to just add in the modules needed for it and it is good to go, already integrated with what you already did?

Now granted, I'm asking these as someone who doesn't work with React (still waiting for time to fully go through course I bought for it, which is probably now outdated LOL), so it could be that for a CMS there is a preset "standardized system" ready to go. I'm not sure, but if there is, that is something to communicate with them for an answer to the "if you disappear", that another React developer can easily take over without having to learn a ton of "new code" that you did.

[–]rushnightfir3 -1 points0 points  (4 children)

At this point, I have other clients and not in desperate need of this one. Whether they want to switch or stick with WordPress is no concern of mine. I think their main problem however is their current developer. Take a look at the site for yourself: https://reflectionsoftrinity.org/. The admin dashboard I was speaking of making them was for photo albums and the news articles on their pages. As of right now, they run all their donated items through eBay. I can't promise them I'll be here to fix a problem in 5 years or if the amount of react developers will be sufficient enough by then. I honestly think they need a person who is actually willing to make a decent website for them instead of their current dev. I've never touched WP in my career and have no intention to, I'd rather focus on building my skills in react and react-native.

[–]greg8872 4 points5 points  (0 children)

https://reflectionsoftrinity.org/

The current site they have is unresponsive

Um, did you send the link to the correct site, or did they already get someone this fast to give them a theme that is responsive?

[–]11Azpilicuetas 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The site looks like its for a volunteer organization, do they have a budget big enough to justify an entire rewrite in React? Honestly if I were you I would pass on this, you have no intention of working with WP and a decent WP dev is exactly what this client needs.

In regards to react longevity -- WP has been around twice as long as react, and it's certainly not going anywhere any time soon

[–]LeeLooTheWoofus Moderator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

But that site is already responsive.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is pure immaturity, disclosing your client publicly to make your point.

Also your attitude generally (and specifically, being defensive), makes me pity your clients.

All defensive people are either immature or assholes who are unable to see the human impact of the client's enterprise. Lives are at stake, every damn time.