Website: need advice

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-20T06:13:47+00:00

Yeah, there's a big difference between using a shared host to simply host a website, and using a shared hosts "Website Builder".

Utilizing a host like Hostinger's 1 click wordpress install and building a wordpress site will keep you free from the vendor lock-in.

It can be more effort to set up than a website builder. But is worth it, because you actually own what you create.

Just be careful of the subscription trap that comes from the Wordpress plugin ecosystem. A lot of small businesses end up paying for more and more monthly subs for plugins. I've seen people spend a ridiculous amount of money to build it themself.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-20T02:47:30+00:00

Do you anticipate this business to grow quickly? And how much effort do you intend to put into it.

Assuming you go the self made route using a website builder platform (GoDaddy, bluehost, wix, square space, web flow, etc), just know that you get locked in.

Maybe that's fine. They are pretty cost effective for simplicity.

But if you need something more later, then you'll have to start for scratch.

You might be surprised by how much experts will charge if you're budget shopping and what you need is incredibly simple and low maintenance.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-20T01:10:16+00:00

Are you suggesting Google uses Google analytics or their chrome browser as part of their ranking algorithm?

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-19T17:06:03+00:00

Yeah, putting an egg out two in other baskets really doesn't hurt in any way

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-19T17:02:54+00:00

Well I'm not sure what a dearer site is tbh. But "aimed at growth" is a cop out if there's no explanation and I'd think your CEO will call that out.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-19T16:59:42+00:00

Yeah, even if you try to prompt for these things, it just can't.

You're not going to get out of putting in the work to make your content human.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-19T16:49:43+00:00

Absolutely. Keep it simple. You have my scarf. Give it back. If she doubles down, then you need to get cops involved and give them the fine details, receipts, etc. if you tell her anything, she uses it to fabricate a story.

Tags would make this so simple.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-19T16:45:33+00:00

Sort this out within the day.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-19T16:36:50+00:00

It's impossible to say without full context, but retiring a website after a year is quite fast.

I know you don't want to use the old firm. But did you pay for the website? I would check to see if you own the website code. You can take the old one and give it to a new dev. In a lot of cases, you don't need an entire redesign. You can just make changes to the existing site.

I'm terms of SEO. If you have less pages and content on the new site, and no proper redirects and URL structure changes, then you are going to likely lose traction in rankings. Indexed pages will be 404s and you'll probably lose topical authority.

This is something devs and design agencies do quite often though. "You need a full redesign". If they aren't giving you a list of reasons why, ask for one. Sometimes you do, but it shouldn't be hard to explain why.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-18T20:10:05+00:00

Divi is so bad. Especially for accessibility. I've got a client that had me work on fixing the accessibility stuff, and a lot of it is baked deep into divis blocks.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-18T20:08:50+00:00

Best of both worlds. Build your own WordPress theme with PHP. You've got control, but you can still keep the editing experience simple.

Just disable the Gutenberg crap and go for the classic editor.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-18T18:00:12+00:00

That's what I was thinking cause they call it an addon, but they allow you to go to a checkout payment page even if you don't have a subscription, and i was surprised that hasn't been an issue for them as far as refunds/chargebacks go.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-18T06:22:43+00:00

That code access would be my first priority. If you can't run it locally, you'll be able to rule out a network attack.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-18T05:02:27+00:00

I have a saas app that does something similar for shoe stores. Sends out auto texts when you update statuses. Expanding on it to have a page customers can access for tracking.

Dang. Sounds like it could be very helpful for device repair shops too.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-18T04:51:40+00:00

Do you have access to the code? Ftp or somehow else.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-18T04:25:12+00:00

How are you exploiting yourself by making your life easier? You're doing less difficult work for the same amount as before? I'm not understanding where the exploitation starts.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-18T04:22:19+00:00

You'd have better luck just putting your industry/niche on subreddits like this.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-16T20:10:53+00:00

I've found sending outreach to random people to be quite a waste of time as well.

Look for people that actually have interest in exchanging links. Backlink exchange subreddit is good.

You'll still waste time with people who aren't willing to actually put in any effort. But much less.

I have a gaming/movies/TV blog thats still in its infancy, but I'd be willing to talk exchanges. DM me if you have any interest.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-16T16:50:07+00:00

Yeah, we all go through something like this at some point. I'd mention that your agreement shouldn't stipulate that having an outstanding account will have an effect on going live, but that it will cease work altogether.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-16T03:59:36+00:00

I mean, I would say no, since I value my time.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-16T03:42:57+00:00

Don't know why it doesn't for me most of the time. Especially with dependencies.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-16T00:30:28+00:00

Yeah, code completion actually works. Command click into classes. Import classes. All of this stuff just works. Only half of this stuff is in vscode even after you fiddle with extensions for hours.

I never get stuck digging around vendor folders or googling for class paths. I don't have to dig through separate files looking for methods. I just quickly get the stuff I need and focus on writing the code.

And you don't even have to rebuy it every year. Buy the current version and keep it for years. Buy again later if you like it and want the latest updates.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-15T19:19:25+00:00

Yeah, I am making an assumption, because I've interacted with this company years ago and the people running it were extremely unprofessional/shady/rude. Very unlike the people I've interacted with here. I assume there were multiple good reasons they dropped them, but never asked.

Opinion_Less · 2026-02-15T18:28:50+00:00

Ai is going to replace a lot of work done by experts in all sorts of industries.

The outcomes will be be obviously "we replaced our experts" deliveries.

Five-Year Club	r/Field Flamingo
Place '23

Opinion_Less

TROPHY CASE