WordPress Packages

You want WordPress, but you don’t know where to start.

You’ve seen the screenshots. You’ve read the rave reviews. You’ve heard that WordPress is a flexible, powerful way to manage websites, and you want it now.

If you could just get it set up, you’re ready to start writing great blog posts, or selling great products, or otherwise getting your message out there.

The problem is, how do you get the thing set up in the first place? Downloads? FTP? Help! You just want someone to handle the technical details of installation and point you to the place where you can start writing already.

And you don’t want your freshly installed WordPress site to look exactly like all the other freshly installed WordPress sites out there. You want your online home to look and feel uniquely you…

…but you don’t have the budget to hire a designer to custom-build a site from the ground up, which could cost $10,000 or more.

You’re wondering if it’s possible to get started without a) resorting to a cookie-cutter look and b) getting an advanced computer science degree.

Good news! I know exactly how to make this possible for you.

Here’s the bottom line: I will get you up and running with a WordPress site that reflects your uniqueness.

Choose the package that gives you your preferred balance of control and design help, so you can focus on running your business, not running your website:

Basic Package: Gets you ready to blog, no muss, no fuss.

  • Save time (everything installed for you, I just hand you the keys)
  • Spare your brain the exhaustion of figuring out how to install, configure, and code
  • Focus on doing your thing, not wrangling with technical details

Bonus Package: Gets you ready to blog with a bit of personal shine.

  • Show off your business’s unique look: I’ll install your existing graphics/logo and color scheme so your right people will feel comfortable basking in your awesomeness
  • Keep them coming back with extra functionality to help people contact you and help you stay in touch with them
  • Make money by adding e-commerce options, so when people are ready to buy, it’s easy for them to do so

Bonanza Package: Get you ready to blog with a whole helping of your personality on top.

  • I’ll work with you and my graphic design partner, Amy Crook, to create a customized site
  • Delight in your site’s super custom look: Amy’s custom graphic elements (PayPal buttons, bullets, page dividers) help you visually connect with your audience in a unique way
  • Shine on! Essential SEO metadata helps people find your special snowflake in the middle of the internet blizzard
  • Get started right away: I’ll upload some of your content so you have a real site for people to check out

Wondertwin powers…activate!

Between Wendy’s tech skills and Amy’s artistic vision, we’ve got you covered.

Amy Crook has been designing stuff people actually like since 1996, and making art her whole life. She uses a mix of digital and traditional media to create unique and beautiful pieces that reflect her clients’ personalities. Her oldest clients have been with her for 15 years, and she’s used everything from Photoshop to crayons on their illustrations. And she also draws cartoons! She lives in the San Francsico Bay Area with her two cats, 1400+ books, and nigh-imaginary roommate. She plays board games every Wednesday night and is an unrepentant geek, and no, she won’t tell you why she’s got bunny ears.

Wendy Cholbi‘s experience as a web architect goes back to 1993, when she created The Charlottesville Pizza Page, an ambitious attempt to provide a comprehensive local dining guide dedicated to one of the world’s greatest foods. She’s since moved to California, produced two tiny minions children, and converted to the Cult of WordPress. She delights in exploring and explaining technological tangles that strike fear into the hearts of mere mortals. And she’s confident that yes, with a little boost at the beginning, and a dose of nonjudgmental and friendly help along the way, you can do it yourself. Yes, you.

Here’s the lowdown:

Choose one of these three installation packages to get your site started:

What's includedBasicBonusBonanza
Latest version of WordPress installed for youYep!Yep!Yep!
Customizable WordPress theme installed for youYep!Yep!Yep!
Package of recommended WordPress plugins installed and activatedYep!Yep!Yep!
Choose your site layout (one-, two-, or three-column)Yep!Yep!
Your site pre-configured as a blog, a static site, or a site that contains a blogYep!Yep!
RSS Feed & Email Subscription widget configured in your sidebarYep!Yep!
Up to three PayPal buttons installed by Wendy (so you can sell stuff!)Yep!Yep!
Custom PayPal buttons with your choice of text/color, designed by Amy, installed by WendyYep!
Your existing Logo or Header, and matching Color Scheme of your choice, installed by WendyYep!
Custom Logo or Header and matching Color Scheme Designed by Amy, installed by WendyYep!
Contact page with a working contact formYep!Yep!
Google Analytics tracking code installed so you can track visitor statisticsYep!
Set up Post Metadata for Basic SEOYep!
Up to three WordPress Pages created for you, using content you provideYep!
Custom favicon designed by Amy, installed by WendyYep!
Custom bullets or divider designed by Amy, and added to your Media Library by WendyYep!

Ready to get started?

Basic
Package
(No-Frills
Install)

Bonus
Package
(Basic +
Extras)

Bonanza
Package
(Bonus +
Design)

Optional: Add a Unit of Wendy to any package.

Need tech support, training, or the chance to bring your WordPress questions to an expert? Add a Unit of Wendy to your package.

FAQ

What do I need to get started?

You’ll need a domain name and a web hosting account. I recommend either DreamHost or SiteGround for inexpensive web hosting. Each DreamHost account includes one domain name registration, but if you need more domains or you want to register your domain separately, I recommend NameCheap.

What will it look like?

Check out some examples on Amy’s portfolio page, and here’s a case study of an actual Bonanza package client.

How long will it take?

WordPress installations can usually be done within two weeks. For the Bonanza package, your design may take a little longer — since everything is custom, the back-and-forth process of getting from your idea to a final product varies from person to person. Amy will keep working with you until you love it, though, and in the meantime you’ll have the ready framework you can fill in with your blog posts.

Can I upgrade?

Yes, just let us know and we’ll invoice you for the difference. You’ll pay the same total amount as someone purchasing the larger package.

Can I downgrade?

No, once work has begun we’re unable to downgrade or offer refunds.

What if I want a site with more pages than my package includes?

WordPress allows you to create as many pages as you need, and you’ll find it easy to add your own pages (the built-in menu feature even lets you easily create drop-down menus with absolutely no coding required). If you would prefer to have Wendy add and format your pages for you, we can add that to your package for an extra fee.

What if I want a logo and a fancy-pants header?

You can buy a logo from Amy separately here, to be added to your site.

What if I want something these packages don’t include?

I can create a custom package for you or substitute elements in a specific package. Just contact me to describe what you need.

What if I don’t like my custom art?

If you purchase the Bonanza package, Amy will work with you until you’re happy with your design, up to three major revisions and as many little tweaks as it takes.

What are the plugins you install?

  1. Yoast SEO (helps you get found on Google)
  2. Broken Link Checker (saves you from embarrassing broken links)
  3. Simple Tags (advanced management for post tags)
  4. Jetpack (adds a bundle of powerful features, including contact forms, social sharing, statistics, subscriptions, and more)
  5. A complete backup plugin — either BackupBuddy or UpdraftPlus, depending on your site’s needs
  6. WordFence (powerful and customizable security)
  7. Bonanza packages also get a Google Analytics plugin installed and configured

What if I need help using WordPress?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here are three ways you can get help:

I’m ready! How do I sign up?

Fantastic! Choose your package and click the “Sign Up” button to go to the checkout page. You’ll have the opportunity to pay with a credit card or by PayPal. After your transaction has been processed, I’ll email you to get your web hosting account login information, and some other information based on the package you chose. After I have all the information I need to get started, I’ll confirm your install timeline.

No-Frills Install

Basic + Extra Features

Bonus + Design