How I Became Better: My First WordPress Website Experience
Personal experienceLike the saying goes “a journey of a hundred miles begins with a step”. Excited to have graduated as a Computer Science student, but even more excited that I could practically apply my knowledge of computer science in a real-world setting like Direct Consulting Logistics (DCL) Limited Nigeria, a Public Health Care Consultancy in Nigeria,
As a 2015/2016 batch B and stream A Nigeria Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, I was opportune to serve at DCL between January and October 2016. My first assignment as a corp member was to develop three websites — DCL, Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA), and National Financing Task Team (NIFT) using word press with support from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Martins who was a research associate with DCL. She provided me with content for the website as well as supervised the development process.
Dr. Chizoba Wonodi, Nigeria Country Director, Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) and National Convener, WAVA directed me to develop the website using word press as it requires less coding knowledge. Initially, I was scared and wondered what word press would look like. I was already thinking about the school colleagues to call but the following day, Dr. Wonodi shared a tutorial on word press website development and hosting, which I took advantage of.
Building on the foundation provided, my task began. I checked for the availability of suitable domain names which include; 1) dclnigeria.com 2) wavang.org and 3) niftng.com. Following the approval of the proposed domain names by Dr. Wonodi, payment was made to enable me to access the Cpanel from which I created official email addresses and installed the word press software on each domain name.
The DCL website, being my first, took me approximately two weeks to develop. In the process I learned, among other things, the use of word press dashboard features as well as decided on a template. Learning how to use the software was very easy, considering that there were lots of templates to choose from and plugins to perform different tasks. My greatest challenge in the course of this assignment was my inability to edit some templates as wrong editing of codes belonging to a different developer may hinder the website from displaying. Therefore, as a word press novice, I had to navigate between five templates before getting one that was easily editable which was frustrating.
May I also mention that one of the major attractions to a website is the colour combination that make-up the website. Therefore, in choosing my colours and the menu format to apply, I sought the opinion of my colleagues. I took my time to develop the website and it came out well, beyond everyone’s expectation. Dr. Wonodi was quite impressed by the look of the website and she said “it looks like you know what you are doing”.
I was very excited about the website, especially after seeing that colleagues and Dr. Wonodi were very impressed with the work. That was the greatest achievement to me as a youth corp member, as my goal was to impress the management with the hope that I would be retained.
Having understood how the word press works, I was able to develop the WAVA and NIFT websites within two weeks, a time frame that equaled the process put in the development of the DCL website. Experience is said to be the best teacher, I am proud to say, I am now able to develop a plugin and upload it on a word press website with little or no time.
Finally, I am pleased to say my first challenge to create a website has exposed and made me better such that no challenge is too difficult to surmount. Still counting, from January 2016 to date, I have developed over 15 websites using word press, a preference of most clients.
Winnie’s journey into building her first WordPress website is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and willingness to embrace new challenges. Initially, she might have felt overwhelmed by the technical aspects of website development, but her determination to learn and grow propelled her forward.
At the outset, Winnie likely encountered various obstacles, from understanding the basics of WordPress to navigating its interface. However, with each hurdle, she approached it with a positive mindset, viewing it as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. She sought out tutorials, online resources, and perhaps even reached out to more experienced individuals for guidance.
As Winnie delved deeper into the intricacies of WordPress, she began to grasp concepts such as theme customization, plugin integration, and content creation. She experimented with different layouts, fonts, and color schemes, tailoring the website to her unique vision and brand identity. Along the way, she encountered setbacks and challenges, but she persevered, learning from her mistakes and refining her skills with each iteration.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Winnie’s experience was witnessing her progress firsthand. As she became more proficient in WordPress, her confidence grew, and she started to unlock new possibilities for her website. Whether it was implementing advanced features, optimizing for search engines, or troubleshooting technical issues, Winnie tackled each task with determination and enthusiasm.
Moreover, Winnie’s journey wasn’t just about mastering the technical aspects of website development; it was also a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Through the process, she honed her problem-solving skills, developed her creativity, and gained a deeper understanding of her own capabilities.
In the end, Winnie emerged from her first WordPress website experience not only with a beautifully crafted online presence but also with a newfound sense of empowerment and accomplishment. Her journey serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that with dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace challenges, anything is possible.
I’m so proud of you Winnie!