I don’t like this ad:
It’s for Headway Theme. I like Headway, I just don’t like the ad. I’m guessing that one of the motivations for pushing this message is to tick developers like me off enough to react to it. Another message, however, is why pay a bunch of money for someone who knows what they’re doing when you can just drag and drop stuff? That’s the message that gets my goad.
Let me make this clear – I like premium WordPress themes and plugins. The themes directory at WordPress.org used to be filled with so much junk, and with so many premium theme distributors using a GPL license and thereby having some free themes included in the directory, the overall quality of themes is on the rise. Furthermore, designers and developers have a plethora of great frameworks from which to choose as a base or framework. And I would agree that some organizations and entrepreneurs need to deploy sites quickly, skipping all the consulting and development time associated with working with a freelancer or agency. So I get all of that.
I just don’t like the message… “no need for WordPress develoeprs.” Here’s why:
- WordPress wouldn’t exist without WordPress developers.
- Improvements and updates wouldn’t be released without WordPress developers.
- Plugins wouldn’t be available without WordPress developers.
- Support for bugs, problems, and issues wouldn’t be available without WordPress developers.
- New boundaries wouldn’t be pushed without WordPress developers.
- Some organizations desperately need the eye for design, the head for usability, and the technical knowledge of a WordPress developer.
- I’m a WordPress developer… so it feels personal. Like Alex the Lion said, “you don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
I’d like to congratulate the team that put Headway together. You’re a great group of WordPress developers. Keep up the good work. The internet does need you.
Twitter: claygriffiths
December 3, 2010 at 8:48 am #
The ad is not meant to be taken that way. By developers, we meant designers that do custom sites for clients. Of course we all need developers to build plugins, themes, and WordPress itself.
After releasing 2.0, we immediately knew we had to have another 125×125 banner to replace this one.
Usage of the banner is not required and we left it up for certain site owners that may have better success with the ad.
Twitter: brandonacox
December 3, 2010 at 9:18 am #
I understand. I see the ad all over the place though, and while I understand you’re not talking about plugin, WP, and theme developers, it doesn’t make me feel any better at all that you were really targeting custom theme designers.
As I said in the post, I’m a fan of Headway, and I know you intended the ad as good marketing, not as an offense. The problem is, those ads show up without the context of your intentions. I would liken it to an ad by Tylenol saying, “No more need for Doctors, just take Tylenol.” Tylenol is great for reducing pain, but sometimes pain reflects a bigger problem. Some organizations could do just fine with a premium theme like Headway, but others desperately need the insight of a designer.
I’m not raising the point to hurt Headway’s sales, and I appreciate you showing up here to converse about it. My message is primarily to organizations who want a quick and cheap fix rather than a thoroughly thought-out solution.
Twitter: caffeinatedelf
December 3, 2010 at 9:36 am #
If you meant ‘designers’, why did you say ‘developers’? That’s disingenuous at best.
At worst, it adds to a pile of preconceived notions out there regarding what developers (and designers) actually do.
Twitter: pastortomjam
December 3, 2010 at 9:07 am #
You tell ‘em! LOL
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Twitter: mattsfraser
December 3, 2010 at 1:11 pm #
Hello Brandon,
I am so glad that you wrote this post.
First of all, I am a huge headway fan, I use it to power all of my sites. However, I too do not like the ad. Is headway easy to use, YES!!! (Unlike other themes that portrayed being easy to use such as Thesis, which was a total joke, and I can’t stand the theme) but staying on topic, headway is easy to use. It is a great wordpress premium theme and right now the only one that I consider using (however genesis is looking appealing, as is frugal/catalyst but I don’t have the cha ching to test them out) Anyway, to even say that Headway eliminates the need for a designer is not entirely true. Tools like WordPress and Premium themes have greatly reduced the cost of web design and development for any one, be it a small business or an individual who needs/wants a website, however, there are a lot of ugly websites on the internet, just check out http://tinyurl.com/d3hv5t to see. It boggles my mind that people think that everybody and his dog, including there next door neighbours 14 year old kid “who knows a lot about computers” can design a website, however, as one who has been formally trained in web design, as I went to http://www.sessions.edu, I’m continuously blown away by the bad design that I see on the internet. For instance, I see crappy graphics being used, sites that are way, way too cluttered, menu navigation systems that have 15 different items which could be condensed down to 5-7, (this was a dental site that I saw) as well as poor information architecture and usability. Wed design development is a complex matter!! It requires someone who has some kind of training and know how. I don’t pretend to know how to fix my car and I don’t go to local store to get some tools and call myself a mechanic, simply because I know how to change the oil, which I don’t. The point I’m trying to make is I don’t care what theme people use, there is a need for web designers and developers, (all of the questions that get posted in the headway forum are an indication of that) Ok, so I know I’ve ranted a bit and perhaps been a bit long winded, that being said, in closing, headway rocks, I hate coding and I don’t like to mess too much with html/css/php which is one of the reason why I love headway, the visual editor rocks and its built in SEO is stellar but to have a website that doesn’t look like this http://tinyurl.com/2fh3rsn requires someone who knows what they’re doing.
Twitter: garaughty
December 5, 2010 at 10:41 am #
There is no substitute for talent, that is why 90% of sites/blogs built on Thesis look the same(i.e. generic). Headway is just another tool for those who want to “do it themselves” but…
There will always be a need for talented developers, designers and graphic artists to make the most out of WordPress, theme frameworks, etc…
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Twitter: Geeee
January 18, 2011 at 2:47 pm #
C’mon, World can’t live without Developers if you want to make an impact in your online business, Designers & Developers are your main resources .. Treasure my friend!
Twitter: brandonacox
January 18, 2011 at 2:49 pm #
I’m with ya!