Starting with WordPress – looking for some real advice

[bilalmustafa]

Hi everyone,


I’m still quite new here, but I’ve recently started focusing on SEO. But I have experience in WordPress, Elementor, and WooCommerce & have built 10 to 15 basic practice websites to get comfortable with the basics of WordPress, Elementor, and any other plugins needed.

I don't say that I have enough experience in WordPress or Elementor like you guys. But I need your assistance & guidance


That's why now I’m trying to move towards actually earning from this skill, but I feel a bit stuck on what the right next step should be.


For those who are already making money with WordPress:
– Did you start with freelancing platforms or direct clients?
– How long did it take you to land your first paid project?


I’m not rushing, just want to take the right direction from the start.


Would really appreciate any honest advice. Thanks.

 

[keegand42]

10-15 practice sites is actually a decent foundation, most people try to monetize after building like 2. the woocommerce experience is probably your fastest path to money tbh, shops need maintenance and small fixes constantly and they'll pay someone reliable way more than you'd expect for pretty basic work.

 

[1SEOWarrior]

& have built 10 to 15 basic practice websites

I would recommend you to join any team or agency to sharpen your skills to work on pro project then you can consider hunting clients. Thats the best advice for me.

 

[bilalmustafa]

I would recommend you to join any team or agency to sharpen your skills to work on pro project then you can consider hunting clients. Thats the best advice for me.

I appreciate your sincere response & advice, which is valuable for me. & That's the reason I have joined here to get some sincere advice like your's

 

[Panther28]

I would say in this day and age, dump WP, and learn a language foremost. You can't survive with a blog this is like "Your favorite widgets reviewed come and visit me world!" You probably using ai content? How does it feel to be building a site that is getting hammered by scrapers and your info is being used to train the next generation of chat bots, that cuts you out the loop even more?

If you don't want that, go and build something fun interactive and possibly viral, (not a basic WP style blog content site) if YOU share it enough on socials. That's the best way to survive in the age of the AI lumberjacks.

I gave up specifically ALL my wp stuff, cause i had enough of the constant head aches with plugins, maintenance, future company outlook etc , the only good thing is Wordfence. But having a top quality lock on your car, doesn't do much when you have a broken down wreck of a site! lol

I've moved to Java, specifically as I can use it for desktop and online seamlessly all most, with maximum compatibility too with windows, linux and mac.

I'm in the stage of building desktop software, but when i get that partly finished i'll be back doing online stuff again, for the online side of things to launch. You can think much greater if you think about what language you want to master fist. Rather than what CMS. Also it helps to have a quality plan and good vision of what you want to do.

 

[bilalmustafa]

I would say in this day and age, dump WP, and learn a language foremost. You can't survive with a blog this is like "Your favorite widgets reviewed come and visit me world!" You probably using ai content? How does it feel to be building a site that is getting hammered by scrapers and your info is being used to train the next generation of chat bots, that cuts you out the loop even more?

If you don't want that, go and build something fun interactive and possibly viral, (not a basic WP style blog content site) if YOU share it enough on socials. That's the best way to survive in the age of the AI lumberjacks.

I gave up specifically ALL my wp stuff, cause i had enough of the constant head aches with plugins, maintenance, future company outlook etc , the only good thing is Wordfence. But having a top quality lock on your car, doesn't do much when you have a broken down wreck of a site! lol

I've moved to Java, specifically as I can use it for desktop and online seamlessly all most, with maximum compatibility too with windows, linux and mac.

I'm in the stage of building desktop software, but when i get that partly finished i'll be back doing online stuff again, for the online side of things to launch. You can think much greater if you think about what language you want to master fist. Rather than what CMS. Also it helps to have a quality plan and good vision of what you want to do.

Thank you so much for your valuable advice, but I'm not just doing WordPress. I am also a student of web development, and apart from that, I am also practicing at SEO.

 

[bilalmustafa]

You are actually in a good position already with that much practice, most people do not even get that far. From what I have seen, starting with freelancing platforms can help you get your first few clients and confidence, then moving to direct clients works better long term. How are you planning to approach your first paid project?

Merry Stone the reply you gave me is fill up the positive energy in me.

I can't plan about to approach client or any project yet. Still learning from this forum how to do work or how to do freelancing

 

[yutalersa]

You’ve got enough skill already, now you need proof + outreach
Build 2–3 real niche sites (local biz or affiliate), rank them a bit, then use those as case studies , that’s what got me first clients
Skip Fiverr race, go direct outreach (email local businesses), faster money and way less competition

 

[xcreator22]

Since you already have a solid foundation with 10–15 practice sites, the most effective path in 2026 is to move beyond generic "I build websites" pitches and instead package your Elementor and WooCommerce skills as a specific "Conversion-Rate Optimization" (CRO) service for e-commerce brands, as this allows you to charge premium rates for the measurable business growth you provide rather than competing on price in the saturated entry-level freelance markets.

 

[bilalmustafa]

I think you should not wait to feel fully ready, you already have the basics. Start with small projects like simple websites and learn as you go. For now, focus on building your portfolio and understanding how others get clients here. Then take action, even if it is not perfect.

Yes, I am preparing to create my portfolio. And also learn how to get a clients.

Since you already have a solid foundation with 10–15 practice sites, the most effective path in 2026 is to move beyond generic "I build websites" pitches and instead package your Elementor and WooCommerce skills as a specific "Conversion-Rate Optimization" (CRO) service for e-commerce brands, as this allows you to charge premium rates for the measurable business growth you provide rather than competing on price in the saturated entry-level freelance markets.

hey,
Thanks for the advice, and I definitely remember it and also focus on CRO service.

 

[Ligma]

Well at least you are starting in a good age. Claude can help you with anything, take a basic theme and you can edit it to 3000 dollars +

 

[bilalmustafa]

ou’ve got enough skill already, now you need proof + outreach
Build 2–3 real niche sites (local biz or affiliate), rank them a bit, then use those as case studies , that’s what got me first clients
Skip Fiverr race, go direct outreach (email local businesses), faster money and way less competition

How can I reach out to direct clients?

If you give me some personal advice to get my first client in this forum...

 

[bilalmustafa]

Well at least you are starting in a good age. Claude can help you with anything, take a basic theme and you can edit it to 3000 dollars +

Yeah, that makes sense. That’s a good starting point.