This week, my development partner and I are launching WPQuestions.com, a new problem-solving site for the WordPress community.
It’s geared toward users who need quick, accurate answers to WordPress-related questions. The emphasis is on urgency, when you have a “WordPress emergency” that needs attention so you can launch your projects on schedule.
Users are either Askers, who offer money for emergency support, or Experts, who are established PHP coders looking to earn money and bolster credibility. Questions run in the form of a 3-day contest, but end as soon as the best answer is selected. (Read More ›)
What It Is
- A Time-Sensitive, Problem-Solving Environment.
Users who cannot find timely, accurate help on the WordPress.org forums can post to WPQuestions knowing that experienced coders are waiting to help. - Micro-Consultation.
There are scenarios where novice developers and clients don’t wish to sign a 20-hour consulting contract with an expert. Instead they have bite-sized questions they need answered directly with minimal fuss. - Convenient Revenue Stream.
Every freelance developer understands the stop-start nature of workflow. In between projects, or on work days where client feedback is slow, WPQuestions is a great environment to make money and establish more credibility. The Top Experts page demonstrates to potential clients your coding talent and ability to problem-solve.
What It Isn’t
- Spec Work.
Contest-based scenarios have been understandably criticized because they require hours of creative time with no guarantee of payment. WPQuestions is not for developers to dabble or waste their valuable time — it is for Experts who can glance a question and offer a solution without spending more than 10-20 minutes. - A Substitute for WP Consultancy.
WPQuestions is not meant to compete or cheapen the pricing of traditional 20-30hr contract-based consultancy arrangements. Instead, it is ideal for quick, one-off problems that need solutions. WPQuestions strives to value the time and skills of the Expert. If Experts can answer 5 questions in an hour at $20 (minimum) per question, they’ve earned $100+/hr. They are not bound to contracts or extended relationships with the Asker. They can pick and choose which questions are worth their time. - A Discussion Site.
Ideally, questions should have succinct answers without extended discussion. There maybe be multiple ways to write a PHP solution, but the Asker should choose whichever solutions was offered 1) first, and 2) most efficiently. WPQuestions does offer a prize-sharing option in scenarios where multiple Experts have contributed to the overall answer.
The Future
Our real priority is to get the site up and running and begin taking feedback and incorporating new features accordingly. The current branding and design will evolve once the audience needs become clearer. Our friend Adii is helping sponsor and market the site for the first couple months.
In the meantime, subscribe to the WPQuestions blog or contact us with any bugs or questions!
Follow me on Twitter
1:53 pm
Looks like a very interesting idea. Just registered. I’ll answer questions as I can. Great work!
2:08 pm
Brilliant!!!
Just yesterday I suggested to the founder of the themes company I use that he do *exactly* this. I get so tired of trolling forums for answers that are similar to what, or waiting for answers to my specific questions, or unsuccessfully trial-and-erroring my way through things.
I have a small backlog of problems/questions I could use help with and I look forward to testing out this potentially awesome resource.
2:45 pm
Darren, another amazing site. Kudos to you and your development partner!
2:53 pm
Very useful. If Adii of @woothemes is gonna market this then you bet it is gonna get lot of visibility for sure.
9:35 am
Hehe, I do my best. I do however think that WP Questions is a great initiative (not only due to Darren being a good friend of mine), as it really fills a massive gap within the WP space.
3:25 pm
What a great idea. This will be extremely useful for everyone. Good luck!
7:44 pm
Great idea! I really like it :)
I’ve registered myself, so hopefully I’ll be able to be of help to some people, and maybe even get help from others!
12:45 am
Darren, I would like to cat with you about possibly aligning your concept with the WP community at wpcoop.org. We are working on a similar concept to help folks in immediate need, emergency support and design and dev help.
Really nice design BTW, very intrested to see how it all develops. Look forward to connecting.
1:55 am
Sure thing, Jayson, drop me a line on my contact page.
1:50 am
Fantastic idea Darren! A great way to further develop the WP community!
1:58 am
I’m excited about the good feedback from everyone and all the mentions on Twitter today! There will be some tinkering in the next few weeks, but I’m confident in the model itself and how we can all make it work for our various purposes. Keep the feedback coming, good and bad, and make sure to keep up with the WPQ blog which is were I’ll be posting news about features and upgrades.
5:43 am
Hi guys,
just registered to the website. Looks like a really cool concept.
Looking forward to use this!
Yves
1:38 pm
I just registered, too. Looks like a great idea.
Thanks, jim
3:00 pm
Right on! Best of luck, Darren.
9:19 am
Wonderful.. I want try this
11:47 am
I was here checking out the two tier navigation post :) very cool thanks
but wanted to let you know I saw this site the other day and it’s DOPE :)
Nice work and best wishes with it
thanks