Frequently asked questions

Who is web developer Lennart Christensen?

Lennart Christensen is a skilled and experienced web developer with expertise in the WordPress platform. With a passion for coding and a creative approach to web development, Lennart creates customised solutions for businesses and individuals.

With extensive knowledge of WordPress' many features and capabilities, Lennart is able to design and develop professional websites, webshops and customise plugins for specific needs. His focus is always on delivering exceptional quality, usability and efficient solutions.

Lennart is known for his ability to understand customer requirements and translate them into impressive web designs and functional solutions. He emphasises creating user experiences that are intuitive, attractive and secure.

With Lennart as your web developer, you can be sure of a reliable and professional partner who is dedicated to meeting your needs and ensuring your online presence is impressive and effective. Whether you need a new website, updates or customisations, you can rely on Lennart to deliver results that exceed your expectations.

Is it safe to use WordPress for web development?

Although WordPress is generally considered a secure platform, it's important to understand that not all web development solutions are the same. Quality can vary depending on the developer's expertise and choice of themes and plugins. To maintain security, it's crucial to take the necessary security measures. This includes keeping your WordPress theme, plugins and the WordPress core itself up to date, as updates often contain important security patches. Additionally, it's important to use strong passwords and implement security plugins that can help prevent unauthorised access and protect against potential threats. Finally, regular backups of your WordPress site should be part of your routine so that you can restore your site if problems arise. By following these security measures, you can strengthen the protection of your WordPress site and minimise the risk of security breaches.

What is WordPress development?

WordPress development involves creating, customising and maintaining websites using the WordPress platform. It includes creating custom themes, developing plugins, implementing features and customising designs to create unique and functional websites. WordPress developers work with code and utilise WordPress APIs and structure to create user-friendly and scalable web experiences. They also have experience in handling security, providing support and optimising websites for speed and performance. WordPress development is a comprehensive process that requires technical expertise and knowledge of web development principles to deliver quality solutions.

How much does it cost to develop a WordPress website?

The price of developing a WordPress website can vary depending on the complexity of the project, design requirements, features and scope. It is recommended to get a customised price estimate based on your specific needs by contacting a WordPress developer.

Isn't WordPress just WordPress?

Although WordPress is a popular and widely used CMS (Content Management System), it is important to understand that not all WordPress solutions are the same. The quality of the code and the resulting website solution can vary significantly depending on several factors.

When talking about the quality of the code, it is important to note that WordPress is an open-source system, which means that it is developed and maintained by a large community of developers around the world. This opens up a wide range of possibilities, but it also means that there can be differences in coding standards and practices.

The quality of the code can have an impact on various aspects of a WordPress solution. A well-coded website will typically have structured and efficient code that follows best practices for security, performance and maintenance. This can result in a website that is faster, more secure and easier to update and customise.

On the other hand, a poorly coded website can have issues such as slow loading times, security holes and compatibility issues with plugins and themes. This can lead to a poor user experience and potential problems in the long term.

In addition, the quality of the resulting solution can also vary based on the skills and experience of the individual developer or development team. Some developers specialise in WordPress development and have extensive experience in creating advanced and customised solutions, while others may only have basic knowledge and experience.

So, while WordPress is a powerful CMS, the quality of the code and the resulting solution is not guaranteed. However, by choosing the right developers and following development best practices, you can ensure a solid and reliable WordPress solution that meets your specific needs.

Is it a good plan to develop a wp theme from scratch?

Developing a custom wp theme gives you full control over its structure and functionality, as well as the ability to create a unique and customised website with the design and features that perfectly suit your specific needs and desires. This is a good approach, as mass-production or page builders can often be loaded with extra features and plugins that are not relevant to your website. This can lead to unnecessary filler code and poor performance. By building a WP theme from scratch, you can create a more streamlined and optimised solution that results in better performance and flexibility.

Why is there filler code in some WordPress plugins?

Filler code, also known as bloatware, is found in some WordPress plugins because they are designed to cater to many different use cases and needs. This can lead to plugin developers including extra code, features or settings that aren't necessarily relevant for all users. The goal is to make the plugin as versatile as possible.

Unfortunately, this approach can lead to unnecessary complexity, larger file sizes and potentially poor performance. It's therefore important to choose plugins carefully and only use those that provide the features you need to avoid loading your website with redundant code elements.

Can't you just install a bunch of plugins in your WordPress?
It is technically possible to install many plugins on your WordPress site, but it is not recommended. Overloading your WordPress installation with too many plugins can result in decreased performance, slower loading times and increased risk of security vulnerabilities.

How do too many plugins affect the performance of my WordPress website?
Every plugin you add increases the time it takes to load your website. This can lead to slower page loading, which can be frustrating for visitors and affect your ranking in search engine results.

What are the typical signs that my WordPress site is suffering from too many plugins?
Signs of plugin overload include slow loading, frequent error messages and irregular behaviour on your website, such as things not working properly or conflicts with different features and designs.

Are there any alternatives to plugins that I can use to add functionality to my website without affecting performance?
Yes, there are alternative ways to add functionality to your website, such as using code to customise your theme or using built-in WordPress functions. These methods can be more efficient and resource-friendly than adding more plugins.

What's the difference between building for WordPress and simply using a drag and drop tool like divi?

Building for WordPress means creating a website that is optimised for the core functionality of WordPress. This means developing a user interface and features that are tailored to the environment that WordPress offers. Building in it with drag-and-drop tools like Divi can result in a website that is more complex and at risk of feature design errors as it adds unnecessary complexity.

Why is it not sustainable to build something with a drag-and-drop plugin that you can actually switch off, which can cause your website to crash?
It's important to understand that building key features of your website using a plugin that can be switched off can lead to unpredictable problems. Switching off this plugin can cause your website to lose functionality and no longer work as expected. This can also affect the visual appearance of your website, which can give an unprofessional impression. Therefore, I recommend building important features directly into the WordPress theme or core so that they are always available and can be maintained in the long term.

What are the benefits of building for WordPress with a focus on core functionality?
Building for WordPress with a focus on core functionality offers several significant advantages over using WordPress as a CMS. Core functionality is an integral part of WordPress and is continuously updated with each new version. This means that your website stays up to date and compatible with the latest WordPress versions without any issues.

Performance: A website built with core functionality is often faster and more efficient. You avoid unnecessary code and elements, resulting in faster load times and a better user experience.

Safety: By limiting the use of plugins and relying on core functionality, you reduce security risks. Plugins can be a source of vulnerabilities, and fewer plugins means fewer potential threats.

Scalability: A website built with core functionality is more customisable and scalable. You have full control over how the features work, making it easier to add or change them as needed.

Flexibility: WordPress is already a flexible platform and when you build with core functionality, you retain that flexibility. You can customise your website exactly as you want without being limited by a plugin's features.

Long-term maintenance: Core functionality is an integral part of WordPress and is automatically updated with each new version of WordPress. This ensures that your website stays up-to-date and compatible with the latest WordPress versions.

Ultimately, building for WordPress with a focus on core functionality gives you more control, better performance and increased security. It also allows for greater customisation and growth opportunities, which is essential for building a successful website.

Why do some "web developers" recommend Divi or other drag-and-drop solutions?

Basically, anyone can call themselves a "web designer" or "web developer", which means there is a wide range of skills within the industry. Some web developers are able to code sophisticated website solutions from scratch, while others only utilise drag-and-drop tools.

Some web developers may recommend Divi or similar drag-and-drop solutions, mainly because they may have limited experience coding in WordPress, PHP or other technical aspects. These tools are designed to make website building more accessible to those without technical expertise and can be useful for quickly creating visually appealing sites. A skilled web developer with coding skills would hardly actively recommend a drag-and-drop solution as the optimal solution.

The idea of being able to set up websites quickly and easily without coding skills sounds undoubtedly attractive. It opens up a wide range of people who want to experiment with design and layout without having to immerse themselves in coding or have an in-depth technical understanding.

But it's important to recognise that there are some downsides to relying solely on these tools. In the long term, they can prove to be less sustainable and scalable solutions. They have the potential to add complexity to your website's code, which can have a negative impact on both performance and security. In addition, they can limit your flexibility and control over your website compared to building with WordPress core functionality.

So while some "web developers" recommend drag-and-drop tools like Divi, it's important to consider your project's specific needs, your technical knowledge and the long-term goals for your website before deciding which approach is best for you.

Why are you so critical of drag-and-drop plugins, Lennart? 😅

I realise that it may seem like I'm very critical of drag-and-drop plugins like Divi. I recognise them as great tools for those without coding skills who want to create websites quickly and easily, and who want to experiment with design and layout without having to dive into coding. These tools have their relevance for these people and projects.

My perspective is that when you're a web developer and have the ability to build something from scratch, you have a unique opportunity to create something truly tailored to your client's needs. By building with WordPress core features, you have control and flexibility that is often lost when using drag-and-drop tools. For this reason, I must honestly admit that I don't understand why a professional web developer would choose to use Divi or similar drag-and-drop tools for their work.

Drag-and-drop plugin tools also have a tendency to limit you, including a lack of dynamic and logical options across different types of content. For example, I've seen that some WordPress websites built with drag-and-drop solutions require manual customisation of the design on each page and content types that need to be entered manually for each page and cannot be retrieved dynamically. This raises questions about future-proofing and scalability. Yes, while you may be able to create a website quickly without coding skills using a drag-and-drop solution, the question is how sustainable this approach is in the long term. This applies not only to code structure, but also to maintainability. Is it easy for the customer to edit content, change images and maintain the consistency of the website? Or does it leave the customer with a cluttered website where they can inadvertently break the design when they try to change something?

My rant is therefore more about encouraging web developers and web designers to think about when and why they use these tools. As an experienced web developer, I have come across many cases where drag-and-drop tools like Divi are used for projects where they are not the best solution. This can lead to unnecessary complexity, reduced performance and a lack of control over the structure and design of the website.

I also believe that if you want to work with drag-and-drop, there are platforms like Squarespace, Wix and the like that might be better alternatives to WordPress. These platforms are specifically designed to offer easy-to-use, visual building options without introducing the same complexity that some drag-and-drop tools can do in WordPress.

My advice is to use these tools wisely. If you have coding experience and know the WordPress ecosystem well, you can often achieve better results by building for WordPress instead of just in it. This allows you to create a tailored solution that is optimised for your customers' needs without introducing complexity that can impair website performance and maintainability.

So my criticism, or my attitude, is more about encouraging care and consideration when choosing tools for your next web project. Choose the right approach based on the project requirements and your skills, and you'll achieve better results in the long run. It's easy to be tempted by the quick results that drag-and-drop tools can offer. However, it's also important to consider whether the customer is getting the solution that suits their needs and goals in the long run.

Who is CCO ApS?

If you look up my CVR number, it is registered as CCO ApS. My company name, CCO ApS, may not be the most descriptive. In everyday life, I simply use my professional title as a web developer and my name LENNART C as a reference. My company name, CCO ApS, represents the legal side of my business, but when you contact me, you will always get in touch with "Web Developer Lennart C.". I prefer to make it as personal as possible.

CCO APS = LENNARTC.dk
Meet Lennart C - the WordPress developer behind innovative web design solutions

Are you a company that mass produces websites like an assembly line?

No, my approach is fundamentally different. I run a business where I sell my hours. Therefore, I only have so many hours in a day, which naturally limits the number of projects I can take on. My approach is characterised by personal involvement and deep immersion in the companies I help. Some consider me an integral part of their team, while others use me as an external supplier or business partner. Regardless of the role, I always strive to deliver a personalised and tailored service.

My approach is always focused on quality over quantity. While it would be possible to make more money by mass-producing standardised websites, my primary drive is to deliver technically proficient, unique and creative solutions that fit my clients' needs. This makes me an ideal choice for medium-sized businesses that want solid, customised web development and web design rather than a "one-size-fits-all" solution.