Hour 3 – WordPress Development (Unilancerz.com)
1. Install theme & core setup
- Download and install WordPress.
- Install chosen marketplace theme.
- Configure theme settings.
- Remove demo content.
- Set up child theme for customization.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, suggest best marketplace WordPress themes for freelancing platforms.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, give me a checklist for WordPress core setup for scalability.”
2. Install marketplace plugin
- Choose & install marketplace plugin (e.g., Dokan/WCFM).
- Activate license & configure.
- Enable vendor module.
- Set basic permissions.
- Test activation.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, compare Dokan vs WCFM for multi-vendor marketplace.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, what are common errors when setting up marketplace plugins?”
3. Registration flow setup
- Enable user registration.
- Create separate roles (Client & Freelancer).
- Add custom registration fields.
- Test with demo accounts.
- Set auto email confirmations.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, how do I design smooth onboarding for freelancers & clients?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest security tips for user registration in WordPress.”
4. Client dashboard setup
- Create client dashboard page.
- Add job posting option.
- Show active & past jobs.
- Add payment summary.
- Test client dashboard flow.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, what must-have features should a client dashboard include?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest design ideas for a simple dashboard UI.”
5. Freelancer dashboard setup
- Create freelancer dashboard page.
- Add proposal submission option.
- Add earnings report.
- Add profile completion status.
- Test with demo freelancers.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, how do I encourage freelancers to complete profiles?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest gamification ideas for freelancer dashboards.”
6. Job posting system
- Add job posting form.
- Enable categories & tags.
- Add job budget fields.
- Set moderation rules.
- Test submission.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, what fields should a freelance job posting include?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest spam-prevention techniques for job posts.”
7. Proposal system setup
- Add proposal submission form.
- Link proposals to job posts.
- Add file upload option.
- Allow price & timeline inputs.
- Test proposal submissions.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, what makes a strong proposal system for freelancing platforms?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, how do I filter low-quality proposals?”
8. Messaging system setup
- Install messaging plugin/module.
- Enable client-freelancer chat.
- Add file sharing.
- Set privacy & moderation.
- Test with sample users.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, suggest best WordPress messaging/chat plugins.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, how can I prevent spam in private messaging?”
9. Payment gateway setup
- Install WooCommerce.
- Enable Stripe/PayPal.
- Configure currency & tax.
- Add service fee structure.
- Test payment with sandbox.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, what payment gateways work best for freelance platforms?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, explain escrow system integration in WordPress.”
10. Profile page design
- Create profile page template.
- Add bio & skills section.
- Add services offered.
- Add client reviews.
- Test responsiveness.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, what should a freelancer profile include for maximum trust?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest UI improvements for profile pages.”
11. Portfolio section setup
- Enable portfolio in profile.
- Add project images & descriptions.
- Add links to live projects.
- Categorize portfolio items.
- Test portfolio display.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, how do I structure a freelancer portfolio for impact?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest creative portfolio templates for WordPress.”
12. Ratings & reviews setup
- Enable rating feature.
- Add star rating system.
- Allow written reviews.
- Moderate reviews.
- Test feedback flow.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, what review system best prevents fake ratings?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest reputation management strategies for freelancers.”
13. Add sample projects
- Create demo projects.
- Upload fake client requests.
- Add test proposals.
- Test visibility on dashboards.
- Reset after testing.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, how do I create engaging sample data for testing platforms?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest project categories for freelancing sites.”
14. Mobile responsiveness check
- Test site on mobile devices.
- Fix broken layouts.
- Optimize navigation.
- Test job posting on mobile.
- Test dashboards on mobile.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, how do I optimize WordPress for mobile users?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest mobile UI/UX best practices for marketplaces.”
15. Speed optimization
- Install caching plugin.
- Optimize images.
- Minify CSS & JS.
- Enable lazy loading.
- Run speed test.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, list best free speed optimization plugins for WordPress.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, how do I improve site speed under heavy user load?”
16. Blog section setup
- Create blog page.
- Add category structure.
- Set blog layout.
- Add featured post option.
- Test publishing.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, suggest content strategy for a freelancing blog.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, what blog categories should a freelance marketplace have?”
17. Blog post upload #1
- Write sample article.
- Add images.
- Add SEO meta.
- Set featured image.
- Publish post.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, generate a sample blog on freelancing tips.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest SEO keywords for freelance-related blogs.”
18. Blog post upload #2
- Draft another article.
- Add images & SEO.
- Add internal links.
- Schedule publish.
- Share on test social account.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, suggest trending topics for freelancing blogs.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, how do I repurpose blogs for LinkedIn posts?”
19. Multi-language setup
- Install WPML/Polylang.
- Add second language.
- Translate homepage.
- Translate dashboard menus.
- Test language switch.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, what’s the easiest multilingual plugin for WordPress?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest localization best practices for marketplaces.”
20. SEO optimization
- Install RankMath/Yoast.
- Optimize titles & meta.
- Add schema markup.
- Submit sitemap.
- Test SEO audit.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, suggest SEO strategy for freelance marketplace websites.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, list long-tail keywords for freelancing platforms.”
21. AI chatbot integration
- Choose chatbot plugin.
- Connect with OpenAI API.
- Add client FAQ responses.
- Add freelancer onboarding help.
- Test chatbot flow.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, how can AI chatbots improve freelancer platforms?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest FAQs for freelance marketplace chatbot.”
22. Notification system setup
- Enable email notifications.
- Add SMS notifications (optional).
- Add job update alerts.
- Add proposal status alerts.
- Test notifications.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, what events should trigger notifications on marketplaces?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest email templates for job updates.”
23. Landing page design
- Create homepage layout.
- Add hero section.
- Add call-to-action.
- Add testimonials.
- Optimize for conversions.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, suggest landing page copy for a freelancing marketplace.”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, what design trends boost conversions on landing pages?”
24. Test transactions
- Create test project.
- Add proposal.
- Accept proposal.
- Make test payment.
- Withdraw funds to test account.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, how do I test WooCommerce transactions safely?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest automation tools for testing WordPress payments.”
25. Final demo with mock users
- Create 2 client accounts.
- Create 3 freelancer accounts.
- Post jobs & submit proposals.
- Simulate payments.
- Present demo workflow.
- Prompt 1: “ChatGPT, how can I design an engaging demo walkthrough?”
- Prompt 2: “ChatGPT, suggest user testing strategies for freelance marketplaces.”
