FACES OF WORDPRESS: Justin Near

Justin Near of Nashville

In 2012, while helping a local church with its new website (and unceasingly seeking the aid of a very gracious WordPress developer), Justin began her love/hate relationship with WordPress.

Coming from a pure HTML/CSS background, not knowing any PHP, and viewing things entirely through the eyes of a client, WordPress seemed so limited and out of her control. But as the year (and her relationship with WordPress) progressed, she changed jobs and now works almost entirely in WordPress, helping people who are in the exact same position she was in when she started.

Why the change of heart?

…because WordPress opens the doors of websites to everyone, not just coders. Most of our clients are non-profits, and they need WordPress to have a ‘pretty’ site while still maintaining the ability to control their content. The seeming ‘lack of control’ is to protect people, not to limit them. Once you add in the community of WordPress to that mix – from the local level to the international level – you’ve got one helluva platform.

Not quite a developer but not truly a newbie, Justin understands how
most WordPressers feel. The best advice she has to offer:

  • don’t get overly frustrated with WordPress, there is (almost) always a solution
  • get involved in the local WordPress community – someone will have answers
  • don’t be afraid to get your feet wet (or dive in completely!), it’s the best way to learn

    • Justin takes the learning and community part of WordPress seriously.

    She’s in charge of organizing what we’re calling “Track 0,” an expanded Help Desk that will include a combination of group sessions and one-on-one help for WordCamp Nashville 2014.

    As part of the build-up to WordCamp Nashville 2014 Faces of WordPress will highlight members of Middle Tennessee’s great – and growing – WordPress community. We will feature WP users at all levels, newbies to advanced developers. And mark your calendar. This year’s Big Event is May 3, 2014.