Should You Build Your Own Website?

Should You Build Your Own Website?

Should You Build Your Own Website?

 

Are you a small business owner on a tight budget considering saving money by creating your own website?

If you have seen the ads for Wix, Shopify, GoDaddy or Square Online you probably think anyone (especially you) can create a website. If I had a nickel for every time someone said to me “It’s WordPress, how hard can it be”.

My answer is “it depends”. Ask yourself:

  • How much time do you have?

I’ve had clients who have spent months, even years creating their website before giving up and asking me for help. A website is much more than just what you see on your screen. They are more like an iceberg where most of the important stuff is behind the scenes. True, if you run into problems, reputable sites have tech support, but the level and skill of tech support is a wide spectrum, which often depends on how much you are paying for the hosting of the site.

  • Are you comfortable with sourcing, re-sizing and optimizing images?

When you find an image, it will need to be re-sized, optimized, given an alt-tag and titled for SEO. Plus, just because you can Google an image doesn’t mean that you are allowed to use it. You can be fined for using an image with a copywrite.

  • How comfortable are you with technology?

You no longer not need to know HTML, CSS, PHP or JavaScript anymore because many web editors are WYSIWYG but you do need a comfortable level of technical skill.

In an effort to answer this, I have created a little introductory video of some WordPress features using the Divi theme. In my experience, Divi is the most powerful and easiest of the platforms to use. (No, I am not getting paid to say that.)

Also, be aware that this video doesn’t answer questions about:

  • understanding SEO,
  • headings, typography,
  • wireframe,
  • navigation,
  • branding,
  • the occasional CSS, html or php,
  • image optimization,
  • plug-in integrations or responsiveness,
  • design elements,
  • CTAs,
  • cookies compliance,
  • analytics,
  • or SSL.

Just because a site looks pretty, doesn’t mean it is optimally functional. Give this beginner video a view. If what I’m showing you is straight forward to you, then yes, you could make your own WordPress website.

Or, you have better things to do with your time. I guide you the whole way and you only have 1 point of contact, I keep it simple, you know that this will be easier, faster and less frustrating. So book a call today and lets get this done! 

604-308-0137

My Top 3 Shopify Resources

My Top 3 Shopify Resources

Shopify Resources

Here are 3 Shopify resources to help you get started with your Shopify website.

 

1.  LOGO

Do you have a logo?

If you don’t already have a logo for your business Hatchful will create a logo for your Shopify store. The reason I suggest creating a logo first is because once you have your logo, then you will know which colours to use for your Shopify site, and every other Social Media platform that you choose from now on moving forward.  I suggest only choosing three colours. In my opinion, more than 3 colours becomes confusing. (even though I am a BIG colour person & always think the more the merrier).

 

My 2 logo rules:

  1. Create your logo that resonates with you. Create a logo you like.
  2. Make sure your logo looks good teeny tiny. In other words think forward – don’t make it too complicated because it will be really small in the corner of an Instagram post or as a website avatar. There is a reason Starbucks have simplified their logo over the years!

Consider Pablo Picasso’s quote

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist”

Click here for the Shopify Logo maker: Logo Maker & Logo Creator

This is my logo that I created in Photoshop a gazillion years ago because I love typography.

Eileen Dreams
web design, websites, video in White Rock by EileenDreams

2.  IMAGES

I get asked this all the time from my clients. Where do you get your images? (Ok – I take my own photos but it’s my thing. I like to take my own photos.)

But, if it isn’t your thing, the photographers who contribute these photos are super awesome.

Free Stock Photos:

3.  LEARN MORE

Grow your business. Learn more.

Btw – I don’t receive affiliate payments or anything from Shopify for mentioning them. I just want to help you. I think this is a super terrific resource if you want to build yourself instead of having someone like me to do it for you. 🙂

Shopify Compass

Please let me know if this is helpful with your Shopify store.