Know-How Exchange : E-Marketing

Dear Kristy,

If you're a Mac user, I can recommend RapidWeaver from RealMacSoftware:

www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver/ -

Want a no hassle, template-driven, monthly system for one simple fee with smart-looking, modern, contemporary designs and layouts?

Try www.sitekreator.com

I hope these help.

Good luck.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA

Try the new intuit offerings for a template site.

Godaddy.com

Google: "completely free website builder" But remember that many of these require you to allow banner ads.

https://www.sysnito.com/?crid=92081&linkID=69 is from a friend. It's an affiliate for webbizbuilder so you can delete all the stuff after the "/" if you want.

Michael

You seem not to concerned with the "marketability" of your site, however I recommend that you should.

This may not be your customer's first touch point with your business but it could be their last. Your web site should reflect consistently the overall quality of your business.

You didn't mention any personal skills at writing content. This is one of the biggest fallacies of do-it-yourself web design. The graphics are great for initial attraction, but the content is what can make or break the sale. Good content with marketing construction will win more prospects. Don't short change your business by feeling that your web site can be so-so.

Bob

Dear Kristy,

I'm also an artist. I studied fine art and graphic design and I spent five years working on fine art exhibitions as a designer.

As for SiteKreator, it's far,—FAR—from being an "online gimmick sites where you pic from their templates and start a website".

If, as you say, you're willing to invest some money, rather than doing it yourself you'd probably be better off working with someone through www.elance.com or www.guru.com. Trust me on this.

You could still keep your distinct look for business cards, brochures and mail outs, but you'll be free to do what you do best: be creative.

But there's one point that sounds odd: you have a marketable description written for every product you make, but 'marketability' on your site isn't your priority.

Even as an artist and despite the fact that you hand make everything, you still have bills to pay, yes? So why not make the most of the e-commerce side of things, even if it is just to repeat customers?

Of course, you may do as you please, I'm just mentioning it to try and help. Good luck to you.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA

Hi there - you seem to have had a lot of responses already so hopefully they have helped. Just to let you know that I use the Adobe Creative Suite of software to create basic websites - specifically Dreamweaver. I think you can purchase Dreamweaver 8 online but the latest version is Dreamweaver CS3. Hope this helps - come and see me at https://www.digitalmarcomms.co.uk if you'd like any advice or help. Good luck