Elisabeth Maurland on sat 1 jan 11
I wonder if anyone has any experience with page.ly. It's a site builder =3D
and host that works with wordpress (I can never get the terminology =3D
right, so correct me if I'm explaining this wrong). =3D46rom what I =3D
understand, they have tons of different templates, and they are easy to =3D
update and change, you can blog on it and easily add widgets for things =3D
like Facebook and Paypal.
Right now I just use iWeb, and my host is Tiger Technologies, which I =3D
like and is only $7 a month. Page.ly is $15.
But in the long run, iWeb isn't good enough for sales. I want to make my =
=3D
site an elegant sales tool.
I'm a little hesitant, because I can't see any of the templates without =3D
signing up first. Switching hosts last time I did it was a =3D
time-consuming and frustrating affair, and when I switch, the price will =
=3D
double. (Still, it's not much.)
I'm pretty sure I will do it, but it would be nice to hear if anyone had =
=3D
any comments about page.ly.
Thanks!
Elisabeth
On Jan 1, 2011, at 5:11 PM, John Rodgers wrote:
> I just gotta make a comment or two on this.
>=3D20
> DO NOT whip up a web site with a bunch of whistles and bells and =3D
expect
> it to bring great wealth. It won't. Few people are going to use Google
> to hunt your website down for your particular product. There must be
> something else to drive them there. To get a website to generate money
> one must use many other marketing tools to create a desire for your
> products and direct buyers to your website. Create your website, but =3D
put
> out small classified ads in many sources with your web address on it.
> And don't do your singing to the choir. You aren't going to get much
> sales mileage with ads in Ceramics Monthly, for example. Better to =3D
have
> a small add in Southern Living Magazine - or other magazines. Take a
> look at the business magazines, like Entrepreneur, Inc, and others -
> they are loaded with small classifieds with the web address in it. =3D
This
> is one way to go. Create an Etsy Store, and include your link to that
> in your small classified. But put your website link in your Etsy Store
> info. Set up a Facebook account and provide links to all . Use Mel's =3D
50
> mile radius principle and put out flyers with your internet business
> info on the flyer. Work your mailing list the same way. Divide your
> work into Retail and Wholesale. Why wholesale? - because business to
> business sales will provide more financial stability than retail =3D
sales.
> If you develop a network of retailers they will get you more exposure
> than you can imagine. But you must decide at what level you want that
> division to work - what percentage of your work to go the wholesale
> route to retailers, and how much to go direct to the consumer. Your
> choice. As you build all this up - you will have the opportunity to
> determine just how much effort you want to put out there, how much
> product, and just how you want to sell it. But until you have the
> volume, you need to work on all fronts. Then you can pick and choose. =3D
BTDT.
>=3D20
> My NY $0.02.
>=3D20
> John
>=3D20
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>=3D20
>=3D20
> On 1/1/2011 3:00 PM, mel jacobson wrote:
>> i think every independent potter, artist must measure the
>> value of a web site vs. potential sales.
>>=3D20
>> if you think you will make a great deal more money
>> selling your work through a web site vs. other
>> venues, then for sure spend the money and fancy
>> up your site, pay the price and go for it...but, you should
>> make sure you know what you are doing.
>> those that are doing that, and are making a clear profit, i salute =3D
you.
>>=3D20
>> but, we hear a great many folks chatting about the
>> thousands of dollars in sales their web site brings.
>> hmmm, well i am not very trustful of that...a great
>> deal of bs and puff up may be at hand. i want to see their check =3D
book
>> / bank balance. i heard a guy telling others at nceca that he made
>> many thousands of dollars a year selling tea bowls
>> at his web site and ebay. i had
>> never heard of the guy...did some checking and it was
>> all bs.
>>=3D20
>> so much of web site googaa is `whoo, did you see my neat
>> web site? nice huh?` so what?
>>=3D20
>> i think we are sometimes going over the top with all of this
>> without any idea what it will do for `you`.
>>=3D20
>> i sell some pots from my web site, but not very many, truth be
>> told...i sure would not want to depend on it for any sort of a =3D
living.
>> i know what brings money into my studio bank account....people
>> coming to my studio. write a check or pay cash.
>>=3D20
>> i have gotten more action from facebook than my web site...just
>> finding old friends and former students that have forgotten i sell =3D
pots.
>> they show up. that is free.
>>=3D20
>> i use a `godaddy` site for ridatick, and that is pure business. it =3D
costs
>> almost nothing and it gets a great many hits. it is more for vendors
>> than one up customers. basic information about my company.
>>=3D20
>> the new kiln book is the same, godaddy and it is almost static. =3D
nothing
>> much to change. it is, what it is. information and a pay pal =3D
system.
>> easy to get around and get information. the cost is negligible.
>> (and all my web sites are tax deductible.)
>>=3D20
>> sometimes people get caught up in the `shark frenzie`....the hype =3D
that
>> a web site will get you all sorts of fame and fortune. not the case =3D
at
>> all. unless they know you real well, or you have a great reputation
>> and people want to flock to your site...it will just sit there and a =3D
few
>> relatives will look at it now and then. in fact, you can have a ten
>> thousand
>> dollar web site, and if you don't advertise it someplace, it will =3D
just
>> decay...it will mean nothing. it does not advertise itself.
>>=3D20
>> i repeat, the most important business decision you can make is
>> getting all the po address' and email address' you can find and make
>> a data base. a mailing may cost you a hundred bucks, and it is
>> almost sure fire. folks read it.
>>=3D20
>> i love what david hendley does with a short newsletter, a few
>> chatty remarks, a recipe or two and it comes uspo. mine is a
>> post card, fluorescent color and a big MJ logo front and back.
>> it costs me about a $200 to put on a sale. 50 for printing at
>> kinko's, and 150 bucks for post card stamps. the return is pretty
>> amazing. you must make a clear distinction whether your tools
>> are john deere's or toys. and is an i pad, a blackberry and web
>> presence while you are walking down the street important to
>> you? or having a good computer that you can sit and work at, write,
>> do research and compose pix with, or having a nice toy that has cool
>> apps.
>> it is a clear business decision.
>> mel
>>=3D20
>>=3D20
>> from: minnetonka, mn
>> website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
>> clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
>> new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
>> alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com
>>=3D20
>>=3D20
mel jacobson on sat 1 jan 11
i think every independent potter, artist must measure the
value of a web site vs. potential sales.
if you think you will make a great deal more money
selling your work through a web site vs. other
venues, then for sure spend the money and fancy
up your site, pay the price and go for it...but, you should
make sure you know what you are doing.
those that are doing that, and are making a clear profit, i salute you.
but, we hear a great many folks chatting about the
thousands of dollars in sales their web site brings.
hmmm, well i am not very trustful of that...a great
deal of bs and puff up may be at hand. i want to see their check book
/ bank balance. i heard a guy telling others at nceca that he made
many thousands of dollars a year selling tea bowls
at his web site and ebay. i had
never heard of the guy...did some checking and it was
all bs.
so much of web site googaa is `whoo, did you see my neat
web site? nice huh?` so what?
i think we are sometimes going over the top with all of this
without any idea what it will do for `you`.
i sell some pots from my web site, but not very many, truth be
told...i sure would not want to depend on it for any sort of a living.
i know what brings money into my studio bank account....people
coming to my studio. write a check or pay cash.
i have gotten more action from facebook than my web site...just
finding old friends and former students that have forgotten i sell pots.
they show up. that is free.
i use a `godaddy` site for ridatick, and that is pure business. it costs
almost nothing and it gets a great many hits. it is more for vendors
than one up customers. basic information about my company.
the new kiln book is the same, godaddy and it is almost static. nothing
much to change. it is, what it is. information and a pay pal system.
easy to get around and get information. the cost is negligible.
(and all my web sites are tax deductible.)
sometimes people get caught up in the `shark frenzie`....the hype that
a web site will get you all sorts of fame and fortune. not the case at
all. unless they know you real well, or you have a great reputation
and people want to flock to your site...it will just sit there and a few
relatives will look at it now and then. in fact, you can have a ten thousa=
nd
dollar web site, and if you don't advertise it someplace, it will just
decay...it will mean nothing. it does not advertise itself.
i repeat, the most important business decision you can make is
getting all the po address' and email address' you can find and make
a data base. a mailing may cost you a hundred bucks, and it is
almost sure fire. folks read it.
i love what david hendley does with a short newsletter, a few
chatty remarks, a recipe or two and it comes uspo. mine is a
post card, fluorescent color and a big MJ logo front and back.
it costs me about a $200 to put on a sale. 50 for printing at
kinko's, and 150 bucks for post card stamps. the return is pretty
amazing. you must make a clear distinction whether your tools
are john deere's or toys. and is an i pad, a blackberry and web
presence while you are walking down the street important to
you? or having a good computer that you can sit and work at, write,
do research and compose pix with, or having a nice toy that has cool apps.
it is a clear business decision.
mel
from: minnetonka, mn
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com
William & Susan Schran User on sat 1 jan 11
On 1/1/11 4:00 PM, "mel jacobson" wrote:
> the new kiln book is the same, godaddy and it is almost static. nothing
> much to change. it is, what it is. information and a pay pal system.
> easy to get around and get information. the cost is negligible.
> (and all my web sites are tax deductible.)
Just read Steve's book review of 21st Century Kilns in latest issue of
Claytimes, says it's a buy.
Should lead to a small spike in sales of the book.
Best kind of marketing one can get.
Some of the best marketing is right in your own backyard.
Human interest in stories by local newspapers.
Going to do a show?
Find out who does human interest/local stories.
Invite them to your studio.
Talk about what you do, how you got to this point.
A local story in newspaper and online edition is best free advertising you
can find.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
John Rodgers on sat 1 jan 11
I just gotta make a comment or two on this.
DO NOT whip up a web site with a bunch of whistles and bells and expect
it to bring great wealth. It won't. Few people are going to use Google
to hunt your website down for your particular product. There must be
something else to drive them there. To get a website to generate money
one must use many other marketing tools to create a desire for your
products and direct buyers to your website. Create your website, but put
out small classified ads in many sources with your web address on it.
And don't do your singing to the choir. You aren't going to get much
sales mileage with ads in Ceramics Monthly, for example. Better to have
a small add in Southern Living Magazine - or other magazines. Take a
look at the business magazines, like Entrepreneur, Inc, and others -
they are loaded with small classifieds with the web address in it. This
is one way to go. Create an Etsy Store, and include your link to that
in your small classified. But put your website link in your Etsy Store
info. Set up a Facebook account and provide links to all . Use Mel's 50
mile radius principle and put out flyers with your internet business
info on the flyer. Work your mailing list the same way. Divide your
work into Retail and Wholesale. Why wholesale? - because business to
business sales will provide more financial stability than retail sales.
If you develop a network of retailers they will get you more exposure
than you can imagine. But you must decide at what level you want that
division to work - what percentage of your work to go the wholesale
route to retailers, and how much to go direct to the consumer. Your
choice. As you build all this up - you will have the opportunity to
determine just how much effort you want to put out there, how much
product, and just how you want to sell it. But until you have the
volume, you need to work on all fronts. Then you can pick and choose. BTDT.
My NY $0.02.
John
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
On 1/1/2011 3:00 PM, mel jacobson wrote:
> i think every independent potter, artist must measure the
> value of a web site vs. potential sales.
>
> if you think you will make a great deal more money
> selling your work through a web site vs. other
> venues, then for sure spend the money and fancy
> up your site, pay the price and go for it...but, you should
> make sure you know what you are doing.
> those that are doing that, and are making a clear profit, i salute you.
>
> but, we hear a great many folks chatting about the
> thousands of dollars in sales their web site brings.
> hmmm, well i am not very trustful of that...a great
> deal of bs and puff up may be at hand. i want to see their check book
> / bank balance. i heard a guy telling others at nceca that he made
> many thousands of dollars a year selling tea bowls
> at his web site and ebay. i had
> never heard of the guy...did some checking and it was
> all bs.
>
> so much of web site googaa is `whoo, did you see my neat
> web site? nice huh?` so what?
>
> i think we are sometimes going over the top with all of this
> without any idea what it will do for `you`.
>
> i sell some pots from my web site, but not very many, truth be
> told...i sure would not want to depend on it for any sort of a living.
> i know what brings money into my studio bank account....people
> coming to my studio. write a check or pay cash.
>
> i have gotten more action from facebook than my web site...just
> finding old friends and former students that have forgotten i sell pots.
> they show up. that is free.
>
> i use a `godaddy` site for ridatick, and that is pure business. it costs
> almost nothing and it gets a great many hits. it is more for vendors
> than one up customers. basic information about my company.
>
> the new kiln book is the same, godaddy and it is almost static. nothing
> much to change. it is, what it is. information and a pay pal system.
> easy to get around and get information. the cost is negligible.
> (and all my web sites are tax deductible.)
>
> sometimes people get caught up in the `shark frenzie`....the hype that
> a web site will get you all sorts of fame and fortune. not the case at
> all. unless they know you real well, or you have a great reputation
> and people want to flock to your site...it will just sit there and a few
> relatives will look at it now and then. in fact, you can have a ten
> thousand
> dollar web site, and if you don't advertise it someplace, it will just
> decay...it will mean nothing. it does not advertise itself.
>
> i repeat, the most important business decision you can make is
> getting all the po address' and email address' you can find and make
> a data base. a mailing may cost you a hundred bucks, and it is
> almost sure fire. folks read it.
>
> i love what david hendley does with a short newsletter, a few
> chatty remarks, a recipe or two and it comes uspo. mine is a
> post card, fluorescent color and a big MJ logo front and back.
> it costs me about a $200 to put on a sale. 50 for printing at
> kinko's, and 150 bucks for post card stamps. the return is pretty
> amazing. you must make a clear distinction whether your tools
> are john deere's or toys. and is an i pad, a blackberry and web
> presence while you are walking down the street important to
> you? or having a good computer that you can sit and work at, write,
> do research and compose pix with, or having a nice toy that has cool
> apps.
> it is a clear business decision.
> mel
>
>
> from: minnetonka, mn
> website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
> clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
> new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
> alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com
>
>
Elisabeth Maurland on sun 2 jan 11
The reason I ask specifically about page.ly is that it was recommended =3D
by an Internet business class that I took. It seemed like it had =3D
EVERYTHING, and it was all very easy. The price, I just noticed, is $20 =3D
a month, not $15, so the difference between under $4 and $20 would =3D
indicate some kind of difference.
But I find it hard to compare, especially without signing up and trying =3D
myself.
Elisabeth
On Jan 1, 2011, at 10:47 PM, John Rodgers wrote:
> Hi Elisabeth,
>=3D20
> I recommend Powweb as being a good hosting service. Though I don't =3D
currently have a website with them, I do have an account, and I have =3D
used them in the past and have had good success. They offer a very wide =
=3D
array of services that should meet just about every need. Currently the =3D
Base Rate is $3.88/mo. Should you decide to sign up, I do get a little =
=3D
credit on my account. Check them out.
>=3D20
> http://www.powweb.com/
>=3D20
> John
>=3D20
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>=3D20
> On 1/1/2011 9:44 PM, Elisabeth Maurland wrote:
>>=3D20
>> I wonder if anyone has any experience with page.ly. It's a site =3D
builder and host that works with wordpress (I can never get the =3D
terminology right, so correct me if I'm explaining this wrong). =3D46rom =
=3D
what I understand, they have tons of different templates, and they are =3D
easy to update and change, you can blog on it and easily add widgets for =
=3D
things like Facebook and Paypal.
>>=3D20
>> Right now I just use iWeb, and my host is Tiger Technologies, which I =
=3D
like and is only $7 a month. Page.ly is $15.
>> But in the long run, iWeb isn't good enough for sales. I want to make =
=3D
my site an elegant sales tool.
>>=3D20
>> I'm a little hesitant, because I can't see any of the templates =3D
without signing up first. Switching hosts last time I did it was a =3D
time-consuming and frustrating affair, and when I switch, the price will =
=3D
double. (Still, it's not much.)
>>=3D20
>> I'm pretty sure I will do it, but it would be nice to hear if anyone =3D
had any comments about page.ly.
>>=3D20
>> Thanks!
>>=3D20
>> Elisabeth
>> On Jan 1, 2011, at 5:11 PM, John Rodgers wrote:
>>=3D20
>>> I just gotta make a comment or two on this.
>>>=3D20
>>> DO NOT whip up a web site with a bunch of whistles and bells and =3D
expect
>>> it to bring great wealth. It won't. Few people are going to use =3D
Google
>>> to hunt your website down for your particular product. There must be
>>> something else to drive them there. To get a website to generate =3D
money
>>> one must use many other marketing tools to create a desire for your
>>> products and direct buyers to your website. Create your website, but =
=3D
put
>>> out small classified ads in many sources with your web address on =3D
it.
>>> And don't do your singing to the choir. You aren't going to get much
>>> sales mileage with ads in Ceramics Monthly, for example. Better to =3D
have
>>> a small add in Southern Living Magazine - or other magazines. Take a
>>> look at the business magazines, like Entrepreneur, Inc, and others -
>>> they are loaded with small classifieds with the web address in it. =3D
This
>>> is one way to go. Create an Etsy Store, and include your link to =3D
that
>>> in your small classified. But put your website link in your Etsy =3D
Store
>>> info. Set up a Facebook account and provide links to all . Use Mel's =
=3D
50
>>> mile radius principle and put out flyers with your internet business
>>> info on the flyer. Work your mailing list the same way. Divide your
>>> work into Retail and Wholesale. Why wholesale? - because business to
>>> business sales will provide more financial stability than retail =3D
sales.
>>> If you develop a network of retailers they will get you more =3D
exposure
>>> than you can imagine. But you must decide at what level you want =3D
that
>>> division to work - what percentage of your work to go the wholesale
>>> route to retailers, and how much to go direct to the consumer. Your
>>> choice. As you build all this up - you will have the opportunity to
>>> determine just how much effort you want to put out there, how much
>>> product, and just how you want to sell it. But until you have the
>>> volume, you need to work on all fronts. Then you can pick and =3D
choose. BTDT.
>>>=3D20
>>> My NY $0.02.
>>>=3D20
>>> John
>>>=3D20
>>> John Rodgers
>>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>>> Chelsea, AL
>>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>>>=3D20
>>>=3D20
>>> On 1/1/2011 3:00 PM, mel jacobson wrote:
>>>> i think every independent potter, artist must measure the
>>>> value of a web site vs. potential sales.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> if you think you will make a great deal more money
>>>> selling your work through a web site vs. other
>>>> venues, then for sure spend the money and fancy
>>>> up your site, pay the price and go for it...but, you should
>>>> make sure you know what you are doing.
>>>> those that are doing that, and are making a clear profit, i salute =3D
you.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> but, we hear a great many folks chatting about the
>>>> thousands of dollars in sales their web site brings.
>>>> hmmm, well i am not very trustful of that...a great
>>>> deal of bs and puff up may be at hand. i want to see their check =3D
book
>>>> / bank balance. i heard a guy telling others at nceca that he made
>>>> many thousands of dollars a year selling tea bowls
>>>> at his web site and ebay. i had
>>>> never heard of the guy...did some checking and it was
>>>> all bs.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> so much of web site googaa is `whoo, did you see my neat
>>>> web site? nice huh?` so what?
>>>>=3D20
>>>> i think we are sometimes going over the top with all of this
>>>> without any idea what it will do for `you`.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> i sell some pots from my web site, but not very many, truth be
>>>> told...i sure would not want to depend on it for any sort of a =3D
living.
>>>> i know what brings money into my studio bank account....people
>>>> coming to my studio. write a check or pay cash.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> i have gotten more action from facebook than my web site...just
>>>> finding old friends and former students that have forgotten i sell =3D
pots.
>>>> they show up. that is free.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> i use a `godaddy` site for ridatick, and that is pure business. it =
=3D
costs
>>>> almost nothing and it gets a great many hits. it is more for =3D
vendors
>>>> than one up customers. basic information about my company.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> the new kiln book is the same, godaddy and it is almost static. =3D
nothing
>>>> much to change. it is, what it is. information and a pay pal =3D
system.
>>>> easy to get around and get information. the cost is negligible.
>>>> (and all my web sites are tax deductible.)
>>>>=3D20
>>>> sometimes people get caught up in the `shark frenzie`....the hype =3D
that
>>>> a web site will get you all sorts of fame and fortune. not the =3D
case at
>>>> all. unless they know you real well, or you have a great =3D
reputation
>>>> and people want to flock to your site...it will just sit there and =3D
a few
>>>> relatives will look at it now and then. in fact, you can have a =3D
ten
>>>> thousand
>>>> dollar web site, and if you don't advertise it someplace, it will =3D
just
>>>> decay...it will mean nothing. it does not advertise itself.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> i repeat, the most important business decision you can make is
>>>> getting all the po address' and email address' you can find and =3D
make
>>>> a data base. a mailing may cost you a hundred bucks, and it is
>>>> almost sure fire. folks read it.
>>>>=3D20
>>>> i love what david hendley does with a short newsletter, a few
>>>> chatty remarks, a recipe or two and it comes uspo. mine is a
>>>> post card, fluorescent color and a big MJ logo front and back.
>>>> it costs me about a $200 to put on a sale. 50 for printing at
>>>> kinko's, and 150 bucks for post card stamps. the return is pretty
>>>> amazing. you must make a clear distinction whether your tools
>>>> are john deere's or toys. and is an i pad, a blackberry and web
>>>> presence while you are walking down the street important to
>>>> you? or having a good computer that you can sit and work at, =3D
write,
>>>> do research and compose pix with, or having a nice toy that has =3D
cool
>>>> apps.
>>>> it is a clear business decision.
>>>> mel
>>>>=3D20
>>>>=3D20
>>>> from: minnetonka, mn
>>>> website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
>>>> clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
>>>> new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
>>>> alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com
>>>>=3D20
>>>>=3D20
>>=3D20
>>=3D20
Lee on sun 2 jan 11
=3DA0=3DA0 The need for a '90s type web page has been greatly reduced (simi=
lar
to ASCII listserve) by dedicated services like Blogger, Facebook,
Google Hosting, Fokti/Picasa/Flickr and Etsy.
=3DA0=3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0Folks pretty much have reduced the webpag=
e to being a=3D
place
holder with static information pointing to current information being
linked to at their blog.
=3DA0=3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 Because of how static webpages are now being u=
sed, you d=3D
on't
have to pay a lot of money to create something that points to your
other web presences. =3DA0 Google pages will work:=3DA0http;//hachiko.com
or a blog will work. =3DA0 At Blogger, you can have up to 5 static pages.
=3DA0=3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0I saw a local potter on Facebook conduct =
her first sa=3D
le
there. =3DA0 Looked like she pretty much sold out. =3DA0 =3DA0Think outside=
the
box. =3DA0 Don't be stuck in the ASCII '80s/'90s! =3DA0;^)
--
=3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D9=
7that is, =3D
"The
land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
within itself." -- John O'Donohue
Elisabeth Maurland on sun 2 jan 11
I just took this class, and it sounded like a new, great thing. I have =3D
to ask the teacher what's so special about it again.
I already use Facebook, and it looks like I sell out there too. However, =
=3D
it takes several weeks, and it's not enough.
Also, I am expanding my product line to manufactured items (greeting =3D
cards, textiles etc.), maybe eventually no pottery at all. (It's =3D
connected to my pottery, since the manufactured items will have designs =3D
that I have been using on my pots for years.)
So I'm looking for something I can use for an online store, although at =3D
this point, it's small scale. To begin with, I will probably connect it =3D
to Etsy.
Elisabeth
On Jan 2, 2011, at 9:47 AM, Lee wrote:
> The need for a '90s type web page has been greatly reduced (similar
> to ASCII listserve) by dedicated services like Blogger, Facebook,
> Google Hosting, Fokti/Picasa/Flickr and Etsy.
> Folks pretty much have reduced the webpage to being a place
> holder with static information pointing to current information being
> linked to at their blog.
> Because of how static webpages are now being used, you don't
> have to pay a lot of money to create something that points to your
> other web presences. Google pages will work: http;//hachiko.com
> or a blog will work. At Blogger, you can have up to 5 static pages.
> I saw a local potter on Facebook conduct her first sale
> there. Looked like she pretty much sold out. Think outside the
> box. Don't be stuck in the ASCII '80s/'90s! ;^)
> --
> Lee Love in Minneapolis
> http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
>=3D20
> "Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D97t=
hat =3D
is, "The
> land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
> within itself." -- John O'Donohue
Sandy miller on sun 2 jan 11
Hi Elisabeth,
After seeing your work in Chicago I think you would do extremely well with
internet sales. You have a beautifully distinctive look.
It's also wonderfully full of color and expression that, I think, present
well with internet sales. I bet you already have a pretty
good fan base.
after viewing page.ly
it looks and sounds pretty easy and good.
The thought of rewriting & changing my entire process is daunting though.
The biggest thing I have learned in the past year; link everything
together; facebook, twitter, blog, webpage etc.
A professional blog is much appreciated by
collectors also. I had the best conversation with the "Artist Marketing
Consultant", Nicole while I was at ACE last year.
She really drove home how important web presence is.
I have watched Kyle Carpenter move onto the web and etsy and am amazed.
Also have watched Ayumi Horie and been amazed at her exclusively web
presence.
Personally I tried Etsy and could never figure out how to get the money int=
=3D
o
my bank account, they will forever have $28
from a sale I managed to make. Then again I hate shipping and everything
that goes with it, especially with pottery!
I have decided to go the show route after years of selling through gallerie=
=3D
s
, after taking home 100% of my sales in Chicago for the first time ever it
seemed worth the effort......... it's all journey.
best,
Sandy Miller
www.sandymillerpottery.com
On Sun, Jan 2, 2011 at 11:25 AM, Elisabeth Maurland <
elisabeth@elisabethmaurland.com> wrote:
> I just took this class, and it sounded like a new, great thing. I have to
> ask the teacher what's so special about it again.
> I already use Facebook, and it looks like I sell out there too. However, =
=3D
it
> takes several weeks, and it's not enough.
> Also, I am expanding my product line to manufactured items (greeting card=
=3D
s,
> textiles etc.), maybe eventually no pottery at all. (It's connected to my
> pottery, since the manufactured items will have designs that I have been
> using on my pots for years.)
> So I'm looking for something I can use for an online store, although at
> this point, it's small scale. To begin with, I will probably connect it t=
=3D
o
> Etsy.
>
> Elisabeth
>
>
> On Jan 2, 2011, at 9:47 AM, Lee wrote:
>
> > The need for a '90s type web page has been greatly reduced (similar
> > to ASCII listserve) by dedicated services like Blogger, Facebook,
> > Google Hosting, Fokti/Picasa/Flickr and Etsy.
> > Folks pretty much have reduced the webpage to being a place
> > holder with static information pointing to current information being
> > linked to at their blog.
> > Because of how static webpages are now being used, you don't
> > have to pay a lot of money to create something that points to your
> > other web presences. Google pages will work: http;//hachiko.com
> > or a blog will work. At Blogger, you can have up to 5 static pages.
> > I saw a local potter on Facebook conduct her first sale
> > there. Looked like she pretty much sold out. Think outside the
> > box. Don't be stuck in the ASCII '80s/'90s! ;^)
> > --
> > Lee Love in Minneapolis
> > http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
> >
> > "Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D9=
7that is=3D
, "The
> > land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
> > within itself." -- John O'Donohue
>
May Luk on sun 2 jan 11
Hi Elisabeth;
You can use a shopping cart site like Big Cartel.
http://bigcartel.com/. The design is clean there are good works on
their store directory. It looks pretty easy to set up and you can also
have links to your blog or links to your friends (for cross promoting)
You can have a free trial for 30 days. For etsy, strictly speaking,
you cannot sell manufactured items, so big cartel would be a good fit.
You can also point your domain to big cartel so that you will have a
shorter store name.
My friends' stores for your perusal:
http://katebanazi.bigcartel.com/
http://fiskandfern.bigcartel.com/
http://loisaronowporcelain.bigcartel.com/
Also, it would be helpful if you have a database prepared: your
banners, logos, photos, descriptions, colorways, price list organized
before you start your page.
May
Brooklyn NY
--
http://twitter.com/MayLuk
http://www.takemehomeware.com/
Lee on sun 2 jan 11
On Sun, Jan 2, 2011 at 11:23 AM, Sandy miller wrote=
=3D
:
.
>
> Personally I tried Etsy and could never figure out how to get the money i=
=3D
nto
> my bank account,
It is called Paypal. DOH!
Another way to go, Propay will allow you to send an invoice.
Then, the buyer is sent to the Propay site and is everything is
handled at their end via their secured server.
--
=3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D9=
7that is, =3D
"The
land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
within itself." -- John O'Donohue
Lee on sun 2 jan 11
On Sun, Jan 2, 2011 at 11:41 AM, May Luk wrote:
> You can have a free trial for 30 days. For etsy, strictly speaking,
> you cannot sell manufactured items,
May, do you mean non-"Handmade." ?
--
=3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D9=
7that is, =3D
"The
land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
within itself." -- John O'Donohue
Lee on sun 2 jan 11
On Sun, Jan 2, 2011 at 11:41 AM, May Luk wrote:
> My friends' stores for your perusal:
>
> http://katebanazi.bigcartel.com/
> http://fiskandfern.bigcartel.com/
> http://loisaronowporcelain.bigcartel.com/
This looks good, especially for higher end work.
--
=3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D9=
7that is, =3D
"The
land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
within itself." -- John O'Donohue
May Luk on sun 2 jan 11
Hi Lee;
Yes, what they called "handmade by me" and not "designed by me and
outsourced manufactured elsewhere". However, this is all very loosely
defined by everybody. I know ceramicist who use bought bisque ware and
'handpaint" the products, or scanned and computer colored digital
prints. It's all fine by me. I support local small independent
business when I can.
Happy New Year!
May
On Sun, Jan 2, 2011 at 4:11 PM, Lee wrote:
> On Sun, Jan 2, 2011 at 11:41 AM, May Luk wrote:
>
>> You can have a free trial for 30 days. For etsy, strictly speaking,
>> you cannot sell manufactured items,
>
> May, do you mean non-"Handmade." =3DA0?
>
> --
> =3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
> http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
>
> =3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=
=3D97that is=3D
, "The
> land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
> within itself." -- John O'Donohue
>
--=3D20
http://twitter.com/MayLuk
http://www.takemehomeware.com/
Elisabeth Maurland on mon 3 jan 11
May,
That's awesome! I know that about Etsy, I just forgot about it. It's =3D
never really felt like a good fit anyway. I've heard about shopify, but =3D
this is better. Thank you! Good tip about getting the database together =3D
too.
Elisabeth
On Jan 2, 2011, at 11:41 AM, May Luk wrote:
> Hi Elisabeth;
>=3D20
> You can use a shopping cart site like Big Cartel.
> http://bigcartel.com/. The design is clean there are good works on
> their store directory. It looks pretty easy to set up and you can also
> have links to your blog or links to your friends (for cross promoting)
>=3D20
> You can have a free trial for 30 days. For etsy, strictly speaking,
> you cannot sell manufactured items, so big cartel would be a good fit.
> You can also point your domain to big cartel so that you will have a
> shorter store name.
>=3D20
> My friends' stores for your perusal:
>=3D20
> http://katebanazi.bigcartel.com/
> http://fiskandfern.bigcartel.com/
> http://loisaronowporcelain.bigcartel.com/
>=3D20
> Also, it would be helpful if you have a database prepared: your
> banners, logos, photos, descriptions, colorways, price list organized
> before you start your page.
>=3D20
> May
> Brooklyn NY
>=3D20
>=3D20
> --=3D20
> http://twitter.com/MayLuk
> http://www.takemehomeware.com/
Amanda on mon 3 jan 11
I almost never post on this list. However, I've been following the conver=
=3D
sation=3D20
the past few days (though it comes up often) about websites and saw=3D20
someone mention Page.ly and WordPress.=3D20
As I've worked with non profits and small businesses for the past 15 year=
=3D
s, I=3D20
understand that there is a very steep education curve for online presence=
=3D
, and=3D20
that the industry is full of snake oil salesmen and the road to a website=
=3D
is very=3D20
confusing.=3D20
But content management systems were built solely to stop that from=3D20
happening. And open source content management systems (CMS) really don't=3D=
20=3D
give you a single reason not to use them. WordPress, with 20 MILLION user=
=3D
s, is=3D20
the perfect CMS for anyone because of its simplicity and price (free).=3D20=
=3D
A website has three parts: the domain (the name people use to get to your=
=3D
=3D20
site). This costs 10$ a year and I would recommend NameCheap.com as a=3D20
domain registrar, or GoDaddy if you don't have an issue w their politics =
=3D
or=3D20
advertising.=3D20
Hosting: the computer where your website lives. The domain points to this=
=3D
.=3D20
Hosting costs vary mostly based on how big your website will be (Storage)=
=3D
and=3D20
how many will visit (bandwidth) and very little else. There is no free ho=
=3D
sting=3D20
worth investing in. Anywhere. Hosting should not be expensive, however, a=
=3D
nd=3D20
places like Page.ly are PERFECT. Its idiotproof, WordPress and Email only=
=3D
=3D20
hosting. They people who run it are lovely and stand behind the product. =
=3D
If you=3D20
don't go with Page.ly, look for hosts with something called "Cpanel". Its=
=3D
a very=3D20
easy to understand control panel. I avoid GoDaddy because its very confus=
=3D
ing=3D20
to use, even for advanced developers, but particularly for beginners.=3D20
The website itself: this is the site, full of HTML or ASP or PHP pages or=
=3D
=3D20
WordPress, etc. In 2010, I consider it malpractice for Web Developers to =
=3D
not=3D20
include a CMS in a site they develop for someone. A CMS is what allows pe=
=3D
ople=3D20
to control their own website so they don't need "webmasters".=3D20
Either way, you need all three parts for a website to work. There are a z=
=3D
illion=3D20
themes for WordPress, and even the theme it comes with, twenty-ten, is=3D20=
=3D
pretty awesome and would work well for anyone. Since most of you will wa=
=3D
nt=3D20
to add Ecommerce, I highly advise you using the "Phpurchase" plugin over=3D=
20=3D
Shopp or WP-Ecommerce, both of which are clunky and hard to use. This can=
=3D
=3D20
connect simply to Google Checkout, Paypal or a real payment gateway.=3D20
The beauty of WordPress is that it makes it very easy for you to maintain=
=3D
your=3D20
own website. Because its internet based, if something happens to your=3D20
computer you can still edit and access your site. Because its open source=
=3D
,=3D20
there are 8 gazillion people in the world that can help you with it. Just=
=3D
twitter a=3D20
question about WordPress or post in the forums. There are a million plugi=
=3D
ns and=3D20
themes to enhance your site, 99.9 of them are free. There are WordCamps a=
=3D
nd=3D20
WordPress meetups in every town (wordcamp.org and meetup.com) to help you=
=3D
=3D20
learn how to use WordPress. Unlike conferences, these are free or at most=
=3D
,=3D20
$35.=3D20
WordPress already has a great deal of SEO capability built into it and pl=
=3D
ugins to=3D20
help superboost it.=3D20
Now, because this is Clayart, somehow even this post will incite an argum=
=3D
ent,=3D20
debate or mudslinging.... and I have no intention of following the thread=
=3D
. I have=3D20
taken the time to post this information with no benefit to myself whatsoe=
=3D
ver=3D20
purely for the benefit of learning. I am highly involved in the WordPress=
=3D
=3D20
community ( a non paying gig) and often teach WordPress for free. I belie=
=3D
ve=3D20
strongly that WordPress helps create a level playing field for small busi=
=3D
nesses=3D20
and non profits.
Brandon Schwartz on mon 3 jan 11
A great post by Amanda about WordPress. As a supporter of WP myself I just
wanted to add one thing that some people get confused at first.
Wordpress.com is the service where they offer a free site/blog.
Wordpress.org is where you can find the software which you can install on
your own (paid hosting) web space and you run the software yourself. A lot
of hosts offer automatic installation of WP now so it's pretty easy to get
started. Both have advantages and disadvantages. For more:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/
Brandon "Fuzzy" Schwartz
Art by Fuzzy
Pottery Making Info
> But content management systems were built solely to stop that from
> happening. And open source content management systems (CMS) really don't
> give you a single reason not to use them. WordPress, with 20 MILLION user=
s,
> is
> the perfect CMS for anyone because of its simplicity and price (free).
>
>
Bruce on mon 3 jan 11
I did a talk about 3 years ago about inexpensive web site building.
Most of it is still valid - it's up at my (very stale) blog at
www.benchite.net - basically an overview of some alternatives, and
certainly not canonical
... Bruce Glassford
Elisabeth Maurland on mon 3 jan 11
Amanda,
Thank you! Lots of helpful information, and I finally heard from someone =
=3D
who knows something about page.ly!
Elisabeth
On Jan 2, 2011, at 11:16 PM, Amanda wrote:
> I almost never post on this list. However, I've been following the =3D
conversation=3D20
> the past few days (though it comes up often) about websites and saw=3D20
> someone mention Page.ly and WordPress.=3D20
>=3D20
> As I've worked with non profits and small businesses for the past 15 =3D
years, I=3D20
> understand that there is a very steep education curve for online =3D
presence, and=3D20
> that the industry is full of snake oil salesmen and the road to a =3D
website is very=3D20
> confusing.=3D20
>=3D20
> But content management systems were built solely to stop that from=3D20
> happening. And open source content management systems (CMS) really =3D
don't=3D20
> give you a single reason not to use them. WordPress, with 20 MILLION =3D
users, is=3D20
> the perfect CMS for anyone because of its simplicity and price (free).=3D=
20=3D
>=3D20
> A website has three parts: the domain (the name people use to get to =3D
your=3D20
> site). This costs 10$ a year and I would recommend NameCheap.com as a=3D2=
0=3D
> domain registrar, or GoDaddy if you don't have an issue w their =3D
politics or=3D20
> advertising.=3D20
>=3D20
> Hosting: the computer where your website lives. The domain points to =3D
this.=3D20
> Hosting costs vary mostly based on how big your website will be =3D
(Storage) and=3D20
> how many will visit (bandwidth) and very little else. There is no free =
=3D
hosting=3D20
> worth investing in. Anywhere. Hosting should not be expensive, =3D
however, and=3D20
> places like Page.ly are PERFECT. Its idiotproof, WordPress and Email =3D
only=3D20
> hosting. They people who run it are lovely and stand behind the =3D
product. If you=3D20
> don't go with Page.ly, look for hosts with something called "Cpanel". =3D
Its a very=3D20
> easy to understand control panel. I avoid GoDaddy because its very =3D
confusing=3D20
> to use, even for advanced developers, but particularly for beginners.=3D2=
0=3D
>=3D20
> The website itself: this is the site, full of HTML or ASP or PHP pages =
=3D
or=3D20
> WordPress, etc. In 2010, I consider it malpractice for Web Developers =3D
to not=3D20
> include a CMS in a site they develop for someone. A CMS is what allows =
=3D
people=3D20
> to control their own website so they don't need "webmasters".=3D20
>=3D20
> Either way, you need all three parts for a website to work. There are =3D
a zillion=3D20
> themes for WordPress, and even the theme it comes with, twenty-ten, is=3D=
20=3D
> pretty awesome and would work well for anyone. Since most of you will =
=3D
want=3D20
> to add Ecommerce, I highly advise you using the "Phpurchase" plugin =3D
over=3D20
> Shopp or WP-Ecommerce, both of which are clunky and hard to use. This =3D
can=3D20
> connect simply to Google Checkout, Paypal or a real payment gateway.=3D20=
=3D
>=3D20
> The beauty of WordPress is that it makes it very easy for you to =3D
maintain your=3D20
> own website. Because its internet based, if something happens to your=3D2=
0=3D
> computer you can still edit and access your site. Because its open =3D
source,=3D20
> there are 8 gazillion people in the world that can help you with it. =3D
Just twitter a=3D20
> question about WordPress or post in the forums. There are a million =3D
plugins and=3D20
> themes to enhance your site, 99.9 of them are free. There are =3D
WordCamps and=3D20
> WordPress meetups in every town (wordcamp.org and meetup.com) to help =3D
you=3D20
> learn how to use WordPress. Unlike conferences, these are free or at =3D
most,=3D20
> $35.=3D20
>=3D20
> WordPress already has a great deal of SEO capability built into it and =
=3D
plugins to=3D20
> help superboost it.=3D20
>=3D20
> Now, because this is Clayart, somehow even this post will incite an =3D
argument,=3D20
> debate or mudslinging.... and I have no intention of following the =3D
thread. I have=3D20
> taken the time to post this information with no benefit to myself =3D
whatsoever=3D20
> purely for the benefit of learning. I am highly involved in the =3D
WordPress=3D20
> community ( a non paying gig) and often teach WordPress for free. I =3D
believe=3D20
> strongly that WordPress helps create a level playing field for small =3D
businesses=3D20
> and non profits.
John Rodgers on mon 3 jan 11
Amanda,
Nice! A very cogent, succinct, unequivocal presentation of how to get on
the 'net with a web presence with a minimum of muss and fuss. It tied up
a lot of loose ends and clarified certain things for me. My thanks.
John
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
On 1/2/2011 11:16 PM, Amanda wrote:
> I almost never post on this list. However, I've been following the conver=
sation
> the past few days (though it comes up often) about websites and saw
> someone mention Page.ly and WordPress.
>
> As I've worked with non profits and small businesses for the past 15 year=
s, I
> understand that there is a very steep education curve for online presence=
, and
> that the industry is full of snake oil salesmen and the road to a website=
is very
> confusing.
>
> But content management systems were built solely to stop that from
> happening. And open source content management systems (CMS) really don't
> give you a single reason not to use them. WordPress, with 20 MILLION user=
s, is
> the perfect CMS for anyone because of its simplicity and price (free).
>
> A website has three parts: the domain (the name people use to get to your
> site). This costs 10$ a year and I would recommend NameCheap.com as a
> domain registrar, or GoDaddy if you don't have an issue w their politics =
or
> advertising.
>
> Hosting: the computer where your website lives. The domain points to this=
.
> Hosting costs vary mostly based on how big your website will be (Storage)=
and
> how many will visit (bandwidth) and very little else. There is no free ho=
sting
> worth investing in. Anywhere. Hosting should not be expensive, however, a=
nd
> places like Page.ly are PERFECT. Its idiotproof, WordPress and Email only
> hosting. They people who run it are lovely and stand behind the product. =
If you
> don't go with Page.ly, look for hosts with something called "Cpanel". Its=
a very
> easy to understand control panel. I avoid GoDaddy because its very confus=
ing
> to use, even for advanced developers, but particularly for beginners.
>
> The website itself: this is the site, full of HTML or ASP or PHP pages or
> WordPress, etc. In 2010, I consider it malpractice for Web Developers to =
not
> include a CMS in a site they develop for someone. A CMS is what allows pe=
ople
> to control their own website so they don't need "webmasters".
>
> Either way, you need all three parts for a website to work. There are a z=
illion
> themes for WordPress, and even the theme it comes with, twenty-ten, is
> pretty awesome and would work well for anyone. Since most of you will wa=
nt
> to add Ecommerce, I highly advise you using the "Phpurchase" plugin over
> Shopp or WP-Ecommerce, both of which are clunky and hard to use. This can
> connect simply to Google Checkout, Paypal or a real payment gateway.
>
> The beauty of WordPress is that it makes it very easy for you to maintain=
your
> own website. Because its internet based, if something happens to your
> computer you can still edit and access your site. Because its open source=
,
> there are 8 gazillion people in the world that can help you with it. Just=
twitter a
> question about WordPress or post in the forums. There are a million plugi=
ns and
> themes to enhance your site, 99.9 of them are free. There are WordCamps a=
nd
> WordPress meetups in every town (wordcamp.org and meetup.com) to help you
> learn how to use WordPress. Unlike conferences, these are free or at most=
,
> $35.
>
> WordPress already has a great deal of SEO capability built into it and pl=
ugins to
> help superboost it.
>
> Now, because this is Clayart, somehow even this post will incite an argum=
ent,
> debate or mudslinging.... and I have no intention of following the thread=
. I have
> taken the time to post this information with no benefit to myself whatsoe=
ver
> purely for the benefit of learning. I am highly involved in the WordPress
> community ( a non paying gig) and often teach WordPress for free. I belie=
ve
> strongly that WordPress helps create a level playing field for small busi=
nesses
> and non profits.
>
>
Veena Raghavan on mon 3 jan 11
Hi Brandon and all,
I don't know if I am up to creating a web site. But, I did start a pottery
blog on wordpress.com just to showcase some of my work for those who ask to
see it. I have friends and family all over the world, so this seemed an eas=
y
way to show them what I have made. It works very well and the support is
very good.
Happy New Year everyone.
Veena
In a message dated 1/3/2011 8:27:16 AM Eastern Standard Time,
fuzzy2477@GMAIL.COM writes:
> Wordpress.com is the service where they offer a free site/blog.
> Wordpress.org is where you can find the software which you can install on
> your own (paid hosting) web space and you run the software yourself. A
> lot
> of hosts offer automatic installation of WP now so it's pretty easy to ge=
t
> started. Both have advantages and disadvantages. For more:
> http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/
>
VeenaRaghavan@cs.com
Stephani Stephenson on mon 3 jan 11
mel, i have to disagree with you on this one
there have been years when nearly my entire yearly income was derived v=
=3D
ia
my website.
most years 30-70 percent of it came via the web. That is more than a few=
=3D
thousands of dollars
My website income was particularly useful in the years when I was startin=
=3D
g
out and had not yet built up the 'local' word of mouth business in southe=
=3D
rn CA.
Now, i was selling tile and tile projects , not pottery, so there may we=
=3D
ll
be a difference in product viability over the web.
i also did not utilize an online 'store'. but instead used my website as =
=3D
a
catalog and an information source. Customers saw the website, then calle=
=3D
d
or emailed me. However the website was the only way they found me.
on an added note, I use Bluehost as my webhost. they are inexpensive , yo=
=3D
u
can call them 24/7 and they are in the US. they have a range of services=
=3D
such as templates, and online stores, etc. which i have never used. they
also have free webmail. I am happy with them.
For apple, you can also use inexpensive programs such as Taco to compose
HTML and see what you are doing visually at the same time.=3D20
my site is very antiquated at this point and I will have to change it soo=
=3D
n.=3D20
The tools i used to construct the first one are now obsolete(Netscape ), =
=3D
so
we'll see what happens. Right now I just tweak the old ones with Taco.
Templates always frustrated me, though I expect everyone has updated them=
=3D
by
now. i have a mac. i upload to Bluehost with their own FTP program. it
seems to work well, and they are there to help if you need them.
happy New Year everyone, may it be prosperous!
Stephani Stephenson
yesterday i encountered a gent on the road who must be into his
eighties.Saw him on east of Tombstone, headed for... the wide open count=
=3D
ry.
he was driving a well built Basque style wagon ,pulled by two mules. had=
=3D
a
little dog named Bug with him. He had started out in San Diego and was
headed for the Atlantic . maybe no big whoop.a Long Rider, he had once
ridden a horse from the arctic circle to the equator, and another time
ridden a horse through all the lower 48, visiting every state capitol, a=
=3D
ride of over 20,000 miles.=3D20
he left CA in September. his journey has already included a stop in Phoen=
=3D
ix
where he had to deal with a bout of West nile virus. A nice man, though a=
=3D
man of few words.
Wendy Peck on mon 3 jan 11
>The beauty of WordPress is that it makes it very easy for you to maintain
>your
>own website.
I've made my living as a Web designer since 1997, and as a print designer
for 10 years before that. I am thrilled with the quality of responses on
this thread. Amanda's overview is superb, especially the statement above. I=
n
2011, no small business, especially with fluid inventory like functional
potters, should have a site that requires professional updating.
If I wanted to make an art site, even with all my experience, I would use a
combination of Etsy (or similar) for the exposure, and a WordPress site. I
tend to use GoDaddy for small projects, but I can't speak to
simple/complicated, as I was experienced when I first used the services
there. I do know you cannot beat their customer service -- real people, who
know what they are talking about.
If you have no interest in learning WordPress, you can hire a designer to
set up a site for you. (Disclaimer: I do pure design as part of a team for
corporate clients only, so I'm not self-promoting.) I have seen professiona=
l
offers of $500 to set up a simple site, and that seems reasonable. It
doesn't take long to set up a site when you know what you are doing. Even
with customization that I don't seem to be able to resist, I have my little
sites up in an hour or two. Don't expect a lot of custom work at that price=
,
but once you have a site, it is pretty easy to figure out how to change it
on your own. The more intimidating part of WordPress is getting it up and
operating well.
No matter what you do for a site, however, it has little value unless you
work it. Nobody expects a box of brochures sitting in a closet to sell
product. Your Web site is a similar marketing tool. You must still build a
following, whether through writing a compelling blog to attract viable
customers, providing people at traditional the option to purchase, or shar=
e
your work with others through your site, contacting galleries in person, by
mail or (very carefully and cautiously) by email, etc., etc.
Learn and work the Etsy marketing tools. Read, read, read about online
marketing. Much won't apply to pottery, but keep your mind open. Network,
network, network. Sound the same as building a customer base offline? It is=
.
If you don't understand your best customers, and go after them, a Web site
will not do much to improve your sales.
On the other hand, for those who don't enjoy the public scene, online
selling is a dream. I don't pursue pottery with the intent to sell, but as
more and more of my pieces get to escape the hammer, I may consider it. Tha=
t
is only because I can promote online, as I have the products to sell. I'm a
loner by nature, and I would throw my pottery away before I would invite
people to my studio or set up at an art show. Online selling opens a route
to sales for those who don't enjoy the public part of art sales. You do hav=
e
to work just as hard to be successful, however.
Wendy
Jim Kasper on mon 3 jan 11
=3D20
=3D20
Stephani,
=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=
=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0
Thank you so much for the delightful story. While I have learned an
amazing amount here, both explicitly and because content here sends me of=
=3D
f
on a search,
It is postscripts=3DA0 like this that make clayart what
it is, in my humble opinion.=3D20
Regards,
Jim
=3DA0
=3DA0
Posted by: "Stephani
Stephenson" =3D20
revivalsteph@YAHOO.COM =3D20
Mon
Jan=3DA03,=3DA02011 10:03=3DA0am (PST =3D20
yesterday i encountered a gent on the road who must be into his
eighties.Saw him on east of Tombstone, headed for... the wide open
country.
he was driving a well built Basque style wagon ,pulled by
two mules. had a
little dog named Bug with him. He had started out=3D20
in San Diego and was
headed for the Atlantic . maybe no big whoop.a
Long Rider, he had once
ridden a horse from the arctic circle to the
equator, and another time
ridden a horse through all the lower 48,
visiting every state capitol, a
ride of over 20,000 miles.=3D20
he
left CA in September. his journey has already included a stop in
Phoenix
where he had to deal with a bout of West nile virus. A nice
man, though a
man of few words.
Elisabeth Maurland on mon 3 jan 11
On Jan 3, 2011, at 1:04 PM, Wendy Peck wrote:
> If you have no interest in learning WordPress, you can hire a designer =
=3D
to
> set up a site for you. (Disclaimer: I do pure design as part of a team =
=3D
for
> corporate clients only, so I'm not self-promoting.) I have seen =3D
professional
> offers of $500 to set up a simple site, and that seems reasonable. It
> doesn't take long to set up a site when you know what you are doing. =3D
Even
> with customization that I don't seem to be able to resist, I have my =3D
little
> sites up in an hour or two. Don't expect a lot of custom work at that =3D
price,
> but once you have a site, it is pretty easy to figure out how to =3D
change it
> on your own. The more intimidating part of WordPress is getting it up =3D
and
> operating well.
I could be wrong, but I think this is where page.ly comes in. They do =3D
the setting up for you.
Copied from page.ly:
WordPress is a pretty awesome system and is fairly easy to setup if you =3D
have the right WordPress host in place and have some basic understanding =
=3D
of website terminology. Essentially all you need to host a WordPress =3D
site is a webserver connected to the internet that runs the PHP =3D
scripting language and MySQL Database. Setup a database, download the =3D
software, make a few changes to a file, run the install, and then =3D
customize. Could take you anywhere from 10 minutes to 4 hours depending =3D
on your skill level and existing hosting provider. Then just stay on top =
=3D
of your backups, upgrades, and security as you must be beware of =3D
nefarious hacking attempts.=3D20
Or have page.ly do all this for you, and you just focus on your content.
Looks good to me. It's still $13 more than I pay now, so I want to be =3D
sure that this is what I need.
So far, it looks like page.ly combined with Big Cartel (as a shopping =3D
cart), as well as Facebook and Twitter is the way to go.
I will start blogging, sending out email newsletters (not too often), as =
=3D
well as direct-contacting certain retail outlets (for my greeting cards =3D
- my pottery will never be sold wholesale again!)
I will still be doing art fairs with my pottery.
It's starting to shape up to a plan I can use..... Now, I hope there =3D
will still be time to make pots and raise my six-year-old.....
Happy New Year!
Elisabeth=3D
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