I am almost embarrassed to say...no, I am very embarrassed to say that I have not yet completed my website. It is getting close to being finished, however. Hallelujah! I will have a link for you soon!
At the outset, I could never have imagined how much time it would take, nor predicted the steep learning curve for osCommerce, the shopping cart software provided by my webhost. Three times I tried to hire someone to do the work for me, and three times they crapped out. It's just as well that I learned it myself, so that I will be able to maintain and troubleshoot the site on an ongoing basis.
It just takes so much time, one commodity that I do not have enough of.
I finally realized how much I was cramming into my life the other day. One of the other shop-owners was in my store. He was commenting that it must take a lot of time to build the website, while learning the programming to do so, do my own accounting books, work in the store 7 days a week, keep up my house, spend time with my grand-daughter, and do all the other tasks required of a one-women show. Then he saw a spanish book on my shelf and asked if I speak spanish. I said, "Somewhat, I'm still studying it." He asked me when I find the time for that. I said "I do it while I'm driving." (don't worry, I have tapes, I don't read the text in the car) His jaw just dropped, and after I said it, I realized how ridiculous it sounded, even to me. It was then that I wondered if I might have too much on my plate.
I don't believe so. I've always been happiest, and most productive, when I'm busy. I think I do have to be careful not to burn myself out, though. So, I promised myself that going forward, at least one night a week, I will quit working when I get up from my home office downstairs, and not take the laptop to bed with me. (OK, can you say workaholic?) I will also watch television in english on that night, and give what's left of my brain a complete rest.
All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl, and we certainly don't want that!
Maybe you’re just not asking the right people. You know those who care about who they serve. Most Web design companies are more centered on what they do, their ego, the check and could give a care less about being customer centered and even less about knowing anything about a business website, let alone about working with business customers.
I have also found in working with small business that many SMB want the world, but for a lot less than it is really worth. This really isn't fair to the designers. I doubt that you fall in with this crowd, although cost is no doubt a consideration.
If you’re still interested give a write back. No, I'm not a web designer. I am a consultant that deals in customer service issues. However, I know a very good one (web designer) that is reasonable and they don't crap out on their clients.
Otherwise good luck on finishing up and getting everything running smooth. I look forward to seeing the finished product.
Posted by: Tim Whelan | May 23, 2006 10:10 PM | Permalink to Comment