July 17, 2008

Marketing the biz

Yesterday I spent all day (allllll day) working on two things. Designing a postcard to market my design business, and building a website using Weebly which I read about on Nuvonova's blog.

I like the postcard: (thanks for the nudge in the right direction, Michelle)



I'm not thrilled with the website, CharmaineManleyDesign.com. Like my friend Donna says, it's just not me.

Any tips as to how to customize a template based website? I cannot figure out how to change the header! I even read the Help section....problem is, the tool bar won't come up on my header....frustrating!

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Card looks gorgeous. Well done Charmaine!

I have to agree that the site isn't very you. Personally, I'm not a fan of black backgrounds, it makes reading very difficult and isn't easy on the eyes. Sorry no advice on how to build a site...Matt does all that stuff for me, but I'm sure someone else will step up and lead you in the right direction. Let us know when you have your new portfolio site!

Rosebud Collection said...

Card is beautiful and really classy..
I wish I knew how to do a web site, but in all honesty, it was a miracle I started a blog.

Tess Kincaid said...

Yes, I agree, very classy card! :) Sorry, no web design knowledge over here.

A Wild Thing said...

Wow...where have I been...love the post card, very elegant...love the garden and the new shop paint...you been busy girl.
!

Ana said...

The postcard looks great and I think the website is coming along nicely...I have little knowledge about designing a site but I guess what I would do is research other sites I like and work from there...(ugh, I"m so obvious) but good luck...I know you can do it!

littlebyrd said...

I like both! I think the card is gorgeous - well done! And the site is very elegant, maybe just a little tweaking to get more you in there?

Hey Harriet said...

Love that postcard! Sorry I've no tips re website design, but if you're looking for something to do while waiting for the tips to roll in, you can design me a postcard :D

Victoria said...

Good looking card. And I am in the idiot camp when it comes to web design.

Sarah McBride said...

I LOVE the card.
honestly I didnt think the website was bad. I am not sure what you could do to change it though.

Mrs.French said...

The postcard is wonderful! I actually like the site too, but if it doesn't seem to fit, I can see why you need to make a change. I wish I could help, but I am so ditzy when it comes to stuff like this. Good lucky deary!

LazyTcrochet said...

wow...you certainly have been busy! I love the card too. Good luck with everything!

picciolo said...

I can't offer much advice on the website front I'm afraid, but I do love the postcard!
: )

Anonymous said...

yes that postcard it fabulous, elegant and well done! i think the website is a good start but it would benefit with more of 'you' showing as claire said. the web site design thing... it took me lots of time and practice to learn how to work with a website template, html and all sorts of other mind boggling bits of new information. i never did find any shortcuts either. but i didn't really mind because i enjoyed learning all the technical stuff. but i do know that it can be very frustrating to try and learn something new when you are wanting to use it for something 'right now'. to me it is like learning to bake for the first time with the hope to make a wedding cake after the lesson. lots of pressure. maybe that wasn't exactly the help you were looking for :( i will send you encouragement though because you are quite talented and very motivated!

Anonymous said...

I love the webiste. It has a clean, elegant look to it. I find it really eye catching.
Love the card too!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Can you add another tab? You need an "about" or "bio" section. We'd like to know more about this mysterious and lovely designer...
Also a "press" or "publications" - include links to all pertinent interviews you've done (like the one from the other day) and magazines, too.

Judi FitzPatrick said...

The card is wonderful, nice mix of the different types of rooms you work with.

I agree with you on the header of your website - it needs to be customized. Sadly, I have no skill working with a template site. I have used Dreamweaver; for my header there I just used basically the same banner I have in my Etsy shop. Maybe there is a way to upload something like that to the header area? Just a thought.

I agree with whoever said your site is very clean looking and uncluttered, a major selling point for a designer.

Best of luck with all of these endeavors.

Peace, Judi

Unknown said...

The post card is really cool..the website..looks cold (sori), really not so you. Unfortunately, that's all I can offer, stuff you already know. Get a pro to design it :)

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Love the postcard! I don't think the website looks bad. It seems to be similar in style to the postcard and your decor. Are you planning on having anymore content?

Grizzly Mountain Arts said...

The card is gorgeous and I personally like the website too! The template sites that I have used don't allow you to alter much--mainly just add photos, text, etc.

Anonymous said...

Charm, I think you've done an amazing job so far! And I didn't realize you've been featured in so many places!! Gosh that's awesome hun!!!

Kudos to you, and just keep playing with it, until you feel it's right.
;)

Anonymous said...

Oh man Charmaine! The card is VERY VERY nice and the website was worth all the hard work; very classic and refined.... just beautiful! Well done!!!
xoxo
Karen

Unknown said...

I think your best approach is to step away from it and then go back to it in a couple days with a fresh look at it. I created my website with a template based design tool as well and it has changed a bunch of times because I felt the same way, it just wasn't "me". I am stil not sure it is but everytime I get in there it becomes a little more so.

Can you change the fonts in the headers to something more in line with your logo, (which btw is FABULOUS!!!!!) something a little more romantic feeling? How about making all your photos the same size & arranging more symmetrically on the page? Why not put a border on the photos with little swirly curls on the corners? Can you do something softer in your colors? The gray & white is a little stark for you. I use GoDaddy for my & don't know Weebly at all, sorry. These of course are just suggestions (and a lot of rambling lol) but in the end it is just kickin' that you have a design website & promo marketing card! Woo hoo!

Keep working with it, you will get to a point where you say, "yup this is definitely more me!"

I'm adding it to my favorite list now :)

Unknown said...

The postcard is awesome! I think the website is looking good too. Maybe you've tweaked it since posting this, as I am behind on my blog visits. I DO know what you are going through!!! Header hell! ha ha ha

Unknown said...

Oh wow - love your postcard!