Off we go
Loch Fyne from Old Castle Lachlan
Talk about buy cheap, buy twice…
Today I hope marks the end of a few years of procrastination, where I’ve avoided the relatively significant commitment to Squarespace, and have finally launched my business web site:
https://www.timking.photography
I’ve tried all sorts of purportedly lower-cost alternatives (I won’t go into them all, unless you ask me to). None of which gave me the control, the visibility, the flexibility, the quality, or the ease with which to build a fully-functioning e-commerce site. Some got me part way there, only to eventually block my way with masses of unnecessary complexity or huge hikes in fees. I now know where I stand.
My decision to make things a little more complicated however, is rooted in a desire for quality and the practicalities of living in a small house in the middle of nowhere... I have chosen to partner with The Print Space for my main print lab work and for packaging and distribution. It’s known as ‘drop-ship’ printing. Once I was happy that the lab had all of my photos and could print them so, so much better than I will ever manage from my wee office, I had to contend with some reasonably complex web site integration, along with all the usual challenges of pricing, global shipping, and payment processing. It’s a tricky piece of work for any sole trader - don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
So I expect to just sit here now and watch the money roll in, right? Er, no. Aside from the photography element of my work, customer service, advertising, blogging, social media stuff, etc, etc, all have to be attended to. It’s just as well I don’t make videos too. Yet.
