I decided to go with FatCow.com— a recommended web host from a video Vicki shared with me. At first I was turned off by the amount of extra services that were an additional cost, but after some further research, it turns out I didn't need most of the extra services and $49 for the year is a great price for a start-up business.
I've only just started learning how to use the weebly site building software that is compatible with Fatcow. It's fairly easy to use, isn't 100% customizable, but offers plenty of options for layout, fonts, and colors. The one irritating thing is that at the bottom of the web page is the awful: "Site powered by Weebly. Managed by Fatcow."
Ugh. Nothing says professionalism like the words "Weebly" and "Fatcow" on your site!
To remove it, I imagine I have to pay Weebly, which is anywhere from $10 a month to $105 for the year. It actually isn't that different from Wix.com which was $99 for the year, or, to host on Weebly is around $96 which removes the Weebly branding right away. Wordpress also demands at least $99/year to be used in combination with Fatcow.
I do have the option of coding the page myself with my prehistoric HTML coding skills to get rid of the "powered by weebly" branding, but I was hoping to avoid that. Going to try to keep looking at the big picture and not let this distract me.
I've only set up a "coming soon" page so far with the option to join the email list for updates via MailChimp. I tested it with a duplicate email of mine, and the process was a bit of a pain, but Mailchimp's starter services are free and beggars can't be choosers. Plus, Pat Flynn and Shane & Jocelyn Sams are always talking about the importance of the email list.
If you want to take a look:
The big picture business justification is this:
The problem that exists: artists want to create a comic, children's book, or other visual story, but can't seem to get started or find the time. (In fact, Justin at the Art Meet said it exactly as I've heard it so many times: "By the time I'm done with all my art commissions, I don't have any energy left for my own comic.")
The solution offered: an online event in which artists are given a timeline (also known as accountability) to finish 12 panels (about 2-3 pages) in one month. Emphasis on small steps of progress that lead up to big ones. Free, and self-directed.
The monetizing opportunity: instructional ebooks/videos and possibly Amazon affiliate product links that are directly related to visual storytelling and the 12 Panel Comics event. In the future, possibly even a digital anthology ebook filled with finished 12 panel comics.
This uncharted territory of online business is both exciting and terrifying!
Yes. Not sure why, but I've been feeling some fear of late. Talking with Vicki last night I remembered the Fail Faster animation. I think I should go watch it again.
ReplyDeleteExactly, I'm trying to embrace this model of trying things and letting them fail faster.
DeleteHaving the "powered by [insert company here]" tag on a website doesn't bother me when I'm trying to find credible artists. There are plenty of respectable artists that own their own websites, but the layout is awful. Then there are other artists, maybe not as good or prestigious, but they have a simple little tumblr page that is easy to navigate. I'll take navigable over "professional" any day.
ReplyDeletePoint taken! Thank you!
DeleteBetsy! I went to the site and I'm not bothered by any Weebly or FatCow stuff across the bottom. Maybe that's just me. Maybe the younger generation spots that stuff and says, "Psph... amateurs!" Really, I think how your headline engages is a bigger deal than across the bottom.
ReplyDelete