Solving the Technical difficulties

If you have known me at all over the last several years since my website went down the second time, you know that finding a new option was very difficult. I tried Etsy, the only option I knew at that point, but was put off by the listing and relisting fees.

When a good sale day is $20, those fees can quickly eat away any profit I can make. I also found it very hard to be found there.

After many initial mishaps, losing my email address, and ending up with no web presence at all, my friend over at Polkadot Bandit suggested Artfire.

Artfire allows you to have a limited studio for free. Free. I love that word. But, they also offer the option of paying for the service. I did my calculations. At $10 a month, I would be coming in just slightly over the cost I would have paid to host my site through a private party. I have no idea what it was going to cost to have the site actually built. (It was to be a gift. Long story.) And I would have had to call the webmaster every time I wanted to list or change something. AND for the price he was offering, he wasn't sure if he would be able to build in the things that I wanted to be able to offer. And then he wasn't available to work on my stuff so he suggested I set up temporarily over at Etsy. (forehead slap) Don't get me wrong, he's a good guy. And a new baby is always a good excuse to be out of time in my book.

With Artfire, I get all those things I wanted.

Coupon Codes.
Easy updating.
Pictures
Access to my prior orders
Access to my customer Database

But wait there's more!
I also get access to the Forums, where I can communicate with other small handmade businesses. The information here is SO VALUABLE! And sometimes, I get to peek into the lives of other makers. And that is always awesome.
AND I just learned that you can add items from my shop to your Amazon Wishlist (Holy crap that's fantastic!!) just by clicking the button
I get listed on Search Engines with Search Engine Optimization
I can quickly see how people are linking in...

In other words, I am happy. My Webmaster directed my web address to my artfire account so if you go to http://www.bubblycreations.com/ you get a real live website that looks as decent as I know how to make it and maybe, just maybe, you buy a bar of soap or five.

One technical difficulty down, a couple left to go.

If you are a maker, I highly suggest you check it out. If you click on my link, we both get freebies. I love freebies. Someday soon, I'll be offering a few of my own...

Become an ArtFire Pro with this link and get your 3rd month free!