DIY Websites: 5 Reasons it Pays to Hire Help
The author working with choreographer Kai Hazelwood on the online presentation of her work.
DIY Websites: 5 Reasons it Pays to Hire Help
At Rhizomatic Arts, I specialize in working collaboratively with artists, creative individuals, and micro businesses , producing brand new web portfolios and re-building outdated sites on more contemporary, mobile-friendly platforms. I provide guidance and do the heavy lifting, teaching my clients how to manage their site going forward, saving them money in the long run, and putting them in control of their web presence. My motto is “Work independently, not alone!”
There are many great DIY website builders out there these days, including industry leaders Squarespace and Wix, as well as the favorite of visual artists, Cargo, and SmugMug for photographers. It’s more easy than ever to create your own website in a matter of hours, without learning how to code or dealing with WordPress plugins.
But just because you can do it yourself doesn’t mean you will. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider working with a buddy (be it a design-savvy friend or a paid consultant) on your next website.
1. Save time with a schedule, structure, and accountability.
Unless you get bitten by the design bug (like I did when I made my first online artist portfolio), you may feel overwhelmed by the task, and ill-equipped to tackle it. You might be trying to squeeze in working on your website after the kids go to bed. Or you might be busy with other, more important work, like your booming art practice! The number one reason my clients seek me out is because they have been putting off making or updating their website and they need something they can send out YESTERDAY that looks AWESOME to prospective funders, customers, or other supporters. Different designers will promise you different things, of course. (And their fees will vary according to how much of the heavy lifting they will do.) A good consultant will take time to get a clear sense of your needs, skills, goals, and time constraints, as well as what you have and what you need help with, and how much effort you are able to contribute to the project.
When I work with clients, I create a clear timetable, schedule meetings to review work-in-progress, and establish deadlines for deliverables on both sides. We define our roles—what I’m responsible for, and what the client is responsible for—so that we each know where to focus our efforts. I give my clients my full attention and follow up regularly so we both stay on track for a smooth launch.
2. Perspective. (Two heads are better than one.)
You’ve been staring at your content for so long you can barely see it anymore. Sound familiar? Having a fresh pair of eyes on your written copy and visual materials helps you see what’s there, what’s missing, and what could be improved. Getting a little perspective could be as simple as asking a friend to take a look at your materials and give you feedback. (“Do these images truly represent my work? Does this language sound like me? Would you buy these products?”)
In addition to being a designer and a writer, I’m an ally and an advocate for my clients. I help you articulate what makes your work important, because writing about what we do can sometimes be harder than doing it. I help my clients craft narratives and select images that express the essence of each project quickly and powerfully. We trim the fluff and make sure each page is clear, concise, and easy to scan for the most pertinent information. Our goal: to express the essence of what makes you unique, so your work is irresistible to your target audience and it’s a pleasure for them to step into your online world.
3. Expertise: Know when it makes sense to hire a pro.
Most DIY website builders provide a variety of templates to help get you started on your design. The thing is, most of us don’t want to look like we used a template. At some point you’re going to want to do something different than what is built into the template you selected. In many cases that will mean tweaking the style settings until you get the look you want. Occasionally that will mean inserting custom CSS code, which might be beyond your skill set, and can inadvertently “break” the functionality of your site.
One of the things I appreciate most about Squarespace (my DIY platform of choice) is that their prompt customer service and extensive collection of support articles help me solve most problems I encounter quickly. But part of what makes it easy for me to get answers is knowing what questions to ask, what search terms to search for, and how to apply what I’ve learned to the site I’m building. I have the advantage of six years of experience poking around those support forums, and regularly updating my and my clients’ sites so I don’t forget the tricks – and I’m constantly learning new ones. My familiarity with the platform helps each project go more smoothly, allowing me to intuit solutions and communicate best practices to my clients.
Which brings me to…
4. Customized training leads to independence.
I consider myself part service provider, part coach. My goal is to set up each client so that when we finish your project, you feel empowered to take over the day-to-day work of managing their own website. I walk my clients through the entire landscape of their site, in person or via screen-sharing on Google Hangouts if we’re working remotely, familiarizing you with the layout of the platform and walking you through the updates you’re most likely going to want to make. I provide customized notes for each client and make myself available for quick fixes if you get stuck. Some people get the hang of the platform and I never hear from them again. For others, it makes sense to outsource site management so that they can focus on the work that matters most to them. I like to be flexible and work with the needs of each individual.
On that note, one last reason I recommend the buddy system is...
5. Emotional support, because we’re human!
It may sound silly, but making your website can be an emotional process! For artists and new businesses in particular, what you’re putting out there is YOU! Your heart and soul, your deeply cherished values and mission, the work you’re proudest of, your not-so-polished past works, and your tender, vulnerable new ones. It’s hard to find the right words to express the beautiful, complicated entirety of who you are. It makes you feel exposed, which can make it easy to put off the work (see #1, above).
Finding a buddy who will cheer you on in your process, providing meaningful feedback with compassion and empathy will set you up for success. One of the core values at Rhizomatic Arts is “Be Human.” It’s important to understand that life happens, so flexibility and clear, compassionate communication with my clients is key to our success as collaborators.
Now go forth, friends, and explore the exciting and increasingly egalitarian world of DIY web design!
