Website launch! (and automated welcome email)
by JinAh LeeVery proud of the website.
- Creating Logo and design assets
I created the logo and visual assets for the site from scratch (learning Adobe illustrator and photoshop was frustrating, but fun). Used Shopify to implement the simplest version of what the website would look like my head while not being super frustrated about my zero-ability to code.
- Building website
I AM A SHOPIFY BELIEVER NOW.
Wordpress, Wix, Squarespace... you name it, I've tried it. I just got no finished site out of any. Yet I resisted even trying Shopify due to the higher monthly fee ($29) and additional paid apps to follow. I knew I'll be using it at some point, but just not until I start getting paid.
Then I bit the bullet and tried Shopify. It was actually the easiest, and best-looking no-code website builder. With video tutorials, they hand-hold guide you every step of the way. Literally.
If e-commerce is what you'll be doing, highly recommend Shopify. I have so many other points I'd rave about, but I should stop here for now.
- Choosing email service provider:
I chose [klaviyo]. I previously created a mailchimp account, but a friend of mine mentioned that mailchimp and shopify "broke up" and no longer integrated as smoothly they once did. Looked into [Klaviyo] and [Conversio - now called Campaign Monitor?] as alternatives. The same friend who tried both and recommended the former. Although might seem little pricier, at this point, would not really make a difference. Interestingly, when I compared the prices at 10K subscribers, I think K was even cheaper than C ($125 vs $250 or something like that).
- Setting up "welcome mat" and auto-response:
We're on a pre-launch phase for Kickstarter campaign (targeting March 1st). The current goal of our website is to collect emails that will help build the initial buzz.
For subscription popup, many use Sumo's welcome mat. I love the capabilities (e.g. option to choose display type, A/B testing, etc.), but to link to Klaviyo, Sumo requires you to be on Pro plan ($39/mon when billed annually). So, I ended up using klaviyo's built-in popup feature. Not the best looking, but fairly easy to use and works.
So voila!
Here is the website.
I know. It looks pretty elementary if you're a designer or a programmer. But for a first-time DIYer like myself, it took blood and sweat. Now time to be proud and take the next step!
