For some time I have been promising a new website for the Seres range of pure silk and sterling silver gifts. I had the vision of what sort of online shopping experience I wanted my customers to have. What I didn’t have was any idea about was just what was involved in making it a reality.
I don’t have the technical ability to be able to build my own site so asked friends who had used expert help for their recommendations. The designer was chosen and the building task began. I thought that would be the start of a fairly quick process. How wrong was I?
It soon became apparent that with the new site, I needed some much better photographs. Unfortunately, experience has taught me that photographing silver is notoriously tricky. Reflective surfaces and small detailing call for specialist equipment and someone who really knows what they’re doing.
Once again, it was the advice of a trusted friend who put me in contact with a fantastic photographer. Not only was he able to produce great shots of the silver, but he was also able to capture the elusive beauty of the pure silk range in all its vibrant glory.
It was while the site was being developed I decided to book myself onto some extremely worthwhile courses with Business Links; Steve Clarke of Eureka Sales Solutions and Nigel Temple. They impressed on me the need to join the social networking phenomenon. But where to start? I had never had a facebook or twitter account and felt daunted by the prospect of blogging.
Further learning curves were in store for me. Andrew, my ever-patient web designer, has held my hand through all of this. He has never once openly ridiculed my lack of knowledge and I have come to see him as a guru for all things technical. I now understand what is meant by “webhost”, “domain name”, “metatag” and “SEO”. I even know what a “backlink” is!
The result of my efforts can now be found at www.seresgifts.com. My own “Oscar” style list of thank you’s would have to include Julie Slater, Alan Batham and all the team at iD76 Creative.
So please take a look and let me know what you think – I’d love to hear from you.
