Changes are Good | And, Save Money!

So many changes! I love it.

A month ago, I started working with my accountant on my taxes. I got much more involved this time, and every day am more involved in the details of what our expenses are. It started making me look around at ways to save money and be more effective at the same time. That’s the thing about being in business and starting small, growing. The ups and downs and the ride of this roller coaster…there is never any real direction. What you may have planned for yourself can change when you least expect it.

Now, you can get frustrated and mad, or you can roll with it. So, I opted to make some changes – for the better, I think. It probably won’t be the last time, either.

While the wow factor of running my websites as Flash based template sites was cool in theory (just not practicality), it just wasn’t cost effective. I have what it takes to design and code my own site. So, I started combining my sites into one. For photography that is. HUGE savings! For my two Flash websites I was spending $720 a year for them. And, that’s not including the set up fees or add-ons I may have purchased for it. WOW! What a huge amount of money!

I am saving about $600 a year now just hosting it on my own (well, at the amazing EWD Hosting) and doing it myself. Sure, it’s more work, but it means I’m able to do exactly what I want and am not limited to certain parameters of a Flash based site. Besides…I hope Flash is going out the door! It’s so slow to load and more and more clients are looking at sites on their phones.

I haven’t exactly gotten completely around the Flash though. My portfolio/gallery is Flash based. I use Slideshow Pro for it and purchased that software about two years ago. So, it was a cost that was already absorbed. I just had to put it back in place. I have been researching alternatives to Flash and am hoping they become more popular and the new norm. Music is also gone on my site. How annoying, right? Many people look at our websites while they are on their lunch breaks at work – don’t freak them out with loud music playing!

And, to top it off, the blog now has its own domain as well. It’s branded to flow with my website, too. And, that’s all thanks to my amazing friend, Kylie. She is spectacular. I simply designed my blog and coded the header file for her. Then, she customized the Pro Photo 3 theme for me with it. YES! If you’re interested in WordPress customization, especially with Pro Photo 3, then contact her!

Right now, the old blog remains published, if you want to go back. But, over time, I will be working to import a few of those posts over here and probably archive that blog away, for a rainy day read. You’ll want to update your RSS feeds and make sure to stay in tune with this blog.

Now, onto the next project!