As you might have noticed, if you’re one of the people who has found this as yet unpublished site, I’m getting close to completing the remodel. The site now has structure and very soon, it will have graphic elements produced by a graphic artist.  Subcontracting graphics, web design, editing and more makes a huge difference.  Although I have created simple WordPress sites by myself, like a travel blog for last year’s trip to South Africa, even with a template, I don’t have the skills to add a shopping cart, scrolling text, fancy sidebars, subscription opt-ins, and an eye-catching, memorable header.

Of course, developing the site is just the beginning. The next step is letting people know it’s out there! Driving traffic to it requires entirely new  knowledge. Fortunately, I know quite a bit about this.  I’ve taken classes, read extensively, and I attended the monthly Nevada County Online meetup  to learn online marketing tips. Even if you don’t live in Nevada County, you can take advantage of this fantastic resource since the monthly meetings are videotaped and uploaded on their website. From panel discussions, to experts on everything from social media to installing shopping carts, the content is always relevant and there is no cost. When it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Google rankings there is always more to learn!

This process has made me realize how important collaboration and teamwork are in getting the job done. Subcontracting graphics, web design, and editing was the only way I managed to create a professional site. How wonderful it is has been to focus on my strengths, and farm out work that is beyond my area of expertise.  If you’re thinking about subcontracting, here are some people who can help you:

Cat Scholz, WordPress Guru:  www.CatsWebWeave.com

Ellen Baxter, Graphic Designer Extraordinaire:  www.baxtergraphicdesign.com

Lesley Schneider, Impeccable Copy Editor, www.hthconsulting.com

Coryon Redd, Internet Marketing Strategies Expert:  www.coryon.com