Sure, I was skeptical. Generally speaking, I’m a tried and true WordPress guy when it comes to the Internet anymore. This site (ADCook.com) is built on WP as are others I’ve worked on over the last few years. But lately, a lot of people have been asking me about WIX, so I had to check it out. After all, 45 million+ users can’t be wrong.
Wix.com is a cloud-based web development platform that allows users to create professional HTML5 websites and mobile sites, through the use of their online drag and drop tools. ( source: Wikipedia )
A.D. Cook art on Wix > adc28.wix.com/adcookart
WIX is easy to customize – no coding required. My curiosity lead me to create a site – a small portfolio site featuring my figurative and motorcycle art in just a matter of a few hours. I liked working with HTML5. Its drag-and-drop technology is fun and dynamic, allowing me to create a beautiful site on the fly (remember WYSIWYG ? – what you see is what you get). Of course, I was able to glean copy and images from my existing site, which helped a lot- time wise. And even thought it was relatively easy compared to a lot of other web creation options, it’s like other things where a general knowledge of how the Internet works and a passion for design will definitely help. Naturally, you can always hire an experienced graphic designer, like myself, to build it for you ( Facebook.com/ADCookDesignServices ).
For many, a WIX site will be all they need and will work fine as their primary web site. Even if you choose not to use WIX as your primary site, there are still some great upsides in having a WIX site as a secondary site (as I have).
WIX is Google friendly. Google analytics loves it when sites are linked to your site — the more the better. And definately having a site like WIX with their awesome Alexa rating linked to your site is a plus ( http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/wix.com ). As a side note, that’s also why having a Google + account is good. As you explore my WIX site, notice that it links to specific pages on this site ( adcook.com ). I’ve also linked up much of my relevant social media: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc, as an added benefit.
One of the other great upsides it that WIX is FREE. Kind of hard to beat that. Sure, your site will have their banners on it, but they are discreet. WIX offers upgrades for a modest monthly fee, which allows you to make your site banner-free and even more feature rich. Their paid options also allow you to have your own domain name ( like “youname.com” ). As I move forward with WIX I’ll consider upgrading my account to include more features and benefits. In the interim, check out what I’ve set up here > adc28.wix.com/adcookart
In a time of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.
— Eric Hoffer
My next step is to put together another WIX site using a different template for my graphic design services.
Since I was already familiar WIX after building my art site, my second site went even faster than the first. For this one I went with a nice four page design – nothing too busy – nice and clean…
A.D. Cook design on Wix > des849.wix.com/adcook-design
All-in-all, I’ve become quite the fan of WIX, mostly for its easy and simplicity of use. Others have reached out and suggested alternatives, like SquareSpace, which looks pretty amazing as well. But I gotta tell ya’, I’m hooked on WIX for the moment and i know I’m only scratching the surface in terms of its capabilities.
I’ll continue to update and grow both sites and write a follow up post as I learn even more about their great services. As I see it, there is simply no excuse for an artist, or anyone really, to not have an awesome web presence that both works well and looks great too. Cheers!
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My Story of Design… Time. Talent. Tenacity.
As far back as I can remember I’ve always had a pencil in my hand and an idea to share. I love design. Always have. Always will.
Since the early eighties I’ve worked with clients to help them realize their vision through creative graphic design. Over those years and countless projects I discovered that the one thing that remains constant is passion. Okay, that and creativity. That’s two things. I have both.
As a multidisciplinary designer I’m experienced in working with clients on a variety of projects including logos and branding, collateral, advertising, large graphics, internet design and social media.
And while the process of design may have changed over the years, from pencil to computer, creativity and passion remain constant.
Contact me to put my time, talent and tenacity to work for you.
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MOTORCYCLE ART GICLÉES | FIGURATIVE ART GICLÉES | THE ART OF DESIGN
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