The Prelude: Squarespace Days
Last week I finished the e-book “Beginning with UX: A Practical Approach“ and now I can move on my photography website.
Ah, Squarespace, the land of the beautiful and simplistic, where everything is just a drag and drop away. For a while, it felt like the cozy corner of the internet I could call home. Simple, sleek, and straight to the point. But, as with all tales of comfort, there comes a twist. My creative soul started craving more. More knobs to turn, more buttons to press, more levers to pull. Suddenly, the simplicity I once adored began to feel like a straightjacket for my digital aspirations. And let’s not talk about the dent it made in my wallet. Ouch!
The Plot Thickens: WordPress Calls
So, I did what any self-respecting artist on the brink of a digital existential crisis would do – I moved back to WordPress. Ah, WordPress, the land of endless possibilities, where every plugin beckons like a siren’s call, and themes? Oh, the themes! It’s like being a kid in a candy store, but instead of candy, it’s endless website designs.
But oh, the agony of choice! One day I’m all about that clean, minimalist aesthetic – white space as far as the eye can see. The next day? I’m drawn to the dark side, craving depth and drama. BlackSilver and Rochelle from Envato Market caught my eye, each whispering promises of digital perfection. And yet, decision paralysis grips me tighter with each passing day. My portfolio, a kaleidoscope of my photography and graphic design adventures, awaits its new digital home, and time, as they say, waits for no one.
A Twist in the Tale: Feature Fiascos
In my quest for the perfect theme, I’ve developed a bit of a pet peeve list. Large background images that take eons to load? No, thank you. One-page websites that scroll into oblivion? Pass. And don’t get me started on hamburger menus – the great invisible door to Narnia that no one can find. Sliders on the main page? More like a one-way ticket to Snailville, population: your loading speed.
Export – Import
Oh, the great digital leap from Squarespace to WordPress turned out to be more of a high dive into a kiddie pool than the elegant swan dive I had envisioned. Picture this: One day, you’re all cozy in the Squarespace bubble, where simplicity reigns supreme, and then bam! You decide you want more bells and whistles, so you pack your bags for WordPress town.
The move, though? Not so smooth. Imagine trying to fit a square peg (Squarespace) into a round hole (WordPress), and halfway through, the peg disintegrates. That’s right, a chunk of my digital life – portfolios, pages, you name it – decided to play hide and seek. And let me tell you, they’re still hiding!
The Moral of the Story: UX Matters
As I navigate this labyrinth of design choices, I’ve come to appreciate the subtle art of UX design. It’s not just about how a website looks but how it feels, how it guides your visitors through your digital domain. My quest for simplicity amidst complexity continues, as does my journey through the vast seas of website and webhosting.
Still Writing It
So, here I stand, at the crossroads of creativity and practicality, my portfolio in one hand and my indecision in the other. The perfect theme for my photography website remains elusive, but hope springs eternal. The world of website and webhosting is vast and varied, and I am but a traveler seeking my path.
Through this odyssey, I’ve learned that the perfect website is not just about colors, layouts, or features. It’s about creating a space that reflects your essence, tells your story, and connects with others. And so, the search goes on, fueled by coffee, creativity, and a dash of stubborn optimism.
A Call to Fellow Wanderers
If you, too, find yourself adrift in the sea of website and webhosting choices, know that you’re not alone. Whether you’re team light mode or dark mode, minimalist or maximalist, there’s a place for you on the internet. Just remember, the journey is part of the story.
This tale of website woes and wins is just one chapter in the ever-evolving story of my digital presence. It’s a reminder that behind every website is a person, a story, and a journey, each as unique as the pixels on our screens.
