RockZaia & Teener-
I have so much fun with my website. Again, I'm bad about updating it, but it was a lot of fun to make. I used wix.com which is a Flash Based Website Builder (when I was looking for tools to build my site, I was looking specifically for flash). It's really easy to use, they have a TON of templates to choose from and it's FREE!
My web host is Network Solutions. They partner with Wix to provide domain names and services. I started out with a GREAT deal through Wix's website for Network Solutions which was a free domain name and one year's service for $99! My services were getting ready to expire and I just renewed: SIX years for $149!!!!! So, my website has a spot in the virtual world for the next six years for uh...not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things!
Honestly - I don't know that my website does me much good. I don't have it set up to where people can purchase directly from there - just because I do a lot of custom work and Etsy just makes it a bit easier because people can convo me about custom orders (and it costs money to set up a site like a marketplace). I've gotten a few emails that were sent using the "contact" tool on my website, which is awesome - but only one has been an actual order. For me - it was my first step into the world of making cards for money (and for fun!). I started with that, and then decided to create my Etsy shop, since potential customers had no way to purchase cards from me on my website. Etsy has been great for me! (Though it was slow going at the beginning)
I feel like I've rambled on for forever....hope that's helpful, though. Just do it!!!! :) It'll be fun! And definitely has potential to generate more business.
