Critter Chronicles: Let's talk about why there is a new site.

Hey Critter Crew! Welcome, welcome! I'm so excited to finally be launching our very first Critter Chronicles! Seriously, I've been wanting to start this for ages, and now it's finally happening! So, here's the deal: this is where we're going to dive deep into all thing's critters, share our creative journey, and just have a good time together. Think of it as a cozy chat over a cup of tea (or your favorite beverage!).

Today, I wanted to talk about something that's been on my mind a lot lately: my website journey. Specifically, why I made the switch from Shopify to Wix, and why I haven't really clicked with Etsy. It's a bit of a story, so grab a comfy seat!

Okay, so picture this: about five months ago, I launched my first online shop on Shopify. I had this vision in my head, a very specific look and feel for my site, and I thought Shopify would be the perfect canvas. They definitely have tools for customization, but what I quickly realized was that it's geared more towards people who are already pretty comfortable with the tech side of things.

Now, I'm not a complete newbie. I've been dabbling in CSS since middle school (and I'm still not confident in my skills), and I was actually kind of excited to put those skills to use to learn more. But honestly? Shopify felt a bit like trying to navigate a maze in the dark. I wanted to create this magical, easy-to-navigate critter kingdom, where everyone could find their favorite little creatures without any hassle. But it just wasn't happening. I kept running into roadblocks.

Here's the thing: Shopify is undeniably powerful for straight-up selling. If your main focus is just to get your products out there, it's fantastic. But for me, it was more than that. I have a ton of critter designs, each one unique, and I wanted to showcase them in a way that felt like a portfolio, like a gallery. And let's be real, juggling a part-time job, school (which I'm heading back to soon), and trying to wrestle with back-end design? It was exhausting! Especially when I was paying $40 a month for limited creative control and battling a constant stream of bot views. It just wasn't sustainable.

Then, I discovered Wix. And let me tell you, it was like a breath of fresh air! For just $25 a month, I suddenly had total creative freedom. It was like being handed a blank canvas and a box of vibrant paints. I could organize everything exactly how I wanted, splash colors everywhere, and build a site that truly reflected my brand and my personality. Plus, it's so incredibly user-friendly! For someone like me, who's always on the go, it's a game-changer.

And that brings me to Etsy... Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely love creating and selling my stickers and crafts. But my mission is bigger than just making sales. It's about spreading joy, raising awareness about these amazing animals, and building a genuine, supportive community. Etsy, unfortunately, felt too focused on squeezing every penny, with rising fees and a constant push for paid advertising. It's tough for small businesses like mine, especially when you have a wide range of unique designs. Plus, it lacked the flexibility to showcase my critters and share their stories the way I envisioned. It felt restrictive.

Ultimately, I chose Wix because it empowers me to create a unique, engaging space for my critter community. It's where I can share my passion, connect with you all on a personal level, and build something truly special. It's about creating a home for our critters and for everyone who loves them.

(P.S. If you're looking for an even more personal connection, a place where we can really get to know each other, join our Ko-Fi community! It's like a cozy corner of the internet where we can hang out and chat.)

I'm so excited for what the future holds for Critter Chronicles, and I'm so grateful to have you all along for the ride. Stay tuned for more critter adventures! ✨ And please, don't hesitate to leave a comment or reach out! I love hearing from you all.