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I have just completed the task of creating a new website.  Well, I think it's complete...who knows...I may want to add just "one more page" or add another picture or replace a picture or tweak some text. I really can't help myself, I go on the site and end up seeing something I wonder if I could have done somehow better.  It's not my fault, that's the nature of the beast....I'm a home stager, I can't help but pursue perfection. 

I fear that my pursuit of the "perfect" website may have taken years off a certain web designer's life. 

 At first, I didn't grasp the concept of creating a whole new website.  I was thinking more "redesign" when what was necessary was a "Full Staging" makeover.  I was trying to rework the logo and colors that I had been using originally.  After dozens of revisions, it hit me.  "I hate pink, my favorite color is black" and this poor guy was informed that we were starting all over. 

 I sent pages of text and revised text and photos, oh, the photos....so many photos!    I sent horizontal, when he needed vertical and vice versa.   I even sent pictures of my plaster wall and my tile floor asking if he could make my background from them.       

 I changed the color, the size of everything, the placement of everything on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis.  

I ate, drank, and slept website and what this translated into for the designer was just short of harassment.  My emails and questions were endless.  I do believe that this project may have cost this brave man years off his life expectancy.

After hours  (over 120 hrs. according to Steve) my new site is up and running and I love it.  It takes a special form of patience to work creatively with a home stager and Steve has it.  Through it all he maintained his patience and good humor.  To quote him..."I'm not a stager, I don't know if the picture of the room with the swan in it is the before or the after."   He may not know the staging business, but he does know his way around web design. 

It's a terrible burden we stagers bear, the pursuit of perfection. However, in this situation, it was worth it.  For me anyways, it was worth it.  I can't speak for him...my hope for him is that he enjoys what little quality time he has left before the next wacky stager comes along looking for "a little update" to her site.

 

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50 Comments on WARNING: Designing a website for a Stager can be hazardous to your health!

JAN
26
2008
227,171 Points Outside Blog
great post, I am in the middle of creating a website for my podcast.  I am ready to kill everyone
3:51pm • #1
1 Featured Post
So is the site perfectly staged for now? Or will you have to fudge it a bit later? Websites are always evolving beasts.
3:59pm • #2
391,513 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Well.... you both did a fabulous job!  It's a great web site and you both should be very proud.

Kathy

 

4:01pm • #3
146,049 Points Called Shot Master
Job well done!  You have a beautiful website and I love the colors.  Have a wonderful day!
4:08pm • #4
113,581 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor
good luck with the new site, and thanks for sharing your pursuit of perfection.
4:15pm • #5
101,773 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp
It takes special folks to deal with us on the creative end!
4:43pm • #6
115,043 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I decided to create my own website (no prior experience) so that I wouldn't drive some poor soul crazy. Instead, I drove myself crazy and everyone around me! I worked day and night for two weeks! Looks great, Sharon! Your perfectionism paid off!

Just how many suits of armor have you had to deal with?;)

5:09pm • #7

Your site looks great!  Like Elaine, I found a template for a website that suited me and added my own content- pictures, text, background colors, etc.  You are right- we (Stagers) tend to be perfectionists!  I also like the fact that I can go into my website at any time and change anything that I feel needs to be changed.  In fact, I just finished "tweaky" my splash page.

 BTW, the name of the company that  provided my website is bludomain.com.

5:32pm • #8
Your website does look very nice. I think the move from pink to black was a good one as it looks rich.
5:35pm • #9
1,063,246 Points 156 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Sharon, I'm glad you've worked very hard on your web site. It reflects your attention to detail, a great trait for a Stager. Remember it is always a work in progress and tweak it as you go along. Thanks for sharing the painstaking effort you put into it. Don't pursue perfection, but excellence. Perfection will wear you out.
5:35pm • #10
so have you research the most important aspect.  SEO.  Let us know if you need any pointers.  I am first page all from a little elbow grease.  Don't pay for something you can do with a little work.
6:13pm • #11

Can I make a suggestion.  Are you set on your URL???  Have you done much with it in regards to indexing and SEO.  The number 1 mistake agents make is naming their site after them.  Why not pick a URL that states what you do.  If I were to market ChristinaStevens.com who would even know what this is.  If I market Galveston4sale.com then it is clear what I am doing.  it is worth giving some thought.  Trust me research show this time and time again.

Great work though.  I know how tough it is.  How old is your site?  Join the SEO group for true tips.  Visit www.MikeCutts.com.

Good luck.

6:18pm • #12
6 Featured Posts
Sharon, What a wonderful job you and your site developer did. Your new color is great. I know what you mean about bugging your developer. My poor daughter is my web designer. She has started from scratch for me several times. I tell people I'm her very worst customer. I can't imagine what she tells people. I'm sure I don't want to know. 
6:44pm • #13
186,349 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
Your site looks good. I hope you have much success with it.
7:12pm • #14
168,651 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Websites hard very stressful... might be tougher profession than real estate...

Here are the toils of wasted years off my life:  San Francisco Commercial Real Estate

7:46pm • #15
Hi Sharon, I viewed your new website.  It is very nice. I am just going through that right now.  My web designer is my husband so he is right here for me.  It has taken me a long time to complete the content.  I found it a challenge. It should be ready within the week hopefully.
9:46pm • #16
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Dave   I know that "kill everyone" feeling.  I'm hoping I'm past it now that the site is complete.

Frank   For now, done. I'm told that the site is user friendly and I will be able to update, but I'm not going there just yet.

Kathy, Lorinda, Sean  Thanks!  I'm proud of it...it is much more reflective of my personality.

Josette  Steve was quite patient...I'm sure it is very difficult working in a business where people have to make decisions and keep changing their minds.

Elaine  your comment made me laugh!  I've only had the one suit of armour.  It was actually in the guest room, facing the bed.  Can you imagine?  Even though I knew it was there, it scared me several times.

 

10:12pm • #17
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Marla  I am told the site is user friendly, but haven't been given instruction yet.  Really I have no interest in doing any more to it for awhile.  I need to work on new business cards now to match the site and new logo.  Let's see how long that takes me.

Libby  Thank you, the pink was never me...it just sort of happened.  I'm much happier with these colors!

Gary  You are so right!  Thanks for the reminder...Excellence it is!

10:27pm • #18
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Christina    Yes, I've done the research and my designer is all over the seo and meta tags...The site has only been up a couple days, the previous site was started almost 2 yrs ago.  I knew when I chose the name it would make finding me harder, but I went with the name anyways.  Thanks for the advice, I will check out the seo group.

Yvonne  My daughter did my first site.  I was so happy to have her help.  I know I drove her crazy and she is probably happy she didn't have to work on this one.  She is the one I will turn to with any future questions, though...there is no escaping that!  Isn't it wonderful to have such brilliant daughters?

Wayne  Thank you!  I appreciate your kind wishes.

 

10:41pm • #19
Sharon, Your post caught my attention because I am currently working on a new website. You are right it can be time consuming. Your site looks great and also professional. Good Luck.
10:45pm • #20
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gregory  They were not wasted years off your life, they were your creative moments, probably making the lives of those around you miserable, but not wasted!  I like the green and gray, sharp!

Karen  Wow, your husband?  My husband could barley stand being in the house while I was in the process...never mind being directly involved.  That's some guy you got there!  Thanks for the compliment and the comment.  Good luck with your site.

10:47pm • #21
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
David  Thanks for the comment and praise.  I had no idea it would be so time consuming!    Good luck with your site, hope it is completed soon!
10:53pm • #22
Sharon, the site looks great. Congrats on the finished product. 
11:20pm • #23
615,230 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
The task of getting a website done and the communication to someone else to get inside your head and get it exactly like you want it is a very hard task. All the best with your new website.
11:29pm • #24
584,243 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
I know just thinking about revamping my site is a daunting thought...Ugh!
11:38pm • #25
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Brian, Bob & Carolin, and Cindy  Thanks for the input...I appreciate it!
11:41pm • #26

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all the wonderful comments about Ms. Tara's new website... Actually, Sharon is very easy to work with, but she definitely demands perfection! It was fun trying to get inside her head of what she is trying to accomplish. The standing joke during the project was "Well, Sharon... I'm not the one holding the project up!"  There were times I was making changes as fast as she could call or e-mail. 

We actually went to high school together and saw each other at our class reunion last year. I stumbled her staging website completely by accident and offered my services. You now witness the latest results (and yes, it will always be a work in progress).  Thank you, Sharon for letting me work on your web project.

Sharon has a great eye for design and you would be well advised to contact her whenever you need your home or condo staged! 

Steve Russell
iiRe Productions
Buckeye, AZ

 

 

11:47pm • #27
JAN
27
2008
507,396 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I just saw your website. I definitely like it. The flash makes your website looks even better. I am in the middle of trying to bulldozer my website because I want to improve my search engine rankings and the representation of me. Great post.
12:16am • #28
Oh my goodness I know what you mean.  I am on my 8th website and each one has a different look. I just keep creating new ones and replacing the current one.  My husband calls me from the other room, "Honey, are you working on your website again?"  It's so addictive!  I can't stop.  I just made changes to it right before I logged in this evening, excuse me, It's morning now.  There's got to be some 12 step for this.  I'm going crazy and I like it!
12:20am • #29
10 Featured Posts
No doubt websites are all "works in progress". For those of us "in the business" of designing websites from a real estate marketing perspective, knowing which design elements should be used and what overall design architecture works is important. Constant changing of design will have a huge impact on delaying the delivery of the site. Congratulations on your new site.
6:52am • #30
177,729 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

I just had my morning chuckle while reading your post.  I, like one of the other posters, am in the middle of tweeking my brand new real estate template website.  I decided it isn't in my budget right now to use a professional to do this daunting project.  Truth be known, I too enjoy fiddling with the dang thing, probably a little too much.  There is a designer in me as well and the pursuit of perfection is maddening.

Someday I'll have a prfessional design the ultimate website but there will always be changes, changes changes to be made

7:41am • #31
135,611 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

It looks great and I can totally relate. I just updated mine, but decided to keep it very simple and basic. I am not actually happy with before and after gallery quality of the pics, but hey it is working. I am getting calls every day. Good luck and I am sure we will each be making changes down the road to the site, LOL

Phyllis Pafumi

8:13am • #32
144,148 Points 9 Featured Posts
Great post.  I totally understand what you went through.  I just finished mine and the revisions seemed endless.  Your site looks great Sharon.
8:54am • #34
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Steve   Welcome to Active Rain!  Thanks for all your help and especially your patience.  You also have a great eye for design, and the site is proof of that!
2:36pm • #35
122,017 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
lol.....well sounds like you found a terrific guy to help you. Not a lot of people are like that now. It's a rare find.
3:08pm • #36

Sharon:  Unfortunately, I did my own... and it took countless hours.  Thankfully, I did have templates offered to me.  Like others, my budget wouldn't allow for a professional.  But I love it and I have received many compliments.   Your website is marvelous.  Steve did a good job and I am sure it will pay off for you.

3:11pm • #37
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lanre  Good luck with your site...I'm so happy that my site is now a reflection of my taste.

Teresa  Wow, 8th site...I plan to stay happy with this one for awhile! I can relate to the husband calling in from the other room!

Bobby  Thanks for the professional input!

Kathy, Phyllis, Charlene, Jan  I guess there is a lot of web tweaking going on out there!  It's reassuring hearing from others who understand.  Thanks for contributing.

Dave  Glad you like it, Thanks.

Christy  He was such a big help, obviously I couldn't have done it without him!

3:21pm • #38
firstimpressionhomes.com join us
larry vecchio
5:52pm • #39
243,851 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog
We agents are given a little bit of leeway in the design process- few people expect us to be masters of design. I've taken a look-see and your site looks good!
7:06pm • #40

Sharon,

It is difficult sometimes to be a perfectionist.  People will appreciate the efforts you put in.  Job well done!

M

10:54pm • #41
JAN
28
2008
202,236 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router
No wonder my daughter is complaining about tearing out her hair... www.stagingwebsites.com.  But she's good at it and VERY patient.  Wonder if a Realtor is tougher than a stager?  Guess I can ask her one of these days.
12:13am • #42
8 Featured Posts
Looks great~  Suggestion- put a link to it over on the right (on this page) under links...
5:20am • #43
Localism Sponsor
Good to know you vguys put devotion and passion... will count on you in a future, thanks
7:55am • #44
JAN
29
2008
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chuck, Michelle, Maria  Thanks for your comments.

Terrylynn   It takes a lot of patience to work with creative and ambitious people.  You must be very proud of your daughter.  Good for her!

Kim  Thanks for the great suggestion...I'm still pretty new to this!  I appreciate the guidance.

7:56am • #45

keep in mind that goggle has a 6 month probation term for new URL so you will not be eligible fr indexing with them until after this period.  Good Luck

Christina

11:52am • #46
JAN
30
2008
New website looks Awesome! It was definitely worth it.
9:56am • #47
JAN
31
2008

Nice looking website. I hope it does wonders!!

Steve

10:54am • #49
566,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Steve  Me too!  Thanks for checking it out and for the comment.
6:02pm • #50

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Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager

Portsmouth, NH

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Sharon Tara Transformations

Address: 10 Regina Road, Portsmouth, NH, 03801

Cell Phone: (603) 661-8524

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