Hello,
This is my first blog post from Shopify, and what an interesting journey to get here!
It was a challenging & arduous 3 weeks to change from one website to another. If I didn't have a couple of AI helpers, I think it would have taken substantially longer.
Initially I tried using a tablet, because I don't really like computers, but things weren't working properly. Sooooo, I had to revert to using the computer to create my new website.
Once I started using the computer everything started to fall into place and made more sense. A lot of it was due to the fact that I could see more of the screen and have multiple side panels open.
Having lost, or should I say put aside, a lot of my computer knowledge over the past few years. I had to figure out many different things all at once. Computer terminology and placement of buttons etc. Then... this whole new Shopify platform on both the computer & mobile phone.
Even though the whole process of getting the website underway was hampered by being unfamiliar computer technology, I do believe that some of the trouble I had was due to the fact that both GoDaddy & Shopify have recenlty updated & changed their sites. So some of the information found on the internet via AI assistants, that were meant to help me, actually hindered and confused me, because it was not relevant anymore & outdated information.
This was particularly frustrating as I couldn't make heads or tails from the information given to me at times via the AI assistants. And had to sift through what I thought was relevant & what was not. Sometimes, my mind felt like a cauliflower, heavy & dense!
As I said earlier, I couldn't have made this website if I didn't have 2 little AI helpers though. The sidekick on Shopify is amazing. Helping, adjusting, assisting and even checking if I had done things correctly. Even though it was giving me old/outdated information at times, it was still a useful tool to have.
And my new friend Gem, short for the google Gemini, was invaluable with many things - Ideas, rephrasing, and searching when I was using the computer.
With both of these AI assistants, there was no need to be specific all the time, which was also helpful.
As you can tell I have certainly embraced this AI technology during the course of creating this website. However, the AI assistants need to learn the new pathways or update new information quicker so it is relevant.
This is our view from Derrymore
It was a major task for me to learn where things were located here on Shopify, but once I figured out their system, it did become a little easier.
Having chronic illnesses doesn't help either, especially with concentration. But with the winter weather being miserable meant I was content sitting inside with the heater on staring at the computer trying to nut things out.
When I thought things were completed, I would check over my page as it would look online.
Only then would I see issues that needed changing and altering. So more time was spent fixing things that I didn't know about.
After spending many hours a day for over 3 weeks working on the computer & phone, the website came to the point where I had to transfer the domain name from my GoDaddy hosted website to the Shopify website. I had to be certain that I had taken all the relevant files & information that I needed from GoDaddy to my new website before changing because it was easier to copy things directly off the published online page rather than go through the administration side. So that was a little nerve wracking, but in the end, it was now or never.
What I thought or hoped would be a quick simple press of the button to transfer the domain to another host turned out troublesome. Because of the changed & updated sites, I couldn't find the relevant page and this was one of those annoying times the online "help" was wrong.
Thankfully, I stumbled upon the right page & button to unlock my domain. And when activated in Shopify, instantly noticed some validation & security activity happening.
I had to wait all of 5 mins, but I was so worked up that I had to step away. When I checked back, the screen looked as though the website had my URL of TreasuresatDerrymore.com
Did it really work? was this website now online and under my name?
I asked sidekick to check ✔️
YES!!! Everything was as it should be.
OMG! Talk about relieved. I literally did a little dance with fist pumping & everything!!
I didn't realise just how much effort I had put into creating this website as I was exhausted, & very relieved, for the next couple of days.
However, I still had a problem with Google search picking up my old site information. Which I then had to go & unpublish on GoDaddy. I think it will take a little time until the old website information totally disappears. Cross fingers it does 🤞
Hopefully, all that needs doing is to upload a couple more of my items for sale and try and keep this blog going and interesting enough to read.
One of the previously carved Wrens sanded and ready for some details be added.
It has taken a few days rest, but I have once again resumed working in the workshop. Sanding a few pieces that I carved weeks ago, using the dremel to smooth the majority of the piece before I have to hand sand the rest.
Two rocking horses and 3 wrens sanded with the dremel. Now i need to do some hand sanding!
If you are still here & reading, please consider subscribing. I don't send out a lot of junk mail as I have more important things to do, like creating. And its good to know that at least one person reads what I write!
Thanks for being here 🌸
