Yes. I said it. It sucks!
It sucks trying to find a .com name that isn't already taken.
It sucks coming up wth a logo. Site colors. And a design.
It sucks when you have a picture in your mind's eye and the designer doesn't "get it". It sucks having to go back and forth a million times to get it right -- and maybe you never do.
It sucks when you have to hand key in hundreds or thousands of products. spending hours and hours "stealing" product photos form other websites.. Or worse -- taking them yourself.
It sucks when you talk to 20 "credit card guys" only to be more confused every time.
It sucks trying to come up with the words to put on your pages. Trying to think of the "perfect slogan".
It sucks when you get lazy and lose two weeks because you are paralyzed with all the frustration and work still left to do.
It sucks the first time you get an order -- only to realize the customer meant to buy something else.
It sucks when your credit card company asks you to fill out a million question form about PCI compliance. Whats that? Right?
It really sucks. I have done this for a very long time and I still think it sucks.
THATS WHY EVERYONE DOESN'T HAVE A SUCCESSFUL E-COMMERCE WEBSITE!
Because only the people that get through the "sucky" part of the job get to enjoy the good stuff.
All of you that have succeded know what I mean. Even if you have only succeeded in a little way. Your first few hundred bucks. Or the first time your site ranked on page 1. The first customer testimonial. In many cases pulling in thousands every week.
All of you that still think it sucks. Get used to it. As soon as you finally get used to it. You will start to see the real progress.
So everyone. Let's SUCK IT UP in 2012! I know I will!
Shane Merem
www.websiteforge.com