Web Design / Graphic Design / Home Decor

Stay away from Wix. Google removed every single Wix site from their index. They are slowly, and I mean SLOWLY, adding them back in.

Also with Wix you are wedded to that site forever. There;'s no options to just switch to a new design/theme. You have to start from scratch.

I just went to the wix site and it loaded super fast. Just because you prefer to work on another platform doesn't mean you should be disparaging others. Wix is great for certain types of sites but not for others. I have three wix sites and they work just fine.

Please people - before you do business with ANY of these companies make sure they hold a valid business license in the VI. A simple search on the DLCA site will tell you this.

https://secure.dlca.vi.gov/license/Asps/Search/License_search.aspx

Despite being located here, neither of the two businesses mentioned above (Silver Squid / Lannen Designs) show up as licensed in the USVI.

It doesn't matter if you are a sole proprietor, or a corporation. All businesses operating in the VI need a valid license - and should be paying the appropriate fees and taxes accordingly. If business are not willing to contribute why patronize them?

Despite being located here, neither of the two businesses mentioned above (Silver Squid / Lannen Designs) show up as licensed in the USVI.

Just a note of caution that the DLCA online listings very often don't provide the information being sought. Some businesses are known by a different name other than that under which they're licensed, others where an individual is d/b/a are listed either under the individual's name or the d/b/a name - very inconsistent. The surest way to find out if a business is properly licensed is to ask to see the license.

Despite being located here, neither of the two businesses mentioned above (Silver Squid / Lannen Designs) show up as licensed in the USVI.

Just a note of caution that the DLCA online listings very often don't provide the information being sought. Some businesses are known by a different name other than that under which they're licensed, others where an individual is d/b/a are listed either under the individual's name or the d/b/a name - very inconsistent. The surest way to find out if a business is properly licensed is to ask to see the license.

I just looked up a known licensed business and they did not come up in the search.

I just looked up a known licensed business and they did not come up in the search.

It's been 5 years since I closed my business after 16 years and in the last few years of operation when the DLCA site was up and running I checked a few times and never found me there, so sounds like things haven't changed much!

Despite being located here, neither of the two businesses mentioned above (Silver Squid / Lannen Designs) show up as licensed in the USVI.

Just a note of caution that the DLCA online listings very often don't provide the information being sought. Some businesses are known by a different name other than that under which they're licensed, others where an individual is d/b/a are listed either under the individual's name or the d/b/a name - very inconsistent. The surest way to find out if a business is properly licensed is to ask to see the license.

I think if it was my business I'd check to make sure it showed up - and if not then follow up with DLCA to have it corrected. Now that all of the licensing is entered online there is no 'real' reason for a licensed business to not show up in the listings.

Sometimes it shows up under owner's name. It helps if you search using wildcards and other variables. The data isn't intuitive, so if what you enter isn't an exact match, you might not find it. I had someone tell me that Licensing told him he wasn't in the system, but when he came to me for help in filling out the application, he was there.

1. I think if it was my business I'd check to make sure it showed up - and if not then follow up with DLCA to have it corrected.
2. Now that all of the licensing is entered online there is no 'real' reason for a licensed business to not show up in the listings.

1. Depends on the business and whether it showing up or not might affect it. Contractors, electricians, plumbers, etc. with no physical storefront, yes. Restaurants, bars, hair salons, etc.? You're legally required to post your licenses and permits conspicuously in your place of business.

2. As always, "caca in" and "caca out" other than the reasons for not showing up on the site as previously noted. Data information is only as good as data entry.

As part of the 'middle class' 33 1/3% that actually pay taxes/fees as legally required, it does irk me sometimes that there are so many unlicensed business around, and many that don't declare income accurately nor pay appropriate taxes. This increases the burden on the rest of us. Yet this is somehow seen as part of the 'island' way and there are many side endeavors or small enterprises that don't see this as an ethical issue.

As part of the 'middle class' 33 1/3% that actually pay taxes/fees as legally required, it does irk me sometimes that there are so many unlicensed business around, and many that don't declare income accurately nor pay appropriate taxes. This increases the burden on the rest of us. Yet this is somehow seen as part of the 'island' way and there are many side endeavors or small enterprises that don't see this as an ethical issue.

Nor do I see it as unique to the USVI. It happens everywhere.

islandhops did not say it is unique to the USVI.

It may happen everywhere, but islandhops lives here, so that is why they commented on how it is here.

It isn't helpful, when a poster has a problem with something here, to be told it happens elsewhere. Of course it does, we all know that.

Nor do I see it as unique to the USVI. It happens everywhere.

islandhops did not say it is unique to the USVI.

It may happen everywhere, but islandhops lives here, so that is why they commented on how it is here.

It isn't helpful, when a poster has a problem with something here, to be told it happens elsewhere. Of course it does, we all know that.

There was inference in the bolded excerpt. And I disagree - in my experience not everyone does "know that", not by a long shot.

The inference Yet this is somehow seen as part of the 'island' way taken literally, does not mean unique to the USVI.

Ok maybe not everyone knows it but I'm sure most people know someone who has a side business, whether it be cutting grass, or graphic design, or party planning or whatever, who does not report that income. Or has heard of same.

Of course, It's OK to do it because everyone else is doing it - Yea Right.

Next I'll be expecting ethical politicians. 😎

I'm not saying it's OK, I was just making a point about semantics.

It irks me whenever someone posts that they have a problem with how things are in the VI and then someone chimes in that it happens elsewhere. But we live here in the VI, so that is why we complain about things that happen here. It isn't helpful when someone says that it happens somewhere else. That was my point.

Of course, It's OK to do it because everyone else is doing it - Yea Right.

Next I'll be expecting ethical politicians. 😎

Stay away from Wix. Google removed every single Wix site from their index. They are slowly, and I mean SLOWLY, adding them back in.

Also with Wix you are wedded to that site forever. There;'s no options to just switch to a new design/theme. You have to start from scratch.

Can you provide your information on this? Not some article from another salty designer/IT either lol.

I have over 180 WIX websites and all are indexed properly and gaining rankings unless they are #1. I have a Google webmaster account that I track a lot of these and I do not see one "dropping off" as you put it, I looked. They use AJAX which is totally different than WP which is what I assume you're using since you mention templates. WIX does not have the functionality of WP that is true - you cant just pop different templates onto existing sites... yet. WP also doesn't have a very user friendly interface. You trap clients who have no knowledge of basic code when you use WP and I would never want my clients to feel trapped. I used to use WP and DW but I hated every minute of it. WIX has a lot of things rolling out... pretty sweet things, stay tuned.

There's more than enough biz to go around IMO. I am swamped and if you need work LMK, send me your portfolio and I can pass you some clients that like more template style WP designs. I just don't use any other platform anymore because I like my clients to feel free to do whatever they want with their site. All too often my new clients are stuck with a webmaster who doesn't listen, thinks they know everything or does changes when they can get to it. WIX alleviates that.

WIX is most certainly NOT for everyone. Useless for blogs and storefronts. I wont do eCommerce on their platform anymore. But for the average joe who doesn't want a 5K website and wants the freedom to have complete control, there is no better IMO. Weebly and Squarespace are still pretty far behind WIX but I do like SS minimalists templates. I wont pretend that WIX is #1 - SEO is a little lacking but the best thing, I feel about WIX is that they are continuously trying to improve and are really passionate about making it better. They've come SO far from those flash days!

@AandA2VI -

Google suddenly dropped Wix sites from their search indexing last October. You can ... um ... google that and find several articles from good sources. My understanding was that they added them back in long ago, which is why I questioned the "slowly adding them back in" statement.

Stay away from Wix. Google removed every single Wix site from their index. They are slowly, and I mean SLOWLY, adding them back in.

Also with Wix you are wedded to that site forever. There;'s no options to just switch to a new design/theme. You have to start from scratch.

Can you provide your information on this? Not some article from another salty designer/IT either lol.

I have over 180 WIX websites and all are indexed properly and gaining rankings unless they are #1. I have a Google webmaster account that I track a lot of these and I do not see one "dropping off" as you put it, I looked. They use AJAX which is totally different than WP which is what I assume you're using since you mention templates. WIX does not have the functionality of WP that is true - you cant just pop different templates onto existing sites... yet. WP also doesn't have a very user friendly interface. You trap clients who have no knowledge of basic code when you use WP and I would never want my clients to feel trapped. I used to use WP and DW but I hated every minute of it. WIX has a lot of things rolling out... pretty sweet things, stay tuned.

There's more than enough biz to go around IMO. I am swamped and if you need work LMK, send me your portfolio and I can pass you some clients that like more template style WP designs. I just don't use any other platform anymore because I like my clients to feel free to do whatever they want with their site. All too often my new clients are stuck with a webmaster who doesn't listen, thinks they know everything or does changes when they can get to it. WIX alleviates that.

WIX is most certainly NOT for everyone. Useless for blogs and storefronts. I wont do eCommerce on their platform anymore. But for the average joe who doesn't want a 5K website and wants the freedom to have complete control, there is no better IMO. Weebly and Squarespace are still pretty far behind WIX but I do like SS minimalists templates. I wont pretend that WIX is #1 - SEO is a little lacking but the best thing, I feel about WIX is that they are continuously trying to improve and are really passionate about making it better. They've come SO far from those flash days!

Great post from a great designer.

@AandA2VI -

Google suddenly dropped Wix sites from their search indexing last October. You can ... um ... google that and find several articles from good sources. My understanding was that they added them back in long ago, which is why I questioned the "slowly adding them back in" statement.

BUT if you read them you'll find it was related to indexing and hashbangs of Ajax and parastorage image names. It's like SUPER easy to log onto GWM and see if the sites indexed. That's been resolved as of last year. I do sometimes have load speed issues and wix is working on resolving that. Again an Ajax issue with the way it renders js and css. Also on the articles I read - Ironically no details on sites was given. No screenshots no samples in the articles that shows the drop or non indexing. Seems a bit off to me and you never know who was paid to write what. I've been using wix before, during and now after those articles dates and I only know what I've experienced.

Wix does have some work to do to be as fluid with Google as, say, wordpress BUT again the biggest reason to use wix is that they are ALWAYS evolving. Always working towards making things better for their clients. They actually reach out to wix pro designers, like myself and hold conference calls and get feedback from us and do follow ups. They are in it for the long haul and I see a lot of potential. The KEY to wix is you still really need a designer. Someone who know how to optimize images, keep things above the fold small and minimal, set up the SEO and do all the back end stuff (of course
If you know that you don't need a designer). Where wix shines is once that's all done by a designer, the client can make changes as they need, that's the biggest advantage of wix over the others. I do see and help a lot of people who think they can do a wix site just to get frustrated and hire me or another wix pro. It's not as easy as ya tank... Even for me - designing for oneself is SO hard lol! Finally wrapping my new site, for once I actually kind of like it.

The VI Centennial Commission may be looking for a new web designer per Saturday's Daily News. Sounds like a job for AandA2VI! Please contact them to offer your services. All the government agencies need a site that is easy for them to update and that requirement should be in the contract.

Get a deposit up front.