• Sent cold emails (including WhatsApp) to 3 potential clients
• Started updating Instagram portfolio
• Started updating Facebook page

📚 What I Learned

Yesterday, I found a promising freelance opportunity on LinkedIn and decided to give it a shot. Surprisingly, I made it past the first screening, and today, I received an email from the HR team asking for a short self-introduction video — in English.

Honestly, this was a huge challenge for me. English isn’t my first language, and expressing myself clearly under pressure isn’t easy. But I wrote a script in advance and did my best to answer all their questions with my broken English.

This was my first time experiencing a remote hiring process like this. In Malaysia, most companies still strongly prefer on-site work, so it’s rare to encounter fully remote opportunities that include steps like this. But going through this process made me realize something important:
My portfolio might not be the problem — it’s my communication and language skills that need work.

There’s always someone better out there, but maybe I’m not doing as badly as I thought. I just need to show myself more confidently.

🤔 Reflections

Aside from the second-round interview email, I also got a random inquiry today from someone on Facebook asking about my design services. Unfortunately, after I replied, they just ghosted me. Still, I’ll take it as a tiny sign of progress.

Right now, my biggest wish is to land my first long-term client.
After updating my Instagram, Facebook page, and PDF portfolio, I plan to start testing an affiliate strategy and a “free design in exchange for reviews” campaign. Hopefully, that’ll help me gain traction faster.

🧭 Tomorrow’s To-Do

• Continue uploading design works to Instagram
• Continue updating posts on the Facebook page
• Start building the PDF portfolio

• Completed daily website updates, cleanup, and testing
• Sent cold emails and WhatsApp messages to 5 potential clients
• Updated my Behance portfolio as another way to showcase my work
• Published my 4th blog post: “Free logo maker VS hiring a designer”

📚 What I Learned

Cold emailing might really not work that well — at least not in Malaysia. Except for one small success yesterday, I’ve had almost no responses to this kind of self-promo outreach.
Another issue I’m facing: my leads list is drying up fast. I’ve combed through nearly every job post from the past few weeks, but new posts aren’t appearing fast enough to keep up with my pace.
Now considering switching tactics — maybe offering free design in exchange for reviews and shares.

🤔 Reflections

I saw a promising freelance job post on LinkedIn today and immediately applied. But after I hit send, I noticed that many others had already shared their portfolios in the comments — and honestly, their work looks great.
It shook my confidence again.
Where am I really headed?

🧭 Tomorrow’s To-Do

• Update Instagram with portfolio content
• Post new visuals to the Facebook Page
• Finalize PDF version of my portfolio

• Sent cold emails (including WhatsApp messages) to 5 potential clients
• Improved my follow-up messages for those who show interest

📚 What I Learned

After a few days of observation, I noticed something odd: although most of my cold emails are being opened (based on tracking), there’s barely any activity on Google Analytics. This suggests that many people might simply glance at my email and close it without clicking on the website link.

Possible reasons:

1. Malaysian business culture isn’t very email-driven — people may not be used to checking links and prefer attachments instead
2. Many are cautious about links in emails, fearing scams or phishing
3. My email content might be too bland, causing readers to lose interest before even finishing

🤔 Reflections

A bit of good news today — after days of silence, I finally got two replies, one even showing interest! Though nothing concrete has happened yet, it’s still a small win and proof that I’m heading in the right direction. The results may be slow, but I’ll keep moving forward.

🧭 Tomorrow’s To-Do

• Since most potential clients don’t seem to click on my site, I’ll work on a PDF version of my portfolio
• Update my Behance portfolio as another way to showcase my work
• Finish and publish the 4th blog post: Free logo maker VS hiring a designer

• Wrote the 4th blog post: Free logo maker VS hiring a designer
• Refined my cold email template and sent it to 10 businesses
• Updated my LinkedIn “About” section to better reflect my personal journey

📚 What I Learned

By using Hunter.io to track my cold emails, I discovered that most of them were actually opened — which is far more encouraging than I expected. Instead of assuming I was being ignored, I now see more clearly where I can improve.

🤔 Reflections

I felt a bit down today after reading the latest news about ChatGPT’s updates. It made me wonder if I’m slowly becoming obsolete. I spent quite a while feeling low, but in the end, I told myself to stop overthinking and just keep going — focus on what I can do, and leave the rest to fate.
This log is my first step in documenting the journey and gradually building a circle of trust around my work.

When starting a business, having a website is essential. But one of the first decisions you’ll face is: Should I build a website from scratch or use a CMS like WordPress?

Building a website can seem overwhelming, especially for non-technical users. But thanks to modern tools, there are now multiple ways to get your site online—some require extensive coding knowledge, while others let you set up a site with minimal technical skills. In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of building a website from scratch versus using WordPress CMS to help you make an informed decision.

What Does “Build a Website from Scratch” Mean?

Building a website from scratch means developing it without relying on pre-built platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Shopify. Instead, the website is custom-coded using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Developers may also use frameworks like React, Angular, or Laravel to enhance functionality.

Pros of Build a Website from Scratch

✅ Full Customization – You have complete control over the design, structure, and functionality of the website. Everything can be built to fit your exact needs.

✅ Better Performance – Without unnecessary code or plugins, a custom-built site can be faster and more optimized.

✅ Enhanced Security – Since you’re not relying on third-party software, your website may be less vulnerable to widespread security issues.

✅ Scalability – As your business grows, a custom-built site can be expanded with more advanced features.

Cons of Build a Website from Scratch

❌ High Development Cost – Hiring developers to build and maintain a custom site can be expensive.

❌ Time-Consuming – Custom websites take longer to develop and test before they are fully functional.

❌ Requires Technical Expertise – If you’re not a developer, making updates or fixing issues might require professional help.

What is WordPress CMS?

WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) that powers over 43% of all websites on the internet (as of 2024). It allows users to create and manage websites easily without needing to code from scratch. With thousands of themes and plugins available, WordPress is a popular choice for businesses, bloggers, and e-commerce stores.

Pros of Using WordPress

✅ Cost-Effective – Many WordPress themes and plugins are free, and even premium options are often more affordable than a custom-built site.

✅ User-Friendly – Even without coding knowledge, you can easily create, edit, and manage content.

✅ SEO-Friendly – WordPress is built with SEO in mind, and plugins like Yoast SEO make optimization easier.

✅ Extensive Plugin Support – You can add features like e-commerce, contact forms, and analytics without custom coding.

✅ Responsive & Mobile-Friendly – Most WordPress themes are already optimized for mobile devices.

Cons of Using WordPress

❌ Limited Customization (Without Coding) – While WordPress is flexible, advanced customizations often require coding knowledge.

❌ Plugin Dependency – Some WordPress sites rely on multiple plugins, which can slow down the website or create security risks.

❌ Regular Updates Required – WordPress core, themes, and plugins need frequent updates to ensure security and compatibility.

Which One Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your budget, technical skills, and website needs:

• If you need a highly customized, unique website and have the budget for developers, a custom-built website might be best.
• If you need a cost-effective, easy-to-manage solution, WordPress is a great choice.

Today, many businesses don’t need to build a website from scratch. CMS platforms like WordPress provide professional-quality websites without requiring deep technical expertise. You can choose a theme, customize it to match your brand, and launch your website in a matter of days.

Need Help Setting Up Your WordPress Website?

Setting up a website on WordPress might seem easy at first, but optimizing it for speed, SEO, and user experience requires expertise. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of managing everything yourself, I offer professional WordPress website design services tailored for startups and small businesses.

My services include:

✅ Custom WordPress Design – Beautiful, responsive, and optimized websites for your brand.

✅ SEO Optimization – Ensuring your website ranks well on search engines.

✅ Performance Optimization – Fast-loading sites for a smooth user experience.

✅ Ongoing Support – I help you maintain and update your site hassle-free.

Want to get your website up and running without the stress? Get in touch here! Let’s build something great together! 😊

Table of Contents

What is Multimedia Design? Before answering that, we need to know that design plays a crucial role in various industries, but not all designers are the same. Many people often confuse different design professions, assuming that a single designer can handle everything from website development to interior design. In reality, design is a broad field with many specialized roles.

Below are some of the most common types of designers and what they do:

1. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual content for both digital and print media. Traditionally, graphic designers specialized in CMYK print-based designs, such as banners, brochures, posters, and packaging.

However, with the rise of digital media, the role has expanded to include RGB-based designs for social media graphics and digital advertisements. Their expertise lies in layout, typography, colour theory, and image composition, ensuring visually compelling communication.

2. UI/UX Designer

UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) designers focus on how digital products, such as websites and mobile apps, look and function. While UI designers handle the visual layout and design elements, UX designers ensure overall usability and user satisfaction. UI and UX designers often can be combined into a single role.

3. Web Developer

Unlike UI/UX and web designers, who focus on the creative and visual aspects of a website, web developers are responsible for turning those designs into fully functional websites through coding and programming. They work with various coding languages, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, to structure web pages, ensure responsiveness, and create interactive elements.

With technological advancements, many basic business websites no longer require expensive custom development from scratch. There are various CMS (Content Management Systems) available that allow users to purchase a theme and set up a website with minimal coding knowledge. WordPress is one of the most popular CMS platforms that simplifies this process.

You can check out this article, “Build a Website from Scratch vs. WordPress CMS: Pros & Cons”, to learn more and decide which option suits your needs best.

4. Illustrator

Illustrators create hand-drawn or digital artwork, often used in books, advertising, animations, and branding. Unlike graphic designers, who primarily work with pre-existing visual elements, illustrators produce original artwork from scratch.

5. 3D Designer

3D designers create three-dimensional models and visuals for various applications, including animation, product visualization, architecture, and gaming. Their work involves using specialized software like Blender, Maya, or Cinema 4D.

The profession of 3D designers is actually divided into various specializations, such as modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, and more.

6. Video Editor

Video editors assemble and refine video content, adding effects, transitions, audio, and motion graphics to enhance storytelling. Their work is essential in film production, advertising, social media, and digital marketing.

7. Photographer

Photographers capture high-quality images for various purposes, including personal, commercial, and editorial use. They play a crucial role in visual storytelling, helping brands, businesses, and individuals communicate their messages through compelling imagery.

While hiring a skilled photographer ensures customized and high-quality results, there are also resources available for those who need free, high-resolution images for personal or commercial use.

Websites like Pexels and Unsplash provide a vast collection of royalty-free stock photos contributed by talented photographers worldwide. However, for brands that require unique and exclusive visuals, working with a professional photographer remains the best option.

8. Product Designer

Product designers work on the development of physical or digital products, focusing on aesthetics, usability, and functionality. They often conduct market research, prototyping, and testing to create practical and visually appealing products.

9. Interior Designer

Interior designers focus on optimizing indoor spaces for aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. They work on residential, commercial, or industrial spaces, selecting furniture, colour schemes, materials, and layout designs.

10. Fashion Designer

Fashion designers create clothing, accessories, and footwear. They work with fabrics, colours, and patterns to develop collections that reflect trends, cultural influences, and brand identity.

The Rise of Multimedia Designers in the Digital Age

11. Multimedia Designer

As technology evolves, new design roles emerge to meet digital demands. One of the most versatile roles today is that of a Multimedia Designer (also known as a Digital Media Designer). This profession combines elements of traditional graphic design with modern digital applications, making it highly relevant for businesses in the digital space.

A multimedia designer’s skill set typically includes:

• Graphic Design (branding, marketing materials, social media graphics)
• UI/UX Design (website and app interfaces, wireframing)
• Motion Graphics (animated advertisements, GIFs, video content)
• Web Design (creating website visuals, but not coding)

If you’re looking for a designer who can handle various visual elements in both digital and print media, a multimedia designer might be the perfect fit for your needs.

My Multimedia Design Services

As a Multimedia Designer, I specialize in creating impactful visual content that enhances brand identity and engagement. My services include:

• Branding & Graphic Design – Logo design, business cards, brochures, posters, and more.
• Web Design – A functional, visually stunning website layout tailored to your brand.
• Motion Graphics & Animation – Engaging animations and GIFs for ads, social media, and presentations.
• Marketing Materials – Flyers, catalogues, infographics, and company profiles.

I understand the importance of high-quality visuals in today’s fast-paced digital world. Whether you need branding, marketing materials, or motion graphics, I can help bring your ideas to life.

1. Choose a Lightweight WordPress Theme

Not all themes are created equal. Some come with bloated code, excessive animations, or unnecessary features that slow down your site. I found that switching to a lightweight theme significantly improved my site speed. Look for themes like Astra, GeneratePress, or Neve, which are designed for performance.

I know there are many beautiful themes available, especially on Envato’s ThemeForest. While many theme creators have optimized their themes over the years, there are still some that aren’t well optimised. If you don’t have an extreme demand for aesthetics, the safest option is to choose a lightweight base theme like those I mentioned above, which is built for speed. Then, you can use Elementor or other popular page builders to fine-tune the design as needed.

2. Minimize Unnecessary Plugins

Each plugin you install adds extra scripts, style sheets, and database queries, which can slow down your site. If a feature can be achieved with a simple code snippet instead of a plugin, consider implementing it manually.

During my optimization process, I removed plugins that weren’t essential and replaced some functions with direct code additions. This helped reduce my site’s overall load time.

However, in some cases, having multiple plugins isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For example, installing three plugins that each serve a specific purpose might be more efficient than using one bloated plugin with ten features, of which you only use three. The key is to choose well-optimized plugins that don’t load unnecessary scripts and ensure they are actively maintained by their developers.

3. Optimize Images for Better Performance

Images take up a significant portion of a webpage’s weight. To improve loading speed:

• Use WebP format instead of JPEG or PNG. WebP can reduce file size by at least 50% while maintaining quality.
• Compress images using tools like TinyPNG, ShortPixel, or Smush.
• Implement lazy loading so images load only when they appear in the viewport.

When I first built my website, I had the misconception that my portfolio images had to be super high-resolution to look professional. I worried that any pixelation or quality loss would ruin my work. However, the reality is that most users browse on mobile devices, where tiny details are barely noticeable.

Unless your service requires showcasing intricate details and includes a zooming function, most visitors won’t be able to tell the difference between a large, high-quality image and an optimized version. I strongly recommend letting go of this unnecessary concern—faster loading speeds will enhance user experience far more than ultra-sharp images ever will.

4. Use a Caching Plugin

A caching plugin helps reduce load times by storing static versions of your pages. I tested different cache plugins and found the LiteSpeed Cache to be powerful. However, due to conflicts with one of my plugins that I couldn’t find any alternative, so I switched to WP Fastest Cache.

Both are great choices, just choose the one that best suits your setup and needs.

P.S. Whenever you clear your website cache after making changes, the first visitor to load the page might experience very slow loading times. To prevent this, I recommend pre-running or pre-loading pages after clearing the cache. This ensures that subsequent visitors won’t encounter slow speeds, improving the overall user experience.

5. Utilize a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A CDN stores copies of your website on multiple servers worldwide, allowing users to access your site from the server nearest to them. This reduces load time and server requests. Popular CDN services include Cloudflare and BunnyCDN.

If your target audience is in the same country or region as your server, and you don’t care about visitors from other locations, you can prioritize other optimizations before setting up a CDN.

Generally, most caching plugins have built-in options to help you set up a CDN easily. This makes integration quick and hassle-free without requiring extra plugins or manual configuration.

6. Check Performance with PageSpeed Insights

Google’s PageSpeed Insights is a fantastic tool for analyzing your website’s speed performance. It provides insights into what’s slowing down your site and offers suggestions for improvement.

When I first tested my site, I found high TTFB (Time to First Byte) due to my hosting provider. Upgrading my hosting plan and optimizing database queries significantly reduced this issue.

7. Consider Hosting Performance

Your hosting provider plays a critical role in website speed. If you’re on a shared hosting plan, performance can suffer due to limited resources. Switching to a better hosting plan with more CPU and RAM can make a big difference. I personally recommend trying all the optimizations above before considering switching hosting plans.

Conclusion

Improving your website speed requires a combination of optimizing themes, plugins, images, caching, and hosting. Tools like PageSpeed Insights can help track your progress and identify bottlenecks. By implementing these optimizations, you’ll not only create a better user experience but also boost your site’s SEO ranking.

Feeling overwhelmed by the technical aspects of building and optimizing a WordPress website? Let me help! Check out my WordPress design and optimization services to get a fast, professional, and hassle-free website.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of using free logo makers and see whether they’re the right choice for your business.

1. Popular Free Logo Makers & What They Offer

There are plenty of free logo-making tools available, each with its own strengths and limitations. Here are some of the most commonly used ones:

1️⃣ Canva

🔹 User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
🔹 Wide range of templates but limited customization
🔹 Free to use, but high-quality files require a paid plan

2️⃣ Looka

🔹 AI-powered logo generator
🔹 Generates multiple logo concepts based on your preferences
🔹 Requires payment to download the final design

3️⃣ Hatchful (by Shopify)

🔹 Designed for e-commerce entrepreneurs
🔹 Simple and quick but very basic customization options
🔹 Free download but lacks vector file formats

4️⃣ FreeLogoDesign

🔹 Quick and easy online tool
🔹 Limited font and icon options
🔹 Free low-resolution downloads; high-quality files require payment

These tools are great if you need something fast and free, but do they really serve as a good long-term branding solution?

2. The Appeal of Free Logo Makers

There’s a reason free logo generators are so popular. For new business owners, they offer several advantages:

✅ They’re free or low-cost – When you’re just starting, saving money is crucial. Many tools let you create a basic logo for free, with an option to purchase higher-quality files at a small cost.

✅ Quick and easy – You don’t need design experience. Just enter your business name, select a style, and within minutes, you get a ready-to-use logo.

✅ No commitment – Unlike hiring a designer, using a logo maker requires no contracts or long decision-making processes.

For small projects, hobby businesses, or temporary ventures, free logos might seem like a convenient solution. But are they really the best long-term choice?

3. The Hidden Downsides of Free Logo Makers

While free tools may seem appealing at first, they come with significant limitations:

❌ Lack of Uniqueness

Most free logo makers use templates, which means other businesses might have nearly identical logos. This makes it hard to stand out, and in some cases, it could even lead to legal issues if another company claims ownership of a similar design.

❌ Limited Customization

Even if you find a template you like, customization options are often restricted. You might not be able to adjust spacing, typography, or minor design elements to align with your brand’s personality.

❌ File Quality & Usability Issues

Many free logo makers only provide low-resolution files unless you pay extra. This can be a big problem when you need high-quality branding materials for print, packaging, or website use.

❌ No Professional Guidance

A professionally designed logo isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about strategy. A good designer considers factors like brand positioning, target audience, color psychology, and scalability. Free logo makers lack this expertise.

❌ Future Rebranding Costs

Rebranding is expensive.

Say you’ve created a decent free logo. As your business grows, you’ll likely feel the need to switch to something custom to stay competitive and connect with a wider audience.

If you’ve already used a logo across multiple platforms—packaging, signage, social media, business cards—changing it later can be costly and time-consuming. A well-designed brand identity from the start can prevent this issue.

Rebranding isn’t just about discarding old designs—it’s about evolving while maintaining consistency with your brand’s original essence.

4. When Should You Invest in a Professional Logo?

If your business is just a personal project or a short-term experiment, a free logo may work just fine. But if you’re serious about long-term growth, investing in a professionally designed logo is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Professional design ensures:

🔹 Uniqueness & brand recognition – No more generic templates; your logo is designed just for you.
🔹 Consistency across all platforms – Whether for web, print, or social media, you’ll receive the right file formats.
🔹 Scalability & future-proofing – Your logo will remain effective even as your brand expands.

5. Conclusion: What’s the Right Choice for You?

✅ If you need a quick and temporary logo for a side-project, free tools can be useful.
✅ But if you want your brand to grow and make a lasting impression, a professionally designed logo is a worthwhile investment.

Many business owners assume hiring a designer is costly, but that’s not always the case. You don’t need to spend thousands to get a high-quality logo.

At Vowg Studio, our Essential Package starts at just RM560—including a professionally designed logo, plus social media profile graphics to ensure brand consistency.

🔹 Avoid generic designs and ensure uniqueness
🔹 Get expert design insights instead of relying on templates
🔹 A complete branding solution, saving you time and effort

Thinking about branding your business the right way? Let’s chat!

📌 Check out my portfolio: Portfolio Design
📧 Get in touch: vowgstudio@gmail.com

Final Thoughts

Free logo makers have their place, but they should be used with caution. If your goal is long-term business success, investing in a professional logo saves you from costly rebranding mistakes later on.

Are you currently using a free logo maker, or do you prefer working with a designer? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 😊