Website help

[dhelfrich]

Hi -
You ladies have been so helpful with other things and I am feeling really discouraged. I used to spend all of my free time making things and lately I just cant bring myself to make anything.
I started my website about a month ago and have had no orders. I have had over 80 hits - which I know some are friends and family just checking things out. I have had one family member order on the phone and that's been it. I've had friends say they plan on ordering, but then nothing. I am in a couple boutiques and have gotten a great reaction locally but am wondering if anyone has any tips to make people order off of my site. I was thinking of posting a 10% off grand opening sale. I also want to add bow sets. I have a few summer trips planned so it's hard to spend a lot of time adding new stuff - that's also why I haven't gone the craft fair route.
My site is www.littlebugbowtique.com
This was hard for me to post - I feel like in many ways I don't measure up to some of the other sites I've seen but I am still new at this.
Thanks,
Danielle

[zillawilla]

I have another business with a website, and that has been slow as well. It is a nationally known chain, too. The best thing for me has been word of mouth and getting out in the public meeting people. Unfortunately, I don't have any little girls to put bows in their hair!

[zillawilla]

Cute website though!!

[geboraco@sbcglobal.net]

I offer local pickup on my site, so that local people will still order from there. I let people know that is how I want the orders made, and then I can drop it off or have them pick it up. Maybe require it of all people you know that order from you, given that they have a computer.

[samsmombeth]

I have had a website since October & haven't had a sale yet. I have sold things on etsy & done well at craft fairs though. It is really hard to get the website going. I am getting hundreds of hits weekly & am getting very frustrated. I truly don't understand the problem. I hear a lot of other people talking about how well their site is doing so I know people make sales off their site.
Don't give up, there are lots of us in the dame boat as you are in.
Beth

[creativekiddos]

Hello and welcome
I have some suggestions to improve your website and sales.

make all your photo's the same size
focus on the product in your photo and remove the back ground if possible or
take a clearer photo.
Have your ribbon chart re-made - some of your photo's are morphed.
Offer more products like ribbon sculptures, headbands with flowers on them, beanie hats with flowers, clips with crochet flowers etc. I would also try to tell some bowbands - ( headbands with flowers and bows ).

To market your store, ebay is a great source, local consignment stores and the Chambers. By some business card holders and fill them with cards and ask local kids related stores if you can leave them there. You can offer them a some free products if you want to for each 10 sales you receive if needed.
Many local newspapers offer small ads you can place for the year on a contract for a low price. I use to sell ads for that were 2 inches x 2 inches for only $32.00 a week that reached over 200,000 homes. The lower the circulation of the product the lower you should be paying for your weekly ad.

One time a while ago I asked my local daycare if I could have a small display on the counter for a few hours to sell stuff I made and they let me. There are lots of things you can do if you try to think outside the box.

Another thing that worked well for me way pay per click advertising.

[dhelfrich]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried to fix the background issue on my photos and I can do it, it just takes FOREVER. It's something I plan on fixing when I'm done my summer travels. Thanks for the tips with advertising. I agree that I need to add a bigger range of products.