| Author |
Message |
|
|
Vicky
Just Joined
Joined: 08 Jul 2004
Posts: 3
Location: upstate New York
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 6:30 pm Post subject: Is my web site good for my business? |
|
|
Hi All,
I started my own pet portrait business one year ago and I have not had a single customer. I've only had one enquiry. So I did a free web site and put an ad wtih the URL in a small but international magazine... Several months have passed and results of mag ad and distributing my business cards has been almost no hits to web site. So my problem is failure to target customers and inability to interest those who do reach my site.
Can anybody help me see where I'm going wrong? Is it a mistake to have a free web site? Does this not inspire confidence in potential customers? What about the fact that I don't accept credit cards? ... Is the artwork not strong enough? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Vicky
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Vishal P. Rao
Forum Admin
Joined: 02 May 2004
Posts: 112
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Vicky,
Your question itself contains the answers.
| Quote: | | So I did a free web |
Free websites are not going to do any good to your business. Ask yourself this first: Are you going to do business with a website that's listed on a free server and contains the message: This website is hosted free by...
Think about it! How are you going to build credibility with a free website. To start a business online, your first step would be to create a professional looking website and it's not going to cost you a fortune. A domain name at Godaddy will cost $8.95. Web hosting around $3-5/month. And finally the web designing part. You can hire some web designer from freelance sites like elance.com or guru.com. It's not going to cost to a fortune either.
You can also build your site using ready-made templates.
| Quote: | | and put an ad wtih the URL in a small but international magazine... Several months have passed and results of mag ad and distributing my business cards has been almost no hits to web site. So my problem is failure to target customers and inability to interest those who do reach my site. |
There is lot of misunderstanding among new internet business owners that once you build a website, visitors will start pouring in. It doesn't happen that way. Marketing is a slow and steady process and you need to work on it regularly. It's not something which you do it once and forget it.
To start with, there are two basic ways you can get visitors to your site -
1) Using paid listings (Google and Overture)
2) Getting a higher ranking in search engines
If you have a good advertising budget and less time, go for the first one. If you have more time and less budget then 2nd option would be the ideal one. However, you need lot of patience and hard work to get a high search engine ranking. But it's definitely doable and not rocket science.
One critical factor that'll decide how your site ranks on search engines is the number of reciprocal links to your sites.
| Quote: | | What about the fact that I don't accept credit cards? |
You need to accept credit cards on your site! You can sign up for a free PayPal account and immediately start accepting credit cards on your site.
Finally, there is a good market for pet portraits. Go to google and search for "pet portraits". There are over 250,000 search results and also sponsored listings.
Best wishes,
Vishal P. Rao
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vicky
Just Joined
Joined: 08 Jul 2004
Posts: 3
Location: upstate New York
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 1:45 pm Post subject: Thank you |
|
|
|
Vishal many thanks for your advice. You have given me a lot I can do, to get on the track to really having a business. Thanks for including the link to your article. Wow,I'm glad I found this site! Vicky
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jaison
Enthusiast
Joined: 11 Jul 2004
Posts: 17
Location: North Plains, Or
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 3:56 am Post subject: Additional Pointers |
|
|
Vishal was right on everything. I just want to include that internet advertising can get very expensive quickly. Define your niche market before advertising via the internet!!! I suggest you start with your local community and grow out wards. You'll save a lot of money and learn what to do and not to do.
Just my two cents!
Jaison
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vicky
Just Joined
Joined: 08 Jul 2004
Posts: 3
Location: upstate New York
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject: re additional pointers |
|
|
Jaison,
thank you for your input. I do need an affordable way to find my niche market .... local community and grow outwards? .... I live in a small, rural county and the local paper -- they say they have 100,000 readers a week-- is more expensive than the magazine my ad is currently in (plus, that magazine is specifically geared toward animal lovers). If I did run an ad in the local paper's classifieds (the choices for headings would be either "articles for sale' or "dogs-cats-pets"), how long of a trial should I give it? With the magazine ad, I basically have to decide whether one year with no results was a long enough trial. I don't want to be somebody who quits and gives up easily or is impatient but I do want to learn from other people's experiences because I believe some mistakes that are going to be too expensive for me could be avoided.
So I'm open to more suggestions/tips, especially about starting local.
Vicky
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jason Gazaway
Enthusiast
Joined: 05 May 2004
Posts: 24
Location: Marion Iowa, USA
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 7:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Vicky 
I have some good news for you girl!
I have found your very first customer for you..
Email me for the details at info AT homebasedbusinessindex DOT com
Remember to replace AT with @ and DOT with .
I believe they want two portraits as well 
Warmest Regards,
Jason Gazaway
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gobala Krishnan
Pro
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 58
Location: Malaysia
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 7:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Vicky,
I am not knowledgeable in the pet industry but I do know that is big. My sister spend tons of cash for dog shampoo, mints, medication, vitamins etc etc. I don't spend half as much on myself!
Maybe you could scout for a joint venture with pet stores. With every pet they sell, ask them to include your brochure for your services. If they need more info they can go to your web site (which you can creat according to Vishal's recommendations). You could pay them or split profits.
Ask them also if you could do a live demonstration at their store. If you are confident about your skills, tell them that it would attract more customers for them. On your part help them to make their pet store stand out from the rest by adding value to their business. Give out some free stuff at your demos. Put www.yourwebsitename.com on everything.
Let the kids try out painting potraits. Get their parents phone number, email and name for further contact. Have a lucky draw and the winner gets a free potrait. Keep those names and email addresses.
I'm not too sure if you have done all this b4. I feel that PPC and Search engines are not always the best way to get traffic. In your case you offer a unique service which needs to be domonstrated. Once your customers understand the benefit of your service they are more likely to buy from your site.
Hope that helps.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gobala Krishnan
Pro
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 58
Location: Malaysia
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 8:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
I forgot to include:
When they get to your site make sure you collect as much info about them in an acceptable manner. Have:
1) Opt-in lists - your newsletter
2) "Send this page to a friend" function
3) Cute pet postcards / greeting cards they can send to their friends with your URL and tag line on it.
If Vishal allows it maybe you can put your site on this thread for a review
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
