BellaOnline Forums Career Small Office/Home Office Sell Your Products Online

I am going to buy pens for our business, like what lisa does on the gatherings.

Candy, you can certainly take deposits via paypal, right?

And, you can actually sell online, too, I think. I so prefer ordering online when I can! Even if you have customized orders, you can have them essentially complete the order form online, approve it, pay you via paypal, and there you go.

I mean, there's only so much you can put on there, right? You could take photos of the various options and then build the order form around whatever option they choose.

Look at this site to see how they do it: BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

Jilly, just curious, why ink pens? And, are you getting the light show ones, too?

i like pens. maybe the light ones.

Oh, okay. I just wondered. I love pens, too.

Deb,

I can only accept Paypal via email. My web designer said that she could put 25 buttons my site for Paypal, but I chose not to go with that plan because all of my work is custom. I do have a few photos on my site to give people an idea of what we can do for them.

I really would like to be able to sell online. I have countless people who see my work say, "oh I wish I had known about you before--I went online and ordered these..." UGH!! Very frustrating to hear.

So, you are right in the sense that most people would just prefer to order online becasdue it's easier.

Thank you for the link--I keep a runnng list of my competitors and I am familiar with this vendor.

Well, you've given me a lot to think about. Back to the drawing board.

Candy Wrapz

Hi, CandyWrapz,

I took a look at your site and I would suggest you put loads more photos there. I suggest a pic of everything you make. At least one, and more if you have several "creative" options. You have to show people.

Here's the thing about the "customization": It's great that you offer it and for a few people, it's a big selling point. But, most people just want to buy "off the rack". Everyone is time-cruched and busy and they want you, as the promo item expert, to make it easy and quick for them to buy your product.

So, your job is to tell people not just "about" your products, but tell them and show them the many, many ways they can take advantage of them.

The "customization" can be their names/logos/whatever, but you can show them the different ideas so they can say "Oh, that's a great idea!" and order your product.

So, pick a target market and brainstorm ways you can create products for them.

For instance: weddings

Options: shower favors, wedding favors,

Some random Ideas:

"I Do", names & wedding date
Couple's name (Mr & Mrs Joshua Smith) & new address instead of At-home cards
Names, wedding date & a happiness or love quote
Lifesavers "for better or for worse, John and Janet, June 12, 2009"

So, you'd make up a sample of these & put them on a "Wedding Favors" page on your website.

Ditto for any other "target market" you have.

For dentists, you can do a whole page of different sayings/graphics on sugarless gum. Or floss or whatever is in your product line that would be suitable. You might even find some success with using candy and having something like "Eat More Candy--it's My Job Security" Dr. John Smith, Dentist. Or "Don't Floss! Your dentist needs the Business!"

And, so on. The thing is that people buy not just great products, but great ideas.

And I do recommend that maybe you do some more work on this type of "marketing" and then definitely do online ordering options. I think you'd see quite a big increase in your sales.

Wow!!

Deb, you are AWESOME!!! Thank you so much!! And thank you for checking out my website--I did not create it so I will have to work with the designer and do all the things you suggested. Great ideas!!

You have opened my eyes to the possibilities--When I started this business customization was what set me apart from my competitors. BUT, you are absolutely right about the online shopping habits of most consumers. It's time for me to catch up with the times!!

Okay, now I can focus and see where this takes me.

I cannot thank you enough. Your practical ideas and common sense guidance are immeasureable. And I promise to do everything you've suggested. I keep a weekly Marketing-To-Do list so I will be very busy for a while.

Cheers!

Candy

Candy that is a nice start for your website. I would add lots more photos of your products, and a bit closer. make a gallery of your options and show your products in use at various settings like weddings and parties and business retreats.

Thank you Jilly!!!

This is great feedback.

Excellent ideas. I plan to contact my web designer on Monday.

Thank you so much!!

Candy