I have a web site called Catering To Your Needs. The url address is written as cateringtoyourneeds.com. I've had it about a year now. I built it myself and searched out real quality products with what I think are VERY COMPETIVE prices. My products are guaranteed and some even come with a 25 year to lifetime guaranty. I've paid marketing fees, signed up with all the major search engines and tried to make my site as professional as it can be. I ship my merchandise quickly and also respond quickly to any questions. I've seen many fakes out there, but I am the REAL DEAL. My problem is I'm not getting orders. My site isn't even paying for itself. I see that up to 1500 people a month is looking at my site but only about 1% or less are buying anything. I feel I've invested too much money in it to quit, but I can't keep paying all my fees and not be making any money back. Can you PLEASE look at it for me and offer some suggestions on what I'm doing wrong or how to make it better?
2006-07-24 06:39:00 · 11 answers · asked by divaxl 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Have you thought about advertising in magazines such as Taste of Home, or Good Housekeeping? I know that my mom (and probably more people your site is geared toward) would be more inclined to see your website advertised in those locations.
Most people that are going to be searching for cooking supplies are going to be in slightly older generations, those that are not as accustomed to using the internet to find things. They rely more on what they see on television or read in their magazines.
Good luck!
2006-07-24 06:45:42 · answer #1 · answered by MandyT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That "Times Roman" font or whatever you have there really looks bad. Try "Arial", it looks more professional.
Your graphics (the MasterCard, Discover, etc.) are bad as well. They look like they've been messed around with in Photoshop and chopped up.
Move your navigation buttons to the left the way most websites have it or even at the top. Rarely do you really see a good looking site with nav buttons to the right.
Marketing-wise, print advertising would definitely help. Try to obtain a targeted list from a company that does that sort of thing. I don't know of any first hand but I did provide a Yahoo link below or just type in "targeted marketing mailing list" with Google or another search engine to see what you can find. After getting such list, try coming up with some postcards and mailing them out.
2006-07-24 06:52:31 · answer #2 · answered by ammy2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you asking your existing customers for their opinions?
There's no kind of validation for your products, it's all just claims of value without support. How about some feedback from where you've sold?
1500 a month isn't very much traffic. You're failing to convert because your overall presentation is poor. The appearance comes across as "cookie cutter site" to me.
The welcome is all well and good but is that what people want to see when they get to your site? Does Sears thank people for showing up? No, they go straight for the offering.
You may need some help from a copywriter to jazz up your offerings.
Good luck.
2006-07-24 07:25:56 · answer #3 · answered by Michael Myklin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally the word professional used on your page and the brands you list don't hold any weight. If I am going to buy ANYTHING I want to know the brand and the reputation of what I am looking for, and I want to have some sense of familiarity with the product. This is even more important in an on line shopping experience as I can't hold or touch or see what I am buying. Since I don't have that recognition up front, my response is to keep looking, as in another site. Just my personal impression.
2006-07-24 06:50:02 · answer #4 · answered by EG345 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's human nature to appear. You did not imply to. You are a male. So lengthy as you are conveniently watching with a slip of the attention then you're now not doing something unsuitable. It's blameless and you're now not going from your strategy to appear. Lots of ladies over react or simply don't comprehend how hormones paintings. Forgive your self and take a few psychology publications to be taught extra approximately human nature and you'll now not consider on my own approximately it anymore. If you already know that you are now not harming others and do not supposed to damage others then simply forgive your self already. Go uncover a few events you experience, take walks, meditate! You'll be best.
2016-08-28 18:48:18 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's an old cliche: "Great marketing can not fix a bad business."
I'm not _positive_ but I think you may need to re-think or re-position your approach, or possibly just close the business.
Look at the economics of it - what's your average gross profit on a sale? And assume you convert 2% of visitors, which is twice what you're doing now, and probably above average for your niche - how much traffic will you need to make your monthly nut? And how much will that traffic cost - in terms of ad fees, labor etc?
So... what are realistic numbers you have to hit before you're "profitable enough" ?
You see what I'm getting at? How do you know that this is an economically viable business, in its current form?
If you wanted to hire me (which I am not suggesting) I would make you prove that it's a feasible model before we even started talking about marketing.
Good luck,
Scott
2006-07-24 08:48:06 · answer #6 · answered by scott.braden 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The design of the site isn’t great. Get rid of the finger and the spaces in the nav. Use only one color on the main text and make the text smaller. Bring up the pictures of your products... as for marketing try making myspce pages and flickr pages (all free) for your products just to get the name out there.
Some sites that may help you with design: http://www.containerstore.com
2006-07-24 06:50:54 · answer #7 · answered by M N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one look...and your website looks quite outdated! i don't like the usage of that common font and color that much. i didnt like the usage of hyperlinks there on the first page either.
i think you shld get some web-designer to make it more ORGANISED. or u can do it urself too.
make a separate "Introduction" section abt ur website in attractive fonts and applying a lovely, faded background. try 2 avoid using any links or hyperlinks in this section...mention ur name and the company's name at the bottom of the intro page.
see, i've a little knowledge in building web-sites. but i'm not a professional at all. actually...you know what? i wud love to help you out with ur web-site,i have lots of ideas in my head regarding it. these kinda things excite me to hell. her's my id- rubber_rage_me@yahoo.com. explaining everything here wud b difficult right now.
2006-07-24 07:08:07 · answer #8 · answered by Bluestock 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the website looks good...
I don't know without researching, but what is the industry average for visitors who buy? Is 1% average? Maybe that's above average.....something to think about.
As another poster said, you might need some marketing. Have you done ads (maybe Good Housekeeping has a website to advertise on...otherwise, look for similar places that your target market goes to and get your name there)
2006-07-24 08:09:28 · answer #9 · answered by Dwight D J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
offer something that nobody else has.
why should i buy your products, when i can get them locally cheaper? also make your font larger on your web page.
good luck.
2006-07-24 06:51:32 · answer #10 · answered by G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋