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You Are Worth It
Newcomer
Joined: 31 Oct 2009
Posts: 8
Location: South Africa
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 Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:06 am Post subject: Your opinion please? |
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Hi all! So glad I have found this forum!!
I have just started out in lingerie sales and built a website for it. Would love everyone's opinions on our products? Please, if you have a moment would you visit our site?
All input welcome be it good or bad. 
Many thanks to all.
_________________
Kind regards
Michele
http://stunninglingerie.wordpress.com/ |
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PetiteBelle
Lingerie lover
Joined: 26 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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Hello
I just wanted to say well done on your start up!
I had a peek at your site and the only thing I would say to do different is the pictures. As I don't think the dummies used(the flat ones mainly) show off what your selling. Possibly the supplier may have images you could use? Otherwise I would say it would be worth geting a model in for a day-even just a friend who you know would ejoy doing it. You doing need a fabulous setting, just to get a better idea of the lingerie itself.
Hope that helps, good luck with the venture!!
PBx
_________________
It's better to be looked over, than overlooked. Handmade Lingerie http://loveasifind.webs.com |
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Kelly
Co-Writer
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 1338
Location: Kentucky, USA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with different pictures. Also, it isn't clear to me how to purchase items. And there seems to be no information - sizing, brand, measurements, material, etc. And honestly, setting it up with wordpress doesn't seem professional to me. I think it would be a good investment for you to hire a webdesigner who can make you a proper webpage.
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Lingerie is the poetry in a woman's wardrobe.
-Ellen Lewis |
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Lowprofile
Lingerie lover
Joined: 15 Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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| And honestly, setting it up with wordpress doesn't seem professional to me. I think it would be a good investment for you to hire a webdesigner who can make you a proper webpage. |
Wow, good eye Kelly. I am impressed you noticed that. Kelly is absolutely correct. Wordpress is for amateurs, not professional online retailers who want to maintain an image. It is worth paying more for a professionally designed site that uses the 'strict' (x)HTML for the site 'content' and CSS to style it. Usability is HUGE as well.
If a potential buyer has to wait on long page load times or pictures that are slow to load they may go elsewhere. PM me if you have any web site design/development questions. I have a fairly impressive portfolio.
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Kelly
Co-Writer
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 1338
Location: Kentucky, USA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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haha thanks Lowprofile
You Are Worth It, I don't want to be harsh - but you asked for good and bad and I would just hate for any lingerie retailer to go under because of something you have the power to change!
_________________
Lingerie is the poetry in a woman's wardrobe.
-Ellen Lewis |
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You Are Worth It
Newcomer
Joined: 31 Oct 2009
Posts: 8
Location: South Africa
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:47 am Post subject: |
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| PetiteBelle wrote: |
Hello
I just wanted to say well done on your start up!
I had a peek at your site and the only thing I would say to do different is the pictures. As I don't think the dummies used(the flat ones mainly) show off what your selling. Possibly the supplier may have images you could use? Otherwise I would say it would be worth geting a model in for a day-even just a friend who you know would ejoy doing it. You doing need a fabulous setting, just to get a better idea of the lingerie itself.
Hope that helps, good luck with the venture!!
PBx |
Thank you Petite Belle! Appreciate your comments and input. Your idea of us getting a live model to show off our lingerie is definitely in the pipeline. As we are just starting out cash flow is imperative but yes, thanks for confirming that a live model would certainly be a much better way to show off our stuff!
_________________
Kind regards
Michele
http://stunninglingerie.wordpress.com/ |
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You Are Worth It
Newcomer
Joined: 31 Oct 2009
Posts: 8
Location: South Africa
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:51 am Post subject: |
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| Kelly wrote: |
| I agree with different pictures. Also, it isn't clear to me how to purchase items. And there seems to be no information - sizing, brand, measurements, material, etc. And honestly, setting it up with wordpress doesn't seem professional to me. I think it would be a good investment for you to hire a webdesigner who can make you a proper webpage. |
Hi Kelly, many thanks your input. Yes, I know Wordpress is not the best option but it is all we can do right now. As things pick up we will certainly hire a web designer. Looking very forward to that day. I fully realize the importance of it.
Re sizing, measurements, material etc. All that is in the process of being uploaded. We started this business mid October only and have so much to do!! But that is certainly No. 1 on the list!! Thanks too for your comment re purchasing procedures. Why I didn't think of that I really don't know!! Will upload soonest.
_________________
Kind regards
Michele
http://stunninglingerie.wordpress.com/ |
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You Are Worth It
Newcomer
Joined: 31 Oct 2009
Posts: 8
Location: South Africa
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| Lowprofile wrote: |
| Quote: |
| And honestly, setting it up with wordpress doesn't seem professional to me. I think it would be a good investment for you to hire a webdesigner who can make you a proper webpage. |
Wow, good eye Kelly. I am impressed you noticed that. Kelly is absolutely correct. Wordpress is for amateurs, not professional online retailers who want to maintain an image. It is worth paying more for a professionally designed site that uses the 'strict' (x)HTML for the site 'content' and CSS to style it. Usability is HUGE as well.
If a potential buyer has to wait on long page load times or pictures that are slow to load they may go elsewhere. PM me if you have any web site design/development questions. I have a fairly impressive portfolio.
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Hi Lowprofile, thanks too for your comments. See my reply to Kelly. As soon as we are cash flow ready I will definitely contact you!!! PS: did our pics take long to load when you visited the site?
_________________
Kind regards
Michele
http://stunninglingerie.wordpress.com/ |
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You Are Worth It
Newcomer
Joined: 31 Oct 2009
Posts: 8
Location: South Africa
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:54 am Post subject: |
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| Kelly wrote: |
haha thanks Lowprofile
You Are Worth It, I don't want to be harsh - but you asked for good and bad and I would just hate for any lingerie retailer to go under because of something you have the power to change! |
No problem Kelly! Right now I appreciate the bad more than the good!
_________________
Kind regards
Michele
http://stunninglingerie.wordpress.com/ |
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Lowprofile
Lingerie lover
Joined: 15 Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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| As soon as we are cash flow ready I will definitely contact you!!! |
I deffinately understand. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of that and that some 'hack' wanna be developer sold you on his awesome wordpress built web site. There are a lot of shady supposed web site developers who will mis-lead potential buyers.
Anybody can learn to use a CMS. That does not make you a web site designer/developer. It just means you can find your way around a CMS or WYSIWYG and copy/paste. Just looking out for you. I have much respect for a beginning business owner. I deffinately know how hard it is as a new business owner.
I only use (X)HTML 'strict' and all the styling is done with CSS (cascading style sheets). For an example of what can be done with CSS visit http://www.mezzoblue.com/zengarden/alldesigns/ Good luck to you. |
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Lowprofile
Lingerie lover
Joined: 15 Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: |
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| Oh, and when you find some adequate models for your lingerie, I would be more than willing to be your personal photographer as well |
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Cupid
Lingerie addict
Joined: 15 Oct 2007
Posts: 65
Location: Isle of Man (UK)
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| Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:40 am Post subject: |
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Please don't take this as being negative, but there are some fundamental issues you really need to address before you get too far down the line.
You may be best looking at some of the hosted e-commerce packages available, and ditching the wordpress site altogether. You have probably spent a lot of time putting together the site you have, but you do need to get the basics right from the start as it will only hinder you in the long run.
There are many hosting packages where you can pay a relatively small amount per month for a fully functioning e-commerce site based on a selection of templates which are easy to adjust to your requirements, and to which it is easy to add products, amend, etc. Any decent e-commerce hosting company will be able to intergrate with credit card processing companies so that you can take payments etc, and will enable you to carry out "SEO" (Search Engine Optimization) so that your pages can actually be found by customers on google etc.
Once you have managed to establish a reasonably profitable business, you could then look at maybe getting a bespoke design from a web site designer. But ask around for recommendations and prices, and also (verificable) examples of their work.
The wordpress site you have at the moment is clearly designed for a blog rather than a shop. The html code confirms that, as does the comments form on the bottom of the page.
It takes so little to put a customer off, so you need to have everything right.
I don't know of any e-commerce hosting companies in South Africa, but you could either do a google search or better still buy a computer magazine with lots of adverts.
As to the pictures, many manufacturers will produce their own, and you could ask them for permission to use theirs. Alternatively, a live model - but take a lot of care with the photos - nice clean and clear backgrounds (preferably plain white or black, so the products stand out) and well lit. It is the photo which will sell an item.
Also, it is not clear whether you are aiming at the retail market or the wholesale market. Your banner is for "Stunning lingerie at wholesale prices" suggesting a bargain retail site, but the prices are then listed as bulk prices. You need to be one or the other, but the set up on a proper, hosted e-commerce site will enable you to have clear pricing.
I know the above sounds all very negative, but it is intended to be constructive. It can be really rewarding having your own business - and it will take a lot of time and effort, but it is worth it if you can stick with it.
Cupid
http://www.cupidlingerie.co.uk |
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