Why Am I Not Selling

[bubbee21]

Hello all,

Can use some advice. In my opinion, my website (www.bubbeesbeads.org) looks great and has lots of extra stuff (like music). My prices are fair. My S&H is thru paypal. I am on four search engines so far. I have linked with at least 10 sites that sell beads, etc. I have issued three press releases and told everyone I know to spread the word.

Its been almost two weeks that I am up and running and I haven't made a dime. IS THIS PAR FOR THE COURSE? Is there something I did not do? Should I offer something for free with a higher level purchase? Perhaps the competition is too strong? Is my product not unique enough?

Any advise would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks, Mindy

[VodaHost]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

Give it time, people a take a while to trust new sites, also you need to get a bit of traffic before you can expect to make any sales.

[Mook25]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

As with any online business, as vodahost says it takes time to get noticed being a newbie. Look at it from your customers point of view. Would you buy a Tv fro a site you do not know of or would you buy from a site you know well. I know you don't sell tv's but it's the same principle. Unfortunatly with the amount of scams going on on the internet it will take potential customers awhile to trust you. You could also try some of the following:

• Try linking to more websites that deal with your expertise
• Write some articles on your products and submit to ezine websites
• Offer low introductory offers so that people will be more inclined to buy as is a low price and if the site were dodgy they've not lost out on too much and tell them the prices will be rising after a certain date. If people like your product and you offer them good customer service during this introductory offer they will be back for more.

Most of all be patient as it can take some time. I was going for 9 months before i got a single sale, it's all about customer service and customer satisfaction so keep going and all will fall in to place eventually.

HTH

[lovethatbluegrassmusic]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

I know the feeling ! However, I liken this web stuff to visiting the
casinos. Not a lot of money here, but a heck of a lot of fun!

[bubbee21]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

THANK YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH. You validated exactly my thoughts on the issue. Nice to know I'm on the right path.

Thx again, Mindy

[Bethers]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

Mindy, it takes lots of time - and you are in a very, very compeititive market. (An example of how competitive - if you search in Google for beaded jewelry - then are selecting among over 7 million sites who are competing for that term!) Some people will say that it takes 100-300 unique visitors per DAY to see sales. That means a lot of clicks to your site.

I suggest you keep working on getting links back to you - as you need the votes of confidence that gives to the se's.

Also, just because they've indexed you - doesn't mean you've been around long enough or are considered "worthy" enough in their eyes that they'll be "recommending" you when search terms are entered that include your search phrases.

I also suggest you get rid of all underlining of text on your pages that aren't links to other pages. People now expect underlining to be a link and that might confuse them (well, will confuse a lot of people).

Yes, you have a really good start - but it could take quite a while and much more effort - to see results.

[Vasili]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

I assume you decided to establish your website with a history of sales by another means first, right? (You were already selling to other stores, friends, hobbists, etc.) If so, you should return to your "core customer base" to swing any further purchses to your new means: your website! (this will immediately create some of the 'hard-rank' you so desperately need)

THIS is where you might structure an enticement of an offer, for "Preferred Customers" if you will. Offer previous customers an incentive, say 15% off with a minimum purchase.
>>> Spin this off into a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) program to support transactional volume (conversion): Have customers "register" to qualify for regular discounts, usually based on a tier according to the value of purchase. For example, you could offer New Customers 20% off thier first order of at least....say....$20 minimum purchase, and thereafter a minimum of 15% off subsequent purchases under a $50 threshold, and 20% off all purchases over $50.
:: This creates a general INCENTIVE to: 1. become associated with your enterprises; 2. "intend"/plan to purchase from your company (longer personal "exposure" of your products and company in the mind builds credibility and conversion metrics); 3. re-visit and cross-promote (usually, customers of this genre will tell their friends and suggest your site as a resource for them also.

To ellicit new unique vistors to your site, you may think about traditional marketing and reciprocol marketing as two effective means to affordably generate the hard-metrics you should be seeking. The first suggestion is pretty straight forward: post flyers, notes (whatever) in your local fabric stores, markets, flea markets, even an inexpensive classified ad in a hobby or other relevant magazine (i.e. FREE BEADS & SUPPLIES! Unique, Custom Beads & More Free With Minimum Purchase www.mysite.com - - hinting at your "Rewards" program). The second is by sharing links online with complimentary sites (the thread is well-discussed here at VodaTalk Forum). You can't be content to think that just because you are online you are excused from making efforts to promote yourself....

There are visible and invisible requirements to building success online, and thankfully most only require your time or cleverness to implement. You might also consider particpating in the VodaHits SEO program. This will allow you to learn firsthand the intracacies of SEO by participation (unlike other services that cost far more), and what you learn and discover are principles that you can further develop throughout your entire online expereince.

When it comes down to it, you must remember that an online business is subject to the same parameters of any brick-and-mortar business if it is to emerge and become successful: "Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan!" Without a website plan, your site would present terribly, wouldn't it? So you must also have a proper Business plan (even a simplified one is better than none!) if you hope to address all the details as you look to founding a successful venture. Remember the basics: funding, time management, marketing/promotion, asset management (overhead, fixed/variable costs, etc.), and CRM.

It's never too late to start, but it is critical to assuring a future. And, upon completion, you will find your expectations more reasonable and your results measurable according to your plan - you won't ask why, but what next?

[VodaHost]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

Bethers,

I am very impressed with your SEO knowledge, It looks like you have done lots of homework on the topic.

[Karen Mac]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

*****,

Beth is very good and teaches me all the time. We both moderate and PREACH it daily on a forum that does nothing but ONLINE stores. We often buddy up on it because we often read and research different places for different things. Its never ending. One thing we both preach constantly is that there is NO MAGIC solution. Dont buy into programs that have to call you up on the phone to solicit your business. The good seo's are busy helping customers and dont have time to solicit your business as they have more than they can possibly keep up with. If it sounds too good to be true and costs the mortgage on your home...THEN RUNNNNNNN!

Karen

[Bethers]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

Thank you very much, *****.

In my corporate life, I was sent to training on SEO for our businesses. I didn't then know how to build the site - but would then sit in with the designers and fight with them to get the SEO right. Many designers then - and too many still today - go for the great design and don't think at all about what makes it work. And without the "bones" the most beautiful site will fail.

I enjoy working with Karen, who I met through our other forum - and after I came to VH - she shortly followed. Have to spread the word about good places! She's my mentor on lots of technical stuff - and we both try to keep up on all the SEO information - which can be a pretty daunting task. But I love it and am glad to help here anyway I can.

[Sadain]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

I dont know if this has been brought up or not, but Advertising is the Key. Do a search on free classifieds, and there are many sites that offer Advertising space.

[lost-angel]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

its been only 2 weeks. If running a business was that easy every one would be the boss. Gotta give it way more time than 2 weeks. Come back in 2-6 months... 2-6 months is a better time frame. when you first start a business you'll be running it for less than minimum wage... Get a SSL if you are accepting CC's... post a money back (return) policy that is clear as a sunny day. Adsense And Yahoo are a must, in my opinion... I am pretty sure Beads Keywords will cost about .05 per click, if you smoke ciggeretes, stop smoking and apply that to your daily ad budget:
$5 per day at $.05 CPC advertising = 100 potential customers per day.

And I know before I purchase anything online I :
1. check for complaints about website by googling complaint+website name
2. check to see how long website has been around... and if I found that the website has only been around 2 weeks, I wouldnt order until time online increased... I always go to alexa to check time website has been up and running

[lawnman777]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

most yahoo pay per clicks are 10 cents minimum and those usually don't get much response. pay per click gets people to my site , but no ones buying. You can go broke getting traffic that has no value. As for being a new site I'm not so sure the average buyer checks google or alexa before they buy. I could be wrong but I think if a site looks professional, regular web buyers will buy if it is something they want. I do. One things for sure is is aint as easy as all the "buy my web market program" make it seem. It can be very discouraging. But I ain't giving up!

[Vasili]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

Selling online is just as detailed as selling "brick and mortar."
Most websites evaporate just as quickly as they appear, unlike real-world businesses: entering a real-world business requires preparation, planning, and acumen to a determinable level.

Despite all the little suggestions, tricks, and tips, if one does not have a solid business plan along with a website plan, no amount of "webbie knowledge" will help.

Planning everything from decor (design) to hours of operation (functionality), from store layout (cart, or product presentation) to advertising (promotion) each play a critical part in establishing a business model that is to function as a business. Most webbies forget that real-world businesses require capital in significant resources, whereas websites can be produced with little investment. Unfortunately, most online businesses fail to invest cognizance as well.


In My Opinion, of course!

[Bethers]

Re: Why Am I Not Selling

Lawman, if PPC isn't giving you a 2% or BETTER return on investment - then you need to stop using it and find out why not. Did you research the keywords? Is the site professional and ready to sell?

PPC is very expensive if all the homework isn't done.