thegadget started this topic @ 14:43 on 06/11/2004
Hi
My website has been up about a month now and after only having 1 sale, i have decided something needs to be done about it. (www.thegadget.co.uk)
Firstly i need to get Worldpay sorted. However, i will also need a checkout/basket system. I have no/little html knowledge and would want to use the checkout system within my current site. No mass redesignings. The system would have to be able to store all the products so that when there is a price change, i just need to change the list, and not make a new product with a new price. Also a facility where i can see if people have items in their basket would be useful?
Any help? Advice etc?
On a side note, i am also looking for a supplier of products for my site. Anything that will sell. I am looking at all avenues to realise why i am failing.
Any help greatly appreciated
James Nixon
RE: Website Help Needed
Ian J | 06/11/2004 03:59 PM
I am no help on the web development side as I know nothing about it but I did notice that whoever wrote the text is over fond of capital letters which should only be used at the beginning of a sentence or when using a brand name.
As an example the following should only contain one capital letter which is the W that begins the sentence :-
We aim to offer you what you want, whether it be Ground breaking Gadgets, Fascinating Electronics or the Latest Mobile Phones.
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Ian
Factoring ,
Invoice Discounting ,
Trade Finance and
Asset Finance specialist broker.
Founder member of
Independent Factoring Brokers Association
RE: Website Help Needed
TeriShelly | 06/11/2004 08:44 PM
Hi James,
I've not been up & running long myself (couple of months) & I too have just signed up with WorldPay-need to get a form signed by the bank Monday & then hopefully it will be sorted. I'm hoping this will have a positive impact on sales too. In regard to your shopping cart query I think Mals Ecommerce is excellent.
http://www.mals-e.com/
I use that on my site right now & it is very easy to implement & very easy to configure. I often change prices, remove items (when out of sale) etc, and it's easy to use. It wouldn't take any mass redesignings but you do need to know a little (very basic) html (but the site has lots of help in that regard) & I don't think you can see what is in people's shopping baskets (if you can I've not found that feature yet), But it might be worth looking at - I find it very flexible & I have complete control over my items. I'm constantly changing things & it's effortless. You will need to upgrade to the premium account for it to work with WorldPay-something I will have to do, but it's not expensive ($6 a month I think...whatever that is in pounds sterling!). Anyway it has worked well for me with Paypal & Nochex & I will be using it with WorldPay. Have a look at the site & see what you think.
Best Wishes,
Michelle
(www.amagickallife.co.uk)
RE: RE: Website Help Needed
simplycfhost | 06/11/2004 10:10 PM
The worldpay integration is simple. Abit of adjustement on your checkout screen and an adaptation of the standard WP secure page and away you go. Saying that you could even run with their version...
Mals e-commerce is OK to start up with but a little limited in functionality.
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Cheers, Phil
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RE: RE: Website Help Needed
waparesult | 07/11/2004 09:51 AM
Having a shop in any environment doesn't garauntee sales, unfortunately, and in the market you are in there is a lot of competition.
You need to be marketing your site, the essence of any marketing is getting people in the shop, how do you do that, on the web the 3 things I have learned are:-
Get as many links on shopping sites / related sites as you can (No Cost)
Get reviewed and submit reviews to PC / gadget m,agazines (No Cost)
Run a competition and submit it to the competition sites (doesn't have to be an expensive item)
Run adverts in related magazines (some cost but can be smalll if done correctly)
Use your sitename as your username and register on as many forums as possbile (cheeky but effective)
This will bring people into your store, what they then buy is upto the price, product etc..... that you are offering.
With regards to the site stats and shopping cart stuff, you pays your money........
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Martin Hunt
RE: Website Help Needed
Jonny | 08/11/2004 08:08 AM
Hi James,
I have a few thoughts that may help.
I think you need to fill your shelves a LOT. The shop seems quite empty and there's not much to browse through. Really, you need LOADS more products listed.
ALSO - I would find a range of products that will act as impulse purchases. I sell £800 surfboards and that's the reason people visit my site. But once they are there, I have a whole bunch of under £10 products sell really well on impulse.
Your site design is very sleek an minimalistic which I like, but you need some bigger colour images to balance it out on the front page. It looks a bit anaemic at the moment. SHOW ME THE PRODUCT!
You have websites such as http://www.firebox.com/ and http://iwantoneofthose.com/
both of which really grab you from the front page - loads of colour, tons of product etc.
These suggestions are only any good once someone gets to your site though.
You've had some good suggestions already above but here's a few more I would try out.
who is your target customer? how are you most likely to get your shop in front of them what will appeal to them? what can you do to find the target customer and draw them to your site?
I'd put £50 aside and do a 1 month trial on google ad words. Be ultra specific with your search terms. For example putting "gadget" in - you'll just get lost amongst the big boys and it'll cost you a fortune. Putting "tablet dvd player" will narrow down to peoplee actaully looking for the niche product you have.
Overture, which is a similar thing, is probably worth a try too.
Write yourself a press release - doesn't have to be too clever or long. Just somethign sweet and simple. Then send it out to mags, websites, local papers etc.
I just noticed by the way that when I put the Joy Coder in my basket, the price dropped by £100. You may want to investigate that.
I read your newer post about OSCommerce. I honestly would not spend the money revamping your site yet. Focus on getting more products up there and more visitors and then you can think about changing the site. It's good enough as it is - just a bit bare.
Feel free to email me direct if you want to chat about any of this stuff - I've done it all myself over the last 18 months so I knwo a few of the pitfalls from experience!!!!!
Jonny
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