Oct 20, 03 12:10 am — Okay, so it's kind of a strange journal entry, but I need some input from me MV bruddas and sistas.
The owner of the gourmet shop I work at has the opinion that the website for the shop is (I quote) "an afterthought, just something to keep my Dad busy. I don't think we get much business from it".
Yup, here lies problem #1. Pops is maintaining the site. Therein lies problem #2: the site sucks very, VERY badly in all functions, form, feel, graphics, ease of use, hell, even the links are fouled up! (Example: The link that reads "find out more about the Cheese of the Month Club", sends the reader to the SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER! arrrgghhh...)
So, to sum up to big old Problem #3, and the reason for my journal:
How can I get the owner to realize that his website SUCKS, and that it would be a very good idea to retool the site, make it a more integral part of his business, all the while NOT PISSING HIM OR POPS OFF!!
I think everyone would agree that in today's world, a good website can speak volumes and attest to a quality business. The more people find out beforehand, the more comfortable they are in physically shopping there. Speaking strictly for myself, I do HUGE amounts of research on the web, in just about every aspect of my life. I am wagering that I am far from alone on this...
So, your assignment, (if you choose to take it) is to please, PLEASE supply me with some good solid support for my argument. Any insight on websites, articles, facts, figures, etc. that point out how important the web has become for small businesses, increased sales, etc., would be greatly appreciated. I would love to arm myself with a good amount of stuff so I can build a solid case and hopefully sway his opinion.
I know there are very many in MV who are quite savvy to all things cyber. So I hope to pick your brains for a spell.....
I agree. I was hoping some people could give me a start on the research, where to look ,etc...
while I doubt you're gonna find the info in a flash...what I'd suggest is just emailing webmasters of a few gourmet sales sites and asking them outright how they're fairing.
Check this site when you decide to rebuild
Good link on the rebuild, Newf.
Thanks....
Although I cant offer anymore than personal experiences, I will offer you just that.
One business I have operates solely on word of mouth. Nothing more, and has done so for the last 26 years. The other business that I started in march has made 100% of its sales from on line (intarweb) sources. It kind of depends on the business, but so a search for similar types of businesess that you work for Spuds, and maybe the sight of a decent website, that actually draws in sales will be enough to convince someone to take it seriously. You might even get the owners of the site to devulge how much business they really do online.
He is rather proud of the fact that he does not advertise or "sell", and preferes to be percieved as an upscale place, mostly word of mouth, all of which I fully agree. But I feel a website is not "selling", but rather a place for people to go when they are interested. Might as well present a good face, instead of an ugly mishmash.
We are trying to gain more business on our off-site Cheese and Wine catering events, especially businesses for holiday parties. I feel that 99% of businesses, would love to have a site to take a peek at what we offer, since most businees nowdays are completely computer reliant!
I do not want to sell or advertise, per se. I just think we need to class up the site.
A lot.
Makes perfect sense to have something on display for a potential client/customer to view before they actually come to the restaruant (sp?). They will know they aren't getting rasperry Kool-Aid with Easy Cheese (from the can!), they will know how your place is laid out, whats on the menu, etc. My wife and I research bed and breakfast places like this all the time. Its pretty much how we decide where we are going to fu.....er...stay for the evening. We don't purchase anything from the site, but we "visit" the place from the comfort of our house.
From my point of view, just having something to preview at home is better than getting there and wondering what the hell is going on. A pregame prep if you will.
Raspberry Kool-Aid with Easy Cheese?
Damn! I'm puttin' on mah "tuxedo T-shirt." That's the GOOD STUFF!
Well, I'm kinda pissed that Jizz revealed my next gourmet cheese pairing.....
OOPS! my bad... Its been a succulent culinary dish in my family for years. Lay out a bountiful feast of Ritz crackers, a can of cheese, and somekind of Aid, and your set for a day of watching TV or fishing for chub.
How did you know I had a tuxedo shirt Frog? You know those shoes Cousin Eddy wore on the first Vacation movie? Imma have me some of those someday.
http://www.igourmet.com/shoppe/custserv.asp
Well..
Here are a few ideas on how to get your point across without pissing anyone off.
1. If there is the ability on this website to send in suggestions, questions or e-mail, do so, anonymously. Send a message stating that the website is horribly designed, and doesn't offer the information that you are seeking as a customer. As such, they just lost your sale to a competitor with a nicely laid out website. (Give the competitor URL if you can..)
2. Design a site for them, put it all together and find a place to host it temporarily. (I can give you some space and assistance on all of this, if you like).. Once you have it looking and operating like you want, then, go to the boss and have him take a look at both sites... side by side. "Hey.. check this out.. I threw this together over the weekend, and thought you might like to see it. It would be a great improvement on our current site, and would look a lot more professional.. No offense to pops, but a website, in many cases these days, is the very first impression that someone gets of your business."
3. Go straight into the office and lay it all out. Not sure this is a good plan, though, since it is a family member that runs the current site. This could get ugly because an attack on 'dad' is an attack on 'son'.... So.. without having something VERY concrete to back it up, I'd not go in guns blazing. At least not without having a demo site available to look at.
4. See if you can find out how much traffic a competitor is receiving, or, even better, how much traffic YOUR site is receiving. Compare that with the number of phone calls you receive daily, or walk in visits. Every person that views the page is interested in your services. It's unfortunate that the web presence doesn't match every other aspect of the business, and there is little doubt that when a person visits your site, and it is the first impression they receive, that they move on elsewhere.
5. See if you can find reports regarding 'cheese of the month' , 'wine of the month', etc subscriptions via the net. How many subscribers are out there? How many competitors are out there? Why aren't you taking a piece of that pie with YOUR website?
Just some thoughts...
Personally.. I'd go with number one... (unless you recently talked to him about it, in which case, it may become obvious that you are the unknown customer..) and after number one, when he tells you about the mysterious customer's email, wait until a weekend goes by, and go in with number two... 'Hey.. I was thinking about that customer email you showed me...'
Of course.. this relies on the ability to send the boss, directly, an email from the site. Sending it to the dad will get it deleted, and it will never go further than dad's inbox.
Oh.. or.... if you have a good relationship with any existing customers... have them ask him if they have a website that they can check out.... Especially if you have several good relationships...
Another thing would be to get a lot of people to call up, and ask about catering services, and follow up with 'Do you have a website where I can check your menus? ' or something similar... With enough people asking, he should WANT to make it as professionally presentable as possible.
To paraphrase Froggies journal: check out the big brain on Rexxx!!!
Damn good stuff. I have already thought about #2 extensively, but you might know that I am pretty close to a flat-pated mouth-breather when it comes to web design. I know nothing. Unfortunately, Dork decided to leave me hight and dry, just when he would be the perfect foil for my master plan! I would dearly love to design a site (I do have a graphic arts history behind me) but have no idea how to do it.
#3 is one I have thought about too, but it has to be done delicately. A careful combo of #2 and #3 seems to be the best.
Thanks, Rexxx, long time no...er...chat.
Good ideas and thanks for the input. Good ideas, all.....
Well... hop into chat, you goof. I'll wait for ya right now.
newfie
honesty is the best policy...do research first..show them both sites of the same that are making money from their websites? show them your research. no one can get mad at cold hard facts