Restored 316 Designs» Ecommerce 101 http://restored316designs.com/blog Sun, 08 May 2011 15:00:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Why product photography is key http://restored316designs.com/blog/2009/11/why-product-photography-is-key/ http://restored316designs.com/blog/2009/11/why-product-photography-is-key/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:20:23 +0000 Restored316 http://restored316designs.com/blog/?p=319


Taza

One of the #1 things you can do for your e-commerce website, alongside a professional website design, is your product photography.

Customers are used to shopping for items in stores where they can touch, feel, smell, and handle products before they buy them.  With the online shopping industry booming, customers want to be able to shop from the comfort of their own home, but want to know exactly what they are getting.

The closest thing to resembling the connection between product and customer, I believe, is great product photography.  You want you customers to be able to see your product in use, different angles, etc.  They want to see the vibrant colors in your products as you see them in person.  Give your customers a chance to experience the product before they even purchase it.

Product photography also shows that you care about your products.  That you are in it to win it. You are telling your customers that you make quality products and they won’t be disappointed.

I hear a lot, that product photography is expensive. Trust me… I understand! However, know that you will receive a return on your investment once you start making sales.

Some tips to find a great product photographer:

1. Check your local craigslist for photographers in your area. You may find a great photographer just getting started with their photography business that need some items to put in their portfolio, thus possibly providing you a great deal.

2. There are lots of resources online, but I would first exhaust all photographers locally. When you work with someone locally, you cut out the shipping costs, and can be saving money on that portion. You can also possibly provide your own models to the photographer, if you’d like your own children in your images. All around, going locally will save you time and money.

3. Can’t find someone locally? Let me know and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.

I usually recommend that your product photography be completed before your website is designed. You want your website design to bring out your products and not take away. So having at least some sample images of your products before the website design, is a great way to getting started with your e-commerce business.

]]> http://restored316designs.com/blog/2009/11/why-product-photography-is-key/feed/ 0 Starting Your Own WAHM business? Here's how! (Part 1) http://restored316designs.com/blog/2008/10/starting-your-own-wahm-business-heres-how-part-1/ http://restored316designs.com/blog/2008/10/starting-your-own-wahm-business-heres-how-part-1/#comments Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:17:00 +0000 Restored316 http://rtestblog1.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/starting-your-own-wahm-business-heres-how-part-1

I get emails all the time asking ” What do I need to do to get started?” I figured I would write a post on the basics of starting your own ecommerce business! It’s a whole lot easier than you think!

It’s so easy to get started selling your bows, personalized baby clothes, jewelry, whatever it is that you make! Here’s how!

Step 1: Select a hosting provider. These companies provide you with a website complete with shopping categories, shopping carts, e-commerce solutions, etc. Each company provides similar services with the same store admin features. Providers include: Pappashop, MerchantMoms, ShoppePro, Designer218, EcoChic Hosting. (I host my site through Pappashop but plan on switching over to another provider soon. If you are looking to support a Christian based hosting provider, Shoppe Pro is your answer!)
Step 2: Find a Domain. (www. yourstorename .com) When registering your business with your selected hosting provider, they will offer to register your domain for you. You’ll need to think of a name that is not already taken, and the registration fee for a year is about $10. (to search for a domain that’s available you can go to http://www.domain.com/- but I recommend actually registering your domain with your new hosting provider… makes everything easier!)

Step 3: Dress up your site with a gorgeous web template. This is the funnest part! Just check out all my sites on my premade template page! You simply order your design, and I will customize everything to create a gorgeous store front for your new business!

Step 4: Set up your store! Your hosting provider will give you all the instructions to add items to your store, set up the shopping cart, and begin selling your handicrafts!

Step 5: Tell everyone you know & start selling!

It’s so easy, fun & inexpensive to begin your own WAHM business! There are also lots of ways to start marketing your new business, whether is be free or for small fees.

More on Marketing coming up in another post!

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