http://boolusbows.com

This is a small business that my younger sister is setting up to sell bows and hats and stuff, which she makes in her free time. I know most of you here probably have no interest in this kind of thing, but I am posting this here for two reasons.

1) Some of you might just need BOWS!
(who knows... :o)

2) I think she needs some kind of ordering form/shopping cart system on her website. Without getting technical *at all* is there some kind of pre-configured cookie-cutter script she could use or something? Or would anyone here be interested in helping her to design one (ie, doing it for her). She has no experience at all with web programming. I'm asking for help as a personal favor so I can help my sister out.

I was like "WTF does hats have to do with bows?" (bow and arrow)
Then I go to the site and I'm like "WTF does a baby have to do with bows and hats?"
Then I was like "oh"

Hey sister,

Having a check out system will make things easier for your potential customers to buy, and this seems like a pretty simple, quick and easy thing to get set up, and it looks like it wouldn't cost you anything up front. (As best I can tell they only charge you when someone makes a purchase.)

https://checkout.google.com/

Also, I have a couple other questions/suggestions.

1) Do you have a plan for shipping and packaging? (If you like Google Checkout, there may be an option with FedEx. Looks like they have a special offer. You might want to look into it.)

2) Something dad taught me about sales. Price your items more professionally. For example, instead of charging $2 for a bow, charge $2.49 or even $2.99. People will actually be more willing to pay the higher price because it is a common business practice to price things that way, and it will make them feel more confident in your company. Also, if you use Google Checkout, it will more than make up the transaction fee that Google charges you.

3) Specifically regarding your new website, boolusbows.com
a) In the "about us" section, use it more to describe who you are, rather than your product. You live a life that will be very interesting and intriguing to the average civilian consumer, and you can use that to your advantage to make people sympathetic to your company. Just remember to write your "about you" in a 3rd person perspective so it's still professional. Example: "Boo Lu's Bows is owned and operated by Karleen Grothe. Karleen lives in Killeen, TX on the Fort Hood army base, one of the largest military bases in the world. Her husband serves proudly in the United States Army. Together, they are raising two beautiful children, Micah and Audrey. What began as a simple hobby to keep Karleen busy while her husband was away on deployment quickly became a passion to create unique, quality bows. And through that passion, Boo Lu's Bows came into existence..." etc. (feel free to use any part of that or all of that if you want) My point is, the sort of people who are going to buy your bows, are going to LOVE to hear your story. Use it to your advantage! (The information you currently have in the "about us" section is good stuff, but I think it would fit better in the "products" section.)

b) Add another link on the side called "How to Order" and fill it with a *detailed* set of instructions on how to place an order. Tell them what information to include in the email and in what order. You might also think of using product numbers of some kind (like how McDonalds numbers their extra value meals). Right now you kind of have to search around to find out that info. And most people have short attention spans when it comes to buying stuff. As soon as part of the process becomes difficult, they'll tend to lose interest pretty quickly, and you could potentially lose a lot of sales just from people not knowing how to order, and being too lazy to research it. Of course this suggestion is based on your current ordering system. If you go with Google Checkout, this might not be a problem any longer.

Anyway, that's all I have for now. Remember, this is your project, so if you don't like my suggestions or don't think they're for you, then DON'T DO THEM (or feel free to pick them apart and/or expand on them). I'm not trying to take over or anything. :p Just was thinking about you and your new business venture and thought I might be able to pass on some stuff you might find helpful. Good luck! (And if you have any questions about sales, remember you can always ask me. Or ask dad, cause you can use him as a really valuable resource too.)

Love you, leenie.

Jon

I was thinking "oooh! A shop where I can find a cheap violin/violoncello/viola da gamba and learn to play! After all this shop sells bows!"

I was left saddened

Why do you have that little girls name memorized?

For example, if you went to a music store and saw a bunch of cd's priced for $9.99, and one priced for $5, you would most likely not think "Ohh good deal!" but instead "What's wrong with that cd that they had to drop the price to get it to sell?"

On the other handif that $5 cd was instead priced at $7.99 you would be more likely to see that as being a good deal.

Even I know what he's talking about and Dr Seuss isn't nearly well known here as it is in the US.

I had to google her, and I love Dr Seuss, watching them brought back great childhood memories, I just don't happen to memorise names of all the child actors that are in the movies.

Incidentally, that little girl is now a hot chick.