[TheForge] blacksmith websites

[Daniel Crowther]

Ok, this is in part a test and in part a reply.  If anyone sees this please 
let me know since this list doesn't seem to like replies while I'm at work.

Business-wise I'd agree with many here that it has helped "finish" 
sales.  After I've talked to the customer about what we do they have the 
opportunity to go home bounce around the site.  They can see how we work 
(which is important if we see them at a craft fair and not a demo, because 
then they fully understand the labor and cost involved) and they can see 
other items and styles of work to help them brainstorm for their own project.

Interestingly enough we just went through our site and were going to add a 
shopping cart.  However, after taking a look at how we sell our wares 
(which vary from pure custom to craft fair sales), we decided against it 
for 2 main reasons.  1) We don't keep enough back-stock in the craft fair 
items to guarantee we can ship in a reasonable time. [with some exceptions 
we usually have only 12 of small items on hand at any given time]  2) We 
lose out on the direct customer contact.  Even "J" hooks are customizable 
and we'd rather have our hard work be exactly what the customer wants 
instead of it getting thrown out or stuffed away somewhere because it 
didn't fit the situation.

As far as the $$ goes.  Our website has been up for nearly a year.  We pay 
$15/month (plus a yearly domain name fee of $20 or so), and we've had 3 
orders STRICTLY from web traffic totalling $250.  So it's JUST paid for 
itself.  However, since I do my own site work, so if I were to add in the 
time taking photos, prepping them and adjusting the site, it'd be somewhat 
of a loss.

Daniel Crowther
Oak & Acorn
http://www.oakandacorn.com


At 07:03 AM 1/3/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>This begs the question....those of you who have websites, how many of you
>have found them to be worth the effort and money business-wise?  I've had
>mixed reviews from those "sited" smiths I've spoken with in person, but
>that's a very small sample.
>Have no quesiton that they're great for sharing with friends and compatriots,
>but how about business-wise?
>
>Yes, I'm looking at building a site in the near future, hence my question =)
>
>Jerry V
>Williamsburg
>
><< Amos, the site looks and works well, and a good way to show off your fine
>  work. You will be surprised how much work comes your way because of it.
>
>  Best of luck.
>
>  Harry Foster >>
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