Maximizing Online Sales: Tips for Boosting Your Website's Performance

[ragschef]

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on getting online sales up. I promote the heck out of my website, but not enough sales to justify having it.

Thanks for your help,
Amanda Ragsdale

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Amanda..I have the same opinion as you. I promote it endlessly. I am hoping with the holidays to get some more revenue there.

I got my holiday mini catalogs and on the front cover, I put:

My name, phone numbers, website.
Then I put order by 11/24 midnight for Hannukah
OR 12/12 midnight for Christmas delivery.

I know the deadline for Christmas is later, but I dont want to cut it too close, or be responsible for late delivery. Ya know? On the back of the mini it does state in fine fine print that you can order til Dec 22 for delivery on Dec 24 (with expedited shipping costs).

Good luck, hope it helps....

 

[ragschef]

I didn;t know that you could order online till the 22nd, but I guess it would be common sense. Thanks for your input. I may try promoting my website with the mini catalogs. I hadnt thought of that.

Thanks again,
Amanda

 

[Jules711]

I promote the outlet a lot and offer (for local customers) to combine the order so that they don't have to use their cc# online and can share s/h. PC still gets s/h covered since it's not a flat rate and I've REALLY boosted sales when I sent out a Clearance Sale email. I think I got over $200 in orders from that one order! Plus, learned that people really like a deal and old products.

 

[amy07]

i just sent an email to my customers about purchasing some of the HWC items this month. I just sent it last night, 9:30,and I've had several people email me about it. So, I'm hoping that while they are there getting their "pink" fix, they'll throw in a piece of stoneware, forged cutlery, or cookware! A girl can dream right?

 

[BethCooks4U]

I don't think I had many sales that first year but just keep advertizing it on everything you give out and promote the website. Draw them to it by putting recipes on it, put your shows on it and send emails from it to your hosts and friends. Just give it time.

 

[jrstephens]

I have had mine since May of 2006. I promote mine on everything I hand out. I put recipes on there. I quit handing them out and refer to my website. Since I have had it I have had 3 orders on it. Does not remotely pay for itself. I keep saying I am going to cancel it, but then I hang on for another six months. I know there are people that "look" at it from time to time but looks does not generate money.

I so wish we had a hit counter on them, so, we would know exactly how much it is used. That would help me determine whethere enough people were at least reading it to justify spending the money on it.

 

[chefheidi2003]

I so wish we had a hit counter on them, so, we would know exactly how much it is used. That would help me determine whethere enough people were at least reading it to justify spending the money on it.

I agree...maybe we could suggest that.

 

[DebbieJ]

I use my website mainly for show orders. You have to set up every show on your site, promote it on the invitations that are sent out (cover that pc.com address with yours!), and put your web address on EVERYTHING!!! I don't put my email address on anything anymore, only my web address.

I get tons of show orders on my site (a recent show had 7 or 8) and after two years, I am finally getting those occassional individual orders. As a director, I enjoy those sales leads as well.

Once your hosts start using it and sending the email invites so folks will order that way, the site will pay for itself. I encourage them to send the emails to out of town family and friends so they can place orders and have them shipped direct and my hosts still get the credit. They love it!

 

[ragschef]

:thumbup: Thanks for all the ideas. I really like the one where I STOP givingout my email address and referring everyone to my web address. I'm going ota start doing that immediately!!

I send out a monthly newsletter to my e-clients with my outlet mentioned, but for some reason, no one seems to read that part.

Thanks again for your help! Keep it coming though, I still need it!

 

[Loreen]

How do I ???I use my website to send emails to hosts, guests & customer and I'm seeing more hosts using the features as well. But, how do you put a recipe on your website?? I would like to do that as well.

 

[ragschef]

At personal website assistance, when you're updating your site, you can put it under "news". I copy and paste alot of mine from my director's site since she's allowed me to do that. I also copy and paste some straight from the main website. I have some of my personal favs on mine too.
Amanda

 

[PCJenni]

My website pays for itself over and over. I encourage my hostesses to have outside orders done online to save both of us time.