WAHM Forums

I am thinking of creating a website to feature the antique dealers / shops in our county, we have literally dozens in our area and I cannot find a website like what I want to create, so I feel it would work. Below is a snippit of the letter I would send to prospective dealers / shops. Tell me what you think please and what I shouldcharge per year.
Thanks...MK

My fiancé and myself both have home based businesses and are always looking for other avenues of business. It has come to our attention that here in Adams county, there is not a website just for the antique dealers and shop owners. We have done extensive Internet searches and have not seen a site like what we would like to create.
<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Our idea is that we would provide a website just for Adams County PA antique dealers and shops with maps to each shop, local restaurants and accommodations available to those visiting our county in pursuit of antiques.

As you already know the antique market is broad and people visit our county from all over the world. We felt that there was a need for easy access for everyone who will visit our area to be able to easily locate you.

Our services to you on this website would include:

<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" =disc>
<LI =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Directions and maps to your shop</LI>
<LI =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Description of your shop and photo’s if you choose</LI>
<LI =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">A link to your website should you have one</LI>
<LI =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">One shop per month will be the featured dealer / shop where you can showcase items for sale, and any promotions you may be running that month.</LI>
<LI =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">A page for you to feature any specials you are running</LI>
<LI =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">We will submit the website to search engines and be sure that it is out there for the world to see</LI>[/list]

We will require a yearly contract and the yearly cost will be $___ per dealer / shop.

I think it's a great letter! My only advice is this.....I would make it sound more "relaxed" and like their friend rather than being so business-like. People are more liable to trust a friend.


You only make it business-like AFTER you've made your first dealings/contract with them. That way you sound professional.


Just a little marketing advice......good idea fora website! smileys/smiley2.gif

It sounds good but, and this is just me, I would leave out the first paragraph about having other home-based businesses and looking for other ways to make money. I'd probably just do a short introduction saying that you're a local company ( no need to say it's you and your fiance ) in the process of building an online "Antique Mall" ( or whatever you plan to call it ) or an online listing, and web sites of, Adams County PA anitque dealers and shops. A membership would include a website with a map to your shop, local restaurants and accommodations available to those visiting our county in pursuit of antiques</span>......Yadda yadda yadda.

</span></span></font></font>

No Ideas on what to charge monthly for this type of service?


MK

about $10/monthly smileys/smiley9.gif

oh my I think my services are worth more than that per month!


MK

oh my I think my services are worth more than that per month!


MK





eBay Prostores (http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-1536765-10408753) have that for $5 on month and you get hosting, domain and other, other things.


See and Decide here (http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-1536765-10408753)

I don't see how Prostores fits into this scenario. The original poster didn't say anything about ecommerce - she is offering advertising.

In any case ... to the OP - my local telephone company/ISP offers a similar service to all local businesses and they charge $15/month for it.

Take into consideration what these shops could </span>do on their own. For $50/year a business can have their domain and web hosting, and along with a site builder, they would be able to crank out a quick-n-dirty static advertising site quite cheaply.

So your focus would to offer a service that "out-values" other options - whether it be dollar amount spent or time spent.
<!--
var SymRealOnLoad;
var SymReal;

Sym()
{
window.open = SymWinOpen;
if(SymReal != null)
SymReal();
}

SymOnLoad()
{
if(SymRealOnLoad != null)
SymRealOnLoad();
window.open = SymRealWinOpen;
SymReal = window.;
window. = Sym;
}

SymRealOnLoad = window.onload;
window.onload = SymOnLoad;

//-->



<!--
var SymRealOnLoad;
var SymReal;

Sym()
{
window.open = SymWinOpen;
if(SymReal != null)
SymReal();
}

SymOnLoad()
{
if(SymRealOnLoad != null)
SymRealOnLoad();
window.open = SymRealWinOpen;
SymReal = window.;
window. = Sym;
}

SymRealOnLoad = window.onload;
window.onload = SymOnLoad;

//-->


Edited by: chrlstoncharmed

Exactly and thanks chrlstoncharmed....my site would be more of a tour site. I want to offer a map that shows where all the shops are, where restaurants and accommodations (small hotels and b&amp;b's) are so that those who are here to seek antiques can find all they want. We are a very big tourism area with the Gettysburg battlefields and historic homes.


I am not only offering ads for these 3 venues but a way to bring visitors to them easily.


I feel that with the costs of advertising and the time it takes to maintain a website and market it, $50 or so a month is not unreasonable, and offer them discounts for longer contracts with me.


MK

I feel that with the costs of
advertising and the time it takes to maintain a website and market it,
$50 or so a month is not unreasonable
MK, in your area you could probably get that! It's a very neat idea - keep us posted on your progress! smileys/smiley1.gif
</font><!--
var SymRealOnLoad;
var SymReal;

Sym()
{
window.open = SymWinOpen;
if(SymReal != null)
SymReal();
}

SymOnLoad()
{
if(SymRealOnLoad != null)
SymRealOnLoad();
window.open = SymRealWinOpen;
SymReal = window.;
window. = Sym;
}

SymRealOnLoad = window.onload;
window.onload = SymOnLoad;

//-->

I feel that with the costs of advertising and the time it takes to maintain a website and market it, $50 or so a month is not unreasonable
MK, in your area you could probably get that! It's a very neat idea - keep us posted on your progress! smileys/smiley1.gif
<!--
var SymRealOnLoad;
var SymReal;

Sym()
{
window.open = SymWinOpen;
if(SymReal != null)
SymReal();
}

SymOnLoad()
{
if(SymRealOnLoad != null)
SymRealOnLoad();
window.open = SymRealWinOpen;
SymReal = window.;
window. = Sym;
}

SymRealOnLoad = window.onload;
window.onload = SymOnLoad;

//-->


Any News