Advice/help promoting my new online business.

[gaspsngiggles]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here. I really need advice on how to promote my online business. I created a website where I sell hand-made customized baby clothes. I thought it was a fabulous idea, and anticipated a great turnout. Now 2 weeks later I still haven't received any orders. I didn't realize how tough it would be to get traffic to my website. I need ideas and advice on how to get people to go there.

Every bit helps, and really, I'm not sensitive, so give me all you got.

I'm not sure if I'm able to post my website link here. It's in my profile. Check it out and tell me what you think.

[lindastacy]

Congratulations on your new store. Your baby clothes look adorable!

Two weeks is not any time at all online. It's hard to give you advice not knowing what you're already doing to promote your store. Do you have a marketing plan that you're following? Are you doing something everyday to market your business? Are you marketing to your target customers? Did you develop your site with SEO (search engine optimization) in mind?

You also need to learn a lot about how to make your website attractive to visitors when they get there. If I'm looking at the right site (gaspsngiggles.com) the home page does not look anything like a site that sells baby clothes. And even more than the visual design, I'm talking about things that would let a potential customer know why they should shop there. Even the main page of your boutique is all about you. Customers want to know what's in it for them and you've got to convince them you're the person to buy from. Try to present all the reasons someone should buy your clothes, and answer all the questions a customer would have about the clothes and shipping and returns, etc.

Look at some well known kids' stores online and see how they're set up. Or search for specialist baby clothes or handmade baby clothes and take a look at the sites that come up on the first page of the results. I'm not suggesting you copy others sites, but we can all learn from others' success.

Don't be discouraged so early. Keep learning and making improvements and before you know it that first sale will come in.

[abct]

Did you create your website yourself? If so, congratulations!

As far as finding traffic, have you tried search engine optimization or article marketing?

Search Engine Optimization sounds really complicated and threatening doesn't it?

But don't be fooled - despite sounding like a horrific scary monster - SEO is actually a tame little pussy cat when you get to know it.

SEO is the process to use the Search Engines (such as Google) to your benefit - and funnel traffic to your website.
Remember - there are MANY different techniques to drive traffic to your site.

SEO is just ONE method (albeit a big one).

The reason I say this - is because I see so many newcomers stressing about SEO.

My advice to you - would be to get good at ONE method of traffic generation - before mastering another.

[MommyandMe]

You can try facebook and twitter, free of cost. Back-linking would also help you to generate traffic to your website. I think you can search this business forum and you will find a lot of information. I know I have seen familiar questions to yours. Congrats though on starting your very own business.

[gaspsngiggles]

All awesome advice. Thank you! I have been using facebook, twitter, and myspace. My brother helped me set up the site. He knows how to get it going, then I did all the personalization and whatnot.

I'll talk to him about the SEO. Im sure he can explain it more to me.

[maximumleverage]

Like mentioned above you can do SEO
but that can take forever.

PPC (Pay Per Click) is another option for you
but you will have to study it because you can
lose alot of money.

I think you should start with video marketing, article
marketing or something like facebook.

You should pick one traffic method and study it master
it then move on to another.

Also those 3 traffic methods are free.

[FredRaley]

Great ideas here.

I would like to emphasize putting together a business plan. Google it to get a template/outline. It will guide you through a lot of these ideas/concepts.

One thing you can do is to google keywords your potential customers might use to find you. Then go to the sites that seem most successful and see what their sites are featuring. It's not copying... just going by a successful model. You can even look at the site's source code to find the keyword lists and more.

Also, having an opt-in form on your site will let you market to potential customers who might not be buying on their first visit. Give them a reason to opt in to your list and treat them right with 'specials' and they will love you!

[LA Grouch]

Lindastacy hit the nail on the head... your site must be optimized and attractive to the customer. All the marketing in the world will get you nowhere if the customer isn't interested.

SEO is not an option, it is a necessity, and is an ongoing process.

[asykora]

I am going to agree with lindastacey. If that is the correct website, I suggest you overhaul it to make the products the highlight of the site. If I had found your site through a google search and didn't know anything about it I would not have looked far enough to find out that you sell baby clothes. That needs to be on the main page. To me, looking at the main page it just looks like another social networking site.

Also and this is just being nit picky. The clothes appear lopsided and wrinkled in some of the pictures.

Good luck

[bobbie2oo4]

I have to agree with what others said - if your site is really gaspsngiggles.com... I'm not sure how the home page is at all attractive to people looking for baby clothes.

In terms of getting ideas of how to best set up your baby boutique - you can see some examples here - http://pagebuzz.com/samples.html.