This Old Workshop, sell your woodwork online

Market your woodworking online.

Marketing your woodworking, like anything else, can be more challenging than any other part of woodworking. We have all done some kind of commission work to both a good, and bad, end. It seems that no mater how nice a project turns out, a given client will complain either to get a lower price, or they simply didn’t like the end result of their original idea. I have found it much more rewarding from a profit standpoint to make several of an identical item and keep profits higher through reduced tooling times. I have long believed that marketing to a limited clientele is not lucrative. This has lead many of us to sell our goods on the Internet with mixed results. One can either build a site from scratch, a challenge if your selling more than one item, or you can go to e-bay and risk continuing payment for a no sale! In response to this conundrum, I have a couple of new options to aid you in selling your goods. First is this pres release from FurnitureAntiques.net :

PRESS RELEASE

FurnitureAntiques.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cherie Harrison, 941.423.4979, FurnitureAntiques.net

ATTENTION: Buyers, Sellers, Woodworkers, Antique Dealers, Interior Decorators, and Enthusiasts.

There is an exciting new website out there designed specifically for YOU. It is just what this industry has been looking for. All of the best in the business can now buy and sell their unique furniture and designs to anyone.

The excitement is over how much of a response this website has received since it has been online. FurnitureAntiques.net has been online since November 2002 and has over 25,000 people a week visiting their site. Over 3,000 people are looking for specific pieces like Beds, Tables and Desks.

Not only does this website make it easy for you to sell your unique and handcrafted furniture; but it is easy for people to finally view and buy the specific items they have been looking for. You can list as many items as you want for one monthly charge and that includes 4 different picture views listed with each item. Not only can you list your items with a description, but also you can attach a picture at no extra charge. It’s definitely cheaper than a yellow page ad.

The people at FurnitureAntiques.net are furniture enthusiasts and can appreciate the very best. Now you can display your exquisite furniture and designs or search and purchase your own treasures that will last a lifetime.

For your own personal look at this website, just login to FurnitureAntiques.net. If you do not see a category listed that you would like to be added, just send us an e-mail and we will add it.

Second, I have recently opened an online proshop for bowlers and, in doing so, I discovered the power of a program called Shop Factory. It is a simple-to-use program that allows a novice to build a great looking store in a couple of hours. You can literally set this up in under an hour. While some of you may find the cost of the program prohibitive, I have a few options for you. Either you can buy the single shop license or you can have a pro build your shop at a great rate, often at a price to rival a mall. Carter Graphics will build you a small store on your paid web service. Here is their press release:

press release

Carter Graphics offers online shops starting at $400

Online shopping on the Internet is growing at an astounding rate. Companies are selling anything from diamonds to earthworms. Do you have a product you want to sell on the web? Creating your online store doesn't have to be expensive. We utilize the full featured store front package called Shopfactory to create a user friendly, secure shopping system on your host.

Can you really get started for only $400?

YES, for only $400 we will create your shopping cart system using your logo graphics and color scheme. Don't have a logo? We can create a new fresh look for you and integrate it in your new online store.

Using one of several hundred template storefront layouts, we will customize it with your colors and logo images.
We will configure the system to connect to your online pay system, Verisign, Paypal, or even accept orders online to be processed by hand instead of automatically online.
We will set up departments and sub-departments to display your products in an easy to find layout.
We will input up to 100 different products with descriptions, prices and options (size, color or whatever)
Additional products are input for as little as $2.50 each.*
Then we will upload and test your store to make sure it is working perfectly.
Once your store is online, we will up keep it updated and maintained for a flat programming rate of $35.00 per hour. Adding more products will still be done for as little as $2.50 per item.*

Maintenance with Shopfactory is very easy and a lot of work on your site can be done in as little as an hour, so typical maintenance won't accumulate large fees and since we bill at 15 minute increments simple changes won't be billed as a full hour like many of our competitors.

We would be happy to discuss your project and show you what we can do to get you selling online right away. Email us with a description of products and store ideas and we will contact you and work with you to layout your online shop.

Check out these client examples using the Shopfactory system. www.bowlingismybag.com, www.postgatejewelers.com

*Product input requires all information and images are proofed and site ready. Graphics must be formatted as to be ready to post on your site. If you need us to work on the images and make them ready our base rate of $35.00 will be charged. All text, descriptions and prices must be proofed by the client. Once posted it is the responsibility of the client to proof them for any mistakes, we will correct any mistakes free of charge and will endeavor to make those changes as quickly as possible so no sales are made with errors.

Discounts are given on inputting products when they are submitted to us in qualtity as follows:

1 to 10 products $3.50 each
11 to 25 products $3.00 each
25 or more $2.50 each
Typically maintanance is done weekly on your site, so items or changes submitted will be online within the week. Price changes, corrections or removal of items are time sensitive for a store so these changes are typically made within 24 hours.

Domain registration and hosting charges are extra. If you do not have a domain name or host site we will assist you in getting one set up, we have worked with several web hosting companies and can suggest one that would meet your needs.

Once your internet shopping site is created, we are equiped to maintain your store, adding new products, removing discontinued items or changing the entire look. If you want to do this maintaince yourself once the store is created you will need to purchase a single liscence copy of storefront to install on your own computer. We will supply you with the required source files that we created for a small processing charge.

As your sales options grow, the ability to find your niche in the competitive market place may be a learn as you go situation. Nevertheless, the Internet is the best marketplace in existence today. No matter what approach you decide on, you will need to get yourself and your woodworking seen, and the net is a great start to become profitable.

to get your store online contact us at www.cartergraphics.net or email Daniel at daniel@thisoldworkshop.com

In my next article I will discuss how to promote your website once it is up and running.

Lance Granum,