The times they are a-changin’.
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Take a look At www.BonnieSandy.com I’ve been completely redesigning It to answer teh question- What do I need from a Website? What would the Boutique translate to online! It’s the question one of our concepts startup at www.tibiaetech.com seeks to answer! So I took to looking not just at existing solutions but also whats is needed by the local designer proprietor!
If I were to set up a display and have the customer simply walk the store, I would get little conversion in sales! Expecting the consumer to walk up to the cash register and check themselves out! Yet we do it everyday with preset web site design and platforms . So what would I need to do, as a designer or rather what would my website need to do!
The offline space serves several need.
I have a studio where I explore and experiment: i need a space to meet customers, a space to show product for sale, etc. It’s been at the back of my mind as I plan on being a Digital Nomad!
A few weeks back I put a call out to designers for a project and asked for their website! I discovered only two with their own websites. Many sent me to third party sites! Inevitably I got side tracked and followed links away from their page! There is also a misconception that a website was expensive. So I took on the challenge of exploring a new approach! The final design is still a work in progress! I took this on in Phases
- What does the website need to be capable of
- Defining a unique look
- Working on Usabiliy
- optimizing for seatch and seo
- optimizing for social
Here’s what I (and other designers) need to do (we don’t just do fashion Shows)
- consumer profiling & specs
- conception/ Ideation
- materials sourcing
- prototyping
- pattern-making
- sample making
- surface design & tooling
- production
- quality control
- packaging
- marketing
- sales
- warehousing
- shipping
- fulfillment
- Business maintenance
What about customers first up they’d need to be able to communicate with me… My store is not “Open”. I differ from a retail establishment in that manner! There is usually a show window and customers step in!
- Public vs Private
- Show window
- Stepping in
- Making appointments
When a customer walks into my store I have a rhythm in my sales process… I engage and SELL or someone else will… often customers bring or refer friends… Social Commerce is not new It’s using the technology We’re mastering!
- Those customers need to be thanked
- Recognized & rewarded
I have products services and merchandise
- Off the rack
- customers generally influence the off rack pieces
- set prices, special
- limited time and edition sales
- Custom Ordered
- means selection of fabrics based on color print
- Special occasion
- One of a kind or customized
Both require personal attention and accurate info
- Body analysis
- measurement
- Fittings
- Styling Advise
I conduct Seminars & workshops: one on one, or group
- Design & Product
- Web & social Media
- Business development
Oh and the Fashion Books & Tear Sheets etc ;- I’m actually almost paperless (YEAH!!!) Events & Projects
- Fashion Shows
- Body paint shows
- Private
- Public
What the customer likes
- Watching me create
- Access to the designer or sales staff while browsing the floor
- Visiting Designers
- Trunk show
The Local Boutique is a refuge from life’s fast pace! Each store also has it’s own “feel”.. Is that possible and at a “reasonable” cost? What really makes the local store or designer “special” though is a sense of being in an inner circle… evenings spent talking and gossiping! yes communicating… I did not want a “generic” experience! Communication is Key and so I headed for the Latest rendition of the Conversation Prism! yes latest the web is evolving to expect the strategies and themes is same not realistic nor advisable! 
The changes have paid off even though I am not yet completely finished! I would enjoy feedback and discussions!
I’ll be conducting workshops and have a special offer! I highly recommend a self hosted WordPress and Dreamhost is great! Here’s a special coupon for one year hosting! feel free to submit questions or Register on this site for upcoming workshops!
Use this Link for discount of Yearly Hosting plus free Domain or code MYWEBSTORE2013 Buy by January 21st and get a free intro session online.
Simply submit your name email and copy of payment – Contact us
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