What makes a good picture framing website?

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Not your average framer
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What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by Not your average framer »

I've had a URL and webspace for some time now. It was a special deal of £20 for the Domain name and hosting for two years through "Getting British Business Online" inititive. It's one of those template created sites intended for those who can't be bothered to do a proper one. I only went for it, because it was such a cheap deal.

I'm now thinking that it's about time I uploaded some content and got it all together. Unfortunately I can't upload my own site using HTML, because they won't let me, so I'll just have to put up with what I've got for now.

So does anyone have any recommendations of what a good, (but basic) picture framing website should contain, or look like?
Thanks in anticipation,
Mark
Mark Lacey

“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
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arcon5
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Re: What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by arcon5 »

I once tried the scheme you refer to, not because I needed a website but because I was curious and found it wasn't great at all. You will find it difficult to build a decent, non-repetitive website there. You may aswell start with your own hosting and domain otherwise you will end up changing in a few months anyway.

Register your domain at http://www.namecheap.com/ for a fiver.

Hosting at http://www.liquidsix.com/ for about £2.50/month.

Then choose a script:

eCommerce: Prestashop, oscommerce

If you want to design your own HTML website then something as simple as paypal shopping cart would be useful (although paypal is very expensive).
Please excuse my basic questions. I primarily frame canvas prints so new to photo framing.
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Jonny2morsos
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Re: What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by Jonny2morsos »

If you are not going to be selling online then I think a 3 or 4 page website is all you need. Think of it as a brochure for your business which the customer can pick up without having to visit your premises but will encourage them to do so.

Sometimes people only want to know something as simple as your location and opening hours.

These days it is easier to find you using google than it is to find your phone number especially if they do not know the business name.
stcstc

Re: What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by stcstc »

personally i think you website firstly needs to give the same type of style as your shop, ie you perceived image.

secondly, no one should be suing a website purely as a brochure anymore, its a marketing tool. it need to me maintained and kep fresh. it needs to be catchy. needs to be very seo friendly as just having a website dont mean anyone is going to find you

and complementary to the website, is using the social media avenues to drive people to you site. facebook, twitter, forums, etc

I get about 90% of my business through social media, it pays to get involved. give advise for free, be helpful and work will come of it. its not about pushy sales techniques its about interaction with new and old customers.

The other thing i would say is try and get your website to focus on what you specialise in. most high street framers are effectively jack of all trades. there are so many areas of framing, try and carve a niche you would be soooo surprised how it pays dividends
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Re: What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by holtons »

You need to be clear on what you want your site to do. I cannot impress, as a few above have said, how important it is to get this right before starting out planning, designing and spending time and money on it.

In our case, for example, we are an online picture framing business - no gallery, no shop, no face-to-face customer contact at all. So the web site is vital to our success and therefore we have spent a lot (and I mean a lot!) of money and time on it and the interdependent business processes. And we make tweaks, changes and improvements almost every day to keep it focussed on what we need it to deliver for us. Our way of doing business won't suit most of you who undertake far more bespoke work than we do so don't copy our web site style because it won't be right for you. I have said this to illustrate my very first point - think, plan and then think again before committing!
framemaker

Re: What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by framemaker »

I think a basic and well thought out website could be very beneficial to your business. I would repeat what the others have said already and concentrate on what you specialise in, like hand finishing and so on, with lots of good photos of what you have done in the past. The text should be search friendly, with words like picture framer, framing, and your location or the areas you serve mentioned as often as possible, but without sounding very repetitive.

It is worth looking at as many framers sites as possible to get some ideas.
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Jonny2morsos
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Re: What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by Jonny2morsos »

I would say get online ASAP with whatever you can providing you can change it at a later date without it costing a fortune.

With Yellow Pages being all but defunct and limited listings in the business section of the phone book having an online presence means customers will find you. Don't let them go to your competitors just because they come up on Google and you don't.
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Tudor Rose
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Re: What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by Tudor Rose »

We spent a long time looking at other framing websites, UK and further afield, and making notes of the things we liked and disliked.

We don't sell directly from our website, but it is a fantastic shop window for people to see what we are about and what we do. This is very important for us as we are not on a high street and when we are closed the shutters are down and you can't see in.

We wanted the website to feel friendly and approachable and we made sure we used the kind of words that people use when they search online. We have been amazed how far afield we get enquiries from, quite of lot of which turns in to work. One enquiry was from New Zealand (we framed prints sent by post and then delivered them to a gallery in Cornwall for the artist) and another from Canada (someone moving to a local town and needing to know in advance if something could be sorted out once they moved with their pictures - they have since been in and had the work done). But most people look at it to find out exactly where we are, how to get to us and our opening times. Our signwritten van has the website written in large letters as people are most likely to remember that over a phone number.

So our best advice is to get information online as soon as you can but make sure it reflects who you are and what you do and do plenty of research before it goes live.

Tudor Rose
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GeoSpectrum
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Re: What makes a good picture framing website?

Post by GeoSpectrum »

Don’t forget to consider the whole marketing package when designing a website. It may appear a little over the top for a small outfit but some kind of consistent 'branding helps provide identity to the business. By branding i mean logo, typeface, colours, wording etc used on the website should also be reflected in ay flyers, business cards etc that you use. And don’t forget to ensure that you web address is on all emails, printed matter, letters and anything else you use to do with the business. If you use a consistent approach it projects a professional image and people will eventually become used to seeing the same style marketing material which will mean 'framing' to them.
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