Selling bows without a website?

[BusyBumbleBee]

Just thought I'd share the info I was informed of today. One of the malls I had a stand at this past fall now has a cart set up every weekend that sells bows, etc. It's kind of funny because it's a mall I didn't really do all that well at, so I decided I probably wouldn't return. I'm not naming names, but a friend of mine told me about it (she lives in that area) and sent me a link to their website and the site says: Website opening early May - and it's June and not open? Kind of seems weird to me that someone goes straight for a mall kiosk to sell their product before even trying to sell their items online?? Or is it just me? I'm sure there's a story behind it, maybe upgrading their site? Maybe they sold at a store and then now the mall and just now getting a site up? I'm sure there are plenty of people that just sell to their friends/family first before selling to the public to. But just kind of struck me odd.

[Barbara Jean]

I don't know, it doesn't strike me as odd. I know of several people (not necessarily bow makers) that don't sell online or if they do just through a venue like etsy or ebay or even Facebook. Some others are maybe more homegrown businesses that enjoy lots of local success that eventually decide to try their hand at a wider audience.

[FRANCISBEL]

well for me that is normal I know many person how sale on malls,boutiques differents places but never try anything online..

Is a lot of person how don't have any idea how to turn on a pc...

[GrandmaJ]

Think about it ... where did people sell their crafts before internet!?!?!?:girly:
I guess it depends on how serious you are about selling and if you are doing it for pleasure or income!?! For me it would definitely be for pleasure. And if I make a few bucks here and there .... lucky me I can buy more ribbon!!! lol

[K's kustom bows]

I dont have an actual website, just FB, and I thought about maybe trying boutiques or maybe a little kiosk in the mall somewhere, but trying to stay away from you since we are so close, dont want to step on any toes. Like I said the other day there was that one girl that was selling from a kiosk outside of finishline in fairview, and I swear all her stuff came from HH...

[BusyBumbleBee]

Well my thoughts on this are, not so much selling on the wesbite, but I just feel like the internet is much a part of everyday life these days - you should at least have a place for people to go for info.

[bbb2010]

I have been doing shows for about 3 years and I still don't have a website up yet, it is really hard not to have a website for reorders. I am still not ready to go online yet, we have the domain name but we haven't built our site yet. Do you think online is the best way to go?

[BusyBumbleBee]

If you are doing shows you are doing good!! But having my website, those customers from the shows have the opportunity to come and order again and again. Also it's a great way to keep your customers in "the know" of where you'll be for your next show. I have many customers that come to the shows and introduce themselves and say they've been a fan on facebook or have shopped my site before. I love that connection with my customers beyond the internet.

I have been doing shows for about 3 years and I still don't have a website up yet, it is really hard not to have a website for reorders. I am still not ready to go online yet, we have the domain name but we haven't built our site yet. Do you think online is the best way to go?

[girlygirlisme2003]

Well I have yet to see anyone in my area selling bows. There is one lady that has her own store about an hour away but that place is crazy tourists. But I just sell my stuff to family, friends, and now on facebook. I have checked the mall kiosk but they want like 400 a month to set up there and I can't afford that and I'm sure starting out that I am not going to sell enough to pay that and it even be worth my time. Also the boutiques that are around here are not a "bow like" atmosphere so I don't even bother. I don't have a website either because until I get a steady amount of customers who return often then I don't want to worry with paying a price that I am not sure that I will be able to afford. But yeah for me its not weird because if I had the money then I would set up at the mall because thats the best way to tempt people when they are coming there knowing they are spending money any how.

[ishop2much]

I guess depending on how you look at things. They are investing a lot of money into their business by having a kiosk. In most cases a website can be built pretty inexpensively. They may have been more confident in their selling face to face skills than in their website design and seo skills. There are thousands of bow websites and at a kiosk you have a very targeted market. Unfortunate that they don't have a website update enough even if they change the coming soon date. But I'm even guilty of falling behind on my website...and my blog. They are for sure missing the oportunity to have friends refer friends to their website after someone purchases from their kiosk.

[soneal1027]

I don't sell online, I sell to the local cheerlleading squads, custom orders from friends, on the ballfield is where I sell the most, & word of mouth. My bows are not my only source of income though, I own my own little grooming business & that pays way more than the bows & is more consistent.