I need some content advice for my website

Zim Flyer · April 17th, 2005, 09:46 PM

This links on from the ambition thread I've just started. I currently own a small recruitment agency which gets by, but is not massive and although pays the bills I as the MD seem to take the smallest cut.

As well as the Recruitment Agency, I am about to launch a second business with a friend of mine selling very old books online, we currently sell loads on Ebay but in order to make alot more money from it we are developing our own Online Bookstore.

I've got a meeting on Tuesday with the Web Designer who is going to develop the site for me.

As this is very much on my mind at the moment and the skybar is going through a lean patch I thought I would post a thread asking for peoples thoughts or suggestions on what a good online book store should have?

Englishman · April 17th, 2005, 10:50 PM

As it's a rare book or old book store maybe it would make sense for people to be able to sign up to receive an email if a book they are looking for ever becomes available.

You could try an alternative ebay service and try and match people up with their books and sell them second hand but without you ever having them.

Or allow people to search for content rather than just title or author.

Infected Flinch · April 17th, 2005, 11:42 PM

Newsletters, search engines for all the books, an interesting interface, a forum for possibly asking for books...

...stick something in there that'll make it attractive for people to come back. Sometimes I visit and site and never return due to it being drab and boring.

Just a little advice there.

Elizabeth Kinoke · April 18th, 2005, 12:28 AM

oNE WORD of advice... visit the hay on wye book festival, end of may, you can even watch jools or elvis... (a word of warning, I will be THERE!): http://www.hayfestival.com/2005/index.html

IF YOU miss that then a dan fest same place: http://www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk/

eusebius · April 18th, 2005, 12:29 AM

Oops, forget it! Build the database with what you have on offer and forget the usual newsletters and stuff. I won't be buying if it's any similar to existing websites. Just mention what you have on offer in a correct manner, add resumes to search engines.

People buying books don't care for fancy stuff. They read and do not surf the web.

JDRS · April 18th, 2005, 06:53 PM

Make sure the ordering and help section is good. That's the biggest issue I have with buying online. Finding enough info about deliveries and so on. Also an FAQ page would be good. Make sure you get registered with someone so you can have a secure buying logo or something similar. Make sure your website is listed in the right places that people looking for old books will look.

Zim Flyer · April 18th, 2005, 07:29 PM

Thanks everyone, that is really good advice and very much appreciated, I plan to market it to the people who I currently sell to via Ebay with discounts for regular buyers etc.

I'm putting alot of emphasis on repeat business.

When we go live with the site, I will let everyone know what it is so you can let me know your thoughts.

Thanks again.

andysimo123 · April 18th, 2005, 07:52 PM

I've had my business going for a few months now. Just now getting my site designed and set up. Should be up within the week. I'll tell you all the site address when its up.

Zim Flyer · April 18th, 2005, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysimo123

I've had my business going for a few months now. Just now getting my site designed and set up. Should be up within the week. I'll tell you all the site address when its up.

what type of business do you run?

andysimo123 · April 18th, 2005, 09:01 PM

I run a small design/printing business. Mostly leftlets,takeaway menus and business cards. Planning to expand soon into posters and web design etc.

***Jonesy55*** · April 18th, 2005, 09:16 PM

All the most frequently searched terms on the net are sexual/porn related so if you include some sly double-entendres on the site you will probably get some 'accidental' hits which might lead eventually to greater recognition and more business.

Maybe something along the lines of:

"Does your Pussy cost too much in vet bills, you need a new job!"

or maybe not

Zim Flyer · April 19th, 2005, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy55

All the most frequently searched terms on the net are sexual/porn related so if you include some sly double-entendres on the site you will probably get some 'accidental' hits which might lead eventually to greater recognition and more business.

Maybe something along the lines of:

"Does your Pussy cost too much in vet bills, you need a new job!"

or maybe not

Jonesy55, I'm shocked I'm seeing you in a whole new light

you old dog you

April 17th, 2005, 09:46 PM	#1
Zim Flyer Rock Lord Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Blackpool Posts: 12,920 Likes (Received): 4	I need some content advice for my website This links on from the ambition thread I've just started. I currently own a small recruitment agency which gets by, but is not massive and although pays the bills I as the MD seem to take the smallest cut. As well as the Recruitment Agency, I am about to launch a second business with a friend of mine selling very old books online, we currently sell loads on Ebay but in order to make alot more money from it we are developing our own Online Bookstore. I've got a meeting on Tuesday with the Web Designer who is going to develop the site for me. As this is very much on my mind at the moment and the skybar is going through a lean patch I thought I would post a thread asking for peoples thoughts or suggestions on what a good online book store should have?

April 17th, 2005, 11:42 PM	#3
Infected Flinch Aw, cabbage patch kids... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1,151 Likes (Received): 0	Newsletters, search engines for all the books, an interesting interface, a forum for possibly asking for books... ...stick something in there that'll make it attractive for people to come back. Sometimes I visit and site and never return due to it being drab and boring. Just a little advice there. __________________ Dave Price Himself ~ Twisted Limits Productions - (newgrounds version) I make stuff.

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April 17th, 2005, 10:50 PM	#2
Englishman Urge Desire Rest Join Date: May 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,378 Likes (Received): 4	As it's a rare book or old book store maybe it would make sense for people to be able to sign up to receive an email if a book they are looking for ever becomes available. You could try an alternative ebay service and try and match people up with their books and sell them second hand but without you ever having them. Or allow people to search for content rather than just title or author.

April 18th, 2005, 12:28 AM	#4
Elizabeth Kinoke Wheels... Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,043 Likes (Received): 0	oNE WORD of advice... visit the hay on wye book festival, end of may, you can even watch jools or elvis... (a word of warning, I will be THERE!): http://www.hayfestival.com/2005/index.html IF YOU miss that then a dan fest same place: http://www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk/

April 18th, 2005, 12:29 AM	#5
eusebius BANNED Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Trumpton-upon-Ravon Posts: 7,752 Likes (Received): 0	Oops, forget it! Build the database with what you have on offer and forget the usual newsletters and stuff. I won't be buying if it's any similar to existing websites. Just mention what you have on offer in a correct manner, add resumes to search engines. People buying books don't care for fancy stuff. They read and do not surf the web.

April 18th, 2005, 06:53 PM	#6
JDRS Against ID Cards Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Manchester Posts: 9,823 Likes (Received): 0	Make sure the ordering and help section is good. That's the biggest issue I have with buying online. Finding enough info about deliveries and so on. Also an FAQ page would be good. Make sure you get registered with someone so you can have a secure buying logo or something similar. Make sure your website is listed in the right places that people looking for old books will look.

April 18th, 2005, 07:29 PM	#7
Zim Flyer Rock Lord Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Blackpool Posts: 12,920 Likes (Received): 4	Thanks everyone, that is really good advice and very much appreciated, I plan to market it to the people who I currently sell to via Ebay with discounts for regular buyers etc. I'm putting alot of emphasis on repeat business. When we go live with the site, I will let everyone know what it is so you can let me know your thoughts. Thanks again.

April 18th, 2005, 07:52 PM	#8
andysimo123 wind-up merchant Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,877 Likes (Received): 8	I've had my business going for a few months now. Just now getting my site designed and set up. Should be up within the week. I'll tell you all the site address when its up.

April 18th, 2005, 09:01 PM	#10
andysimo123 wind-up merchant Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,877 Likes (Received): 8	I run a small design/printing business. Mostly leftlets,takeaway menus and business cards. Planning to expand soon into posters and web design etc.

April 18th, 2005, 09:16 PM	#11
*Jonesy55* Mooderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Shrewsbury, Salopia Posts: 12,400 Likes (Received): 697	All the most frequently searched terms on the net are sexual/porn related so if you include some sly double-entendres on the site you will probably get some 'accidental' hits which might lead eventually to greater recognition and more business. Maybe something along the lines of: "Does your Pussy cost too much in vet bills, you need a new job!" or maybe not