Advice on Sales!!

Hey Nic

Thanks for your suggestions. I will think about taking the hover text off. The reason i put the hover text there was just in case the vendors didnt rezz quickly. Since they do seem to rezz quickly i may not need the hover text. I also put the hover text there just beause i can do it It was very exciting for me to know i could use scripts lol

In terms of the lot on the outside I dont know if it was to me or someone else. I did put some outdoor furniture out there (2 gazebo') with a path beside them.

Anyway thanks heaps for coming along to have a look. Im off to mae more items lol

Anni

Hey Prawny thanks very much for the box. I will definetely take part..ill get an ad done up later today. I tried to send a nc to you inworld but whenever i do a search for your name it comes up with no name found grrrrr. Could just be a glitch with sl today (as per usual)

Anyway thanks again

Anni

Hi Annisha, I visited your store as well. Looks good so far. Id suggest a subscriber method more than a group, because of the 25 group maximum. Im sure you will get more people with a subscriber kiosk, u can find demos that allows a small amount of subscribers, so that can save money until u get enough to buy a real version. Thats what Im doing now

Hey Kathleen where do you get demo's for the subscribe o matics or whatever you call them lol

Thanks )

I'll send ya an IM inworld :]

Thank you for suggesting I visit your store Annisha For the sake of space/prim saving to use that for products, I like your store's type of build. The no roof thing is nice; I've seen that in a couple of stores, even when the merchant owns quite a bit of land.

I counted 125 prims not including your signs set outside and if the stairs leading into the shop are deducted, 122. Still over a 512 limit but it did give me ideas for a small store.

As for rezzing time...WONDERFUL....and this is coming from someone using an older computer, with SL version 1.8 - something viewer with the Nicholaz files. Usually anywhere I go I just expect to wait a few minutes to see much of anything, but everything at the landing point rezzed almost immediately for me, including your shop.

Popped by your store and had a quick look the other day. Things were pretty quick to rez for me, so no probs there at all.

Your store doesn't look too bare either, the store size is about right for what you've got in there at the moment.

I do agree with Nic that maybe you should try and tie in your outdoor stuff with the store somehow. I see that you don't use a roof on your store, so maybe you could just extend the store, but leave it open ended.

One thing about typefaces... you are doing the right thing by trying to stick to the same typeface, but I would be tempted to find another typeface that compliments the one that you're using. Can't remember it's name offhand, but if I remember rightly it only has uppercase available. You could use the typeface you have now for headings and then use a complimentary one with upper and lower case for any body copy so it's easier to read.

Kathleen, I went to your store as well. I would basically agree with what Nic said, except I couldn't find the sawhorse. I counted approximately 61 prims, but since you sell clothing, mine at minimum would be closer to Annisha's prim count and probably over that if I put my whole line out. So, the two visits helped me decide to just keep on the path I'm on until I have 6 month's tier saved before I add more land for the shop.

Ok, back to the review. Re: the hovertext, yes there are several bunched together, but there are some things that would help a bit with that.

My suggestion would be to make all the hover text on the desk items and behind the desk all white for a clean, uniform look. I didn't see the red hovertext on the Valentines Hunt sign until I really cammed at different angles because it blends in with the reddish wall behind it. The blue hovertext on the blue-framed sign next to it doesn't blend in as much, but still distracts from the poster.

Another suggestion would be to break the longer hovertext into two or more lines and lift them up a bit so they're not overlapping other signs. (I didn't know how to do that for a long time. If you would like any help with that, let me know and I'll be happy to.) Just switched back to SL viewer and saw your hovertext on your group subscriber is two lines so just ignore what I said if you already know how to do that.

Speaking of the group subscriber sign...that hovertext looks nice that color. I think it works well pulling the same color up from the sign and it is against a different wall color so is clear to see.

Overall you have the shop set up very nicely. I enjoy shopping in smaller stores that are easy to navigate and your's fits the bill. Nice job!

I popped by your store too Kathleen and I'd say it's looking pretty good. I love all the graphics you've put together.

I think partitioning or splitting the store in two would probably help to keep your two products separate. Selling prefabs and furniture myself, I try keep those in separate areas in my stores.

As for putting in shelves, I'd just put your sales signs on the walls, then you'll save more prims.

My first store was, and still is, on a 512 parcel. I was lucky enough to be around when first land was still available. I struggled to get everything I wanted in within the 117 prim limit, but I think I did ok, although I don't think I have more than an odd prim to spare.

If anyone wants to see how I did, they can get there using the link in my sig (it's the one at Huntsman), or you'll find it in my pics in-world.

Ohhhh... Prawny, now that I think of it, way back when the thread first started I recall you saying you did your shop on a 512. I need to head back over there.

Hi again Since I was out looking at store layouts, I stopped by yours and really glad I did. When I get a main store, I plan to put it in the sky. I thought I would have to put up a fence or something so people wouldn't accidentally walk off the edge, but I doubt you've had any "deaths by fall"...lol. I really like the leaf motif on your windows carried through to your walls.

It's not my main store, but it is my original one... well it's where I had my first store anyway... it has changed a little from the first one I had there, mainly so that it's in keeping with my main store.

Hey all

Thanks for the good advice. Well im going to have many more prims to play with and alot more land to. My friend who shared the land with me has now decided she wont be coming on sl much anymore so shes going to remove most of her stuff. She had a huge garden in the sky tha took up 250 prims!!!! lol. So now ive gotta decide what to do with all this space I guess i had better make more product.

Just a question for those that went. Did you find it confusing there? Like would you know how to buy the product (is it obvious you would click on the large signs to pay?) Also would you know how to try the product before buying.

-Anyway i got a demo subscribe-o-matic and ive placed a free shower in there for anyone that signs up. I have the shower out on display so ppl know what there gettnig. I have put teh sign up on the vendor stating that this will not take up group spots. Yet no-one is subscribing. Sometimes im above my store and notice someone coming in on my radar so i cam downwards and watch them. These ppl look confused to me lol...and they never subscribe. Ive had quite alot of ppl go in whilst being up there. So im wondering if im doing something wrong lol

Anyway thanks for the advice peeps

Anni

I struggle with that one myself, Annisha, especially trying to save prims. I've basically noticed two main method "types" of selling furnishings:

(1) All furniture is displayed, usually in furniture groupings, with no signs, prices, or info. These are generally large stores and the method of purchase is click to check price/prims and pay/or not. Sometimes there is one sign for an entire group setting that says "The XYZ Collection" and sometimes indicates the entire set can be purchased from that sign by clicking, whereas if individual pieces are bought, again it's a copy from the floor.

(2) A combination of vendor signs/product displays with at least one type of the product displayed and a vendor sign that describes the product and may have separate prims to purchase different colors, etc. (I first saw that in Prawny's store. )

Your store would fall into the second category and I was not at all confused. I pretty much assume the sign is to be clicked and if that doesn't work, then I click the product.

(I left out the vendors that have arrow signs to cycle through products. I've *mainly* seen these in satellite shops where one can go to see/sit on/touch the product at a main store. In furnishings, I personally prefer to actually see the product. I suppose this could be a third category )




I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Somehow making people aware you have the subscribe-o-matic available in other ways than people who come into the store might help, but that falls into marketing which isn't my strong point at all...lol.

When I was doing my store visits/reviews the other day, I had the forums and SL opened and switched back and forth as I wrote my comments. If I just happened to be standing by your subscribe-o-matic, it could seem like I was trying to figure out how to use it but I just had my avatar parked as I wrote. I also tend to get in one spot in a store and cam around to view it first rather than walk. Others may do that as well. Especially seasoned shoppers won't be confused about *any* method of joining a group.

As far as watching people enter the store "from above," I temporarily had a 3-story shop in a new sim which was offered to me rent-free by a friend. I didn't have a home at the time, so I lived on the third floor and had my products on the first two. I know what you mean by seeing the green dots enter. I'd cam down and see which product they were looking at (which may not even have been accurate, considering I just said I stand in one spot when shopping and cam through a store; many people may do that). Then, being a prolific profile reader, I'd get sidetracked from what I was doing by reading their profile, which often resulted in me seeing a cool group/place to visit and pulling up *that* info and making a note of it to visit.

I was the first store by the sim's landing point, so often people just walked through my store to get to the main street. Then there were people who tp'd into my store and out again in seconds. When I was visiting stores for this thread, I saw that happen in other stores as well.

I finally decided it's probably not good for me to be within camming range of my store.

*waves to all* great thread, somebody save it please.. back in SL after being gone since 10/21/09 when hubby had Brain Surgery. This thread is a wealth of great input. I am slowly getting back into designing on my laptop since my big puter decided it will not wakeup. Major advice: BACKUP your files to a disk, removable HD, anything but do it and do it often.

<333

WB Argus Yes wonderful thread and there area always new ppl coming along and keeping it alive (like myself)

Thanks Cari for your response Yes it can be a little problematic knowing when someone enters my store because i stop what im doing lol. But its interesting to people watch lol.
Anyway the subscribe-o-matic is at the back of the store and its got clear instructions that it wont take up any group spaces and the freebie gift is on display.Still no-one enters. Maybe i need a different freebie gift. Mine is just a simple shower with an erotic animation for a couple. Maybe ppl want more elaborate freebies these days because i guess there are so many out there lol.

I may come check out your store today Cari

Thanks all
Anni

hi everyone! sorry to have been so absent for so long. between rl commitments and my good laptop dying, getting into sl has been next to impossible. but i try to get on during down times and that is working ok.

for an update...my sales have been pretty consistant and steady even tho ive not made anything new or put out anything new since the holidays. seems like people now know of my store and my products and consistently come at this level even if im not around at all.

with that being said...i love my midnight madness board and when i change items and promote it, i get a huge increase in traffic AND sales. love the idea of using a pic giveaway and will have to go into sl soon and check cuz i think i already have a device that will do it for me! thanks for the idea!

all in all, sl is still giving me RL income every month over and above my nearly quarter sim tier and other expenses. so im really happy with that. my two years of heavily promoting my products is now paying off very well. so for those of you making that steep climb....dont give up! all of the ideas in this thread are valid and work. so just keep tweaking things and find you niche and what works best for you.

ive had some requests to teach my classe again, and tbh right now, im not sure my laptop will allow me to get through one. ill try to test out communicating in a group and see how bad it is and then decide....

hugs to everyone and congrats on alllll the progress and successes! you guys rock! and you got me all excited again just reading these updates lol

I think you mean me My store is what would be a satellite store for many merchants, but it's my in-world one for now. I'll be setting out my Valentine's Day merchandise soon...real soon...gah! Holidays sure do creep up.

Also had an idea today. I never know what to set out with limited space so I'm going to try having a "theme" every so often and change out the merchandise accordingly. Not sure how often to change it out, but at least it will give some continuity to my rotating changes.

Welcome back, Argus!

/me waves to Jojo! Great to see you back!

@Prawny - I visited all three of your stores today, with particular interest in the 512 sqm. I love the way all your locations have the same style, textures, etc. Great branding!

@Mickey - Visited your new low prim section as well. I wanted to see what you and others meant by putting keywords in each item and found out. So I'm just strolling around and out of seemingly nowhere, a gift lands on me (well not literally but in my inventory). Thank you and nice touch!!

/me ducks back in world for a few more minutes until I head for bed. Niters everyone!

Oh! Thanks Czari and Prawny for visiting the store too. Sorry you didnt get to see the sawhorse Czari lol It was eating up 6 prims. Anyways, the advices were all helpful. I've moved around some stuff since I last posted, but I wont get my results i want until i add more stuff!

Annisha:
Sorry to hear that the subscribo matic isnt working out as planned, but it will take time. I havent seen what yours look like, but like Czari says, its about marketing. I have almost 20 subscribers since I got the demo around at least a week ago. I made the texture on mine very bright and colorful that it should catch anyone's attention, but not blind them i hope o_o. Have it where everyone can see it easily and patiencely wait for customers to join.

I will try n visit some of the stores here soon!

Just a quick reminder to everyone that the new BO-Xchange should be landing a little later on today. I'll send a message via the Biz Owner group with it attached a little later on.

Anyone that missed getting their stuff in for the update will have another chance in a few weeks time after Valentines day.

Just received mine and it is up and running.Cheers ,It's nice to see the new colorful entries.

Cheers Blot... just bumping this to remind everyone to grab their copy

Blot's siggy is like so freaking me out!!!

Gotta grab mine tonite Prawny - I didnt get one on a notice...SL has not been kind to me lately

So here we are...

At the end of such a long road - no, not the end... A jumping off point. This is our on Undying Thread, I suppose. But now will be buried away perhaps never to be seen again.

I want to invite you all that participated here to join SCII where I am trying to continue this thread.

Here is the link: http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/showthread.php?p=129474#post129474

Things u need to remember re SCII - It can be a bit raunchy, if u find something offensive, for god's sake don't read it. The pix and language can be a bit off color but we are all adults. Also- you must have an avatar pic in profile or they will get on your case, no biggie. You must make your first post to Ellis Island and then they release you - this is to cut back on spam.

That's all folks- hope to see all of you there. Hugs and kisses to all- it has been grand helping each other navigate the business waters of SL.