No sales--please advice... PLEASE!!/Drop shipping also?

[helpme]

I have 2 questions, could someone please look at my site I have had it up for 1 week now and listed in froogle for about 4 days and I haven't had one sale!! I know that my site does not have much on it, which leads me to my next question....
Can anyone suggest any dropshipper? Or at least say who the bads ones are. I am looking into world wide brands...any suggestions, good or bad?
Thanks for your help, I despritely need to get this site going!!

[jettrue]

Have you done any advertising? Unfortunately, many people thinhk in regards to online stores that "If I build it, they will come". It won't work that way, and one week being online really isn't a long time. You may be on froogle, but can people find your site on the first page through google?

Building a profitable online business takes a lot of time, and it also takes some form of advertising.

What's the link to your site, by the way?

[helpme]

OH, I can't believe I forgot that!!! What a way to start the day!!!

www.mommyandbabyessentials.com


I actually have 1 customer but they didn't buy anything. Out of curiousity, how long can I expect? I am on google but my closest item is on page 11 But I have been moving up.

Any suggestions on advertising? I have submited to open directory, and started working on my links.

Thanks for your help.

[jettrue]

OH, I can't believe I forgot that!!! What a way to start the day!!!

www.mommyandbabyessentials.com


I actually have 1 customer but they didn't buy anything. Out of curiousity, how long can I expect? I am on google but my closest item is on page 11 But I have been moving up.

Any suggestions on advertising? I have submited to open directory, and started working on my links.

Thanks for your help.

I don't know how much business submitting to free links will get you... I'd fine websites for expecting mothers, and buy some ad space. Find a mom's forum (assuming that you're also a mom, and would like to chat about mom things), and join in, with a link in your sig, etc. I couldn't possibly give you a set date, however remember there a TONS of websites selling the things that you are selling... so expecting to stand out from the rest in a week is unrealistic.

The best of luck to you!

[helpme]

I have starting chatting in the mommy forums...but thanks for the tip! Do you have any suggestions for my site, how does it look? I love your contributions by the way (as you can see!)

[BradSmith]

Often times having good character in a related forum, with your link as a signature, will be good advertising. Also, I would probably connect even more with the, "Hey, we're selling the same products that made our pregnancy a joy."

This line sort of bothered me in your About Us page...

"We are firm believers in all of the products we sell as they have been used in our households."

I'd probably reword that just to be safe.

[MeltDown]

Building a business isn't about the construction of the business itself, it's about building a foundation over time. I don't want to discourage you but everyone and their brother has an online store now-a-days. If I were you I wouldn't focus on when I was going to get my first sale but what you can do today to increase the likelihood of sales in the future.
First, there are a few things that need attention on your site. There are no FAQ's in the FAQ's. The AMeda Hospital breast pump text is whacked.
http://www.mommyandbabyessentials.co...pbcjds9rqnipj7
And you need to spellcheck your product pages. example:
http://www.mommyandbabyessentials.co...roducts_id=188
There are at least 3 misspelled words on that page.
And those are just a few things I came across in a few minutes. Listen, no offense but you are not ready to open. Take a look at your site through the customers eyes. Do some fine-tuning and change your focus from making money to creating an environment in which customers Would spend money.

Tim

[helpme]

Thank you for your advice, no offense taken, I actually just put the faqs page on the site about 10 minutes ago, so I haven't got the text added yet.... But thank you I have been selling online for a couple of years just never on my own website, and I am open to an suggestions, comments (good or bad) and any helpful hints.
Again Thank You!

[Zinfandel]

Helpme,

There isn't anything special on your site that would attract customers.
Expecting and new mothers are hungry for information.
You may want to include informational pages about baby care, about new mother issues, how to bath a baby, how to feed a baby, skin care for babies, instruction on how to use that breast pump your selling. You may even want to create a forum on your site where mothers can share their experiences and ask questions of each other.
You may want to discuss how to deal with post partum depression, offer links to sites of interest.

Even if noone buys anything, at first, you want to at least create traffic.

Just my opinion, of course, you do whatever you want.

[Beth-katherine]

Having been in business for 20 years the main thing I have learned is that in the beginning advertising is a MUST. Later on word of mouth will run your shop (as mine does). So might I suggest you advertise in MOTHERING Magazine as that seems to be the best place for your products. They have a section for cottage industries (which I am assuming you are) or home based businesses which is very effective in gathering customers. One thing I have learned is that ladies are always looking for things to make their lives easier. You just might end up being unidated with orders once the word gets out about your product.

Oh and people tend to trust printed advertising rather than online advertising, though when I started my online shop I hunted down every place that allowed me to link to my site, links which are still bringing in customers.

Trust is the issue at the beginning and then word of mouth runs the shop.

Just my suggestion,
Beth-Katherine