Now that I have been
accepted as a new member...(thanks for that) I guess it is time to see if there is some good advice from you ...on your side of the pond. Here is my story, product, whatever...I have been designing landscapes for over 20 years, 10 years on computer. For the last 5 yrs I have been creating a data base of designs that are easily modified to create a landscape design series to make available to the public for website download, or in a cd package form that I want to sell to retailers ie; garden centres, landscape stores etc. Anyway, I have been working on tweaking the final look of the product to make it end user freindly with a wealth of information on each design for the homeowner. I want the product to be fairly inexpensive and available for about 5-10% of the cost of a custom design. I tried a test site to see if people would buy this type of product and had moderate success this past year.
Now I am ready to take it to the next step. My plan is to have 200 designs available for our spring market and adding 2-300 per year. These will be available to download on our site. I also plan to create the cd version which will have 20-30 plans plans available per cd for clients to purchase. Each design is either 18"x24" or 24"x36" (depending on the size of the design) when printed off as well as an attachment of a letter size for home printing. They are full working drawings with specs, details and recommendations. I am working on a search engine for the site as well as the cd for clients to narrow down their search for one that will suite them.
This is a fairly new idea in Canada and I have been (in spare time) searching the web to find a similar product. There really is nothing like it that I could find. If it is here then it is awfully hard to locate. I did find a company in England that does something kind of similar. SOoooo I decided that in order to seek advice without giving away my whole idea , plan, product and all the info that took me 4 years to put together, I should go across the pond. You guys might have funny accents but you seem to be running a pretty good country over there. So your advice on a couple questions would be well taken to heart.
Question 1. Now that I have a lot of information to be able to sell via a landscape design...should I (or is it possible) to get other suppliers to pay for a small ad on each design. FOr example. I promote paving stones for patios, would a paving stone company be interested in promoting their product on my designs? Or am I shooting myself in the foot? Do they want to see a track record? help on this would be great...
Question 2. What kind of price point would work for my products. A. the cd version. B. each design downloadable?
Question 3. Should I look to partner with other designers to broaden the client base or should I get my feet wet first?
Question 4. WHat do I need to make ready for the retail end to promote my product. Like posters, stands, that sort of thing?
I know that is a lot to ask but I am sure that someone can give me some heads up on the ideas...I would appreciate it.
Desynerguy.
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