Advice please!

[kidsklobba]

Hi All,

Im looking to advertise our childrens wear business which is in the early stages and have purchased business cards and have created a flyers and have also started doing reciprocol linking to other web sites.

I also want to try other forms of advertising but am not sure which ones will be the most effective for our kind business.

Im thinking of purchasing promotional pens as these can be handed out to people. Most people find these useful and keep them instead of throwing them in the bin. So im guessing that this may be a good one too go with.

Also, im thinking of advertising on a very popular website that has around 400,000 hits per month but am not sure if this would be a better bet than the pen idea.

Anyone got any views on this and the pro´s and con´s of each and could offer some advice?

Thanks

Rob

[mitov]

hi rob,

well i could be of some interest to you. I own a website which advertises salons, spas, gyms, personnel, sports clubs and now will also do fashion.

Also have a forum www.hbpboard.co.uk which you could take a look at.

I think you are facing a tough decision between the two. Just to point out however, becasue i have a whsmith branded pen next to me dosent make me go to the website, or buy anything else. On the other hand, if i saw a whsmith advert on the net i would not click on it and buy something from their website.

What you have to consider is who you will be giving your pens at. Single people or couples without children will not buy children ware. Also, how many of thoes 400,000 people are unique visitors. I have 10,000 hits a month, but only 500 are unique (dont laugh, i have just started the website and have not advertised it at all).

Do you sell online or in a store?

Miro

[kidsklobba]

Thanks for that Miro.

We advertise online www.kidsklobba.com(feel free to give me your opinion on the site) but are also looking at hosting parties like people do with tupperware and anne summers.

The website I mentioned gets(according to them) 431,000 unique hits a month. They are saying that they will advertise our site for one year and that this will cost 270 euros´s(about 200 pounds) which isnt bad I guess.

I know that starting up any business can be a slow process at first as it takes time to build up your customer base, but am just looking at other outlets.

Had a look at the site. It looks familiar for some reason

Rob

[mitov]

Hi,

I had a look at the site. One which which stands out i think is the header...too much white space around it, or maybe its the centred logo... Not sure. Try playing around with that. The header is also a great place to advertise any promotions you have, such as 10% Discount untill June r something like that.

Maybe the background gray could also do with a change. It should be nice bright colours. Maybe it can be a picture of a bright blue sky with a sun and some green grass at the bottom.

Look at the nice bright colours they use:

http://www.marshallward.co.uk/MWNet/...d/default.aspx
http://www.hannaandersson.com/home.asp?rs=1
http://www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk/

Also, take into concidoration what website you will be advertising at. An advert for childrens clothes is unlikely to attract alot of attention on a for example stock exchange site.

Miro

[peterjhale]

Also ensure you only target your potential audience

I know it sounds obvious, but when you have limited funds, only spend it towards those who actually might either:

- make the buying decision, or
- influence it

[BIZAL]

Not sure about the pens. Everyone likes free things but will that make them buy?

As for the site, I will call a few of the other companies that advertise on there first before spending any money.

As for other methods I can think of loads that are worth a toe in the water and would not jump in until any method has been tested.

[uk_search_engine]

Hi,

Well, everyone like freebies By giving out pens or any protional freebie items, you don't expect everyone will log into your website. At the moment, your main target should be promoting your site & brand recognition or promotion.

Once they remember it or known your name very well, they will buy it from you for sure. If they like your products they will recommend their familes or friends to you as well. So, here you go, you get a free marketing.

So keep the options open & don't put all the eggs in one basket.Try online & offline simple marketing methods for the start & gradually buiild it from there. I hope this helps & good luck...

[JustOneUK]

Originally Posted by mitov

Hi,

I had a look at the site. One which which stands out i think is the header...too much white space around it, or maybe its the centred logo... Not sure. Try playing around with that. The header is also a great place to advertise any promotions you have, such as 10% Discount untill June r something like that.

Maybe the background gray could also do with a change. It should be nice bright colours.

seconded.

I would left align the logo and next to it in nice clear text have "Quality Kids Clothing at affordable Prices" or something similar.

the background could be better for sure. all in all it's not a bad site... try not to have blank spaces in your "latest products" get some stuff on there.

James.

[evej13]

I think if you're thinking of giving something for free, give something related to your product. For example, give away a hat and bootie set with an outfit.

Eve

[dotwhack]

Hi - although promotion pens are kept by people etc - I'm not sure it'll do much for your marketing.

I've recenty completed a project on a kids furniture seller - they focused mainly on selling through their website - they used google ad words quite successfully...

hope that helps you a little