10 TIPS FOR SELECTING JEWELRY WEBSITES -- SOME WIN AND MOST DON'T

I remember way back in 1996 when I first went on line with my jewelry videos and finished jewelry websites, I hired a local guy to build and host my website and he was the best in town - yada, yada, yada. 3 months later my websites were in search engine position no mans land! That meant no one called, no one faxed, and no one ordered anything on line. And we waited and waited and it never got better.

OK. So one bad webmaster. So what after a couple thousand dollars and lots of worry I hire another guy and 2 months later the same grim story. And after going thru webmaster #3 is when I finally realized that if I did not get personally involved in some part of the creation of this jewelry selling machine, it was not going to happen!

And today it is a lot easier then it was back in 1996 and a lot cheaper BUT you must get involved in some way or you're on ine jewelry empire won't happen either. And it seems throughout the years it has always been the webmaster relationship that killed the sale one way or another. So here is a few webmaster tips that might help you on your journey:

WEBMASTER TIP #1 -- A simple software development contract can eliminate or at least put you 1st if any problems arise and they usually will, especially if you're website is a success and you're making tons of money. NEVER SIGN ANY CONTRACT THAT YOU OR YOUR ATTORNEY DID NOT DRAW UP, NEVER!

WEBMASTER TIP #2 -- If someone puts a word into your website they are entering data and thus developing your website and thus could be considered a technician, webmaster, softare developer, etc. So any sub contractor that you hire should have at least a simple contract so all the terms are understood.

WEBMASTER TIP #3 -- If you pay someone to build a website or improve it, do you own the website or the software? Can you move it? At what cost? The answer to that is a resounding maybe! Remember you're never going to have any of these problems if you don't make a dime selling anything on line. Its always after you start making money that the trouble arises.

NOTE: Usually a sub-contractor who is hired to build any kind of website or software for you is a work for hire and the software is yours. BUT! I onced designed my own affiliate program, had a "friend" build it, and after it was finished and we were ready to use it, he said it was OUR SOFTWARE and we owned it jointly!!!!

I had no contract and I was out $3000 and, yes, I could have sued but that would cost me another $10,000 minimum so I cut my losses and let it go and hope he enjoys the software I paid for. If I had a contract in hand, this would not have happened.

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WEBMASTER TIP #4 -- You have a simple contract, your webmaster has signed off on it and now the software is finished YEA!!! If your contract is not drawn up right he might say:

Oh, yes, you own the front end of the software but I own the back end"

Yes, it has happened and does happen every day and, if you don't clearly write this out and your website makes a ton of money, you could have problems. Make sure its completely drawn up that your technician is:

#1 A WORK FOR HIRE

#2. YOU OWN BOTH FRONT AND BACK END OF THE SOFTARE

#3. ONLY YOU OWN ALL RIGHTS TO THE WEBSITE OR SOFTWARE

WEBMASTER TIP #5 --- Everyone wants to have their uncle, cousin or the guy at church build their website. Not a good idea! Here is why:

#1. Most of these people don't have the expertise that's really needed to do this that's the real reason they do it for free.

#2. If the site is built in html or php and not built on a standard format that other developers understand your friend from church is THE ONLY GUY IN THE WORLD THAT CAN FIX IT WHEN IT BREAKS AND IT WILL BREAK. Not good.

#3. Today don't get the major componets of a website custom made. Get a proven shopping cart (basically all the features are in the shopping cart) the art work is just the pretty part and don't really mean much. You can get shopping carts right out the box that have been in business for years because there will be years of fixing and beta testing before it is right so don't go and try to re build the wheel.

WEBMASTER TIP #6 -- If you have a good shopping cart out of the box that has been around for a while then you are on the right track and anyone including the company you buy it from can fix it shall it go down and it will.

How do you find a good shopping cart? Here is a couple things you can do.

#1. Go to an expert internet forum and get various opinions. Usually these guys know everything from A to Z when it comes to programming and shopping carts. For $1 you can sign up for any big expert forum. Get your answers and stay in to learn more if you like.

#2. Do an online search, not for shopping carts but for:

"comparison chart of shopping carts" --- This way you can see what others have to say about the cart and they will even grade them sometime.

#3. If you buy a good shopping cart at a reasonable price, ask the dealer these questions:

What does technical help cost? Is Technical help included and for how long? Is this a one time charge or is this a yearly charge? Is there any residual costs? Can I host the cart anywhere or do you have to host it? (best to host your own) Can you recommend someone to customize and add modules to my cart? Is any coding required to install my cart and if so how much and what does it cost? Can you show me a few sites that use your cart? How many carts do you have out there?

WEBMASTER TIP #7 -- Another way to go is to go to a mall like Etsy or Ruby Lane. I have heard a lot of good things about both of these companies but the only draw back is when you really want to expand you might have to rebuild. But if you're business stays small, it could be just what the doctor ordered and they're cheap.

WEBMASTER TIP #8 -- Where will you host your website? There are places all over and many times instead of paying $35 a month or something like that you can pay a flat fee for one server and put as many websites on it as you wish. Try HOSTGATER for only $4.95 a month! WWW.HOSTGATOR.COM

If you have all intentions of just having one website, then any good efficient weB company would be fine. If you plan on getting several mini sites (I have about 30), you might go with the flat fee such as host gator.

WEBMASTER TIP #9 --- I think the #1 thing that I want on any website or shopping cart is a simple interface that somebody like me that has no technical experiece can operate on a simple basis. That means no html needed, no php. Just fill in the blanks and press the button.

This way you are very much in control of your own destiny and your maintence cost will be peanuts if you can do a little of it yourself.

WEBMASTER TIP #10 --- Adding on and building custom features on your website as you go. If you stay in the business of selling jewelry online, you will always be trying to improve your website sales and usually but not always that means some custom features like:

AUTORESPONDERS

NEWSLETTER FEATURE

EASY PICTURE ADDING

ETC ETC ETC

So then you are back to hiring someone to build websites and software but remember, if you have a wizard or do it yourself shopping cart, most if not all of that will not be required but, if you do need custom softare built, just shop cautiously and get references and make sure the person is well qualifed and that don't mean expensive it means experienced.

:ASK to see 25 websites they have built and permission to ask every one of them about there services! Good news travels fast, bad news even faster!

Preston Reuther Master Wire Sculptor P.S. Forget about all that over priced Druzy try this: http://www.jewelrysupplycloseouts.com/catalog/Druzy_Cabochons-120-1.html

Preston Reuther
Master Wire Sculptor
www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com

This bracelet shown here and offered in our bootcamp by streaming video is THE #1 SELLING BRACELET IN THE U.S. without exception. It has been made a million different ways but basically its long rectangle gemstone beads or cylinders implanted into a simple two wire harness!

It is not hard to do and I would venture to say any beginner could at least do a single row of stones. BUT you can do a triple row of stones along with accent beads in gold filled wire and they can sell from $100 and more in a good retail setting and there really fun to make!

The best size bead is the rectangle or cylinder and it will give it a better look then most gemstone beads will. And the basic design can be used with my classic hook and catch that is featured on most all of my bracelet projects for a really strong and lasting bracelet. SEE THE VIDEO; http://www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com/members/department26.cfm

And if you add exotic gemstone beads such as coral and lapis your retail price can go up as much as 40%

Preston Reuther Master Wire Sculptor P.S. Get Bracelet Beads: http://www.jewelrysupplycloseouts.com/catalog/Bracelet_Beads-150-1.html

Preston Reuther
Master Wire Sculptor
www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com

FROM THE FORUM:

That's a lot of questions about shows and just at the right time! It seems those little shows that produced little revenue two years ago are now great places to sell your jewelry!

And seems that home parties are booming! Here is a great quote from Gala on our forum and it gives great insight as to "HOW TO DO IT" This is what Galya said:

In deciding how I want to sell my jewelry, I also as an artist, had to decide how I want to be perceived by the general public. Not to step on any toes here, but I do not want to be seen as a crafter; instead as an artist. Those titles have two different meanings to me.

Have a plan and be creative. Your shows need to be fun and engaging. The hostess needs to be aware that there is work involved. She needs to be informed of your expectations, goals and needs. You need to be open minded, listen, and offer ideas if needed. I had one show lined up with a lady that was really only interested in a free piece of jewelry. We decided that perhaps this was not a good idea for her at that time. Don’t be afraid of saying no. Again, it’s all perception. Your community needs to know you are a professional, you love what you are doing, and in the process make a living.

A friend of mine held the first hometown party. I took her to lunch and we discussed how and what she would like to do at the show other than have jewelry sitting out for the ladies to look at. She came up with the idea to research the history on some of the exotic stones that I use in some of my pieces. She also wanted to do a fashion show in which a few of her friends dressed in different fashions; examples: dinner gowns, office apparel, blue jeans. They wore complimentary jewelry for each outfit. It was fun and engaged the ladies.

I also discussed with her the party for the husbands. She actually held this one as well. Her basement is set up as a home theater, it was Super Bowl weekend and the men loved it. The same women did a fashion show during half time. The wish list for their wives were handed to them at this time and the men focused on the jewelry. Another example is one of a show for the hubbies. They played poker instead of watching sports on the t.v. The hostess had some girl friends dress up, some as saloon girls (wearing jewelry) and served the men snacks and drinks. In doing shows for men, keep in mind they are visual creatures.

These parties were fun a lot of fun for everyone. I do the invitations for each party. They are simple to do in Microsoft word. I get the address of the hostess prior to meeting with her and delivery 25 to 30 invitations to her at our meeting. The hostess addresses and delivers or mails them. I picture a selection of my jewelry on the front of the invitations. Inside lists the address, date, and time of the show. In my mind, this ensures that I am perceived as a professional.

I like to do large shows. A minimum of 20 attendants at each show. This has not been a problem so far. When doing a presentation at a show, you need to express how much you love what you are doing. In other words, it’s not just a money maker. Always introduce yourself and tell how and why you are making and selling jewelry. Make this presentation short and sweet.

I cannot emphasize how important it is not to skimp of the hostess gift. She needs to put a lot of effort into a show and should be rewarded for that effort. I am not sure these are tips, but after a lot of thought and discussion with my husband, who by-the-way had a lot of input, decided on this approach for selling my jewelry. I really feel although we want to make money at this, the public needs to feel that is the least important aspect of your business. Personally, when I attend a home show and get the feeling that the only reason I am there is to spend money, I tend to disengage and leave without spending a penny.

Quote from one of our forum members Gayla. ------------- Meet her on the forum maybe she can help you out too!

Preston Reuther
Master Wire Sculptor
www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com

I know valentines day is over but it makes no difference heart shaped jewelry sells all year long. So this is sort of looking back at valentines day and looking forward to another one.

I checked out the symbol of the heart and the heart shape was used by hunters before the last ice age, and is believed to be modeled after a real heart! The size and shaped have changed but the heart symbol have been used mostly for love, affection etc etc and if you have a cupid in the picture that makes the symbol go a bit deeper! As in sexual love or love making.

In the Middle Ages, the heart sign was associated with signs for union, togetherness and fire. And The heart is associated with Eros, god of sexual love, and Cupid, his Roman counterpart. The heart symbol is used in almost every region of the world, most cultures and many religions.

Basically the heart is pictured as the seat of human emotion and what is more emotional then love? Well, maybe the bill for the jewelry but who cares this is love were talking about right? Someone once told me there is no price on your happiness! I love to pass that on to my jewelry buying customers it always breaks the ice!

OK so how much jewelry do we sell in the good old USA around Valentines day?

Well According to the National Retail Federation, Valentine's Day jewelry sales will be in the neighborhood of $17.02 billion this year. That's a hunk a hunk a burning love I would say!

Did you get a piece of the $17 Billion Dollar heart biz? and if the answer is no its because you're probably not making hearts! Well here is one right here and its never too late to get started.

Check out the bootcamp "WHATS NEW SECTION" to see the video http://www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com

Supplies for the heart http://www.jewelrysupplycloseouts.com

Preston Reuther Master Wire Sculptor P.S check out the bootcamp for a buck! https://www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com/public/709.cfm

Preston Reuther
Master Wire Sculptor
www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com

There are many ways to add some extra cash to your name pendant sales. Here are a few:

Add a birthstone Add a gold plated inexpensive chain Add a small box or the box and the chain set Add a tiny cross

Or, one of my favorites, Make a tiny heart from your scrap wire! Its a great add on for any wire jeweler and you get to use up all your scraps! Here is an example of the tiny heart I'm speaking of.

Preston Reuther
Master Wire Sculptor
www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com