Small Business owners....inside

[hunt4m3x]

The whole website needed to be redesigned.,

Edit.

here is a quick template I found

http://www.winkletwebdesign.com/bakery007/index.html

[black2002ls]

Is there an updated link to your site? The one I find still has errors ("desert", capitilzation inconsistencies, etc).

I went in to make a couple of changes to try and drive cake bites on the main page on Sunday, and something is jacked up with the server/CMS I believe. It destroyed my entire site and all I made was a text based edit, the code was unharmed. ABECX pulled out the "basic" theme and got me back up in some shape. So, for the time being, I simply posted a shell, driving the cake bites on the main page and left it. As it frustrated the hell out of me on Sunday. I just went through and fixed the dessert and the capitalization errors (my GF schooled me on that yesterday and didn't realize I had done it to the website as well, she has a lot more direct marketing/advertising experience than me)

The whole website needed to be redesigned.,

Edit.

here is a quick template I found

http://www.winkletwebdesign.com/bakery007/index.html

There is a new site in the works, just waiting for it to be finished up. if you guys want a preview

https://www.russellsconfectionperfection.com/admin

[hunt4m3x]

There is a new site in the works, just waiting for it to be finished up. if you guys want a preview

www.russellsconfectionperfection.com/admin

ALOT better!

[black2002ls]

ALOT better!

Yeah, it will be a game changer when its done!

[Mr_Fiux]

This is rather lengthy and it would be much appreciated if the witticisms and BS be left behind. I'm looking for quality input, not a de-railed thread, thanks!

How many of you are using social media as your primary form of marketing? I'm having trouble connecting with potential clients and creating business. I'm probably in a slightly different market than a lot of you. I am, at the moment, a cake decorator working from my home under the cottage food laws. I've had a bit of inconsistency due to my back problems. I'm 1 week post surgery, feeling great, and got released to resume activities as I feel comfortable and as they don't cause any pain. I'm hoping that this inconsistency hasn't killed my viability, and what little market share I had. I'm hoping some of you can chime in and give me some help and advise. I've given myself a deadline of the end of the year to (re)establish myself in the market and have a steady stream of business. If I can't manage that by the end of this year, I'm selling all of my equipment. I brought in approximately $4000 in revenue last year, this year, to date, I've brought in less than $500 and the primary wedding season is over, which is where the high price cakes come in to boost revenue. I currently rely on a website and a Facebook page to reach potential customers.

Last year I was able to advertise through booth space at community events thanks to the use of a commercial kitchen. I lost my connection at the beginning of the year and with out that, due to health code regulations and the way that the cottage food bill was written, I am prohibited from participating in such events. I've tried to work the "barter" system for ad space in the local papers, but they don't offer anything along these lines. I've had some luck with the local radio station with free ads and some plugs on the morning show, but its small town radio, and I have yet to get any referral business from it. I've thought about adding twitter to the mix, though I've not been able to make the connection from Facebook to the business pocket book, I'm afraid it will just lead to another avenue of discouragement at this point in time.

Anyway, here is a link to my website (this is not intended for free advertisement, I'm looking for help!)

https://www.russellsconfectionperfection.com

You will also find a link to my Facebook page there as well.

As ridiculous as this sound, have you tried a partnership in advertising with, magicians, clowns, inflatable castle rentals, professional photographers and party rental establishments?

You sell shit that usually is connected with these professions.

Cakes sell to weddings, birthday parties, and kids parties.

Make flyers with the partners and tell them you will give them a cut for every cake cater you do. Keeps it cheap and you pass around your name at every possible party.

[ceyko]

Okay, I only have input on one aspect and that's the website. I have not read any posts since there are too many.

You web site does not..

-Tell me where you are located.
-Tell me what you do.

-Tell me what the heck cake bites are and why they are important.

-What other things you may or may not offer.

-What are delivery times.

-What are turn around times.

-Why I would choose you for my wife's special -whatever- that cause me to get a special BJ or something - over wal-mart, target, the local bakery and the 101 other competitors.

-What forms of payment you accept.

-Prices for anything else.

-No descriptions of ANYTHING.

Those are just things that pop out in a quickness, I'm sure there are more.


Things that do stand out on the website

-You have a domain name, but use a yahoo address. yahoo...one of several noted for scammers, spammers and other riff-raff.

-Looks like your site is an after thought, again why would I use it for my wife's special -whatever-?

-No references/testimonials even? (remember at a glance you have to get people's attention - before they'll click over to FB where that may exist)

-Email address is too long for people to remember...etc.

-Email address is no linked.

..etc...etc...etc

Understand, you maybe in a smaller town from one post I read. However, you can't act like that from a technology/any other point of view. Your business is serious and you should take every aspect that way.

For what it's worth, I'm being critical of one area I know a little bit about. I'm sure you're good at what you do - but your average soccer mom/whoever has no idea who you are and a lot of times your website is basically your resume.

Edit: Crap, just saw above me and noticed you're making improvements. Good deal.

[black2002ls]

As ridiculous as this sound, have you tried a partnership in advertising with, magicians, clowns, inflatable castle rentals, professional photographers and party rental establishments?

You sell shit that usually is connected with these professions.

Cakes sell to weddings, birthday parties, and kids parties.

Make flyers with the partners and tell them you will give them a cut for every cake cater you do. Keeps it cheap and you pass around your name at every possible party.

This is in my plan for after the first of the year. Getting brochures/portfolios made so that florists, party rentals, etc have some material to show when people ask.

Another note on the website, looks like whatever in the hell happened to the code on my page has shut down my google analytics reporting as well. Code is still in the header, but it is no longer reporting.....this is starting to piss me off. I will be moving my site to Cruz's server after the first of the year.

[Mr_Fiux]

This is in my plan for after the first of the year. Getting brochures/portfolios made so that florists, party rentals, etc have some material to show when people ask.

Another note on the website, looks like whatever in the hell happened to the code on my page has shut down my google analytics reporting as well. Code is still in the header, but it is no longer reporting.....this is starting to piss me off. I will be moving my site to Cruz's server after the first of the year.

Also try spreading ads for free on the Spanish meat markets. Bitches love cake at quinceañeras.

[GeorgeG.]

damn those cake bites look good!

[black2002ls]

damn those cake bites look good!

I get nothing but complements on them. Everyone loves them and have been raving about the pumpkin especially

[racrguy]

damn those cake bites look good!

Hell yeah they do.

OY! Do you think they'll ship ok? I'm too far away for a delivery/pickup.

[black2002ls]

I've gotten quite a few messages about Cake Bites. I'm delivering a couple of cakes to McKinney tomorrow at about 6:30 for CWO's wedding. If there is anyone in the area wanting to pick some up, I will bring some with me.

[CWO]

I've gotten quite a few messages about Cake Bites. I'm delivering a couple of cakes to McKinney tomorrow at about 6:30 for CWO's wedding. If there is anyone in the area wanting to pick some up, I will bring some with me.

So ironic I can't stand it! Lol

[black2002ls]

I should just start a newthread for these things. Anywho, dropped some cake bites with CWO's cakes. Maybe he will leave a review after the wedding madness is over!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

[GeorgeG.]

I've gotten quite a few messages about Cake Bites. I'm delivering a couple of cakes to McKinney tomorrow at about 6:30 for CWO's wedding. If there is anyone in the area wanting to pick some up, I will bring some with me.

If you're ever in the I-35 and NW Hwy area, I definitely wouldn't mind some of those....pending price check.