Struggling With My Own Website

[gmace99]

I looked at the source code on your site and could not see any keywords and also thought that your meta title could be improved to help the search engines. I am in no way a expert. I am a saddle maker who has built a few of my own sites for years and was always told you need keywords for the search engines. The other thing you need is robot text from Google and Bing to put into your code. This code you can get direct from google. www.google.com/webmasters and Bing www.bing.com/toolbox/webmaster

Most search engines you can submit your site to them to let them no you exist. Their are programs that do this for you or you can do it manually.

I agree with Dwight, I think your site could look better if you move the stuff at the bottom and only show a few products like the picture he posted of your front page.

I again agree with him about the unfinished look of your belts and keyfobs. It could be as you said you like that look and it has a more modern to you. After all beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am not a fan of carving leather but that does not mean it is a bad thing.

I do think if you where to put a little more work into your products it would look more professional. Edge strip and stain the edges would give them a quality look.

However if you like that minimalist look where you just cut a strip of leather and rivet it then don't change your design. Leave it to the public to decide. If they buy it then your idea works if they don't then you have to change.

I also believe mention your business as often as you can so I will finish of with an advert.

If you need a hand to perfect some of your techniques you can always come to my Staffordshire shop for a day days course.

[MonicaJacobson]

Shaun, you should also branch out a bit in your product line. The more variety you have in your products, the more interest you gain.

[Shaunread]

Thank you Monica, weirdly enough at this very moment im cutting parts for some bifolds, clutches and some skinny belts. Slowly but surely adding pieces!

Dopp Kits and bigger things are in the works for summer also

Edited May 7, 2015 by Shaunread

[DavidL]

A few things that need to be added is a logo and also the name is feminine. Website isn't too bad 7/10, no logo, needs more pictures for the products (people wearing them wearing the style of clothing that you would imagine your target buyers is wearing), the front page should have some attractive pictures of the hand sewing process, cutting or dyeing process. You aren't putting enough of the brand out there so people don't know what the brand stands for, they have to connect with the brand, pictures of yourself working or your workshop can create a bond with the customer knowing that everything is handmade and done with care, not made in an assembly line. You decide what the brand essence will be and work everything based of that.

Which type of people are you trying to get to buy your leather goods? If its hipsters, 18-28 y/o men white collar, or whatever your website, your logo, your product, your name, your brand essence, your vision need to be in line with the target customer. Otherwise no one will connect with the brand as it should be deeper than just leather goods. Its a magpie belt (not a department store belt) that was hand crafted in britain, made to last and is stylish.

All the items are more towards the male buyers but the name isn't something I would want to associate with, as odd as that sounds magpie isn't what the male 18-28 demographic would want in my opinion. Same goes with the leather tool company called elfita, they have some nice tools but the logo has an fairy on it and is clearly targeted to women.

try to get your product in a local newspaper, online magazine, fashion website or where ever to get exposure for your brand.

Good luck

Edited May 7, 2015 by DavidL

[JLSleather]

nice tools but the logo has an fairy on it

[MonicaJacobson]

I tend to think David is right about the name... you could masculinize it by coming up with a tattoo-ish, crow-like magpie. . . or start making some products for women, too.

I also agree about the pictures of process and tools. If people are going to pay more, they're paying, in part, for the experience of something hand-made, and knowledge of the artisan. If they don't care about that, they might as well buy from Wal-Mart. Your website is about as impersonal as a shopping center right now, but it's a very easy fix.

[Shaunread]

All the items are more towards the male buyers but the name isn't something I would want to associate with, as odd as that sounds magpie isn't what the male 18-28 demographic would want. Same goes with the leather tool company called elfita, they have some nice tools but the logo has an fairy on it and is clearly targeted to women.

The reason I actually chose the name is because the name "magpie" is heavily associated with and is nickname for a huge football team from my home city - of which the demographic is mostly males 18+ so I would disagree with that personally.

I stuck with the text alone as a logo as its simple and keeps with my minimalist thoughts on design but I do have a Magpie image I am not thinking of adding to have an 'icon' which people could associate my products to rather than just text. Im in the process of sorting out some people to photograph with my products so hopefully that can be an improvement I can do over the next few weeks/month! Ill get right on adding photos of my processes and tools and hopefully will personalise the website a bit more. Im hoping to add more female-aimed items to my collection so hopefully that wont be a huge issue when I get them online too

Thank you for all your comments.