Some from me:

-Include a business card in your pkg so the customer remembers where he/she got the product from.

-If selling to another WAHM, ask if you can send along several of your biz cards for him/her to pop into her customers' order pkgs.

-FREE samples. Buy or trade for some samples of another WAHMs' products (say, soap!) to put in your pkgs for your customers. The customers get a freebie and the other WAHM gets exposure. Win-Win situation!

-Answer your e-mails in a timely manner. We know you're also a parent, wife and home-maker as well as WAHM. At least reply quickly saying you'll reply in length later in the day or something....to at least let (me) know you're not ignoring me or not getting my e-mail.

-ASK your clients for honest feedback and listen to what they say. No use selling a product that no one wants, but with a few alterations could be a hit!

Sooo....what are YOUR helpful tips for WAHM's (new and old!)?

(will we ever have a WAHM to WAHM forum?)

Well, for me the most important thing is friendly customer service. Another is for a WAHM to stand behind her product. I'm not one to complain, but if I order a product for the first time and it just doesn't workout for me, it's sure nice when the WAHM is willing to work things out. It makes me want to buy again.

Sandra

friendly customer service is also a biggie for me too.... If I feel less like a number I am more likely to re-order. I also tend to recommend and bump those mamas. I know being a WAHM is hard (I don't sell anything tho) but I think it it worth it for the WAHMamas to take time with each costumer and making sure they know who they are talking with (instead of a c&p type of email). jmo :)

I agree with all of the comments so far!
Just going to bump this so more people can share their thoguhts :)

Good, clear photographs on the website

A website that I can read and get around easily

Accept paypal!

Have a shopping cart!

Answer emails promptly

Friendly customer service and here's the biggest one for me:

ship when you say you are going to-- if you get delayed email the customer and let them know!

i really would love for diaper making wahm's to add a label to their diaper's.. i've had like 3 diaper's i LOVE and never knew who made them..

for all other WAHM's..

1- customer service(this can make or brake your business)

2- refund policy w/o the hassle

3- a very pretty and easy site to browse

4-when you answer emails or pm's please be polite

5- speediness(ship on time, if late please let the person know) and i think if you are really behind like say for 2 weeks or more.. i THINK it would be NICE to give a little something extra if the person doesn't want a refund and still want their product.. it just shows that they really want this product and that you are really a super wahm to give a little something for your delay..

6- clothes making wahm's-- please have the measurements listed on your site.(i've even seen some that just have the weight listed) but some of us, like myself go by inches..

7- NEVER be rude
that's about it...;)

Remember that you are a business owner (WAHM) and should conduct yourself in a positive manner at all times. What you do and say can come back to bite you (and your business) in the rear end.

(example: getting arrested for a DUI; bad business practices; etc)

Something I learned as a customer that I now try to do as a WAHM:

Communicate with the customer when s/he purchases the product, when I receive payment for the order, and when I ship the order. I also include the Delivery Confirmation number when I send that last email. I found that when I didn't hear from a WAHM after my purchase, I was always wondering if they got my payment, or when they sent my order, etc.

Tara

Here are some of mine.

Let me know when it ships, I know you are busy, and that is just one more thing to do. I don't care if you send a standard message that says "Just thought I would let you know I shipped your order off today, and I look forward to helping you again."

I also like a more personal CS. If you talk about kids, use names, make me feel like I am buying from a real person, not just some business. If I know more about you, (and like it :D) I will order from you more often. KWIM? Treat me as a friend, so to speak.

One last tip: I LOVE FREEBIES AND GOOD DEALS!!!! :D

Amy

I was thinking of something along the lines of being courteous on the board. There are several mama's here that I will no longer be purchasing items from because of some rather nasty comments made about other mama's here. Those type of things are rarely forgotten. Even if someone doesn't post at the time, they still remember.

~*bump!

What a great post. Taking notes here as a WAHM. :)

As a WAHM-supporter, I think CS is #1. And the biggest thing is getting back to e-mails promptly. Believe me, I know what it's like to be swamped, but like Stacy mentioned, a quick note saying "I'll get back to you soon!" is better than silence. Otherwise, it makes me feel unappreciated and I'll go elsewhere.

That being said, do I owe anyone email? *biting nails* LOL :)

If someone pays extra for priority they probably need it soon...not shipped pritority 2 weeks later, by then they will probably just be mad...

If someone pays extra for priority they probably need it soon...not shipped pritority 2 weeks later, by then they will probably just be mad...

Yes! I agree!

I will emphasize a couple of things that other people said, which boiled down are about communication:

1. Send me an email acknowledging my purchase/payment, that clearly states when the item will ship, and send me another email when you ship the item, with the DC number.

2. If you run into difficulties with shipping when you said you would (hey, stuff happens, and this is very forgiveable), send me an email and let me know that there is a delay. What gets me really worked up and pissed off is when I have to chase you down via email weeks after I expected my order, and ask you what's up.

3. When you communicate with me about delays in shipping my order, please explain the delay with as little detail and as much professionalism as possible. You do not need to tell me the intimate details of your life that have caused the delay; I don't need an elaboration justification (because I really just want to know when my order will ship, not why it's late). I would prefer no explanation or something generic like "personal stress or difficulties" rather than the very intimate information that I have been told. It's not that I don't care about you or what you're going through, but hearing intimate information from a stranger makes me feel uncomfortable.

Karla

Mine would be most of what other have said but I would add never give up no matter what. Even when people try to run you off and put you down allways stand behind your products and yourself and keep your cool. Customers are first but never let them make you feel less of a person and never be rude no matter what. I just hate when wahm do that. Allways make sure you are happy with your items if you arn't they might not also. Keep your word on shipping times and dates and don't be afraid to try new things. Meet tons of moms and get to know them not just sell to them. Be happy:angie

since i saw adding a freebie such as soap mentioned, I want to say:

If you are sending a free soap PLEASE make it a delicately (and preferrable naturally!) scented one! stongly scented soaps (Nag champa for one that stands most vividly in my mind, LOL) are horrible for those of us with allergies. Giving a soap that gives your customer a headache &/or an asthma attack is not the best way to get a repeat customer LOL

I know that one could be allergic to just about anything, but really strong scents are more likely to cause problems.

(and getting stuff in the mail [esp NEW stuff!] that smells like smoke sucks!)

I love Freebies! Thats one of the main reasns I keep going back to LD's. Free baby wipes with every order :)
Lots of pictures and an easy to navigate site are also a big turn on.
Plus I love it when there are sales on shipping.

Turns offs..when there are only one or two payment meathods, and when you get a reply to a question and it's very short and to the point and cold, kwim?

1. Quality control on the product. Make sure you are asking a fair price for a good product.

2. Please accept personal checks from those of us with good feedback! I've had to go to big businesses for some items that Amity mamas would not sell due to my paying w/personal check. (even with my feedback being excellent)

3. Most of all...customer service!! Find out what mamas here have top notch customer service and maybe pick their brains about what it is that they do to make their service outstanding.

4. Prompt shipping. No excuses. After getting payment, get that thing in the mail right away!!

Michelle

I am suprised that people keep asking for free gifts. I think that the wahm's that do a good job with shipping and communication, as well as a good product, that in itself is fabulous! Land's End never sends me extras LOL!

I just know the time it takes to make custom orders, to keep orders straight, all the while trying to mom too. I mean I love getting some washies or soap too but I don't see it as something that would make me return or not return. I don't think it's necessary for an established business. Maybe to get started it's a good reminder, but honestly a good product stands for itself.

I say ship when you say you are going to ship. Stand behind your product 100%. I like a delivery confirmation number too. As far as a website goes, NO popups. I usually will click right off if they come up.

:)
Meg

Please post your prices near the item or description. I have been on WAHM sites where I actually have to put the item in my shopping cart to find out how much it is. Arrrrggg!
THAT'S MY BIGGY!

Don't send "like items". If I ordered the blue cars w/ green background, don't send purple cars w/orange background...If that's what I wanted, I would have ordered it! (or if you run out, at least email and ask first!)

~April

I'm not a wahm, but I have a question about shipping info having run a couple of co-ops. I ship priority and use the USPS site for postage. From there it lets me send the receiver an email with the DC number. Is that satisfactory? I tend to also post on the yahoogroup when packages are sent, but I don't email people individually besides (other than those who have had big orders that went thru Airborne since I had to manually send them a tracking number).

My thoughts on WAHM business:

*I'm gonna agree with Meg that freebies are nice but not necessary.
*If my package is late/you forgot about me/whatever is holding it up: Do NOT delay my package more by adding free stuff to it (the "oh I'm so sorry, I'll give you another diaper for free" that ends up adding ANOTHER week to my already late package).
*I don't expect chit chatty emails. They're nice, but I'm okay with just a polite note. So don't feel you need to set aside hours for me :) Just "thanks for your order, your total is XXX. " is fine.
*Gimme business cards. Throw in at least 2. I file them, and sometimes I carry a couple for things I LOVE in case someone asks. :D
*I think a reasonable shipping estimate should be posted on your site ("we ship instock within 72 hours").
*I think it is reasonable that you have "business hours." But for those of us who sometimes forget that wahms aren't sitting on their hands waiting on my business, you could mention on your "contact us" page if you "close for the weekend" so I don't think my email's in the void.
*Clear pictures. Also, I hate it when you can click on a picture thinking it will get bigger and all it does is open that same sized picture in a new window.
*Dimensions for your items. I bought something that I thought was far bigger than it was in actuality. My fault for not asking, of course. But I'd seen the same thing many other places about twice the size (and similarly priced).

~amey

Ok like the person said before me how the heck do you get that picture to go away when you click on a picture to see it bigger how the heck do you make it go bigger not show another small one of the same picture? I hate that too and my ewbist keeps doing it or it will say like carebear diaper underneath it and you click it and it's a picture of something else from my store,urgggggggg,seriuos help needed,lol. Also should I add dc to each order for I don't pay for it myself so should it be a must that each buyer get it or just add it into the prices?angie