Im seriously thinking as allways I suck at being a WAHM. I redid the store and im doing new items but it seams like I can't sell anything. I make instock for it to sit there and I end up selling it for cheaper then what it cost to make it. Yet I know people are buying for I see other WAHM selling diapers for 16 plus dollars when I can't even sale mine for the going rate. I'm thinking maybe I should change the materials im using? I use the normal pul,woven,sherpa,bkt,Malden Mills fleece and micro,touch tape,snaps and so on. I do lay in trifold soakers with 2 layers sherpa and one layer micro and I also do sewn in ones. I do fold back laundry tabs in all my aio's,fitteds and covers. I have done testers after testers for 5.00ppd. I havn't gotten any negative feedback that I know of. I check the bad apples and juicy apples once a month. I run specials, I advertise, I do freebies and customer rewards so now what. I know I need to update the pictures of diapers in the store since I got a better camera. I only really sale to Amity mamas but maybe I should start doing yard sales and putting stuff there and more ebay. I also seems like I can't even sale other things on here. Maybe I spam to much. I do get on and almost answer all post. I get on and talk about other things in my life and I even have tried swaps. They also have failed.Maybe it's just me but I need some to pm me and tell me if something has happen I don't know about. I have only had one bad transaction here and Im starting to wonder. Maybe it's just the aunt flow hormones talking today. Maybe I need to get some more hemp and do hemp diapers or more natural diapers. Some please help im going crazy and hubby is yelling at me for all this fabric. What are some fabrics you guys like better? What style of diapers or anything would you like to see be made and sold at good prices? Ok thanks for any help and the little vent. Angie

Angie,
This is just my opinion, and I've never tried your dipes, but I know you're looking for input and I'd like to try and help. I find your posts really hard to read and I find myself skimming them or avoiding them. I can't really put my finger on the problem - grammar or spelling or punctuation - something of that nature. I don't know if that's any help at all - maybe shorten your posts, be more concise about the features of your dipes - spam with photos. Put a link to your site in your sig line. Maybe that would direct people to your work.
Good luck!

are you new to the biz?

i buy from WAHMs i know & already am familiar w/ their product ~ also, along the lines of sonya's post & i truly mean no offense, but i sorta agree.

i looked at your site & saw a few words that made no sense to me (glowering?)..spelling errors maybe? just as in your above post you used the word "seams" when it should have been "seems" - am i making sense?

little things like that do bother me & usually turn me off, i am sorry if i am being blunt.

your site is very cute though & i do wish you the best of luck :)

and if it b/c you are new...stick around, plug your product the best you can & be patient...there are a lot of WAHMs competing in the dipe biz. ~ hang in there!

No offense mamas. I have heard that before. I type very fast and frankly don't take the time to go back and check. I do have a link in my siggy to my store and my store was proff read by someone else,lol. Maybe I need to go back and check it,lol. I'm not new I have been doing this for about year and a half. I do post details of the diapers in every post and I do have pictures along with them. I'm just wondering if maybe I need to switch to more hemp type fabrics or if someone is bashing me behind my back. I allways ask for feedback with almost every sale and sometimes get it don't know if thats the case. Maybe I need more feedback. I could do testers again but not for 5ppd for I think half the people who bought them where just out for cheap diapers for they never left feedback. Ooh well of to look at the store again. Could someone tell me why would gramer turn you off? My gramer does not reflex who I am or what my diapers look like im just a bad speller not a bad sewer and I like to type fast. Angie

Your posts can be hard to read (I know mine can too, lol!). Sometimes it is as though it is one big run-on sentence, not really the spelling but the lack of punctuation, know what I mean? No tenough periods or even paragraph breaks. Without a couple hits of the spacebar after a period (or exclamation or question mark, you know) it seems like a whole run on sentence/paragraph thing and it can be difficult to read.

That said, I see nothing wrong with your site, a few typos and mis-spellings here and there but no biggie. I buy what I need when I need it and more often than not, I trade. I have never purchased a brand new diaper before ever. I have traded with other WAHM's for brand new diapers for my son and I am sewing a lot of the dipes I will be using for the coming baby boy, we will be using prefolds as well since they work great and are cheaper. I just can't afford to buy new WAHM diapers or else I would.

I'm sorry Mama, I hope that you can sell some stuff very soon. I do see you post alot here and I also see that you are very sweet and if I did have some extra money, I think I would be inclined to buy form you since those things ar eimportant to me. If you were a big meanie-head, I wouldn't even be posting this and I would in no way consider ever buying anything from you.

So when will you be adding the sherpa fitteds???? I am in love with sherpa diapers!

:big hug:

Ya know, seriously, I think it's just the time of year and economy right now. I know some mamas are doing just fine on sales, but a LOT are struggling - not just new or lesser known wahms either - very well established ones have had sales drop this month. :( It stinks.

As far as grammar, it bothers some mamas more than others. Personally, it doesn't bother me in posts, but it does bother me if I see a lot of typos or grammatical errors in a store. I do type fast myself and am always in a rush when I'm here posting, but I do try to go back and catch typos. (Yeah, now that I've said that, watch me have all sorts of typos I don't catch in this post! *LOL*) It is always good to have someone else proofread - sometimes more than one other person works best. I'd be happy to help you go over things if you'd like.

Let's see... what else... Do you do much advertising or promotion other than here? Do you do much cross-linking or swapping? There's a lot of free advertising strategies that can be useful.

With eBay some things I find make me more likely to bid on diapers (though I very rarely ever buy off eBay personally) are easy to find items (I search for sizes so be sure to include a size in your title!), nicely presented with clear pictures, a good description, and positive feedback. A nicely formatted auction helps. Templates usually catch my attention. eBay, KittyBids, etc can be a great way to help generate traffic for your site.

For the store, here are my suggestions:

* Main Page
Add some more pictures and text to that page, Angie! :D Your diapers are super cute and pictures will help "sell" that. Also, grab some of those super-cute graphics from your store and get them on the front page so it all goes together, kwim? LMK if you need/want any help with it.

* Return Policy
You've got a return policy on the site, which is GREAT - a lot of sites forget that, and I think it's important. A little suggestion - this part is unclear to me:
I will offer an exchange or store credit only for unwashed/unworn diapers up to 2 weeks after you recieve your purchase. I will not offer an exchange for diapers that do not fit so if your unsure of what size to order please measure your child and go by my sizing link. Any defects will be looked at on a case by case basis. I need to be notified immediately on any defects so we can work out the details. You are responsible for shipping to me.
Do you accept a return on an unwashed/unworn diaper that doesn't fit? I can usually tell by looking at a diaper if it will fit DS, so I don't know which category that would fit in, and that would concern me a little bit. I'd suggest making it a bit clearer there.

* Store's front page
You might consider adding a testimonial (feedback comment) or two from some mamas to this page to grab attention and show your diapers in a positive light the minute someone enters the store.

K - that's all that's jumping out to me at the moment, and I gotta run since it's dinner time. Hope it helps a bit!

Originally posted by snugglebug
Could someone tell me why would gramer turn you off? My gramer does not reflex who I am or what my diapers look like im just a bad speller not a bad sewer and I like to type fast. Angie

reflex... reflect? gramer...grammar?

well, totally imo - even though someone (generalization here) can say , " i am good at ......." for me to see spelling & gramatical errors on a business site just turns me off. if someone doesn't take the time to make sure their site/grammar is up to snuff, how am i guaranteed that i will receive a good product?

i can only explain for myself & i am fully aware that i just may have an issue w/ people who can't spell...*lol* ;) i type fast too & know that i too have my fair share of errors when i don't go back & edit.

I looked at your site and I would suggest two things that would help me to buy.

1st would be Pictures. Put time into getting some great shots of your diapers, make people "SEE" their baby wearing that adorable diaper! They have to have it, or their diaper stash won't be complete;) Seriously though, Alot of mama's are on the hunt for the next adorable diaper and pictures are all we have to going on!

2nd ~ I thought you only sold covers because their was no link to dipes/aios. I would have left the site had I been in a hurry. I would put up a direct link to those not put them under the custom link ~ to me "custom" would be for something special.

HTH!

Went and fixed a few things still looking to see if there is more. There is a link to AIO'S and fitteds under custom orders. I did it this way for that's the way alot of wahms have it. I do ahve sherpa fitted diapers just none made yet. I will make some only if anyone is interested,lol. I just don't understand how someones bad spelling or gramer has anything to do with what they make. Personally I don't care if someone spells wrong but that's just me. I don't think of it as if they can't spell good they must not sew good. The person may just have a spelling proublem or was never taught very well. That's just me. I know I will never be perfect in that part but when someone points it out I do go and find it and change it. I feel im doing this for others. Thanks for the help mamas don't worry no one has affended me at all. That is why im here and not Yahoo. I will do more pictures once I get more sewn. Do you think if I made Hemp inner diapers will I sale more? I see mamas allways talking about Hemp? Angie

Please take this constructive criticism in the spirit it is given -- with the hope you can improve your store to increase your business.

I would recommend being very careful with the photography of your product. It would be best to have very clear closeup shots of your products, with non distracting backgrounds. Make sure the diapers don't have any funny folds or weird angles -- if they are photographed crooked they look like they're sewn crooked, even if they're sewn straight.

Your fabric shots show lots of wrinkles and one even looks like it has dirt on it -- this gives an impression of lack of attention to detail, which would turn me off from ordering.

Also, I would not order from an instock store that did not allow refunds for unwashed unworn items.

Angie, it's tough being a wahm! I think you've really held in there for a long time and asking for feedback is a great way to get to where you want to go.

Some feedback from me: on first glance I thought you sold only aio diapers - not regular kind. Try to have parallel structure on your site - if you single out aio on your home page then also single out your other kinds of diapers.

too much text on the first page. I want to shop - not read.

spelling and grammar are indicative of overall care and attention to detail - I would not buy from a site that looked 'sloppy' because I would expect products and shipping and customer service to also be 'sloppy.' I cannot stress this enough.

the front page loaded very s.l.o.w.l.y. for me and I've got dsl. I'd get bored quickly and move on if I were shopping.

gotta make dinner, will see if I can find other things to work on later. hugs, Cathy

Being as i'm not a wahm, dont know if i can help, but this is what i see.

I think your site is cute, but I'd like to see more pictures of your dipes and stuff. and maybe close up pics.

also, i think a link saying aio and fitted on the left instead of under custom would be helpful.

and i also agree that if you left more spaces in your posts, i'd be more likely to read them. as you can see i dont usually use capitals, because i'm usually typing w/ kiddos on my lap and lots of times nak. but i try to make separate paragraphs.

maybe if there are things you are looking for you could do some trades to help get your dipes out there.

It's ok im not taken any comments in bad ways. I can't help the way it uploads,lol. I do say on the front paige I sale aio's, fitted and so on. My name is Snugglebug AIO'S for there was to many mamas who name was Snugglebug or Snugbug so I tired to stand out. I will go look at the fabric pictures but none of fabric has dirt on them for they are keep indoors in plastic containers. Not sure how you read it but I do offer refunds on unwashed / unused diapers. I will go back and check it again. See I don't see all what you guys see. I see it as being fine all but the pictures,lol. Which my camera program is being a butt head right now. What would be a good way to take the pictures. I have tried behind some solid color fabric and people complianed about that,lol. Hints,lol. I want the site to be what customers want. Angie

Take the pics of the diapers against a white background. make sure there is ample lighting and if you need to, adjust the brightness and contrast in your photo-editing software so that it comes out truer to life--i sometimes have to do this, some things or colors do not photograph well so it needs to be adjusted in the editing software. Or sometimes it's just my camera batteries are running low and it doesn't flash as well so the pic isn't as bright nor as clear.

For business or selling on the boards, make sure your camera has good fresh batteries in it (I have rechargeable ones, the charger is in a box and I can't find it, lol, so my pics are crappy as of late). and also make sure that the lens is clean. My kiddos sometimes smear up the lens on my dig. camera and then oops, big blurry spot on picture! So check that too, clean it regularly to allow it to work well for you.

And I agree, more pics, clearer pics, pics of all the different tabs you do (i.e. round,. regular, side-snap) clearly labeled as such, pics of the different size dipes so we can see how they look (a picture of NB size too, those are hard to tell what they might be without seeing, KWIM?)

And you should fix the typos on your site, I think someone can help you with that, typos don't bother me so much but I know they do others and that is fine. I don't like when I make typos but since I have gotten pregnant this time, all my posts are like one big typo, yikes! And I do think breaking into Fitteds and AIOs on the side bar is a good idea--or instead of "Custom" change it to "Diapers" then have the sub categories for AIOs or fitteds like you already do. Then you only have to re-do the one Graphic and the linking will be the same.

Now for me: What colors sherpa do you have and how much for small sherpa fitteds? (plastic snaps, either rounded tab or side-snap) and what is the cotton/poly content of the sherpa? And also how many layers soaker is sewn in? Okay, think that's it :)

I agree with the others, I tend to over look the posts/websites with bad grammar. Before you list anything on your website, type everything out on Microsoft Word and spell check it, then you can copy and paste it. If a post here or any forum for that matter has bad grammar it is difficult to read, so I probably wouldn't make it far enough to see what is for sale. [Like sell/sale, hubby says ideal instead of idea and it's a BIG pet peeve!]

Also, I have one of your diapers and if it is the one I'm thinking of the tabs are really short. I don't have a lot of problem with this, but hubby does. He's got to have plenty of room to get the diaper fastened even if it's on sideways (he's still learning) so when he picks up a diaper and has difficulty with it, it gets shoved to the bottom of the stack and then seldome used.

Not sure how you read it but I do offer refunds on unwashed / unused diapers.

Your site says:

I will offer an exchange or store credit only for unwashed /unworn diapers up to 2 weeks after you recieve your purchase only if there is a defect.

It's not about "how I am reading it" -- there is no mention of refunds here.

ok I will have the lady do the custom order saying diaper instead and I have a whole list of fabrics I need to redo pictures of. I took off all the horriable ones till I can get better ones.
I also after I get of here go and make 4 diapers one of each size.
As for the Sherpa I don't know the content I bought it from someone on the sewing forum,lol. A small would be 7 plus 1.00 for snaps I think and the colors are Apple, Light blue, Midnight, Purple, Oatmeal and plan. The soakers are 3 layers ro whatever you want,lol.
My tabs did get bigger for I was going buy a pattern I bought to use to sale and they where to short for me also. So now I do mostly round tabs only or side snaps.
There are different diaper pictures in the diaper style link if I still have it I will check.
Ok off to sew but I will check back for more from you mamas.
Also not sure what everyone is talking about my post are hard to read? I do use cap's most of the time and I do space in between periods and the start of a new sentance? I tried it this way instead? Angie Potter

I agree that bad grammer tends to put me off. It's not as if people think you can't sew because you can't spell. That would be silly.

If you take the time to set up a quality site and want to come across as a professional, then take the time to make sure your site looks flawless. Make your posts regarding your product easily understood also.

Things like forgetting to start and end a paragraph, spelling errors, and the like, can make the difference between someone reading what you write or skipping a post altogether.

Hope you are not offended. Truly trying to give advice here.

Angie, it's great that you are able to ask for help and take the ladies' comments without being hurt by them.

I've bought diapers from you. In fact, you were the first person that I bought diapers from when I got serious about it and they are still two of my fave diapers (your's and one that I got in a FTH swap from nanipoos). I know for me, I bought your diapers because the price was low, you offered free shipping, and you answered all my questions without getting nasty or pissy even once.

I have since bought a diaper or two from a few more popular mamas and I was quite disappointed and will NOT be buying from them again. So keep at it and the more people that buy from you the more they will see what a great deal it is.

I hope when these ladies are all done with you that you are selling diapers left and right.

Hubby likes your soap if that makes you feel better. ;)

I was the one that made a comment about capitization. I didnt mean that you dont, i meant that i dont normally use caps, but i do put a space between paragraphs.

Like this space, so that it isnt one huge paragraph to read.

I was also wondering about the fabric page. when i click fabric it has all the subcategories, thats fine and understandable, but then why do i have to click it again. For example, if i click flannel, then i have to click again on snugglebugs flannel. why cant flannel just take me to the pics of flannel?

two things:

1) i consider a year and a half new.

2) this has been a very slow month, very slow.

~~~

hth :)

I wish the store would make it so you could just click on the fabric but the service I use won't do that unless there's something I don't know,lol. I will check that.
I would never get affended so you guys can keep it coming. See half the time I don't see the spelling errors everyone else does. I have looked at alot of other sites and thats where I came up with my layout like how things are arrange.
I know someone who started the same bis when I did and she is doing great and I wonder if my layouts and what not look weird them why is her site so popular? Her diapers are sewn the same as mine, we use the same materials? Will the only thing different is I belong to Amity and sale here and she sales on Yahoo. Ohh well off to figure out my serger,lol.
I did a sherpa diaper and I think the soaker is to thick and the serger won't take it,yikesssss. Angie

word of mouth and personal endorsements can be very powerful motivators to buy - you have some very nice comments from customers on your site but they don't stick out. How about putting those in bold italics and separating them from the main paragraph?

Photo tips: try to take the pictures at the same time of the day with either outdoor lighting or lighting from several directions. Avoid shadows over the fabric. Prep the fabric: iron it, stretch it over a flat piece of wood or even a phonebook and tuck it/pin it to avoid ripples and wrinkles. Keep the camera as parallel to the ground as possible so that the fabric/photo is of a flat surface. Try to photograph to the same scale always - not close on one and farther away on the next. Crop your pics to the exact same size each time to look consistent.

My fav tip: find a really excellant site and see how they handle things. Details matter!

best wishes, Cathy

since i am cover obsessed these days i checked your cover text.

as is:

Diaper Covers

All diaper covers will have your choice of outer Knit, Woven or Ffleece with a hiden layer of 2 mil pul and a nice soft inner layer of Micro. They will have touchtape closures or snaps and will be turned and topstiched with matching thread. Can be front or side snaped.

~~~

since most of your customers are like me and have a short attention span you would do better if you worded it like this:

Diaper Covers

All covers will be turned and top-stitched with hidden pul and microfleece inner.
Outer fabric will be your choice of knit, woven, or fleece. For closure choose touchtape, front snap, or side snap.

take it with a grain of salt though, i read a review that my descriptions are too short.

Originally posted by danica
two things:

1) i consider a year and a half new.

2) this has been a very slow month, very slow.

~~~

hth :)

OK, I can't stand to use this smiley because "ditto" is misspelled, lol, but it fits here: :dito:.

I'm a WAHM with an entirely different business, entirely different set of customers - and it's been terribly slow this month for me as well. I've got 4 years into this, so I realize it's not the worst month I've had (that was October 2001), but it has been slow enough for us to notice the pinch.

Do hang in there. Listen to what others say about sprucing up your site in terms of grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc., to present yourself professionally, but don't get discouraged this early in the game and at a time when most everyone is experiencing a slump in sales. The down times are hard, and you question what you're doing, but getting through them feels really, really good.

Originally posted by *snowflake*
:big hug:


K - that's all that's jumping out to me at the moment, and I gotta run since it's dinner time. Hope it helps a bit!

Michelle,
You are the sweetest mama I know... How kind of you to take the time to help Angie...

:big hug:

You're just such a special person...

Jess

Angie,
I was just whining to Michelle yesterday that sales were down - nobody is really sure why. They will bounce back, though, they always do!

I'll go check out your site now. :)

Jessica

Originally posted by MayciesMama
The down times are hard, and you question what you're doing, but getting through them feels really, really good.

and don't forget to embrace what you can of the downtimes. they are always followed by spending sprees that leave you panic-stricken and taping packages until the wee hours, lol!

I hate to even say this, but more cute prints would do the trick for me. :) I know you probably have fabric coming out of your ears! Perhaps you could find a good fabric co-op (Is Sherrie still running hers?) and pick up several yards of a basic boy and a basic girl print and just start from there.

I'd also change "Custom" to "Diapers".

Good luck, mama!

Jessica

Originally posted by danica
and don't forget to embrace what you can of the downtimes. they are always followed by spending sprees that leave you panic-stricken and taping packages until the wee hours, lol!

Amen, sister! I spent my downtime last week reading a few books and it was HEAVENLY!!!! We went to the zoo, had lunch with friends, played at the park... try to take advantage of the slow times because you will wish you had later!

Jessica

Hi Angie!

I just checked out your website. A few things that jumped out at me right away...

1. If I didn't know you, I wouldn't know that you sell AIOs! I'm not sure why you have the categories (on the left side) listed in that order. It goes "Home", "postcards", "view cart", "for mom" then accessories, and so on. If the majority of your business is AIOs (or if you want the majority of your sales to be AIOs), then make that page accessible right away! Put the link to it at the top, instead of the postcards and other stuff.

2. Nobody is saying that poor grammar or typos means your diapers are terrible. But when you have an online business, then the only way a potential client can get to know you is through the look and feel of your site. All those "little" things (spelling, grammar, colour choices, photos, content, etc.) become VERY important. Take the extra time. Attention to detail in your words and online "appearance" are much like proper attire for a job interview. You may be the best person for the job, but first impressions have a lasting effect and you may never be given the chance to prove that your product is better than the competitions'.

3. I agree, make those testimonials stand out!!! You've got great feedback, let it be known.

Originally posted by snugglebug
No offense mamas. I have heard that before. I type very fast and frankly don't take the time to go back and check. I do have a link in my siggy to my store and my store was proff read by someone else,lol. Maybe I need to go back and check it,lol. I'm not new I have been doing this for about year and a half. I do post details of the diapers in every post and I do have pictures along with them. I'm just wondering if maybe I need to switch to more hemp type fabrics or if someone is bashing me behind my back. I allways ask for feedback with almost every sale and sometimes get it don't know if thats the case. Maybe I need more feedback. I could do testers again but not for 5ppd for I think half the people who bought them where just out for cheap diapers for they never left feedback. Ooh well of to look at the store again. Could someone tell me why would gramer turn you off? My gramer does not reflex who I am or what my diapers look like im just a bad speller not a bad sewer and I like to type fast. Angie
Bad spelling in your posts wouldn't turn me on, but spelling errors on the website will........it just isn't professional. Your website is cute, and your diapers look great, your prices are excellent! However, I find the descriptions confusing and not quite telling me what I want to know. Also, I like fleece covers or wool; I don't like PUL.

Good luck mama!

Kristi

I also didn't notice the diapers and AIO's; you really need to change the button to say "Diapers". I would actually chage your buttons and catagories to something along the lines of:

Home
View Cart

AIO's
Fitted Diapers
Diaper Covers
Fabric Choices
Diapering Accessories
Soaps
Snuggle Babies

Contact Us
Policies
Sizing
Links


I would get rid of the postcard and guestbook, imo it just looks unprofessional. Doesn't really benefit the site at all. Add more pics, and fix some of the typos and text. Put a pic of some diapers or a baby wearing the diaper on the main page, take off some of the text. You are totally missing puncuation on your main page:

Welcome to our instock and custom order store. We hope you find what you are looking for. We carry a wide variety of cloth diapers, diaper covers, cloth wipes, burp rags, swim diapers and more. We have side snapping diapers and covers, blankets and soaps now. I will be offering personal things, breast pads and wet bags in June. I look forward to meeting your diapering needs and as allways feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have. Custom orders are allways welcome. Color sherpa fitted diapers coming in May. I am currently adding new fabrics and items so bare with me during this brief period. Here is what some of our customers have to say.
My son just loves the Army diaper that I bought from you. I have sent in a order for four more. Best Ever Thanks, Sue.


Should look more like this:

Welcome to SnuggleBugs instock and custom order store. We hope you find what you are looking for. We carry a wide variety of cloth diapers and covers, cloth wipes, burp rags, swim diapers and more. We also carry handmade blankets and soaps!

Here is what some of our customers have to say:
"My son just loves the Army diaper that I bought from you. I have sent in a order for four more." Best Ever Thanks, Sue

Future Arrivals:

Color sherpa fitted diapers will be available in May!

Breast pads, wet bags and more coming in June!

I look forward to meeting your diapering needs and as always, feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have. Custom orders are allways welcome.

Thank You,
Angie Potter

I am the queen of typos lately, because I've got a squirmy nursling trying to grab the keyboard, my hair, and anything else he can. However, for me, it's not so much about the typos in posts (although typos on sites do bother me.) It is the grammatical errors that will make me just pass right over reading the post, and if I don't read the post, I don't know what you are selling.

Perhaps it's because I'm married to a (former) English major, and I am an avid reader, but grammar is one of my major *things* that I wish people would pay more attention to. I know it probably makes me sound like an elitist snob, but when I read posts with terrible grammar, incorrect use of words, and poor sentence structure, I tend to think that the poster is sloppy. And if I think you are sloppy, I'm not going to buy diapers from you, because good diapers take meticulous attention to detail.

So, for me, poor grammar equals poor attention to detail, which means I'm not going to buy from you.

I think you are getting some great feedback. The text on your main page is all run together. When I read it, my eyes blur over and I just give up. The buttons on the left should be changed too, it took me a while to find the diapers. I didn't see diaper covers at all? I also think a cute picture of your diapers or a baby wearing one would be cute on the front page. The grammar and spelling is important to me for all the reasons mentioned. I like to know that the person behind the products I'm buying is a perfectionist ;)

Also, I'd love to try one of your diapers, did you still want to trade one for the old navy dresses? I've still got them, let me know!

My first impression on your site
(and mind you, some of this is the web designer in me speaking, lol so take my pickiness with a grain of salt)is that:

The green is REALLY bright on my monitor-- I would do something more like
http://www.s90723896.onlinehome.us/snugbugback.jpg http://www.s90723896.onlinehome.us/newhome.jpg

The combination of the green and the clarge colorful buttons is a bit overwhelming.

There are too many categories in some ways, and not enough in others. I would get rid of the postcard link, move the returns policy link down into the category of links below(with contact us, etc). I believe there is a way to make your shopping cart floating with wahmall-- i would do that :) I would change custon to diapers and maybe even hyphenate it with aio's. Instead of having fabric below it, i would have covers below it, and then fabric below that.

Having to click on the extra category in fabrics is annoying as heck. You want to minimize the number of clicks someone is going to have to get through to navigate your site. Unless someone wants one of your dipes really badly, they are not going to want to go through a lot of screens to order. Since you really dont have that many fabrics, I would consider consolidating them on one page, and noting below them what type of fabric they are-- that way someone can tell in a glance if they like any of your fabrics or not, instead of having to go through 10 pages of fabric (well 5 categories, plus the extra click you have to get through to get to the fabric page, so really 10 clicks). Also, you don't have the name of the fabric below each pic, so it makes it harder when you are trying to figure out what to order.

Loading time--- someone complained abt loading time, and you said you couldnt fix that, but you can-- your graphics are very simple, you can save them as a smaller file, and speed up the time they upload.

I think you have already gotten some great advice on how to improve your pics :) More pics, pics of differnt closures, pics of the inners, etc-- all of those would be helpful. I dopn't think the pictures you have are terrible-- on some of the fabric it would be helpful for them to be a bit brighter and clearer. Outside is a great place for pics-- it can make the pictures from even a crappy camera look brighter and crisper.

Ok, gotta go get ready for a LLL meeting-- lmk if i can help :) Good luck with your biz, and really if you like doing it, don't give it up. You can push it to the next level by advertizing more, if that is what you want to happen. Trade banners with other WAHM's, register at www.dmoz.org, find sites that allow free links-- there are lots of directories for mom and baby products that do. May I also warn you that if you DO decide to start pushing your shop, be prepared for the orders, and be sure that you are ready to take on a greater volume of business. I find that often when WAHM's start to get really popular, they realize how much time it is taking away from their family, and the tradeoff isn't worth it to them, so make sure you are ready for that commitment :)
Most of all-- good luck and many blessings!
heather
heather

Thanks mamas.
Some of the stuff I can't change on the site due to I paid to have it done that way. I didn't do the grafics I just paid to have them done. I can't control alot of the things some people are saying to change,lol.
I can't put a baby picture on the front for it was to big and took up the whole screen no matter how small I did it and I like the front page but it does need to get worded differently.I will take the postcard off but I don't like the floating cart for it was in the way when ordering alot of people complained about it.
I also have the diapers set up they way they are for people complained about that also. I like the way it is actually.
I can't change the fabric buttons the site makes it that way not me,lol.
I do have more boy prints just havn't posted alot of my fabrics but will be this week. I guess I could name the fabrics but never seen that done before. I could take the time and do it.
Sorry about the run of words. Funny thing is I was in advance English all in High school and I was taught that way, gee she must have been so wrong,lol. I will go change it I like to type and talk,lol. Ok need to go now for im doing spell check and diapers today so im very busy,lol. Jess is sleeping so I have time,yeahhhhh. Thanks guys.angie

Hey Angie - pm or email me, k? I can shrink the graphics for you (file size, not the "size", kwim? so they load quicker). They'll look nearly the same unless someone knows they're shrunk. ;) I can help you resize a pic for your main page, too, if you need one resized. :)

Angie! don't get discouraged.... I know we've all just put a TON of work in front of you and it's so easy to feel overwhemed - but don't! Everything everyone pointed out can be done - but do it/learn it/think about it one piece at a time. Maybe devote May to rewriting descriptions and breaking up paragraghs , June to repairing spelling & grammer, etc... Babysteps will take you the full mile. Plus I bet you could pm most of us and ask for bits of help - ex. 'cathy, could you please look at spelling/sentence structure on 1 page?'

turn those 'can'ts' into 'cans'!

chin up! and have fun. hugs, Cathy

When I first set up my site I had categories that divided into subcategories. I noticed a jump in sales when I did away with that and only had categories...no subcategories.

I think it's just easier for people to shop when they can see a category that are clear and definitive.

For example, by looking at your main page I have no idea what "for mom" or "accessories" means. I actually assumed "for mom" was mama pads and was surprised to see soap. And the only diapering category that is obvious is covers.

Even if you end up with twice as many categories it will be much easier to shop.

And I have to agree that grammar/spelling is important. Even the best proofreader will occasionally miss something. I often see mistakes on my site the next day (I usually load new stuff in the middle of the night when I'm less alert). Taking the time to proofread carefully says, "My business is important to me!".

I am, admittedly, a grammar freak. I'd be happy to get really nit picky if that would help. Just let me know.

Im going nustso. I can't find spell check,lol. To much to do and I want it all done today,lol. Wrote what the fabrics where now im trying to do spelling and such,urggg. Does anyone else have trouble with it loading slow. I don't so im wondering and I have horriable internet,lol. I think I will have my friend bring her baby over to do a baby shot for the front page,lol. I can do a todller one with Jessica. I need to take a break im getting really mad,lol. I like all the ideas but I think I will stick with how I have it but change a few things and for sure the spelling and such. The post card thing will go to bad I paid for it:(.
Pictures will be done next week.
Spelling today and some sewing done also.
Thanks mama's I think I have had all I can handle right now,lol.
Angie Potter

Hi Angie,

Your site keeps looking better all the time! Diaper making is a tough business! It does take a while to get established and even then, it's just very time consuming.

Customer service will make or break you...always do your best to send out in a timely manner, email responses quickly, etc...(even I have been lagging in these departments lately).

I also find that most of my customers prefer unusual, hard to find woven prints and knits. Most of my customers prefer knit prints in general.

Most of my customers also prefer hemp fabrics, but there are some who prefer just cotton, so I wouldn't limit yourself to just hemp. BTW...I will be buying a roll of hemp fleece soon if you want to buy any (I'm the other diaper maker in Fresno if you remember meeting me at the baby fest) just let me know :0)

In the diaper biz...I really find that word of mouth is really what helps you with sales. I did advertise when I first bought my business...I think I did maybe a year's worth of advertising. Really though, the advertising did nothing for me and it was the nice words of a fellow amity mama that started the ball rolling for me. I have not done any advertising in about two years and it hasn't hurt my business any.

HTH!

If you quickly want a picture of a baby in one of your dipes, let me know. Lucas is 8 months and I can get a picture as soon as he wakes up if you need/want it.
Christy

Yes I pmed you about the picture thanks a bunch~
I would love to buy some Hemp from you when you get it.
Im taken pictures of my fabric and I didn't notice I had some much flannel it's unreal,lol.
I will be doing a fitted diaper sale I guess soon:)
My camera program is being a butthead so I need to go fix it. I will be online if anyone wants to instant me on yahoo? samsmom26. Angie

:)

I'm a very poor speller. I never did well at grammar either, and I know these are weak points with me. I struggled with it as a teacher and I know that I will lose customers if I don't look and sound professional.

This is what I do:

*I re-read every post I write in my head, to make sure it makes sense. I re-read it again once I've posted to make sure it sounds correct.

*I know my tricky words and have downloaded a toolbar from the M-W dictionary site (http://m-w.com/toolbar/). I can quickly double check spellings.

*When writing things for my websites, I first write it into a word editor like MSWord, and it will point out spelling and grammar errors.

Yep, mistakes still get through but I have tried--and you don't have to type slower, just edit when you are done and proofread a tad more.

We might not like that you are judged by your spelling etc. but it's the only thing a lot of people have to go on. So make it as good as you can, put your best foot forward and you'll find things get easier as time goes by. :)

I dont know how alot of this works, but just wanted to suggest that maybe since you paid for the postcard thing and like it, maybe just move it instead of doing away w/ it. Maybe you can add it toward the bottom of the list instead of it being at the top. You probably would want the diapers at the top or very close, so that is what people see right away and dont have to look for it.

I'd be happy to help you with some spelling. I'm not great, but usually a pretty good speller. I can go look for misspelled words and let you know, since you are having problems w/ the spell check. I'm not great at the grammar stuff, but I think someone else said they were pretty good at it.

And I think its great that you are taking it all so well and that there are so many mamas here willing to help and offer suggestions.

Hi Angie! I know you've received a TON of advice here, but I just wanted to add one more thing. Your Home Page says this:

"Shipping is free for up to 4 diapers"

That imo, would stop someone from buying more than 4 diapers at a time from you. If I had gone to your site with the intention of buying multiple diapers, I would stop at 4. I didn't see it mentioned anywhere what shipping would be above that, or what it is for soap, etc. Maybe I missed it, but I just wanted to add that. Your site is looking great though! Keep up the good work and great attitude. :)

I have allways had a great attitude here for how can you get made at any of you mamas?
The postcard thing I can't move the store site controls that I wish I could. It's more or less something for somone to use to e-mail a friend about my site. I don't have shipping on the soaps but I could put it there,der,lol.
The diapers I guess I should also. Im willing to do 4 but any after that broke me last time,lol. I could add a guess price but I hate doing that for I only charge what it actually cost. I guess I will add what I said,lol.
I could say shipping is free for up to 4 diapers then after that actually shipping minus the price of shipping of for diapers? Like if it was 5.00 to ship 4 diapers then I would say minus 5.00?
Im still trying to take picures but I think I need to move it outside my inside light is sucking right now,lol.
So look forward to new pictures of fabric and shipping prices added.
I did spell check and coped and pasted what they though was good,lol. Hope it looks good.
Off to go get samie from the bus stop. Angie

Another thought...you could raise the prices of your diapers by $1 or $1.50 or so and then say that shipping is included in all prices. I like when shipping is "free" or included, I don't have to wonder how much will be added on to my charge at the end!

My little ham is being somewhat uncooperative :( I got two pictures before he decided it was time to eat again.

Picture one...

Picture two...

lol yum food. He is so cute.
Ok now I need to figure out how to download it and make it smaller for the site,lol. I got all my fabric pictures done.
Boy am I tired need to go check the mail,lol. angie