Name of your website?Raspberry June
Your name?
Adrianne
Please give us a short summary of your website?
Retro Vintage Sewing Supplies and Handmades. We carry Moda Fabrics, Patterns by Amy Butler, Paisley Pincushion, Favorite Things, Crabapple Hill and more. We also carry books, basic sewing supplies, and handmade aprons and handbags, as well as gifts & home decor items.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
To have a home based business that the whole family could be involved in. We also wanted something that could potentially grow into a brick and mortor store front eventually.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
We launched Raspberry June about a year ago and it was our first try at a full on web site.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
We wanted a fun, catchy name. After many names, it finally just came to me one night.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
There are many fabric stores and quilt shops out there. That's why we decided to go with a certain style- Retro Vintage. Our prices are a bit lower than some of the others as well. And we throw in 'treats' when a customer makes a purchase.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
To have it support our family. And, eventually, to have a store front too. I'm also working on launching a line of sewing patterns.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
So far, it's slow going. But we've certainly come a long way since this time last year.
If you had an unlimited budget for development, how would you change your site?
First, advertising and lots of it- in the trade magazines especially. Next, some professional help with bookkeeping so we don't have to spend so much time doing it ourselves. Thirdly, tons more inventory!
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
I'd like to think so. That's the whole point, isn't it?
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Managing the website's back end has caused a fair share of headaches. As well as a broken camera and printer. None of that was too terribly unexpected though. It sort of goes with the territory.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Building a website with very little html knowledge. And less start up cash than we'd like.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Thats hard to say. Probably switching hosts & joining forums, also being linked to our major distributors site has helped a lot.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It's been a slower process getting out there than we had hoped.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
It's been up and running for about a year now, and we have no plans of stopping anytime soon.
Do you run more than one site?
We also have an etsy site where we sell mostly handmade items at http://www.raspberryjune.etsy.com and a yahoo group where we hold contests and have clubs and members get special discounts. This is at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rj_fabric_club
What is your website address?
Raspberry June
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