Website creation

[Log Dog]

Wish to establish a website going forward
I will need it to be of a commercial nature with emphasis on high quality pictures and world wide sales and distribution
I am clueless how to achieve this
Could someone recommend a reputable website builder
And what sort of $ will it cost?
I will require slick photos,maybe 3 dimensional,to display my products...this is a paramount requirement.
Thanks in advance
Log Dog :)

[david.elliott]

The wife and I did this ourselves..

Possums Run Glass Art (https://www.possumsrun.com/)

On Squarespace.com

Actually not as hard as you may think. You get a free trial period, so it's worth a bash to see if you can manage to do it.
That's what we did, and when the trial was nearly up we decided we were happy to sign up as we were confident we could
manage to get it looking good.

You will need to buy a domain name, if you have not already. Google Domains is a good place for that. Google Domains – Register Your Domain Name – Google Domains (https://domains.google/)
When you buy that it's an idea to buy ones similar. We have Possums Run.com, .com.au, and others as well as StainedGlassPerth.com. and others. All of these point to our website, so if someone gets confused they still end up with us, as well as stopping competitors (should we get famous...LOL) pinching our potential customers.

The photos are entirely down to you, unfortunately. Not sure what "3 dimensional" means?
That said all of our images were taken with mid range mobiles. We did invest in a lightbox, a couple/few hundred dollars and that improved the pics out of sight.

Lots of "plugins" available to have an on online shopping presence. Not really something we need as every piece we do is a one off, therefore no point in putting the effort into a shop listing.
There's some need I think for you to also look into Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), if you're looking to push your site internationally.

We have also had a lot of joy using Your Access To This Website Has Been Blocked (https://www.fiverr.com/)
A great place to source all sorts of skills at a reasonable cost, ie: our logo was $90.00 and we like it a lot.
We had one dispute and Fiverr sorted quickly and I have not seen the supplier back on there, yet.

PM me if you would like to discuss further, happy to help in my limited way.

[Log Dog]

The wife and I did this ourselves..

Possums Run Glass Art (https://www.possumsrun.com/)

On Squarespace.com

Actually not as hard as you may think. You get a free trial period, so it's worth a bash to see if you can manage to do it.
That's what we did, and when the trial was nearly up we decided we were happy to sign up as we were confident we could
manage to get it looking good.

You will need to buy a domain name, if you have not already. Google Domains is a good place for that. Google Domains – Register Your Domain Name – Google Domains (https://domains.google/)
When you buy that it's an idea to buy ones similar. We have Possums Run.com, .com.au, and others as well as StainedGlassPerth.com. and others. All of these point to our website, so if someone gets confused they still end up with us, as well as stopping competitors (should we get famous...LOL) pinching our potential customers.

The photos are entirely down to you, unfortunately. Not sure what "3 dimensional" means?
That said all of our images were taken with mid range mobiles. We did invest in a lightbox, a couple/few hundred dollars and that improved the pics out of sight.

Lots of "plugins" available to have an on online shopping presence. Not really something we need as every piece we do is a one off, therefore no point in putting the effort into a shop listing.
There's some need I think for you to also look into Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), if you're looking to push your site internationally.

We have also had a lot of joy using Your Access To This Website Has Been Blocked (https://www.fiverr.com/)
A great place to source all sorts of skills at a reasonable cost, ie: our logo was $90.00 and we like it a lot.
We had one dispute and Fiverr sorted quickly and I have not seen the supplier back on there, yet.

PM me if you would like to discuss further, happy to help in my limited way.Thank you so much David for your help
This has given me great insight going forward :2tsup:
Log Dog :)

[tonzeyd]

There's alot to choose from ultimately depends on how much revenue you're realistically going to be generating. All the commercial website offerings target a specific market share its up to you to decide which bucket you fall into and how much work you're willing to put into them to get them up and running.

Without knowing your specific business and intentions i'd recommend doing some reading on whats available, eg look into shopify, wix etc. Sign up to a few of them and have a play at creating a free website. You'll find it doesn't take that much effort to get a half decent looking website. However the biggest issue with these kind of websites is they can end up looking... out of the box if you know what i mean. Then there's the obvious ongoing costs with them. Typically these have an ongoing monthly cost not much more than a basic phone plan, there's also the cost associated with domain names which are typically separate

Getting one made from scratch by reaching out to a web developer company costs more initially, but you get a custom website that looks more unique and tailored to your business. You also can have the opportunity to run them off your own server (if you're serious) and save on the ongoing costs associated with having an ecommerce site host for you. Depending on what you're after allow for a couple of grand for a turn key option, however this option is also one that falls into the how long is a piece of string basket.

The third option is learning how to develop one yourself from scratch, obviously the cheapest but also the most time consuming and wouldn't recommend it unless you've got loads of time on your hand.

Either option will allow you to load high quality images and video, however if you're planning on using loads of visuals look at one one of the more reputable options (read more expensive) as they will offer servers that won't get bogged down.

SEO is something that will set you apart in search engines, but the way google algorithms work no matter how good your SEO is, unless you're generating new and relevant content regularly you'll quickly drop down the rankings.

In terms of logistics, there isn't any ecommerce platform that will do that for you, depending on what you're selling, will depend on which route you ultimately use. Some use regular aus post, some use couriers, some use their own trucks.

[Log Dog]

Will register some Domain names today
A search yesterday revealed that my preffered business name(s) are indeed available...excellent!
I felt the pricing was reasonable too
Logo is next step...and a very important one too
I need to be a little creative I suspects
Log Dog :)

[david.elliott]

Hey Log Dog,

Check out Fiverr.com for logo creation. We had excellent results, we think. All I supplied the designer was a photo of a cut steel panel that had a possum in it.

Couple of tweaks with text and the possums shape and all done in less that a week for $90.00.

[Log Dog]

Hey Log Dog,

Check out Fiverr.com for logo creation. We had excellent results, we think. All I supplied the designer was a photo of a cut steel panel that had a possum in it.

Couple of tweaks with text and the possums shape and all done in less that a week for $90.00.Will check it out today David...thanks mate
Pricing sounds reasonable too
Log Dog :)

[Fallen Woodwork]

Hi Log Dog. Also check GoDaddy.com (http://godaddy.com) for web domain, self website builder and much more.
Pricing, including .com.au domains, much cheaper here than other sites. Worth the comparison.

Also, worth checking out is designcrowd.com.au (http://designcrowd.com.au) for logo design, business cards etc. I have had very nice results with logo design projects here

[Fekit]

Wish to establish a website going forward
I will need it to be of a commercial nature with emphasis on high quality pictures and world wide sales and distribution
I am clueless how to achieve this
Could someone recommend a reputable website builder
And what sort of $ will it cost?
I will require slick photos,maybe 3 dimensional,to display my products...this is a paramount requirement.
Thanks in advance
Log Dog :)

Given the nature of websites you can get them put together anywhere. Personally I use a bloke who lives at Noosa. Dave's his name, nice bloke, and he's cheap and does web hosting too. Noosa Web Design (https://noosawebdesign.com.au/)

I don't use his web hosting, I use Digital Pacific who are, after a couple of years using them, a company I'd recommend.

It really does go on and on and on, and can be eye wateringly expensive.

[Log Dog]

Products are high end timber suitable for fancy turnery,box making,knife handles,pen blanks and guitar blanks
Specialising in extreme figure and quarter sawn material
Also species specific...Qld Maple,Maple Silkwood,Red Cedar,Nth Silky Oak,Acacia spec. and more.
So most items are fairly small and compact for posting
Wondering what platforms perform better than others eg Amazon,ebay etc.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance
Log Dog :)

[Fekit]

Wondering what platforms perform better than others eg Amazon,ebay etc.

To be honest I'm not sure I'd be too concerned about that at this stage.

Given the specialised nature of your product I'd be focusing on where my market is concentrated. Woodwork forums would be my first point of contact, how many there are I'm not sure. Then there's all the other forums for instrument makers, knife makers and anybody else that needs timber as an input to their specific business. Also trade magazines and the like.

[LanceC]

Just a word of warning with Fiverr etc. Make sure you do an image based search for your proposed logo before you make any payment. I tried using them and a similar service twice, and in both instances the submissions were overwhelmingly lifted from the web and perhaps slightly modified, or stock imagery for which there could be no ability to exclusive use as a trademark.

I would suggest you find a local graphic designer, and have a chat to them instead.

[Fallen Woodwork]

Wondering what platforms perform better than others eg Amazon,ebay etc.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance
Log Dog :)
Have a look at Etsy
Etsy - Shop for handmade, vintage, custom, and unique gifts for everyone (https://www.etsy.com/)
https://www.etsy.com/au/sell (https://www.etsy.com/au/sell?ref=ftr)

[Log Dog]

Have a look at Etsy
Etsy - Shop for handmade, vintage, custom, and unique gifts for everyone (https://www.etsy.com/)
https://www.etsy.com/au/sell (https://www.etsy.com/au/sell?ref=ftr)Thanks mate
Appreciate the link
Impressed with this selling platform
I have just registered with PayPal
Business name registration will follow this week sometime
Still contemplating that one!
Logo is work in progress too
Log Dog :)

[delbs]

Logdog on Etsy would be pretty unique ;)

[Log Dog]

Logdog on Etsy would be pretty unique ;)Delbs I am quite excited
Looking forward to the journey!
'Unique' will definately fit my brand :;
Log Dog :)

[woodPixel]

VentraIP Australia - 100% Australian Website Hosting & Domain Names (https://ventraip.com.au/)

This company offers exceptional hosting and domain name experiences.

I host about 8 sites and email boxes on the one "starter" plan of $3.50 a month: Website Hosting - 100% Australian Owned - VentraIP Australia (https://ventraip.com.au/web-hosting/business-hosting/)

They've been super quick on support and the service is lightning fast.

I was so impressed I closed everything I had at GoDaddy and NameSilo and moved it ALL there. Dead easy.

[woodPixel]

Products are high end timber suitable for fancy turnery,box making,knife handles,pen blanks and guitar blanks
Specialising in extreme figure and quarter sawn material
Also species specific...Qld Maple,Maple Silkwood,Red Cedar,Nth Silky Oak,Acacia spec. and more.
So most items are fairly small and compact for posting
Wondering what platforms perform better than others eg Amazon,ebay etc.

Raffle all those.

I wasn't going to respond on this at first, as starting a business can lead to a lot of misadvice :) (my advice is sometimes terrible! I have the worst client)

For timber sales, the GOOD stuff, it seems that Instagram is the way to go.

For example, I follow these two ratbags:

carvingandturningtimbersales (https://www.instagram.com/carvingandturningtimbersales/)
djarilmaritimbers (https://www.instagram.com/djarilmaritimbers/)
(there was also Jason Chard on IG before he dropped off. I bought a LOT off him!)


They put up a piece, with a good price and the first to post with "mine" is the winner.

They start their sale at 10am on Saturday and the vultures are picking at the bones by lunchtime.

I'm sure they keep aside a selection of The Really Good Stuff for selling to vendors like BJ's, Holtey and HNTgordon.


Post and delivery would be the next headache, but that's a separate discussion :)

[Log Dog]

Raffle all those.

I wasn't going to respond on this at first, as starting a business can lead to a lot of misadvice :) (my advice is sometimes terrible! I have the worst client)

For timber sales, the GOOD stuff, it seems that Instagram is the way to go.

For example, I follow these two ratbags:

carvingandturningtimbersales (https://www.instagram.com/carvingandturningtimbersales/)
djarilmaritimbers (https://www.instagram.com/djarilmaritimbers/)
(there was also Jason Chard on IG before he dropped off. I bought a LOT off him!)


They put up a piece, with a good price and the first to post with "mine" is the winner.

They start their sale at 10am on Saturday and the vultures are picking at the bones by lunchtime.

I'm sure they keep aside a selection of The Really Good Stuff for selling to vendors like BJ's, Holtey and HNTgordon.


Post and delivery would be the next headache, but that's a separate discussion :)Unfortunately I probably have too much stock to raffle :rolleyes:
But still sounds like a good option to consider
I will give it a shot!
Joined Instagram last night for the first time
That got me excited :B
Now the arduous task of getting website sorted
Thank you heaps for your advice too WP
I am most appreciative
Log Dog :)

[delbs]

Unfortunately I probably have too much stock to raffle :rolleyes:
But still sounds like a good option to consider
I will give it a shot!
Joined Instagram last night for the first time
That got me excited :B
Now the arduous task of getting website sorted
Thank you heaps for your advice too WP
I am most appreciative
Log Dog :)

What’s your instagram handle?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ironwood]

There are some very successful people using Instagram as a sales avenue.
Start following heaps of people in the industry, eg boxmakeres, luthiers, turners, knifemakers, and craftsmen. Best to have some pics on your page first, so when they check you out, they will follow you in turn, because they like what they see.
The secret is you have to post often, at least once a day if you can, you just need a square photo of some tasty timber, half a dozen words and some hashtags, eg #australiantimber #fiddleback #timberforsale #knifescales . Use it to sell “one off” pieces, or small lots that could be posted in one package. Once you have a website, you can use Instagram to drive sales to the website.
Post your username on here so members will check you out.
Mine is ironwoodbrad , I am not active enough on there to be selling much off there, and I post too much diverse stuff. Maybe in a couple of years, I’ll have a bit more time to put into it.

[Log Dog]

What’s your instagram handle?


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkFiddleback Timbers
Will be selling from it in a month or so
That's the plan :;
Log Dog :)

[delbs]

Fiddleback Timbers
Will be selling from it in a month or so
That's the plan :;
Log Dog :)

Can’t find you on there yet. I’m ndelbouxwoodwork

Turns out I follow a few forum members on there already but didn’t know until now

[Ironwood]

Fiddleback Timbers
Will be selling from it in a month or so
That's the plan :;
Log Dog :)
Just did a search, you are not coming up.
Plenty of other fiddlebacks, but no fiddleback timbers.

[Log Dog]

Just did a search, you are not coming up.
Plenty of other fiddlebacks, but no fiddleback timbers.Had issues with paying for my online shop which may be the reason :?
So went to the bank today to clarity my new phone number so that codes can be sent to me for online transactions etc
Shop won't be open anyway until start of next financial year
I am now registered with PayPal and a few others
Ironwood (Brad) I will be selling this sort of quality once up and running (Qld Maple)
Log Dog :)

[Log Dog]

Delbs
This is a glimpse of my box making material that will be available when website up and running
Speccy stuff!
Log Dog :)

[delbs]

I’ll take it! Where do I sign, I’ll provide my address? Where do I insert the coins haha

Lovely stuff mate I’m keen!

Cheers
Nathan

[Log Dog]

I’ll take it! Where do I sign, I’ll provide my address? Where do I insert the coins haha

Lovely stuff mate I’m keen!

Cheers
Nathan LOL
As soon as website up and running you'll be the first to know mate
Sometime in July thereabouts
Physically not capable of sorting stuff in the container anyway...but am healing quickly
I'm chomping at the bit too!
Log Dog :)

[delbs]

LOL
As soon as website up and running you'll be the first to know mate
Sometime in July thereabouts
Physically not capable of sorting stuff in the container anyway...but am healing quickly
I'm chomping at the bit too!
Log Dog :)

Haha yeah just keen mate seriously no pressure at all hope your mending well and don’t rush back into anything! Just when the times right.

Sounds good mate looking forward to seeing it come together

Cheers
Nathan

[Cal]

I too purchase a bit of timber from Instagram.
These two pages are mine

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220608/8a5b171d0554c57951074e8d800721ba.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220608/4638463c49b1db0b4297e2c2ce0d39dd.jpg


I follow beaver_badger (Colin from Goondiwindi) and have purchased a bit from him recently.

Curlytimbers (Pete from Castlemaine area)

Jellyshaketimberanddesign

Tasmaniantonewoods

Otwaytonewoods

Tasmanian_acoustic_tonewood

South_west_timber_milling

Tasmanianwoods



There are many others and they all have great product, most of which gets snapped up fast from all over the world.

I think you will do well on Instagram Log Dog!

I’m in the process of designing a website via Wix, the issue with the internet based design systems is they are messy behind the scenes and make it difficult to have high google rankings and SEO.

At the moment for me, it’s all I can afford to do as I can’t afford a web designer at the moment. If I have success with my little business I will save up and pay someone to build a proper site.

[Log Dog]

I too purchase a bit of timber from Instagram.
These two pages are mine

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220608/8a5b171d0554c57951074e8d800721ba.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220608/4638463c49b1db0b4297e2c2ce0d39dd.jpg


I follow beaver_badger (Colin from Goondiwindi) and have purchased a bit from him recently.

Curlytimbers (Pete from Castlemaine area)

Jellyshaketimberanddesign

Tasmaniantonewoods

Otwaytonewoods

Tasmanian_acoustic_tonewood

South_west_timber_milling

Tasmanianwoods



There are many others and they all have great product, most of which gets snapped up fast from all over the world.

I think you will do well on Instagram Log Dog!

I’m in the process of designing a website via Wix, the issue with the internet based design systems is they are messy behind the scenes and make it difficult to have high google rankings and SEO.

At the moment for me, it’s all I can afford to do as I can’t afford a web designer at the moment. If I have success with my little business I will save up and pay someone to build a proper site.Big thanks for all the info Cal
Also for your positivity :2tsup:
Cheers mate
Log Dog :)

[Log Dog]

By the way Cal
Kudos for using responsibly sourced timber
Every log I mill is either storm salvaged or dead standing
Without compromising on quality
Log Dog :)

[Cal]

Thanks Log Dog,
I also mill timber here in the Adelaide hills, only ever from wind fall timber. I have a few arborist friends also and they put aside a bit of yard tree for me if they think it’s useful. It also saves it from going up in smoke, not that I’m against anyone keeping warm!

Cheers Cal

[Log Dog]

These pieces were from a tree ( Acacia Celsa) that was blown over during cyclone Larry quite a few years ago
The butt log was suspended off the ground hence there was little degrade
Only milled in recent times and the wood recovered displayed wonderful figure
The tannins also imparted some rich colour into the wood
Well worth salvaging !
Log Dog :)

[Cal]

Just launched my new website, if you want to have a look here is the link
Hand Made Instrument | Blue Wren Music (http://www.bluewrenmusic.com.au)
Cheers Cal

[Log Dog]

Just launched my new website, if you want to have a look here is the link
Hand Made Instrument | Blue Wren Music (http://www.bluewrenmusic.com.au)
Cheers CalThanks for sharing Cal
Lovely work I must say
Hoping to turn this piece of Qld Maple into a solid body electric
Something I have wanted to do for years :B
And learn how to play it too :rolleyes:
Log Dog :)

[delbs]

Hows the website coming along Logdog? ;)

Cheers,
Nathan

[Log Dog]

Still working on it Delbs
Everything seems to be in slow motion atm :?
Must be the cold weather :rolleyes:
Will keep you posted mate
Log Dog :)

[crowie]

Got to subscribe to this thread Chris, as I'm wanting to see your website, once it's up and running, Cheers Peter