Please critique my Boutique Shop website!

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Please critique my Boutique Shop website!

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victoria

posts: 13

Mar 11, 2008 4:29 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Would like someone to please critique my Boutique Shop website (Victorias Boutique Shop):

www.victoriasboutiqueshop.com

This website is selling intimate apparel. I am also starting another website in June that will feature lingerie (Victorias Lingerie Shop). The two sites will eventually be linked. Please let me know what you think. Thanks - Vicki

PS - The logo that is being used right now is not the one I wanted. My brother is currently working on a new logo that will be just the name Victoria`s Boutique Shop in script or cursive writing.

-------------------------

Yellow Rose Lingerie & Boutique

Website: http://www.yellowroselingerie.com
E-Mail: shopyellowrose@yahoo.com

CraigL

posts: 9051

Mar 12, 2008 10:12 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Victoria :-)
I`m not an attorney, but I really wonder if you`re not going to get hit in the future from Victoria`s Secret. There are an awful lot of similarities, I`d think. I`ll assume you have a lawyer in the wings, in case?

The main problem I have with the site is that when I see a "no photo available," I figure it`s an amateur site, or still in pre-development beta. If I were a customer, I`d probably just click away and go somewhere else.

I went to your cool stuff link, and was wondering at the odd layout at the top of the page. Then I saw the "please click our subcategories," and for the heck of it, hovered over "accessories." By gosh if it wasn`t a link! But I wouldn`t know that to look at it. You`ll likely want to follow Web conventions by underlining the links at least, or in some way letting people know they can click the words.

All in all, it`s okay...but doesn`t really capture my attention. And that`s kind of a trick bag, since I`m a guy. You`d think a site with lingerie and nice models would keep me interested, right?

stickme

posts: 13

Mar 16, 2008 1:37 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Vicky,

I wanted to respond for your website critique. I think I gotta agree with Craig, you wanna make sure you`re not infringing in any kind of way, because that could get ugly and wipe out a smaller company since Victoria`s Secret is a giant.

Overall I think the site needs some coding, to keep everything uniform and simple. When I clicked on the links and the new pages came up they we`re kind of choppy loading. Also I think if you could narrow your offerings down and niche it out you may find you can reach your market easier. You could be on to something great, with the right direction.

Hope you`re still pluggin` away!

Good Luck.

victoria

posts: 13

Mar 17, 2008 12:45 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Thanks for the critiques! I understand your concern about the comparision to Victoria`s Secret, however, I hadn`t really thought about that. Although, there are alot of names on the internet with Victoria`s. Also, that is my name which is the reason I picked Victoria`s. I understand the concern may be that I am selling bras, but I used the name Boutique Shop because I plan on adding other items in the future. Also, I advertise plus-size intimates which Victoria`s Secret does not carry.

I did delete the Men`s and Youth categories which I had been debating about. This makes it an all women`s shop which is what I was originally intending to do. As far as the links, etc. I purchased this templated website and there are some things that I, myself, cannot change. However, I have pointed this out to the company I am associated with and they have taken that advisement to their webmaster.

Thanks for the input. It`s a work in progress though. I have had good response from the few friends that I have asked to look at the website and give me their opinions. Sold some bras, and the main thing is they really liked the bras they purchased and are recommending this website to friends.

I have a fundraiser marketing plan which I am getting ready to implement and just wanted to get some opinions before I start this advertising campaign. Appreciate any and all critiques!

Thanks -

Vicki

www.victoriasboutiqueshop.com

-------------------------

Yellow Rose Lingerie & Boutique

Website: http://www.yellowroselingerie.com
E-Mail: shopyellowrose@yahoo.com

CraigL

posts: 9051

Mar 17, 2008 12:50 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Vicki,
It really doesn`t matter that your name is Victoria, that you`re selling different things in a few minor areas, and that lots of stores have the name Victoria. Nor is Victoria`s Secret interested in whether or not your choice of name is intentional or unintentional---that you had the other name in mind when you chose yours. None of that would legally be relevant, you see. What matters is that your site has Victoria as the leading name, it`s a two-word title, and that you sell lingerie.

Again, I`m not an attorney, but I would strongly suggest that you speak with a trademark attorney before you invest a lot of capital in developing your company name.

victoria

posts: 13

Mar 19, 2008 10:15 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I`ve taken your advice into consideration. I`ve been looking at some trademark sites and trying to research. I`ve decided that it will probably just be easier to change my business/domain name and not take a chance on a lawsuit.

Thanks for your input. It`s alot better to have to change the name now at the start rather than later after I get customers established.

Thanks -

Vicki

-------------------------

Yellow Rose Lingerie & Boutique

Website: http://www.yellowroselingerie.com
E-Mail: shopyellowrose@yahoo.com

CraigL

posts: 9051

Mar 19, 2008 8:34 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

That`s what the feedback is for, and how it can help....hopefully. We`re only 1 year into our flag business, but in that year, we`ve come to see that what we "thought" we were selling at the start isn`t what we now "know" we`re selling. The result has been an overhaul of the concept, and purchasing a new domain name.

Thankfully, we`re only that one year old! As you said, it`s a whole lot easier to make a massive change at the start than when you`re a well-known, going concern.
:-)

victoria

posts: 13

Apr 02, 2008 2:54 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Besides selecting a new name for my boutique business, I have totally redone my boutique bra site and added another site with lingerie & accessories.

Please review my bra boutique at www.yellowroseboutique.com and my lingerie website at www.yellowroselingerie.com I have provided links between each site and promoting both sites.

The only thing that is not done is the logos. I am having someone design a mutual logo for each site. I have temporary name logos in there at this time (don`t pay any attention to them). On the lingerie site, I am going to replace the name (where the title tag goes) with Petite to Plus-Size Intimate Apparel after I have placed a logo on the heading (next to the yellow rose picture).

I would appreciate any feedback on both sites. I am ready to start marketing my sites but would like some opinions first if there is anything that you think I should change or do better.

Thanks -

Vicki

Yellow Rose Lingerie & Boutique (formerly Victoria`s Boutique Shop)

PS - I like the new name alot better! Thanks for the previous feedback on that!

-------------------------

Yellow Rose Lingerie & Boutique

Website: http://www.yellowroselingerie.com
E-Mail: shopyellowrose@yahoo.com

CraigL

posts: 9051

Apr 02, 2008 5:29 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Okay, that`s WAY better! :-D First of all, there`s no questions whatsoever that you`re your own company now, and not trying to capitalize on VS. Additionally, the site is clean, easy to navigate, and moves along nicely. There`s a nice, smooth connection-transition to the lingerie site, and that too looks very professional.

I think you`ll sleep a lot easier at night with the new name. Excellent job!

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