houseofjerkyjanie: I sell our product online

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Nickname:	houseofjerkyjanie Evansville, IN United States
Blog:	beefjerkyhouse.com/blog/

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houseofjerkyjanie

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By houseofjerkyjanie 593 Days Ago
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What do you attribute `most` to the success of your website?

Okay Roland was my first choice,..So, then I cast my vote for product.. :) I was sorry to see I made a poll with one answer, but I did say `most`.

Janie

houseofjerkyjanie4/7/2008 10:22 PM
By vapourlock 592 Days Ago
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No one gives a damn about how products and services are. All the consumers online care about "Information" -- you don`t supply it, you don`t get it.
By vwebworld 588 Days Ago
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This is almost like asking if "content" or design is more important.

I think it depends upon what the website is about / selling. If you`re selling a product or service then that product or service is important. But you certainly need to present that product and effectively communicate your message to the viewer.

"Build a better mouse trap" - have a superior ( beef jerky ) product and it can almost sell itself.

~Roland
By houseofjerkyjanie 587 Days Ago
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Roland, I feel it is so important to work with someone that helps, with your success. Online, we couldn`t have done it without you, Roland.

Vapourlock, I do believe consumers care about quality products and services, and of course effectively communicating that, is important

Janie
houseofjerkyjanie4/13/2008 5:26 AM
By DaleKing 587 Days Ago
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No one gives a damn about how products and services are. All the consumers online care about "Information" -- you don`t supply it, you don`t get it.

That is the singularly most asinine statement I`ve seen so far in this forum.

Dale King

DKing4/13/2008 9:27 AM
By houseofjerkyjanie 587 Days Ago
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I thought it was a little odd too, Dale.

Janie
By houseofjerkyjanie 587 Days Ago
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So, you`re suggesting advertising, to bring the paying customers? Do you mean on adwords? Then if you`ve never advertised, what would you attribute your success to, that your customers find your site and purchase?

Good question.....who should advertise online? Are there great returns on your investment?
By vapourlock 586 Days Ago
0 points

No one gives a damn about how products and services are. All the consumers online care about "Information" -- you don`t supply it, you don`t get it.

That is the singularly most asinine statement I`ve seen so far in this forum.

Dale King

Well, On second thoughts -- I do admit it was asinine! I could have done better. Sorry!
By redeyeroy 585 Days Ago
0 points
For us pr has been great. Getting others with good web traffic to write about you is awesome and cheap.I think your site is great. You could also look into search engine optimization. Try orangesoda.com or seo.com.
I would also suggest taking your video camera and do a taste test on the street.You can use youtube.com to host the clips and then place them on your site. I think it would go along way for people to see what others think about your jerky.

John
By houseofjerkyjanie 585 Days Ago
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Hi John,

I had always wondered how we could use video. That is an excellent idea!! Thanks!

Janie
By writeforyou 584 Days Ago
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Hi Janie (Waves)

I LOVE that video idea. That would be really neat for House of Jerky.

Of course I`m a strong believer in good website content, but I have to say that most of my top paying customers have been repeat customers. Once customers see that you are providing quality products or services, they are usually glad to pay for quality rather than get out cheap and end up with terrible products or services. (I`m like this as a consumer.)

I think around 80% of sales usually come from 20% of your existing customers so perhaps marketing to those existing customers is a good idea.

On that note, I truly believe that word of mouth (even on the internet) is great - and if you have existing top paying customers, they probably associate with others who would be willing to pay for quality. What about some sort of customer referral program? Maybe a discount for every referral that purchases something?

Hope that helps!!
By houseofjerkyjanie 583 Days Ago
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Hi Sam!!

Yep, I love the great ideas we share here. And the people we meet. :)

It`s been awhile, you must be busy! Yay!

Janie

houseofjerkyjanie4/17/2008 2:34 PM
By Cookie 579 Days Ago
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I was surprised no one voted for Key Words since everyone is always pushing for SEO.

That said, I voted for Word of Mouth because I get more website hits after I`ve worked a

garden walk & someone who bought WEDGIE at the walk told someone else about it. I like to fantasize that someday I`ll open my mailbox & out will spill thousands upon thousands upon thousands of orders from gardeners who all heard about WEDGIE from other satisfied customers.

Conventional wisdom is that people spread the word more when they`re dissatisfied with something. I want to know how to get them to go viral when they like something.

Cookie4/22/2008 9:47 PM
By WildMountainGourmet 578 Days Ago
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I think around 80% of sales usually come from 20% of your existing customers so perhaps marketing to those existing customers is a good idea.

Yes, the ole 80/20 rule...RIGHT ON THE MONEY!

here`s alittle more of how that ratio tends to work...

The basic rule as applied to business activity is: 80% of the results come from 20% of one`s activities. In business, the 80/20 Rule can be applied in many different ways:

* INVENTORY – 80% of the business will be done on 20% of the selection of products or services.
* SALES – 80% of the business will be done in 20% of the time (year, month, week, or day) the business is open to its public.
* SALES PRODUCTIVITY – 80% of the sales come in from 20% of the sales staff.
* MAJOR CUSTOMERS – 80% of sales will be done with 20% of one`s customers.
* COMPLAINTS – 80% of the complaints come from 20% of the customers.
* CUSTOMER BASE – 80% of the customers will come from 20% of the area the business reaches.
* ADVERTISING – 80% of business from advertising will come from 20% of the advertising.
* EMPLOYEES – 80% of the work will be done by 20% of the employees.
* SUPPLIES/SUPPLIERS – 80% of what one buys comes from 20% of one`s vendors.
* MEETINGS – 80% of the important information/discussions happen in 20% of the meeting time.
* PROFIT – 80% of the profit comes from 20% of the sales or 20% of the customers.

Show 6-10 of 14 discussions

By houseofjerkyjanie 267 Days Ago
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The last question in the poll pertains to a site I found. I`m wondering what you feel about this type of marketing.

http://www.trialpay.com/

Janie
By Imortal 267 Days Ago
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Myself I don`t like the get free money to spend somewere else. Sounds like a plan between diffrent stores to get me to keep spending money on things I realy don`t need. But hey thats just my 2 cents worth.
By houseofjerkyjanie 267 Days Ago
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Well, hey, that`s what I was wondering.:) Thanks for your opinion! I really appreciate it.

Janie
By idahobob 266 Days Ago
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you don`t have a box for none of the above??

For me, I don`t like any of them... I don`t think people trust the "deal" anymore... 2 for 1 buy one get one free... these are all illusions retailers invent to tap into the impulses of the spending trigger mechanisicms that have been instilled in consumers over their lifetimes.

For me, I`m not giving anything away, have never had a "sale" or "special". the price is the price and while i am happy to negotiate on an individual basis, it`s not a part of the strategy that get`s the customer in the virtual door. A straight forward approach, and a . a trade for "like" value.

If sales are down, their are a ton of other alternatives to dealing with it than prepetuating this same ol same ol sales gimmik. You got to think that surely by now, the folks are getting wise to the illlusions..

If you want to bring in the customers, show them honesty and respect and don`t treat them like bobble headed idiots who will chow down an empty plate of food on command. ?
By houseofjerkyjanie 266 Days Ago
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Bob, I appreciate your opinion on "none of the above". I see you make custom jewelry. You give a price for what you create and as you said, negotiate on an individual basis. I also believe, for your product, that`s the way you should do it.

I don`t quite agree with you though. Ever since this past Christmas with almost everything on sale, buyers seem to be looking for the sales. With the state of the economy in a recession and talks of going into a depression, people are looking for ways to save money. There are a lot of savvy shoppers. Would I prefer not to discount, who wouldn`t?

I very rarely offer a special on our website, but do offer specials through our newsletter to our regular customers. And always will reward them that way. If you want to call them bobble head idiots... well,I enjoy sending a "buy a pound receive a 1/4 pound free special" and watching them jump on it usually ordering 3-5 pounds each.

The question was asked because I am thinking about putting a special online for customers for next month. We are a high end product and probably the most expensive. When searching google "beef jerky", we are one, in 1,480,000. If you were searching for a food product and hadn`t tried any brands would you automatically purchase the most expensive one or search around. I believe an incentive might entice someone to choose one product versus another. Not a bad idea to capture new customers and let them try the best instead of in a virtual world, let them keep searching.

We do not have sales or specials in our brick and mortar stores. They have walked through that door and are immediately converted to customers after sampling. :)

That said I respect your opinion and always welcome and respect my online customers. Our business is always a little slower in Feb and March, then kicks off from April through the rest of the year. So, nothings different this year, I guess I was considering more the way people are shopping in this economy.

Janie

houseofjerkyjanie2/28/2009 4:52 PM
By idahobob 266 Days Ago
0 points

Hello Janie

I wasn`t thinking when I wrote that response of your store in particular but more in a general term. but your basic principle is selling more for less money to bring in more sales...

Your right, in certain circumstances and depending on what you sell, a special could be a good thing and "consumers" are pretty trained to fall in line. it may be 20 years or longer before the masses ever think like i do. So, not all retailers who offer specials "think" their customers are bobble headed idiots that will chow down on an empty plate of food on command" and, times are tough for a lot of people and who wouldn`t want to get an extra free lb of jerly??

Also, your right, I`m not in the general sales arena but i am a customer with a pretty good understanding of the difference between being a buyer and being a consumer and sales.

for me, I`m not interested in more for less or anything free... I just want to get what i pay for regardless of what it is I am buying. i don`t want to squeeze some guy out of a sale i`ve been doing business with because the guy next door will cut me a break with a nickle in savings... i want to be my suppliers best customer. you know, do unto others and all of that. I don`t take customers who are cheap skates and looking for a "something for nothing" and i`m not that way either. when i deal with a supplier, I am looking for a lifetime relationship. not a quick one night stand. if i cut him down to the nubs than, chances are good he won`t be around when i need him again.

I see businesses "think" they have to offer a cash reward for shopping with them and after so much of it it just sounds like groveling. It`s like a vicious circle... you complain to your suppliers the price is too high so they give in, your customers complain to you and you give in and nothing really get`s better if everybody in the room is holding a gun on eachother. You end up doing more work for less money and the less money you have the more demanding you haave to be on your suppliers and it all starts over again... how can you raise your prices after giving it away? if you give a guy an extra lb of jerky, he can only resent you if you take his next pound away or charge him for it.

You make the best product in the world than "why" would you offer it for less? isn`t your normal price the fair price already? You don`t want to "really" take less but your sales are slowing down so why would you sell more for less?

This is all just n my 2 cents, I`m not really all that "main stream" with my way of thinking:)

SO, If i had to pick an option, it would be E: don`t offer any discount but point out why your product is worth what you are asking.
By houseofjerkyjanie 266 Days Ago
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Bob,

I have shared in your philosophy, and have been online for years always being the priciest of our competitors. I don`t complain when suppliers need to raise their prices. I can always make the choice whether or not to increase our prices also.

I`ve also known that customers get what they pay for, so I`ve had no problem with what we do charge, for what they receive.

Again, what I am choosing to do at this time is not because business is slow, more so because of the mindset of the shoppers in these times. Changing prices higher or lower at this time would be silly. Offering a discount online this month just seemed like a good idea. :) We have several brick and mortar stores, and many faithful customers. I was in a mind set to capture more customers that are just Internet surfers, those that are just looking for jerky . :) Does that make sense to you or anyone else?

Janie

houseofjerkyjanie2/28/2009 4:51 PM
By idahobob 266 Days Ago
0 points

I understand your mindset and question. Now is a good time to be expanding your customer base... you could take the % you would offer as a discount and reach a million more people that will pay your regular price.

maybe a free sampler pack (or just charge shipping) to entice them to become great future customers... you can`t beat "free"!
By houseofjerkyjanie 265 Days Ago
0 points

Thanks Bob, posted my March Madness special today plus sent out a newsletter. The amount of online sales you can get in a day amazes me. A little incentive doesn`t hurt. It definitely helps attract those buyers. Most sales as usual have come from our regulars. But there have been ,new customers too. And we are featuring this special all month!. Granted not a big day for a jewelry designer, but our little old sales add up!

March Madness special at http://www.houseofjerky.net That`s it.

Janie

p.s Oh Bob, can I get a deal on jewelry now? :) I love that you custom design!

houseofjerkyjanie3/2/2009 10:56 AM
By idahobob 264 Days Ago
0 points

Well, seems you are right and the trigger for people is to offer them a discount.

We work pretty cheap already, any further discounts and we would be better off to just send the customer a check and forget about making their piece. But for you, I will be happy to extend our March Grand opening-liquidation- clearance-introductory- special... everything 100% off! (see fine print for details)
By barose 264 Days Ago
0 points

I think the “no sale motto” is great for your OWN products but when you retail other lines, you do what you got to do. There is too much competition out their for me to keep a tight fist.

I don’t offer deals on the website, but I do give them out for people who join my newsletter or on specific forums I post on.
By houseofjerkyjanie 264 Days Ago
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Bob, I read your comments. Of course you shouldn`t discount if you feel you would have to write a check. Charge for what you`re work is worth, period!

Brose, I think I understand what you`re saying , re selling competitive products. I hope your specials and sales make that difference.

I`m going to be honest. We don`t compete with our independent owned and operated brick and mortar stores with online prices.

So our online specials at times, are just that, online specials for online customers. that we are able to offer.

Janie

houseofjerkyjanie3/2/2009 11:13 PM
By Biziness 263 Days Ago
0 points
get a discount on your purchase?

If you`re just a reseller of stuff (dropship, wholesale/retailer), it will be hard to offer a discount. You`re already working on very thin margins. The more discount you offer, the more it eats into your gross margin, and you may actually be losing money by the end of the year. Don`t sacrifice short-term gains for the long-term survivability of the company.

If you`re selling stuff you produce or manufacture, (food, tool, gadget, software, etc) discounts are more easier to do. Markups are huge, you can control production costs, so you can still have a good profit even after discounting your prices.

But even then, discounting should be the last resort. You need to keep your gross margin high and protect it at all costs. You can "bundle" products to make them more attractive to the buyer, or more "package" them for convenience. (If you`re selling pots and pans, include some spatulas and other cooking utensils, for example.) You can "discount" the bundle so the customer is getting a good deal, and you`re not getting a big hit by cutting your prices drastically on each and every item.

If you offer "customization" to your products, offer them for free as part of the purchase. (Of course, this depends on what business you`re in.) Customer will see it as a deal because they`re getting that extra work/value for free as part of their product purchase.

Buy 2 Get one free.... hmmm, that sounds bad.... Not unless you have really really huge profit margins on those items (preferably, products you manufacture in-house). If you`re a reseller, forget it.

free shipping? That may work... provided you get good rates from your shipper. If you have your own USPS/Fedex/UPS account, this may work if you do all your postage printing in-house. If you have to go to Kinko`s/USPS/Fedex counter to pay for shipping the item, forget it. It also helps if you built-in the price of packaging boxes, packing materials into the price of your product.

get free $$`s to spend somewhere else? Only a moron would do this... or a dot-com company back in the days of irrational exhuberance.
By houseofjerkyjanie 262 Days Ago
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Okay, free dollars, I agree. Was just checking out what you all thought of that site I came across. You mentioned if you`re selling pots and pans offer free spatulas, kind of the same as free dollars. Are you really going to make the purchase because you will get free spatulas?

Price your prices right, at retail value. And yes if you are the manufacturer or retailer etc and can give a discount, nothing sparks customers interest more. People love sales. Last week our online sales were a little slow. This week it is crazy. It you offer a % discount it seems customers want to purchase more to get an even better discount. It works. For them and for us, or YOU!. As a drop shipper, it is probably more difficult, we all need to make money. Business is done in many different ways, but we need to do it right and be competitive in the ways we can, in order to run a successful business. I`m happy about it, are you?

Janie

houseofjerkyjanie3/5/2009 10:24 AM
By barose 261 Days Ago
0 points

get a discount on your purchase?

If you`re just a reseller of stuff (dropship, wholesale/retailer), it will be hard to offer a discount. You`re already working on very thin margins. The more discount you offer, the more it eats into your gross margin, and you may actually be losing money by the end of the year. Don`t sacrifice short-term gains for the long-term survivability of the company.

You’re so right about that. I have offered discounts, through newsletters, Squidoo, forums, and my blog but thankfully, only one customer has actually taken advantage of it. Most of my customers are from search engines and sometimes Twitter, not many other ways.

The profit margin isnt very high to begin with so I think I won’t offer “sales” for a while.
By Biziness 261 Days Ago
0 points
"Pricing Strategies for the Downturn" from Harvard Business.

http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/cs/2009/03/pricing_strategies_for_the_dow.html

Read the comment section too.

And this one too.
"How to price smarter in uncertain times"
http://www.accenture.com/Global/Research_and_Insights/Outlook/By_Issue/Y2008/HowTimes.htm

I do understand why "discounting" seems like a good idea. From the point of view of the customer, Who doesn`t love to save money? From the point of view of the seller, it`s "panic time" when you`re not making any sales. So you think of giving discounts.

But in the long run, a straight "discount" will hurt the business and especially the bottom line. It`s "cheaper" for me to give the customer something extra (but whose COGs is not a lot) that adds more VALUE to their purchase , than giving them a 10% discount.

i.e. If you`re selling a dozen eggs, give them 13 eggs for the price of a dozen, rather than cutting 10% off the price of a dozen eggs.

Biziness3/5/2009 12:36 PM
By Casi 257 Days Ago
0 points

My customers love coupons and we provide a variety: sometimes we target specific products; or we set a minimum order amount; or we use a holiday as an excuse, seasonal change, etc.

We also use a "recommend a friend" coupon incentive.
By TrialPay 222 Days Ago
0 points
Hi Janie,
I think you are referring to TrialPay’s Purchase Incentive program, which lets merchants offer free products, services or coupons from other companies as incentives for shoppers to complete their purchases or add more to their carts.

If an online seller opts to offer a coupon from another company, it shouldn’t seem, as Imortal suggested, like a plan to get customers to spend more money on things they really don`t need. Rather, it should offer savings on something the customer would want to (or needs to) buy anyway. And it should have a high customer-perceived value (i.e. a 10%-off coupon wouldn’t work, but a 50%-off coupon might).

For example, many of our merchants offer $20-off coupons for online flower delivery services around Mother’s Day or Valentine`s Day. This is relevant because almost everyone needs to send flowers at those times anyway, and a $20-off coupon could save them up to 50% off their order.

But purchase incentives don’t always have to require the customer to purchase something else. Some of the incentives our merchants have used have included free trials for another company’s service, free movie tickets and free restaurant gift certificates.

I agree that offering free shipping is a great way to increase conversions, but it can also be very expensive, especially for smaller companies. And while almost every shopper loves discounted prices, this can negatively cut into profits.
(You can read a blog I wrote about this here: http://blog.trialpay.com/2009/03/05/when-free-shipping-doesn%E2%80%99t-deliver-give-away-another-company%E2%80%99s-product-instead ). TrialPay’s Purchase Incentives aim to increase conversions and boost AOV while reducing the cost of expensive promotions like free shipping and deep discounts.

TrialPay4/13/2009 6:59 PM
By MyMarketEASE 221 Days Ago
0 points

Janie,

As a sidebar, I love the fact that you are conducting solid research before making your decision! Too often business owners miss this basic rule and rush in without good info. Kudos.

Show 6-10 of 19 discussions

Description

Headline:

I sell our product online

Description:

My husband Ron and I are the proud owners of House of Jerky.

Ron handles our wholesale side of our business and I manage our retail sales online, and at our local storefront/office.

The growth in our Internet sales has been great. When I first started visiting Sun, I managed our online business from home but growth has forced me into a building.

We opened our very first jerky retail store in Temecula, CA. Our business, a
100-square-foot storefront at the time, quickly expanded to include locations in seven different states. In 2001 I started selling our product online.

House of Jerky specializes in
delicious, all-natural jerky. House of Jerky provides customers
across the country with a variety of jerky products, including
beef, buffalo, venison, ostrich and turkey jerky.

House of Jerky products are made from Grade A, USDA inspected meats, with no preservatives or additives.

We take great pride in providing what we think is the “best jerky in any house.”

In addition, I am committed to supporting American troops through numerous donation campaigns
and discounts for soldiers.

What was once `one` store has blossomed into much more for us. We do offer business opportunities for qualified individuals for as little as no money down. We are not a franchise, we offer business opportunities.

After all, jerky is not just a snack. It’s a way of life.

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