marketing ideas for a new tile retailer

[grincher]

I have been a tiler for many years in my local area, but now I am starting to supply victorian reproduction tiles UK wide.

During September and early October I was getting a 2 orders a week but its all dried up now and its a bit worrrying.

I have just set up a website (albeit simple and clean called timestiles dotcom) and would really like to hear some ideas for online and offline marketing on a limited budget.

thanks

 

[tomsk]

Would need a lot more details to make any useful suggestions.

 

[grincher]

Would need a lot more details to make any useful suggestions.

ok...what do you need? thanks

 

[Olliver]

What are you doing so far? What kind of range of budget are we talking about? What is small to some is big to others. Some people thing £200 / month is small others go with £500 being small.

Are you doing PPC? Have you hired a SEO ?

 

[grincher]

thanks. I am looking to spend £100 a month at present. apart from some basic seo I havent employed a specialist (as I cant afford one). I had several quotes that would blow my budget and some.

I did some PPC but I was finding 7 queries a week, but none turned into firm leads. speaking to tilers and I did a leaflet drop last month.

 

[Olliver]

Hm 100£ / month really is no big budget. I personally would have believed that PPC would be perfect for your business as it is a small niche.

 

[grincher]

Hm 100£ / month really is no big budget. I personally would have believed that PPC would be perfect for your business as it is a small niche.

hi there, I would ultimately agree, but at present it is 20% of my month turnover from sales.

PPC has been generating maybe 7 enquiries a week since the start of september but none have turned into sales and now I have removed my advert for a rethink. I will target PPC again for sure though.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

hi there, I would ultimately agree, but at present it is 20% of my month turnover from sales.

I guess the saying 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained' springs to mind. I understand your position, it is a common one. You have come up with a great idea and anticipated better results by now, and you hadn't realised just how much expenditure would be involved from the offset

Do you have a comprehensive business plan that includes a timeline with projected sales and costs? If you don't then it is never too late to get one together. Carry out some indepth market research and from that calculate some realistic projections. Once you have done this you will be in a better position to decide whether you need to chuck some more money at this, keep going as you are or pull the plug on the whole thing.

If you PM me your email address I will get you started and forward you a copy of the latest AMA Market Research paper on the UK Tile Industry. (I have distribution rights to all the AMA papers I hold so you won't be infringing on any intellectual property laws). Let me know.

 

[David White]

Who have been your typical customers so far with this niche product?

 

[grincher]

Who have been your typical customers so far with this niche product?

people in pre 1920 homes looking to replace or install victorian floors.

 

[polishedmedia]

Hi,

I've worked with a couple of tile companies previously on national SEO campaigns. I see your target audience as being particularly niche, but I can help you improve your traffic if you like.

I offer a SEO starter pack for £75 which will give you a taster of what I can offer. Obviously I would do a detailed look into the ROI you are likely to get from the search engines within this report too.

 

[grincher]

thank you. I will think it over