My website and the future.

[DoolallyTap]

www.theshoecharmshop.co.uk is now 2 years old. Not really looking for website reviews, it could be better, it could be a lot worse. With many more charms and other products to add it is a constant work in progress. Page one on Google, often first position, best viewed on a computer but the statistics show many orders arrive by mobile so people do manage to navigate around the many categories and subcategories.
Previously, I have explained, retired at 57, I am 74 now, I sold my boat, don't play bowls or golf and started this as a hobby to give me something to do. The initial funds were just £2000 for some stock and the start up, last year some of the income was used for additional stock which is now quite substantial.
With a number of ideas for other routes to market and additional products this is becoming quite scalable but I'm getting a bit old, I could do with some young blood with a vision for the future, some drive and ambition. How about a shareholder, partner, employee, been there, done that, in my working career. Could do it again.
Now waiting for your reply --

 

[Ozzy]

I could do with some young blood with a vision for the future, some drive and ambition. How about a shareholder, partner, employee, been there, done that, in my working career. Could do it again.

I know what I would do in your shoes, I'll add in a minute, but my starting point if we were sat in a pub discussing over a pint would be I'd ask you what do you want to do?
What do you want the next 3-4 years of your involvement to be?

What I would do in your shoes, is I'd search out a similar retailer and sell them the site. Maybe not what would be right for you, it would be for me, because I'd not want to spend the time at your stage in life trying to get someone else up to hand over to them. I'd be looking to move on quickly and easily.

However, you might be someone who'd enjoy working with some 'young blood' and perhaps the website business would be nothing more than a tool to use to mentor someone. Maybe that is what you'd want out of it.

 

[fisicx]

It has a lot of potential especially if promoted via social media. The site needs all sorts of updates as it doesn’t really work well on a phone and you aren’t selling the charms, all you are doing is listing them.

If somebody came on board what can you offer them? Is there sufficient financial return to make it worth their while?

As @Ozzy suggested, selling the business is probably the best option. How much you would get for it I have no idea. I doubt it’s a lot as someone could set up their own charm site with very little effort.

 

[DoolallyTap]

I do not allow myself to sit in an armchair because it is easy to just fall asleep! If I sell it I would probably just start another one, there are plenty of products available that can offer a good return. I've done the travel the world bit, very happy not going far, walk the dog, play with grandchildren, but there is a buzz in selling stuff, I could do with 2 or 3000 listings on eBay, could do with 'young blood' to sort that out.
I am in Swanwick, near Southampton and open to chatting to anyone about it.

 

[Ozzy]

I do not allow myself to sit in an armchair because it is easy to just fall asleep! If I sell it I would probably just start another one

You sound very much like how my wife describes me; I get too much of a buzz from doing 'business' that I'll never retire and will never want to stop.

My, perhaps rhetorical, challenge to you is whether the site is the right vehicle to enable you to keep that energy going? It needs to be maintained and worked on, and is it the best option open to you for you to keep involved, work with 'young blood' and having something that can carry on?

 

[DoolallyTap]

'you aren’t selling the charms, all you are doing is listing them'. I don't understand that comment!
'The site needs all sorts of updates' perhaps you can elaborate this?
'If somebody came on board what can you offer them?' Is there sufficient financial return' yes there is sufficient, but more to the point what could they offer me?
I have Facebook and Instagram sites, they need new listings 2-3 times every day, but I just don't get round to it.

 

[HFE Signs]

I think the starting point is deciding on what ideally suites you, then working a plan of how you achieve that. If I were you I'd want to keep something without compromising my retirement, I'd be looking to work 1 or 2 days a week. Sounds like you have a great opportunity to give you something to do as and when you want to if you can put the right measures in place. Just remember to keep you input to a minimum and keep your stress levels low. Enjoy!

 

[DoolallyTap]

My, perhaps rhetorical, challenge to you is whether the site is the right vehicle to enable you to keep that energy going? It needs to be maintained and worked on, and is it the best option open to you for you to keep involved, work with 'young blood' and having something that can carry on?

I work on it, still got thousands of new charms to list, some need better images, many styles need more bulk packs, the growth potential is, well.
Opening this topic up may encourage others to do similar but the only option would be to sell cheaper and be a busy fool. I see competition on Instagram making .10p net per charm, I wonder why they bother! No doubt the next comments may be about high volume/low return strategies.

 

[DoolallyTap]

I'd be looking to work 1 or 2 days a week. Just remember to keep you input to a minimum and keep your stress levels low. Enjoy!

There is no stress, I stop when I feel like it, but I enjoy it, 3-4-5 hours a day is plenty. It gives me a buzz, For years I never went to work, everyday I went out to play, it was such fun.

 

[Ozzy]

I work on it, still got thousands of new charms to list, some need better images, many styles need more bulk packs, the growth potential is, well.

This is what takes me back to my original question, and what @HFE Signs was asking too, what do you want for the next few years and then work on a plan from there.

 

[DontAsk]

First thing I would do is display a full geographic address, as required by law. If there is one, it certainly is not obvious.

 

[DoolallyTap]

The forward plan, It would be great to see this grow, I can cope with some 'young blood' keen and eager to drive it forward, perhaps have a growing shareholding based on sales increases. There's a full time opportunity to add the eBay and social media. It would be easy to flood eBay with thousands of listing and drown out some of the competition. I would be happy to take a back seat and just watch it develop. Could be a huge opportunity for the right 'young blood'.

 

[DoolallyTap]

First thing I would do is display a full geographic address, as required by law. If there is one, it certainly is not obvious.

For most basic websites there is no legal requirement to show your address on your website.
The address is actually shown, you just did not look hard enough.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Any savvy partner will start by asking 'what do you have that I can't do myself - fairly easily?'

Not the website - that's easy.

Potentially

- converting traffic
- Supply chain
- IP.
- Process.
- A dominant place in a solid market.

If you can't put a convincing tick in at least one box. they won't be interested.

A non-savvy partner won't ask those questions until they are 18 months in, and you have taught them loads - which in itself can be part of your buy-in strategy.

 

[Ozzy]

Off the wall thought here; what about connecting with some rehabilitation organisations (prisons, young offenders) in your area?

Would you provide someone in a challenging situation the opportunity to get involved in building something and then, as you mentioned above, take it over and moving it onwards and upwards?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Off the wall thought here; what about connecting with some rehabilitation organisations

Or schools? Help children learn about running a business?

 

[Ozzy]

Or schools? Help children learn about running a business?

This I would endorse for work experience, but my interpretation of what @DoolallyTap is looking for is somewhat succession planning and having someone coming into full time work.

 

[DontAsk]

For most basic websites there is no legal requirement to show your address on your website.

If you are selling then the e-commerec regulations require it.

See https://www.fsb.org.uk/resources-pa...legal-requirements-for-online-businesses.html

The address is actually shown, you just did not look hard enough.

As I said, it's not very clear. One of the requirements is that it be clear.

 

[fisicx]

'you aren’t selling the charms, all you are doing is listing them'. I don't understand that comment!
'The site needs all sorts of updates' perhaps you can elaborate this?

To answer your questions means a website review.

'If somebody came on board what can you offer them?' Is there sufficient financial return' yes there is sufficient, but more to the point what could they offer me?

You decide what you need, post an offer and see who responds. You vet any potential partner just like you would a new employee.

I have Facebook and Instagram sites, they need new listings 2-3 times every day, but I just don't get round to it.

Do they really need new listings 2-3 times every day? Instagram is better than FB, but you need to tell stories. Make people want to buy a new and exclusive charm. Influencers can change your fortunes.

For most basic websites there is no legal requirement to show your address on your website.
The address is actually shown, you just did not look hard enough.

Have you read this:

Online and distance selling

Rules for online and distance selling for businesses

www.gov.uk

Trust is a key part of any online operation. Having your full contact details in the footer engenders trust.

 

[fisicx]

The forward plan, It would be great to see this grow, I can cope with some 'young blood' keen and eager to drive it forward, perhaps have a growing shareholding based on sales increases. There's a full time opportunity to add the eBay and social media. It would be easy to flood eBay with thousands of listing and drown out some of the competition. I would be happy to take a back seat and just watch it develop. Could be a huge opportunity for the right 'young blood'.

And how much will you pay them? NMW + bonus?

 

[DoolallyTap]

'you aren’t selling the charms, all you are doing is listing them'.
Taking this comment literally means that Amazon or Tesco never sell anything, all they do is display product and people buy. What is a full website review, is it just comments and criticism which are easy to make without being of any benefit. People often say 'what I would do if I were you' I have heard this said for many years and most suggestions are either already thought about and discarded or impractical to implement.
However, getting involved with semantics really just dilutes the original topic so it really is a pointless comment.

 

[fisicx]

'you aren’t selling the charms, all you are doing is listing them'.

This is basic marketing. You may have seen the phrase 'sell the sizzle not the sausage'. This means you have to make me want to buy a charm. It means imagery, descriptions, bundled products and all the other signals that change from viewing to converting.

Amazon and Tesco spend millions on marketing. Totally different type of business.

A full website review means you get to see how people view your site and the things they do and don't like. You will get suggestions on things to consider changing. I've had some of my sites reviewed and after taking on board the suggestions saw a significant increase in conversions.

Or you could use a service like this:

All your user research. One platform.

Move faster and build with confidence – with usability testing, surveys, interviews, and recruitment in one place. Sign up for free!

www.lyssna.com

I have and the feedback is excellent.

If you want someone to come on board and build the business these are all things they are likely to suggest. So accepting that change is necessary means finding the right person becomes easier. Or... If you choose to sell will increase the value.