Question for knife makers with a website

L

Les Robertson

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What made me post this is I was thinking about going to the Rocky Mountain Knife Show. So the show had a vendor list with many of the custom makers having their websites. The show gets kudos for this....sadly they lose points as the show is 7 weeks away and they are still featuring the 2010 knife vendor list. So at this point I have no idea who is attending the show.

Now there were a couple of makers who attended the show last year and who are members of this forum. I found it odd that they had no pricing information. So.....

This if for the knife makers out there who have gone to the expense and time to produce a website.

If you have a website and do not list dimensions, materials and the biggest offender...No Prices.

Why?

Answers I have already received:

1) I am an artist and as such I want the potential client to contact me so we can talk about the knife.

2) Someone else was doing my website;

A) They are not doing their job and won't return my phone calls and emails.

B) I am trading out a knife for the work and I have not finished their knife and they won't finish the site until I get them the knife.

3) I am doing my own website and I don't know how to put the descriptions next to the photos.

4) Im not sure about my prices and I am afraid if I list my prices people will just go on to the next maker looking for a cheaper price.

This is a variant on #1. These makers want to talk to the client so they can "adjust" the price of the knife if necessary.

Since the idea of a website (at least in theory) is to introduce your knives to custom knife buyers on the web. Why would you not give as complete a description and pricing information on this website? Especially the makers who only have 5 -10 knives on their website.

Yes, putting pricing information on the website will require to you change the price in advance of your price increases.

Given that most custom knife makers are part time and knife making time is at a premium. Wouldn't one of your best business strategies be to pre-qualify buyers. That is to say talk with collectors who like your knives, like the materials and are ok with the price....before you ever talk with them. This would shorten the correspondence (Phone, Email, Letter) period for an order. Giving you more time to work on the knife....in theory.

I look forward to your answers.
 
While we 're at it , price for the model "as shown" and price for "basic materials" would be nice too...

ELDE
 
My website was done using the Apple software that came with my computer, so it is a bit on the primitive side, but I have always had a "price for similar piece" entry in my gallery. My problem in the past has been remembering to change the prices from the old ones. LOL
 
Hi Lon,

I do have to say I haven't heard that one till now.

Might want to contact the person who did your website. I suspect there is a way to get or change your password or were you just going to wait until you got your MS to change it? :D
 
A lot of the sites I look at have larger galleries of sold knives made in the past and few to no images of available knives. I have rarely seen prices listed for images of sold knives. (Even sold one's listed in for sale forums will have the price removed.)
 
Hi Phil,

I know on my site I had to start marking everything "SOLD" that I couldn't get any more. Even my "dummy" pages. As people were able to access those pages through a search engine. Got tired of getting orders for knives that weren't even on my website any more.

Even on Maker's sites I don't care if they have prices for the sold knives. I do care if they don't have prices on standard models.

They are just making it tougher to sell knives.
 
The reality of this post is, it really isn't a question for Knifemakers and their websites. It's a statement. A valid one.

You won't get anyone coming in with a good reason willing to spar with you. :)

Points being: If you are in this for real, then a businesslike approach to your sales and marketing is as important as your skills in the workshop. As we all know, and I'm including myself in this subset, it's a lot more gratifying to work with our hands and accompliish what we can SEE, than to work with our fingers (typing) and mind (ideas) and work with something that's not apparent, or a long-term approach.

Pricing and website construction are skills not learned alongside a vise.

That said, because I needed to, I have also created my own website (from a template to start) and pricing page. It's VERY thorough, to the point of confusion (for some). But I have to have it all in print for those who need to know up front, and want to hold me to it. All other photographers can see it and attempt to beat my price. ;) That's OK. I provide enough extra value to justify what I offer. Makers this applies to you, too.

This is a good post, but it could be better. Buyers (or Makers), please add in thoughts and links to what works for you. We know what doesn't. :(

Coop
 
This is a good post, but it could be better. Buyers (or Makers), please add in thoughts and links to what works for you. We know what doesn't.

Coop
Click to expand...

Well a maker who does it right at least imo is Tom Overeynder. He not only has a gallery but also info on his standard models and prices for his standard models PLUS extras!! See for yourself: http://www.overeynderknives.com/

Marcel
 
I think that a great many makers underutilize the marketing / promotional potential of their web sites. The absence of any pricing information is a pretty common example of that.

Roger
 
Hey Coop,

You won't get anyone coming in with a good reason willing to spar with you.
Click to expand...

Im not looking for someone to spar with. As it is an indefensible position.

Im just curious why makers take the time and effort to put up a site. And then as Roger points out they under utilize the business resource they have at hand.
 
it's like having a tool in your shop that you're afraid to use. Like a buffer.
 
Interesting thread and timely. I have maintained(actually my cousin maintains it, thanks Pam!) a very simple website and have to agree what Coop said, "Pricing and website construction are skills not learned alongside a vise.":eek: I normally do not list any knives for sale on my website as I normally do not have any for sale. I recently finished a higher end(for me) knife and had it engraved and posted it for sale on my site. I discussed listing the price or doing a POR,(price on request) and settled on listing the price. I , as a buyer would hate to find out a maker was "adjusting the price" UP , because he perceived me as being able to afford a higher price. I have never liked the premise of POR.
 
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My wife does my site and is always asking for 'words' (info to go with photo).

If left up to me, I'd lilely have a poor site... :)
 
Les Robertson said:
Hi Lon,

I do have to say I haven't heard that one till now.

Might want to contact the person who did your website. I suspect there is a way to get or change your password or were you just going to wait until you got your MS to change it? :D
Click to expand...


i was just kidding about not knowing the password but in reality you did remind me that this is on the "to do" list i need to get some clear pricing on the working knives...there is only so much i can do in a day im about to hire a Secretary...i can say this with confidence on this forum because my girl friend has no idea about BF :)
 
It's pretty amazing how poor some knifemaker and knife dealer websites actually are. Poor outdated design, hard to manuever in and absolutly horrible photos. Especially when really great website tools are so readilly available, easy to maintain and CHEAP!!

Some sites however are really good. I always look for knifemakers who design and create great knives, who promote themselves, their knives and custom knives in general and who are good business people. One of the things that help me sum them up pretty quickly as business people and promoters is the quality of their website.
 
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Here is my 2 cents worth.

For a website to be successful, 1st the knife maker has to decide what they want their website to accomplish.
Too many people think that if they have a website the orders will just pile up. When they don't happen, they leave their website to stagnate.
A poorly made or non-maintained website gives a bad first impression.

My opinion is if a maker is unable to spend the time to actively work a website, but want to have a web presence they should consider a website that would be similar to a brochure. Some general info about the maker, knife photos and contact info. Something like this could be updated annually and still look fresh. Then the only day to day requirements would be to answer emails and phone calls. (same day)

If a maker is willing to work their website daily, then they have a chance of making actual sales online.
Their are software programs with templates that make it easy to update inventory, process payments and maintain the website.
I use Pro-Stores because it automates a lot of the drudge work.

Nothing worse than seeing "Sold" next to all the items. Better to remove them and just show a few items for sale. Also a good idea to include dates of updates so people won't think it is a dead website.
 
As a spin off question, for collectors that have put up a website, what advantages have these offered to you?
One general question: What are the usual costs of starting up and running a website?
Thanks,
David
 
2knife said:
As a spin off question, for collectors that have put up a website, what advantages have these offered to you?
One general question: What are the usual costs of starting up and running a website?
Thanks,
David
Click to expand...

Good questions David. I have had my site since Xmas. To my total surprise, my daughters created and paid for it for my Xmas present. They gathered and assembled all information and photos from the INTERNET, my office, and photo site without asking me a single question that would tip their hand.
That makes my site VERY SPECIAL to me. They paid for the whole year so I'm not sure exactly how much it costs, but I believe around $300 total. http://www.kevinjonescollection.com/

Second, I like sharing my collection and passion for custom knives. A collector website is a great way to do it.

Third, I like to think of myself as a strong promoter of custom knives and feel we as knife enthusiasts need to expose as many folks as possible to custom knives to insure that custom knives continue to thrive.
A collector website is a great way to do this. I have a free service Goggle Analysis which allows me to run dozens of reports to track custom knife interest from all over the world. For example sinse Xmas I have received thousands of visits from enthusiasts from the 78 countries listed below. They are ranked according to # of visits. I find this sort of thing interesting and it's adds to my overall enjoyment of collecting. The top 10 doesn't surprise me much with the exception of the number of hits I get from Spain.

1. United States
2. Spain
3. Brazil
4. Russia
5. China
6. Argentina
7. Italy
8. Canada
9. France
10. Australia
11. Ukraine
12. Germany
13. United Kingdom
14. Pakistan
15. Thailand
16. Poland
17. Indonesia
18. Czech Republic
19. Sweden
20. Belgium
21. Greece
22. Bulgaria
23. Romania
24. Norway
25. Switzerland
26. Netherlands
27. Mexico
28. Hungary
29. Turkey
30. Japan
31. Denmark
32. Malaysia
33. Serbia
34. Georgia
35. Israel
36. Chile
38. South Africa
39. Belarus
40. Slovakia
41. Finland
42. New Zealand
43. Hong Kong
44. Venezuela
45. Portugal
46. Taiwan
47. Vietnam
48. Luxembourg
49. India
50. Austria
51. Morocco
52. Palestinian Territories
53. Singapore
54. Colombia
55. Lithuania
56. Croatia
57. Macedonia
58. Slovenia
59. Montenegro
60. Ireland
61. Armenia
62. Algeria
63. Ecuador
64. South Korea
65. Estonia
66. Latvia
67. Saudi Arabia
68. Tunisia
69. Mauritius
70. Puerto Rico
71. Malta
72. Panama
73. Kazakhstan
74. Guam
75. Uruguay
76. El Salvador
77. Andorra
78. United Arab Emirates
 
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