Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Working on the website


Today I have been working on my website. This morning I was at the IT centre at Stirling Enterprise http://www.stirling-enterprise.co.uk/itcentre.htm with the incredibly patient Colin Clark.
The idea is that he works with me for as long as it takes for me to design and set up the site. It is fascinating and I can see it beginning to take shape. It is a fantastic service and one which I didn't know about until recently. In theory it will enable me to update the site myself, rather than ending up with one of those out-of-date brochure type sites.
My problem is mainly in deciding what I actually want - I know that I want something fresh and uncluttered like Lisa Hector's site http://www.primrosehillinteriors.com but I need it to do more than sell one range of products. I am finding it ridiculously difficult to write the text - to condense my ramblings into a couple of succinct paragraphs.
This dahlia 'Fuschiana' is one of the photos which will make it onto the site - it is those almost sherbert backlit colours that I want.
But then I want so much.

4 comments:

Heather said...

You realise of course you will change your mind so many times - and will never be entirely satisfied!

I like the photo but aren't overly fond of dahlias - or chrisanths or begonias - I always feel disappointed to have them in a bouquet - I would even prefer a much smaller less showy bouquet - still given how few bouquets I've received in my lifetime (and those I've had have usually been due to some sadness!) I suppose beggars can't really be choosers.

I like photos on a website and I like them muted too - a hint of a picture. I'm quite fond of http://www.brentingbymeadows.co.uk/ website who have matching brochures.

Heather

Jane said...

People are either very pro or very against dahlias - it is the same with gladioli and to some extent lilies.
I really like the dark purple ones, and some pinks and oranges. the yellows and reds are a bit plastic sometimes and for cutting whites are a problem as they discolour very easily.
The dahlias thay actually get the most oohs and aahs amongst my customers are the ones that look most plasticy - the tight balls with very exact petals.
As with the website - I am sure that I shall drive Stirling Enterprise mad - but I have deadline as I want to be mail ordering by early Novemnber - so I can't chop and change too much.

Heather said...

Are you going to send your bouquets out in boxes? How are you handling the transport for date deadlines?

Heather

Jane said...

I am not going to mail order the flowers - the main reason is that I am not convinced about the packaging - I have had flowers from a number of upmarket mail order flower firms and there is not the feeling of theatre that is needed when you get a bouquet of flowers. There is also the issue of control - I am not very good at letting anyone have control of my flowers and I am not convinced that they would be handled properly by a courier who wasn't involved in the business.-
I may have to address all this at some point.
I AM going to be mail ordering christmas wreaths which are more robust as far as timing is concerned and tend to be ordered by people for themselves. There will also be things like the garden kneelers, lavender pillows, christmas stockings etc that I make when it is raining. I also hope that my friend Laura who makes proper (i.e. not melt and pour) organic soaps and shampoos will be making a range specifically from things in my garden (so not registered organic). Last year she made a wonderful gardeners' soap for me to sell and it sold out very quickly.
The mail order thing is really an experiment.