My first muse - feedback and advice needed!

[scanero]

Hi all,

I've finally got my first muse up and running, and I'd really appreciate some tips and feedback from forum members.

It's a photo scanning service, based in the UK, where there isn't currently a big-name company in this market. We're taking the approach of marketing this as a way for people to safeguard against their photos being destroyed, faded or damaged over time.

We're also offering a service where people can have their photos scanned, and backed up to our secure server, where they can re-download a copy in the future should the unexpected happen to their originals.

So far, we've advertised by google adwords, and leaflets.

We've received a reasonable amount of traffic (200 visitors in 10 days), and as a novice looking at the stats, it seems that people are looking around more than just the landing page.

But no-one has ordered yet!

[storm33229]

It's a photo scanning service, based in the UK, where there isn't currently a big-name company in this market. We're taking the approach of marketing this as a way for people to safeguard against their photos being destroyed, faded or damaged over time.
Good idea.

We're also offering a service where people can have their photos scanned, and backed up to our secure server, where they can re-download a copy in the future should the unexpected happen to their originals.
Also a good idea.

We've received a reasonable amount of traffic (200 visitors in 10 days), and as a novice looking at the stats, it seems that people are looking around more than just the landing page.
200 visitors in ten days is not "reasonable". In my opinion that's god awful. Do something about your adwords campaign, you should be getting way more than that.

But no-one has ordered yet!
That's because it looks like toys-r-us. You're not appealing to children, rainbow colors probably aren't going to satisfy an adult.

[scanero]

Thanks for the advice.

I have a very limited budget for adwords...and it seems that the average CPC is around £0.60. With an initial budget of £150 per month, it's proving to be tough. Do you have any advice?

I can see your point on the style of the pages. Does anyone else agree with this?

[dvdwlsh]

Have you automated this process of scanning/archiving? Seems like a massively time-consuming process unless you've setup a clear workflow around it using outsourcers for the labor.

[scanero]

Hi

Yes, we have invested in a scanner which can do these in bulk. The backup system has also been automated.

I've built the idea around the expectation that in the future we can hire someone to do the scanner loading/administration, but for the short term at least, it will be me doing the work.

Thanks for taking the time to look. :)

[JKohlbach]

Hmm.. if you've invested $$ in the hardware and process setup, it would definitely be worthwhile considering investing $$ in the marketing and website design. Outsource some of the graphic work at least as unfortunately it is conveying the "kids theme" a little too strongly. Not good when you want to build trust with your customers in something as sensitive as losing their treasured possessions. You really need to convey that they can trust you with their data/photos.

EDIT: Btw, I assume you've tested market demand and are getting a positive response. If not, take it back a step and find a way to test before spending any more money.

[sub8hr]

200 visitors in ten days is not "reasonable". In my opinion that's god awful. Do something about your adwords campaign, you should be getting way more than that.

To echo that sentiment, 200 visitors (or "uniques" if you will) is virtually nothing in the online world. My regular job is in online advertising where even a micro-test would be on a site with 50,000 uniques/day. A larger social networking or portal site can easily do 40-80 million uniques/day.

Think about it this way, a 1-2% conversion rate is "good" for the PPC world, which means that even if your program was performing well you'd only be looking at 2-4 orders right now max.

Your PPC cost is also quite high. Even with a good site/landing page it could be very difficult to turn a profit unless you have strong gross margins on your services.

Hate to sound harsh, but before spending any more marketing budget you might want to re-evaluate your marketing program and get a better sense of how the math will even work out.

[alwayslovely]

Congrats on your massive action!

I would think you have a great idea especially so when we are moving towards digital media.

I went to your website. I was in fact looking for more information about the company. Being a visitor, I look for credibility before I will feel safe to leave my credit details with you. Any form of credibility (it could be as simple as an intro to your company, testimonials from customers) would be perfect.

I ain't sure if this is a relatively new concept. To me, it is. Perhaps you can offer some form of trial? for users to experience for themselves?

Perhaps a more targetted marketing in photography forum? might be more effective?

My 2 cents,
alwaysLovely, Singapore

Hi all,

I've finally got my first muse up and running, and I'd really appreciate some tips and feedback from forum members.

It's a photo scanning service, based in the UK, where there isn't currently a big-name company in this market. We're taking the approach of marketing this as a way for people to safeguard against their photos being destroyed, faded or damaged over time.

We're also offering a service where people can have their photos scanned, and backed up to our secure server, where they can re-download a copy in the future should the unexpected happen to their originals.

So far, we've advertised by google adwords, and leaflets.

We've received a reasonable amount of traffic (200 visitors in 10 days), and as a novice looking at the stats, it seems that people are looking around more than just the landing page.

But no-one has ordered yet!

Please take a look at it >> www.scanero.com

[scanero]

All the feedback so far has been very useful.

This week I'm going to work on:

A) the style of the site....I'm going to change the graphics on products/main page to be more photographic than cartoony.

B) info about the company/testimonials. I'm going to add a page about us, so that people may feel more likely to trust us with their precious photos.

C) adwords budgeting.....not sure what to do on this. I know some of you are saying that I need 50,000 hits per day, but is that realistic for a site with a limited budget, that is just starting out? I'd appreciate some additional feedback from some people who have started out with a similar miniscule budget to myself.


Thanks,
scanero

[WebErika]

C) adwords budgeting.....not sure what to do on this. I know some of you are saying that I need 50,000 hits per day, but is that realistic for a site with a limited budget, that is just starting out? I'd appreciate some additional feedback from some people who have started out with a similar miniscule budget to myself.


There are other ways to get traffic that don't cost anything but your time.

Social Networking :)

Set up a free blog. Talk about the process. Sign up for all the free networking sites. Set up profiles. Talk about your product/service. Put the links in your profiles. Write some articles about the service and the site, submit them to the free article directories. All this helps with organic traffic and also Search Engine rankings.

Here's a great link to a site that has a list of tons of social networking sites to get you started. :)

Spreading the word doesn't have to cost anything ;)

[Vacman]

scanero,

I hate to play devils advocate here, but...

I'm going to anyway.

Question: If your "selling point" is that people don't want to lose their pictures, then wouldn't they be scared to send them to some unknown company through the mail... maybe to never see them again?

Just something to think about.

But great start!
-Sean

[scanero]

Yes, that's a good point Vacman. We're asking people to send them to us using a secure courier, and we use the same to return them, reducing the risk to as little as possible.

We've now updated the graphics on the products to look less cartoony (apart from the logo). Thoughts?

[JKohlbach]

Here's a great link to a site that has a list of tons of social networking sites to get you started. :)

You didn't post the link :)

[scanero]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the feedback. I made the changes to the site, and then received 3 large orders, and a number of enquiries!

Good luck in your own muses,
David

http://www.scanero.com

[sub8hr]

Congrats on getting the business. Glad that you're seeing some conversions =)

[masmilele]

Hi all,

I've finally got my first muse up and running, and I'd really appreciate some tips and feedback from forum members.

It's a photo scanning service, based in the UK, where there isn't currently a big-name company in this market. We're taking the approach of marketing this as a way for people to safeguard against their photos being destroyed, faded or damaged over time.

We're also offering a service where people can have their photos scanned, and backed up to our secure server, where they can re-download a copy in the future should the unexpected happen to their originals.

So far, we've advertised by google adwords, and leaflets.

We've received a reasonable amount of traffic (200 visitors in 10 days), and as a novice looking at the stats, it seems that people are looking around more than just the landing page.

But no-one has ordered yet!

Please take a look at it >> www.scanero.com

Have you tested demand? I am currently marketing my first muse, but this is after I did extensive research on another potential muse - which I began creating but abandoned when I couldn't find demand via keyword research.

Perhaps there is no demand for what you are offering online and maybe you just need to tweak your service a little to match the keywords that folks are searching for. Some great keyword tools are keywordtopia.com and wordtracker.com.

A useful way to use that $150 for the first month might be setting up a survey site (get it done for $50 on rentacoder and use a service like Survey Monkey).

Create a page where you tell people what you are offering and ask them if they need it and what suggestions they have to improve it.

From the research I have done pages like this get a 1% conversion and that might help you get real world ideas on what people actually need which you can incorporate into your service.