My Muse is ready to roll - Take a look!

[Obloha]

I am working on launching my muse and I am so excited!

It's an indoor, plush hammock that is used as a hanging sofa bed. Initially my plan was to outsource the manufacturing overseas but I haven't had much luck since it is a unique product and I am looking to do small orders initially. So I have hired someone to do all the sewing and should have one in the next couple of days to photograph.

Please take a look at my temporary site: http://www.wix.com/mswrite/Obloha-Hammock
***NEW SITE*** theobloha.com (http://theobloha.com)

I have a drawing of the Obloha, but the actual product will be plush and slightly different. It will be 60x80 inches. Plus I will have different covers, the basic Obloha is white (ivory). Retail will be $300-400, still working on material/labor costs, and the covers will range from $100 to $300. I will be after a similar market as the fatboy.com and lovesac.com, pricing about the same, but the Lovecsac that seats 3 is huge and unsightly and way more money, mine seats 3 for way less.

I am still working on finding a manufacture and hope to find one soon.

I should add that I already have a marketing plan done as well as a plan for when things get going. I know my market and know where/how to reach them. Marketing 101, right?

I am looking forward to getting some feedback.

BTW, I am a freelance copywriter and I trying to come up with something in my field but this one seems so good that I am sure it will be a success!

[dcjoey]

How do you mount it?

What's the weight limit?

Can you show pictures with people sitting/laying/"lounging" in it?

[Obloha]

I have a FAQ I'm working on. It will hold at least 500lbs.

I am also finalizing the hardware for hanging, but it will definitely be included on the site as well as some images of the installed product. Once I have my sample in hand I have a photographer and models, so I will have so great pictures soon.

The site is still a work in progress. I will be finished tomorrow, I'll just need to add the photos and a few details.

Thanks for looking and your comments.

[networkmemetics]

I am impressed - this looks like a really neat product.

Good luck with the manufacturing and delivery aspect -- I am rooting for you!

Keep on Keeping on - its a great website and a neat idea.

NM

[Overworked1]

I REALLY like it!

That's the sort of thing I would buy if the price is reasonable.

[AlexMoen]

That's a cool idea and I'd strongly consider ordering one once I'm back in the US (assuming you sell there, haha). I hope it becomes a hit.

There is one piece of constructive criticism I'd like to offer though: there are a couple errors in grammar and syntax. I know it's not a big deal, but whenever I run across that it's like it flips a switch in my head that makes me think the project is less professional. People like to be immersed in a site, and feel their purchase is going to be quality. It creates doubt and I associate the problems of the site to problems with the product.

Other than that though, I hope to see the final product for the site soon. I'm interested to know how the product looks once photographs are added as well.

[Obloha]

theobloha.com (http://theobloha.com)

I have my site up and just about done. Take a look!!! theobloha.com (http://theobloha.com)

I have a few blank spots but will complete them in the next day or so, before I launch my Google Adwords Campaign. I am still working on getting my sample, so those pics will be up soon.

I have decided to offer a "contest" to get contact info for anyone interested in purchasing one when they are finally available. I am very confident that this will work well and help me sell some right away. So exciting!!!

[peterkaye]

Wow that is cool, and a great idea. I like it because I could move and not have to lug around a couch. Curious to see what keywords you plan on using, good luck!

[Obloha]

Wow that is cool, and a great idea. I like it because I could move and not have to lug around a couch. Curious to see what keywords you plan on using, good luck!

I didn't even think of that being a benefit. Thanks!!! I rent and hate moving big items. It's another angle I can take with the marketing.

[jimb213]

I just noticed a typo in your faq. "How does obloha mean?" should be "What does obloha mean?"

This looks like a cool product. Are they weatherproof? I could see these also being great for outdoor covered patios.

[Obloha]

This looks like a cool product. Are they weatherproof? I could see these also being great for outdoor covered patios.

They work both indoors and outdoors but I plan on marketing them as indoor products mostly. This is how I initially intended them to be used.

Thanks for looking and point out the typo!

[liam75005]

Great ! Awesome ! Will there be different colors available ?

I like the idea of the contest how did you organise it and came up with the idea ?

[Robbert]

Congratulations! The product looks really nice. I'm sure there is a market for this! It's good to see that your website is up, so there's no more excuses.

My parents started their own company last year, with products for climbing plants. I made the website for it. While sales are not enough yet to make a living, they are having a good time with their business anyway. It is a great product and I know that one day, sales will be sufficient. Just believe in it!

Anyway, I am curious to know why your site has been built in Flash. It's better for search indexes like Google and Yahoo to have your written site in HTML. Also, popular items like the iPhone and iPad do not support Flash. So I would consider to change your website when you have time for it.

Good luck!

Robbert

[Obloha]

Great ! Awesome ! Will there be different colors available ?

I like the idea of the contest how did you organise it and came up with the idea ?

Thanks! The Obloha comes in natural cotton then there are the slipcovers. Initially I will offer 30 fabric options for the slip covers but I would like to have unto 100 custom cover options.

I was trying to figure out a way to get people's info that are interested before I am fully ready to launch in early May. So I decided to just give one away. That way I can email people when there are pics of the Obloha and email when it's available for sale.

[Obloha]

Congratulations! The product looks really nice. I'm sure there is a market for this! It's good to see that your website is up, so there's no more excuses.

My parents started their own company last year, with products for climbing plants. I made the website for it. While sales are not enough yet to make a living, they are having a good time with their business anyway. It is a great product and I know that one day, sales will be sufficient. Just believe in it!

Anyway, I am curious to know why your site has been built in Flash. It's better for search indexes like Google and Yahoo to have your written site in HTML. Also, popular items like the iPhone and iPad do not support Flash. So I would consider to change your website when you have time for it.

Good luck!

Robbert

Thanks Robbert!

I used Wix.com to create the site. I guess I didn't know until Sat that it doesn't work with iPhone/Pad. I felt the site was really easy to create since I don't know how to build a site from scratch and I hate the templates they have on Weebly and GoDaddy. Do you have any suggestions on a serviced to use? I really like the look of my site and don't want to change it much.

Chanstay

[jwmares]

How did you get a picture to put on your landing page if you haven't manufactured the product yet? I am running into that issue, as I have a product idea but no photo to place on my page.

[Obloha]

How did you get a picture to put on your landing page if you haven't manufactured the product yet? I am running into that issue, as I have a product idea but no photo to place on my page.

I hired a product designer on Elance. I'm still not sure that it was beneficial to getting the product done in CAD, but I have images which is worth a lot to me. I just wish I have some that showed it as plush looking as it is, rather than a flat hammock.

[jwmares]

What would you recommend I do to get a design of my product? And how much did the designer cost on Elance?

By the way, I love the product but think the site should be redone a bit. I am sure you are working on that since it is new, but I think the menu buttons should be rounded and more spaced apart, as should the main box where the text and images are. The obloha conveys an airy, comfortable feel that the website lacks. I would recommend possibly using a flash website to get that feel, or just trim up the current page.

Either way, the product looks great! Congrats on your progress with the muse!

[Robbert]

Obloha,

I am a web designer/programmer; mostly I use Wordpress. You have probably heard of that. But you do need some HTML/CSS and possibly PHP knowledge if you want to create a Wordpress lay-out to suit your needs. It wouldn't hurt to read a little about HTML and get comfortable with it. It is really easy to learn.

You website will do for now but when you find later that you do not reach enough visitors, it might be the Flash thing. There's sites like Elance to find good freelancers, so I heard. (Never used it myself)

[seth121]

I'll give you some tips from an SEO perspective.

I really like your site, but the search engine has a hard time reading flash. Thats why you see many top sites not done in flash. Although there are some deep linking optimized flash sites...it's quite time consuming to set up.

[seth121]

Rounded corners and what not sometimes don't show up in all browsers. IE seems to have problems with this sometimes.

[Obloha]

I have decided to use another hosting site, non-flash. Currently using Wix, moving to Volusion. I will be working on setting it up today. Thanks Seth121 and Robbert for the feedback.

[BlindSquirrel]

Very smart move ditching the Flash. I think it may be at the end of its life span.

Nice product. My wife wants me to buy one for her.

Best of luck!

[seth121]

In some instances flash is really good especially if you are using it in your e-mail signature or if you have a client and you need to show off a glamourous product.

I use flash when I want my clients to be impressed by the design so for instance when I send them a introduction e-mail saying who I am, I will use flash.

But when I market on the search engine then I use a WP formated site.

So you kinda do 2 forms of marketing. One for aesthetics and one for traffic.

Perhaps you can keep that flash site as a subdomain and keep your HTML based site as your main domain.

[suppster]

You mentioned you're in the same space as fatboy and lovecsack. I can't see from the product image, so could you explain the difference between your product and http://shop.fatboy.com/index.cfm?cat=7971FAA3-2881-4403-8015-78B0E6C0E6B1.

[Obloha]

You mentioned you're in the same space as fatboy and lovecsack. I can't see from the product image, so could you explain the difference between your product and http://shop.fatboy.com/index.cfm?cat=7971FAA3-2881-4403-8015-78B0E6C0E6B1.

What I meant was the Obloha is alternative furniture. The Heademock is just a hammock and not intended to be used indoors, plus it has that big frame that takes up a lot of space, the Obloha takes up the same amount of space as a sofa and bed. Instead of a traditional sofa, it hangs from the ceiling. Same with the bed. The picture on the site is flat, but the Obloha is nearly as thick as a sofa cushion. Later on I will also be offering a memory foam option, too.

BTW, I will have photos of the actual Obloha on my site by next Monday.

[Jeremy M]

Not sure if you know, but when you go to your URL it says, "Trying to connect your domain to your Wix site?"
Hope it helps...

[seth121]

Thats a really trendy 404 I like that design.

I think your URL should be made cleaner so it's easier to index

[mastererrob]

So awesome to see someone working with a real product, thats a challenge! I'm turning my talent for computer support into information products and ad traffic.

If anyone wants to check it out www.itarsenal.com

I'm a finalist in a contest actually...would love a vote...i'll be glad to offer tech support in exchange or any consulting!

Vote #8 IT Arsenal
http://under30ceo.com/vote-on-the-finalists-from-the-limitless-vc-contest/

[captaink]

Yes, the obloha is still down.

::captaink::

[Obloha]

Yes, the obloha is still down.

::captaink::

Sorry, I thought I posted it again. Here's my temporary site:
http://www.wix.com/mswrite/Obloha-2.

I am now postponing the sites launch until the 1st of May. Then the product will be available for sale by mid-month.

[Obloha]

I am getting so close to really having a business, my muse. I just hired a designer on Elance to design my site with Volusion, my first site just wasn't gonna cut it.

I have the Obloha (my product, a hanging sofa/bed/hammock) done and it's awesome! I am hanging it tonight and will have pictures taken. I am so excited, I will be ready to sell as soon as the sites done, in about a week. As soon as the site if complete I will be sure to post it here to get some feedback.

http://www.wix.com/mswrite/Obloha-2

[MattInglot]

I came across this thread and just wanted to say it's been great to see someone on their journey through their muse, and taking the time to step back and make the necessary changes in direction along the way. Best of luck with the new new design, the product looks interesting!

[ajushi]

Hi! Congratulations man! That's very inspiring!

Got a few questions though:
1. How do you manufacture your product?
2. How do you ship them to your customers?

[gregb]

I checked your website project was supposed to launch April 2010 what happened?

[simonj]

what does it hang from??

[Mr Miyagi]

what does it hang from??

In the FAQ it says it hangs from the ceiling in three different ways.

Cool product.

[Zygmunt]

Hi friends,
i want to ask a question guys,
How do you mount it?
What's the weight limit?
Can you show pictures with people sitting/laying/"lounging" in it??????:)

[simonj]

In the FAQ it says it hangs from the ceiling in three different ways.

Cool product.

So you have to put hooks in your ceiling? I don't think many people would go for that