Do Y'all Have Websites?

Business By JulieB Updated 10 Jul 2006 , 7:28pm by wendysue

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JulieB Posted 9 Jul 2006 , 6:16pm
post #1 of 23

Do y'all have websites where you market your cakes? Do you put every cake there, or just a few? And how did you get your website started?

Can you post links? Really, I don't know if that's allowed, and I don't know if this has ever been posted before, but I love to look at others' websites........ icon_biggrin.gif

22 replies
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alicegop Posted 9 Jul 2006 , 8:09pm
post #2 of 23

You have to have a website. I think many of us get business by word of mouth, so it really helps if people can look at your cakes to have confidence in your abilities. Especially if you aren't a professional baker. You can get a domain name cheap. I just use my name as my website, then it is easy for people who have met me to remember. Also I go to www.vistaprint.com and order business cards that have my web address on them. Hand them out to everyone you meet, even if they don't need a cake. You can use a free website like www.tripod.com or something. I pay for my domain name seperately so if I switch where I host my website my webname can remain the same.

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Euphoriabakery Posted 9 Jul 2006 , 8:33pm
post #3 of 23

I use freewebs.com. I actually pay a small fee to be able to have unlimited cake pictures and a few other benefits. It's $4 per month I think?

Here is my site:

www.euphoriabakery.com

I post most of my cakes, however if I didn't really like the cake I don't post it.

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redsoxgirl Posted 9 Jul 2006 , 8:39pm
post #4 of 23

yeah, what alicegop said icon_smile.gif

my website is www.bostoncakecompany.com

name purchsed seperately from my website provider for the reason alicegop mentioned.

if i remember correctly, i spent about $30.00 for the name and $120.00 for 2 years of websire hosting (you can find Very inexpensive hosts or you can go with the free ones but i decided i wanted my own look and didn't want any ads on my site)

business cards, obviously, are a must With your site listed and YES i post ALL of my cakes (which aren't that many as of right now) on my site. People like to look for ideas.

Hope this helps

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Jenn123 Posted 9 Jul 2006 , 8:50pm
post #5 of 23

I think a website is a must..especially for weddings. Potential clients can see your skills and prices and know what to expect. They can also see other customer's comments if you include this option. It cuts down on the time you have to spend talking to people who won't order from you. I haven't done a tasting yet that didn't get me an immediate order because they already knew my prices and had picked a style.

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arpwilson Posted 9 Jul 2006 , 9:06pm
post #6 of 23

I have unlimited picture space with my email address at yahoo. I only have pictures of my cakes on there. and I have the link on my business cards.

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redsoxgirl Posted 9 Jul 2006 , 9:11pm
post #7 of 23

btw...the company i use is startlogic.com it is $4.95 a month (hence the $120.00 for 2 years) and i get all the space i need Plus like 20 email accounts (ie. [email protected])

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Jenn123 Posted 9 Jul 2006 , 9:13pm
post #8 of 23

www.siteground.com is awesome too. Great customer service.

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moydear77 Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 2:21am
post #9 of 23

I have one just to show off my work. I try to skirt the legal jargon with no pricing and just having pictures of cake. I do all my own web work-Nothing fancy. Just large thumbs that link to the gallery.I bought my domain from godaddy and a good friend does the hosting for free.

www.cakesbymaryann.com

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RaRaRobyn Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 2:28am
post #10 of 23

I've got one..nothing fancy, just something to show people what I can do.


http://rockinrobyns.freewebpage.org

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SweetThistleCakes Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 2:48am
post #11 of 23

I use Freeewebs and I like the fact that I dont have to be computer savvy to have it. And it's free! I had a paid site for 2 years with FortuneCity for $14.95/mo and had problems with the hosting so I switched to a free site with ads a few months ago and I love it! I think a site helps because people are able to look at what you offer without feeling obligated to order and can call you at will.

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JulieB Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 3:01am
post #12 of 23

Well, y'all have some awesome spaces. Thanks for sharing. Anybody else, feel free, these are always so much fun to look at.

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alicegop Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 3:08am
post #13 of 23

www.alicekeeler.net

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cakesondemand Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 3:15am
post #14 of 23

I agree if you want to sell your cakes you need a web site its a must I'v been told that if I didn't have a site then they would have choosen someone that did. Most clients want to see what kind of work you do. Mine is www.cakesondemand.com I don't post all my pics but change them every once in a while.

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Birdlady Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 3:24am
post #15 of 23

Hi all

Awsome websites and work. I just love seeing those cakes. I have had a website for about a year now, and it really helps with peoples confidence in your abilities.

www.iceddreamscakes.com

Keep adding those addresses, I just love to look at everyone's work.

My advice is to ask around, someone always knows someone that does and hosts websites. A good friend of mine recommended her pal and I got my site for 14.95 a year for the domain name and she charges me 99.00 a year to host with unlimited space and address, emails etc.

Good luck

Dawn

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ladybug03 Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 3:32am
post #16 of 23

I use one of my blogs from blogger.com. It's free, easy and I didn't find anything "illegal" in the fine print about hosting a business site. I purchased the domain name from yahoo for $10 and have it automatically forward to my blog site.

Eventually, I think I'll make a "real" website, but for now it works just fab.

Have fun!

www.thesweetladybug.com

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dky Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 10:51am
post #17 of 23

I have one, its great for when a new person calls and wants to see your work. its basic but it at least shows off ones work... it is being updated so look after the 15th July.

dazzlingcakes.com.au

karen

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MikeRowesHunny Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 11:03am
post #18 of 23

I have a free one too! I've beeen thinking about a paid one with my own domain name, but have 1000 business cards with this website on icon_cry.gif !!!:

www.freewebs.com/queeniescakes

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alicegop Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 7:02pm
post #19 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonjovibabe

I have a free one too! I've beeen thinking about a paid one with my own domain name, but have 1000 business cards with this website on icon_cry.gif !!!:

www.freewebs.com/queeniescakes




www.mydomain.com
$7.50 a year and then you can have any host you want. My brothers in laws own www.allaboutweddings.org and they are kind enough to allow me to have www.allaboutweddings.org/cake but since I am not affiliated with them I have www.alicekeeler.net point to that web address so you can't tell that the real URL is something different. This way if I need to move my site (maybe they won't be nice forever or maybe they change businesses or something) I can just change where my url points! No need to change my business cards. So see if www.queeniescakes.com is available and then cross out the www.freewebs.com on your business cards icon_sad.gif

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alicegop Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 7:04pm
post #20 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonjovibabe

I have a free one too! I've beeen thinking about a paid one with my own domain name, but have 1000 business cards with this website on icon_cry.gif !!!:

www.freewebs.com/queeniescakes




www.mydomain.com
$7.50 a year and then you can have any host you want. My brothers in laws own www.allaboutweddings.org and they are kind enough to allow me to have www.allaboutweddings.org/cake but since I am not affiliated with them I have www.alicekeeler.net point to that web address so you can't tell that the real URL is something different. This way if I need to move my site (maybe they won't be nice forever or maybe they change businesses or something) I can just change where my url points! No need to change my business cards. So see if www.queeniescakes.com is available and then cross out the www.freewebs.com on your business cards icon_sad.gif

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edencakes Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 7:14pm
post #21 of 23

How fun, looking at other people's sites!

I'm lucky enough to be married to a web developer/marketer, so of course I had to have a website!

http://www.edencakes.com

We're in the middle of a redesign. The home page and site layout isn't as I want it, so please excuse any oopsies you may see. I'm also adding a flavor and basic pricing page soon. I wrote all of the content myself (so please don't steal it - lol). I only say that because it's happened to me before, not because I think you're all a bunch of thieves icon_lol.gif

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alicegop Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 7:21pm
post #22 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonjovibabe

I have a free one too! I've beeen thinking about a paid one with my own domain name, but have 1000 business cards with this website on icon_cry.gif !!!:

www.freewebs.com/queeniescakes




www.mydomain.com
$7.50 a year and then you can have any host you want. My brothers in laws own www.allaboutweddings.org and they are kind enough to allow me to have www.allaboutweddings.org/cake but since I am not affiliated with them I have www.alicekeeler.net point to that web address so you can't tell that the real URL is something different. This way if I need to move my site (maybe they won't be nice forever or maybe they change businesses or something) I can just change where my url points! No need to change my business cards. So see if www.queeniescakes.com is available and then cross out the www.freewebs.com on your business cards icon_sad.gif

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wendysue Posted 10 Jul 2006 , 7:28pm
post #23 of 23

I have a freewebs account, but it's maxed on storage, so I'd have to pay to add any new photos. All my newer photos are on my blog which is also free.
Haven't decided when to start paying for a website. Seems like a waste of money at this point. I think freewebs charges about $40 a year for a premium account.

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