Avatars Banners For Our Online Shops Platforms Blogs Websites

Avatars Banners For Our Online Shops Platforms Blogs Websites

Many of us do sales online as our business, and for some it is a hobby too. When we set up shop with different venues, market places, platforms, blogs, and websites we often have many questions as we set them up. Colors, do we use animated pictures, do I need a template, should I have a signature with my emails, what about my avatar, and do I need a banner? A lot of things to consider, and this is just some of it to begin with. 

A lot we can discuss, and this opens the door to many things. I am going to start this off with a simple subject now. Avatars, and banners is an issue that I see discussed quite often with different places like Etsy, Ecrater, Artfire, our blogs, and of course some of our websites too. Is there a true answer to this? I have yet to find one that is 100% correct, and says it is the law to do it. But, when we set up shop online we like to treat it like having our own brick & mortar store. Appearance can grab attention, and it can bring the customer in for a closer look. Don't get me wrong, our products definitely bring them in to look, read, learn, and hopefully purchase. As they enter sometimes appearances can reflect on you as a seller too. 

So, do we need an avatar with some of our shops? Do we need a banner with our shops as well? Is it really necessary, and does it really matter? In some ways yes it can make a difference with some shoppers. When choosing these things what do we choose? What is the best thing to use? Many have said that we should show a picture of something that we sell, or have sold. That is a good point. It is also mentioned to show a picture of ourselves with our avatars. I have also seen shared that we should not have these things to busy, don't have too much frill, and then there is also colors too. Yes, it is nice to show pictures of items you sell, give the customer a feel of what it is you do and offer, but I myself also think it is good to show a little bit of yourself. What I mean by that is show a little bit of who you are, your personality, and not only show what you sell, but let the customer feel comfortable entering your shop with a welcoming feeling of who you are too.

I know, it's a bit over whelming right? Don't let it intimidate you. Experiment with it a bit, and get some feed back from customers who buy from you, and from others within your same niche too. 

I myself like to keep things simple if I can. Yes, I use the same banner....most of the same banner pretty much everywhere I have set up shop. I try to stay with the same colors, and use the same avatar as well. I myself feel that this helps with recognition when shoppers are out searching that big old internet for things they want. Does it help? I have had some comments from past customers and acquaintances meeting up with me on Facebook, or maybe Google+ asking if it was really me, they remember me from this or that place, and it was nice meeting up with me again. Sometimes the comment I thought I recognized you which is a good feeling. 

Some like to change things every month with their avatars, and banners too. Maybe not every month, but at different times they will change. It works well for some, and others also have a different view with this. I would Love to change my avatar, and banners myself. I have often been tempted to, but at the same time I decided to stay with everything the same. I am still someone small, still trying to grow, and trying to be recognized by others as well. So, to keep things simple again, and not confuse anyone I keep the same. Eventually I will change things out, and maybe then I will have someone else design things for me. Till then I do it myself, and keep it simple being LilacsNDreams.  

I know I probably didn't give you complete answers to some of this, but I hope it gave you a little bit to think about as you venture onto your online shops. I appreciate you sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and Have a Happy Day!  

Consignment Shop Thrift Stores Charity Shops are Popular

Consignment, Thrift Store, Charity Store Shopping is very popular with times of today, our economy, and etc. This is a way that many of us have supplied things for decor in our homes. It has helped many to dress our children, and how we dress ourselves too. Some people like to shop at these stores to find items that we can repurpose and upcyle, look for vintage items, and there really are many reasons for shopping with these kind of stores.

I don't know if you know this, but there is a difference between Consignment Shops, and the Charity Thrift Shops too. The differences can be seen in the merchandise that is offered, the size of the stores, and you can most definitely see a difference with the prices of items at offered at these stores too. 

Consignment Shops are an act of consigning, which is placing any material in the hand of another, but retaining ownership until the goods are sold, or person is transferred. To better understand, and read more on Consignment Shops visit Wikipedia for this. Places like eBay, drop off stores, and online sellers will often use the consignment model of selling too. 

Charity Thrift Shops usually sell mainly used goods donated by members of the public, and are often staffed by volunteers. Because items were obtained for free, and business costs are low, the items can be sold at competitive prices. 

Unlike directly charity-run shops run by volunteers, Thrift Shops pay taxes, and will also have paid employees too.  To read more about these visit Wikipedia for more definition, and explanations.

Major Thrift Shop Operators include Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul are just a few to mention. These places all take donations. Owners to some Thrift Shops will take donations, sometimes they will go shopping for items to be offered with their stores, sometimes you can find new items that have been donated, or also purchased to be offered to you with reasonable prices too.

Everyone shops all these stores for many types of things for themselves, for the home, sometimes to donate to others in need, churches and other charities will support such places, and etc. When I shop I can see a difference with prices between the different stores. When consignment stores have announced sales I generally like to visit them more. My favorites to shop with are the different Thrift Stores with different locations. There is always something different with them, inventory moves well, and you just never know what treasures you can come across till you go in search of them. 

So, do you have a preference to which stores you like to go shopping with? Is it Consignment, or is the Charity Thrift Stores?

I again would like to take this time to thank all of you for your patience during my times of absence with my Dad's illness, and later with his passing. Directly following this we attended our son's Basic Army Graduation too. I have appreciated the words of kindness, understanding, sympathy, and prayers during all of this. Again, Thank You deeply everyone.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit with LilacsNDreams today. Always good to see you, and hope to see you again soon. Take care till the next time everyone.