Gift Basket Business

Change isn’t always easy, and that’s true for moving this blog into a new space. But the work is worth the effort.

Please join me and fellow gift basket designers at the upgraded GiftBasketBusiness.com blog. I believe that you’ll find the colors and structure as pleasing as the ideas and information shared each weekday.

There are many updates in store, too, in the coming months.

Best of all, you can finally comment on this blog, a critical component that was broken on the former space. Come over, click the “comment” link below each blog’s title, and express your thoughts. Start with the first entry.

See you there.

Shirley

In my last gift basket class, one budding designer asked me if it was okay to have a client bring an alcoholic beverage to her facility in order to include it within a basket.

While this may be an option, if you haven’t paid for or cannot apply for a liquor license, there are other considerations.

1. Is this client delivery a convenience or inconvenience for them?

Our businesses focus on providing top-notch service. Having clients deliver wines or alcohols to our doors may be viewed as an imposition, even if they don’t say so and even if they really want that spirited drink included.

We talked about liquor laws and licenses last year at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.

2. What liabilities await if the client stumbles on a loose slate tile or trips and breaks his skin while on our property? And who gets called first, an ambulance, the police, or your insurance company?

If you haven’t yet invested in insurance, this primer will get you started.

It’s important to satisfy clients, and it’s also smart to protect yourself from unnecessary problems that may result in the process.

Notice: This blog continues its renovation this week and may, at times, be temporarily unavailable. Thank you for your patience.

Technorati Tags: gift baskets business, business insurance, gift basket class, liquor license

The first images that visitors see on your site are of gift baskets, specifically the ones that you’re promoting for an upcoming event or season.

From there, visitor most likely see a menu in the left column of gift basket idea links that lead them to numerous pages showing varied themes.

Web Sites for Retailers reveals more tips to create a memorable site, but how many of you also include the following pages?

Testimonials - What clients say about your baskets and service helps to convince others to become buyers.

About Us - Tell visitors something about you, your location, how you became a gift basket designer, and bestowed awards.

Disclaimer - Here’s where you provide buyers with information on how you treat any information they submit to you online.

Consider adding these details if not yet included on your site.

Notice: This blog is scheduled for renovation between now and Sunday, and with all Web changes, the space may temporarily be unavailable. If this occurs, updates will be posted on the home page of GiftBasketBusiness.com and/or Ask The Gift Basket Expert.

Technorati Tags: gift baskets business, gift basket web site

During my Web surfing yesterday, I found this site promoting a Mother’s Day gift basket.

The arrangement is contained in an oval tin and features a collection of edible goods, books, and grooming supplies.

I see that one of the manufacturer’s names (Twinings, which is spelled incorrectly) is noted on the page. It’s a well-known brand that may influence a person to order, and that made me wonder:

Do you tell customers which brands are in your gift baskets?

Years ago I created a rule for myself, stating that I’d keep brand names out of my descriptions. Instead of writing “Walker Shortbread,” I’d state “shortbread” in case my inventory changed to another brand.

But I can understand if you’ve decided to let clients know which brand you include, especially if that brand is considered premium. Why write “crackers” when you can let everyone know you include “Partners crackers? (a basket favorite listed at the bottom of this page)”

What do you think about using brand names instead of keeping everything generic? Share your opinion on this controversy at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.

Notice: This blog is scheduled for renovation between now and Sunday, and with all Web changes, the space may temporarily be unavailable. If this occurs, updates will be posted on the home page of GiftBasketBusiness.com and/or Ask The Gift Basket Expert.

Technorati Tags: gift baskets business, using brand names, gift basket wholesale supplies, Mother’s Day gift baskets

An article in Monday’s The Leaf-Chronicle mentioned Wal-Mart’s Earth Day baskets, created as a giveaway promotion yesterday to celebrate the day’s environment awareness issues.

Did you create a similar promotion to celebrate Earth Day? If not, you’ll find many more opportunities to create and sell your gift baskets by pairing them with celebrations that occur each month.

This is one popular, sales-increasing strategy I’ve used in the past to get the media’s attention, and that translated into having more people learn about my business and call to place orders.

If you’re not ready to promote your gift baskets with celebrations, take a look at the sales and marketing planner to get an idea on how to create a complete calendar of events to bring attention and sales your way.

No matter what you think of Wal-Mart, this promotion elevates gift baskets as a bountiful gift for any occasion.

Technorati Tags: gift baskets business, Earth Day gift baskets, gift basket occasions