9.07.2004
Unique Gifts
What does Unique Gifts have to do with web design or Flash design?
Earlier today, I went to see the CEO of Walmart.com (John Fleming) speak at the University of Minnesota. One of the highest 'growth' areas (taken from his presentation) was in Flowers, Cards and Gifts so I decided to do a little bit of research to find out 'what's out there' when it comes to Unique Gifts. I would expect the top ranked sites to be those with great merchandise with interfaces designed to encourage my business. Let's find out.
The results were not very inspiring. Search for Unique Gifts on Google and the first thing that pops up is a place called BlueChopsticks.com - not a particularly attractive site and at first glance, it would seem that there's nothing unique at all about the site OR the gifts that it offers. If this is the 'state' of one of the largest growth areas in e-commerce - someone's going to step up and make it big...really big.
A bit further on down the list - PatagoniaGifts.com is quite a bit better - visually appealing (but simple) and I understand right away that this is a jewelry site specializing in unique designs for a variety of gift giving occaisions. Although better then the others - the limited focus on jewelry would tend to divert users to other sites with a wider variety of merchandise.
And the list goes on.. overall, I wasn't too impressed with either the merchandise OR the design of any of the sites with strong Google rankings. Hopefully we'll be able to change all that.
We will be launching a new website soon for a Unique Gift store called Patina with 4 Twin Cities locations. Stay tuned and I'll let you know about the official launch of Patinstores.com.
The Artropolis Team
Minneapolis Flash Design Since 1994
PS - Speaking of Flash - Does a Flash-based e-commerce site encourage or discourage you to purchase?
Earlier today, I went to see the CEO of Walmart.com (John Fleming) speak at the University of Minnesota. One of the highest 'growth' areas (taken from his presentation) was in Flowers, Cards and Gifts so I decided to do a little bit of research to find out 'what's out there' when it comes to Unique Gifts. I would expect the top ranked sites to be those with great merchandise with interfaces designed to encourage my business. Let's find out.
The results were not very inspiring. Search for Unique Gifts on Google and the first thing that pops up is a place called BlueChopsticks.com - not a particularly attractive site and at first glance, it would seem that there's nothing unique at all about the site OR the gifts that it offers. If this is the 'state' of one of the largest growth areas in e-commerce - someone's going to step up and make it big...really big.
A bit further on down the list - PatagoniaGifts.com is quite a bit better - visually appealing (but simple) and I understand right away that this is a jewelry site specializing in unique designs for a variety of gift giving occaisions. Although better then the others - the limited focus on jewelry would tend to divert users to other sites with a wider variety of merchandise.
And the list goes on.. overall, I wasn't too impressed with either the merchandise OR the design of any of the sites with strong Google rankings. Hopefully we'll be able to change all that.
We will be launching a new website soon for a Unique Gift store called Patina with 4 Twin Cities locations. Stay tuned and I'll let you know about the official launch of Patinstores.com.
The Artropolis Team
Minneapolis Flash Design Since 1994
PS - Speaking of Flash - Does a Flash-based e-commerce site encourage or discourage you to purchase?
9.02.2004
Newer Site Designs
From time to time, I think it's probably appropriate to include links to newer designs. Feel free to comment on them or even let us know about one of your designs, after all - this is a blog about Web Design in Minneapolis.
Artropolis recently launched the new MAC Meetings and Events website. MAC is a St. Louis based company that specializes in meeting management, event production, destination managment and electronic solutions such as E-vites and Registration systems. We designed this site with a very clean and simple interface and gave MAC a ton of content management tools so that they can manage all of the content including news stories and image galleries.
The Bottle District is another new site that will be launched by the time most people see this post. The bottle district is a new entertainment destination in St. Louis that will open in the Spring/Summer of 2006. It's going to be really REALLY cool with an indoor Formula 1 Karting track, and Sammy Hagar's own Cabo Wabo Cantina. This site was designed to communicate the "Bottle District" brand... all image (at this point). The client wants to get people excited about this historic St. Louis area and encourage them to sign up for a newsletter to learn more over the next 1-2 years.
We're also working on a very cool new e-commerce site for Patina. A Minneapolis retailer of unique and fun gifts. This 'single pager' doesn't show you much, but the e-commerce site will launch very soon and when it does, I'll make another announcement - you'll definitely want to shop there.
Remember - Design + Search Engine Optimization + Some Back End Wizardry = popular & profitable
Have a great day,
The Artropolis Team
_________________________________________________________________________________
Minneapolis web design since 1994
Minneapolis flash design since 1994
Artropolis recently launched the new MAC Meetings and Events website. MAC is a St. Louis based company that specializes in meeting management, event production, destination managment and electronic solutions such as E-vites and Registration systems. We designed this site with a very clean and simple interface and gave MAC a ton of content management tools so that they can manage all of the content including news stories and image galleries.
The Bottle District is another new site that will be launched by the time most people see this post. The bottle district is a new entertainment destination in St. Louis that will open in the Spring/Summer of 2006. It's going to be really REALLY cool with an indoor Formula 1 Karting track, and Sammy Hagar's own Cabo Wabo Cantina. This site was designed to communicate the "Bottle District" brand... all image (at this point). The client wants to get people excited about this historic St. Louis area and encourage them to sign up for a newsletter to learn more over the next 1-2 years.
We're also working on a very cool new e-commerce site for Patina. A Minneapolis retailer of unique and fun gifts. This 'single pager' doesn't show you much, but the e-commerce site will launch very soon and when it does, I'll make another announcement - you'll definitely want to shop there.
Remember - Design + Search Engine Optimization + Some Back End Wizardry = popular & profitable
Have a great day,
The Artropolis Team
_________________________________________________________________________________
Minneapolis web design since 1994
Minneapolis flash design since 1994
