Name of your website?Hansen's Specialties Draperies & Blinds
Your name?
Eddie Aviles
Your Location (city, etc)
8813 Shirley Ave. Northridge, CA 91324
Please give us a short summary of your website?
We sell blinds, draperies, valances, shades, custom bedding, pillows, reupholstery, fabrics, shutters, and much more.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
We wanted more exposure and figured that launching a website would be a step in the right direction. Our site is very simple at this point but their are big plans to turn it into an e-commerce site so customers can order our custom blinds and drapery online.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
This is actually our first website.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
Our company name is the websites name and was established in 1972 by the previous owners. I've owned the company for two years now and decided on not changing the name since we do get repeat customers and refferals from these sources.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
I think that what makes us different is that we market our experience not just the product. Window coverings is not as cut and dry as most people think. It becomes a very costly mistake when customers opt to try the do-it-yourself route rather than leaving it to the experts.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
Our goal for the next few years is to expand into other areas of interior decor and design and service nationwide and then worldwide. Currently we have our own drapery manufacturing plant in 2400 sq. ft. building servicing most of California but our future plans are to also manufacture our own blinds, shutters, and high end furniture.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I really have not measured what my time and money balances out to my success but I guess that it's safe to say that the many hours and hours that I invest in my business the more it pays off. We should see a 30% growth by the end of next year and most of it is due to the additional time I have dedided to spend this year on marketing my business through new avenues. My website is one of them.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
Well, with an unlimited development budget my site would definiately be developed by a professional design company that would study my business and help to make the most informed choices taking advantage of the newest technology, we might even consider having it tie into our office and manufacturing plant. I know some of our vendors have websites that have ordering modules so when an order is placed it goes directly to the manufacturing floor to begin production. That is probably the biggest expense. Also making our website very dyanmic, entertaining, and with a business model to interact with our customers globally while still mainting easy usability and a creative edge to match our company.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes!!!
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
No real unexpected costs have developed as of yet but cash flow is always an issue especially when I get several large commercial contracts at the same time. So I guess money is my biggest headaches.
What has been your biggest challenge?
In our business, the biggest challenge is keeping the customer coming back. We must always follow the deisgn trends and make sure that we offer what customers want.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Business cards and local advertising. I'm just now beginning other forms of online promotions.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
I thought it was very simple. Make a website and automatically the customers would flock to it. I did not know of everything that is involved, especially on the promotion end of it. It's really been and continues to be an experience.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
The site has been up for a few months now and it's part of my business plan, so I would say for at least 5 years and we'll see what happens after that. Only time will tell.
Can someone purchase your products directly from your website?
No, not at this time. I will be working on an ecommerce site in the near future, but for now Southern California residents can contact us and we will visit them in their homes to professionally measure and quote their window coverings.
What is your website address?
Hansen's Specialties Draperies & Blinds
