Sunday, 5 August 2012

Countdown to launching my new handmade handbags website....go!

Here it is at last...my new website. Today's the official launch and who better to share it with than all the lovely regulars from Handmade Monday. And to make it a bit more special I'm also having a give-away - more of that later!
If you've got a few minutes to spare please drop by and let me know what you think. If you like what you see then please share with your friends. If you have any thoughts, suggestions for improvements, or it just looks rubbish on your PC then let me know and I'll see if my technical support team (aka Mr HbyH) can make it better.

My ribbon labels have finally arrived too.

Now, enough of this computery stuff...back to the sewing machine. Hurrah!

BUT FIRST.....My handbag giveaway. Please go check out my website and leave some feedback or your comments here. When I get to 50 comments then all posters will be put into a draw to receive one of four selected bags. You can choose your favourite from these four. Hope there's enough variety there for you to find one you like?



Posted by

74 comments:

  1. Kat Shenton5 August 2012 at 18:11

    Your website is looking lovely. Very clean and easy to navigate. I will say the only real issue I can see if the photos themselves. Due to the size of the photos some on the bags aren't displayed to their best. I know they are only mini snaps to get the customer interested however it may be beneficial in the long run to do a wide shot, crop it down and square it up so you don't lose any of the detailing. Other than that, very well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:29

      thanks Kat for your useful comments. I'll see what i can do with the pictures - i'm not the most technologically competent person so i may need to shout hubby for help with the resizing stuff. But i'm sure you're right and they will look better when i've done.

      Delete
  2. Christmas Pie Crafts5 August 2012 at 18:13

    Well done with your website Helen - I am sure it will be very successful. I do like our labels - the handbag for the letter a is brilliant. Hope you have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:30

      Thanks for your lovely comments. The labels do seem to have been popular so hopefully the person in France who made them might get a bit more business.

      Delete
  3. Highland Monkey's5 August 2012 at 18:30

    So pleased for you that you are up and running. Here's to a huge success in your venture.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wendy5 August 2012 at 18:38

    Ooh, lovely bags. My favourite is the bottom left, although they're all lovely x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:31

      I think that ones one of my favourites too. Be over on Sunday to announce the winner.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous5 August 2012 at 19:34

    Congratulations on your new shop. I love the fabric gallery - a lovely touch with a great range too. Good luck with it all. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. knitnrun5 August 2012 at 19:37

    Congratulations on your shop. I love the touch of the fabric gallery - a really nice touch and with a great choice of fabrics too. I wish you well with it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Myth Illogical5 August 2012 at 20:24

    I do love your logo too. Your site is looking good, it is easy to navigate, and I like the fact that you have a gallery of past orders as it may give people inspiration for bespoke orders.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ali5 August 2012 at 20:27

    Congratulations on the website. I popped over and had a walk around your shop. It's really user friendly and I really liked the addition of the fabric gallery. I can't wait to see the Hobo bags. Good luck.

    Ali x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Unknown5 August 2012 at 20:36

    Congrats on launching the website... I know what hard work will have gone into that. I think that the bag on the top right is nicest, the fabric is just gorgeous :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sarah - The Lilac Dragonfly5 August 2012 at 20:43

    Helen...a great site!! I've noticed tho you haven't got a physical address and tel no. which you need for distance selling regulations. Other than that....the very best of luck, with your beautiful bags I'm sure you'll do well xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:32

      thanks Sarah. I'm doing a bit of refining today so i'll add that on to my to-do list (husband thinks i should be doing his accounts instead of sitting her tinkering with my website!!)

      Delete
  11. Hannah5 August 2012 at 20:53

    Exciting times! good luck with the new site your handbags are lovely, hope I win! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Free Spirit Designs5 August 2012 at 23:45

    yay! well done for getting your website up and running, it looks superb :) i love the little details like those fab social media icons and your pretty 'free shipping' announcement on the homepage. Your bags all look beautiful as always with great photos. The product descriptions are great too - nice a and friendly and personal which is just what you want and expect from a small handmade business.

    the only thing i found slightly confusing was the number of different links to 'shop' and shop sections on the homepage - i'm probably guilty of this myself but i think less is more when it comes to link options - perhaps removing the footer ones would help to simplify a little? just a thought :)

    good luck with it all! x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Janelle @ Emmaline Bags6 August 2012 at 00:33

    I love the website, especially how you show your fabric available and your custom work gallery. I love how you've laid it all out. Very easy to navigate and to view... Well done! I'll share your giveaway on my blog, Helen! Janelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:33

      Thanks Janelle for all the support, as always. You're a star!

      Delete
  14. Unknown6 August 2012 at 01:28

    Welcome, Helen. It's always fun to find a new blog to follow, and being about Handbags, well that makes you a winner in my book! I love bags! Love your bags in the photo. Your page looks great, and as time goes on I'm sure it will get even better. GOOD LUCK! :) :) I'll be following, and have added you to my RSS feeds.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Calikisses6 August 2012 at 01:42

    I really like the simple and clean layout of the website. Your labels are very cute too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. ramsaygrace6 August 2012 at 04:06

    Your website looks great! Congratulations to you, and thanks for this chance to win! I really think all of the bags are precious; however, the bottom two are definitely my favorites! I'm in my learning stage with sewing and cannot imagine, at this point, sewing an actual bag, with lining and a zipper....SCARY! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. wanda6 August 2012 at 05:43

    Love your new website, I hope you hsve a lot of sucess.

    ReplyDelete
  18. wanda6 August 2012 at 05:47

    i love all the bags, if I had to be pushed to say I would say the bottom left one is my favorite, but not by much. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kathrynn6 August 2012 at 06:33

    Congratulations on your new website. The purses all look lovely but I am partial to the one on the lower left.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kay6 August 2012 at 09:14

    Your website is great, so easy to navigate. Your little pyramid purses are so cute too. I also like that we have free postage in the U.K., as this is always an incentive as sometimes the cost on top just pushes things over the o.k. range in total cost.Good luck with it all. Have you thought about adding a Pinterest button? I love Pinterest myself and bags are very popular on there. It is extra publicity for free.
    ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:35

      Thanks Kay. I hadn't thought about a Pinterest button - i'll see if i can work out how to add one. Good idea.

      Delete
  21. Elisabetta6 August 2012 at 10:17

    I like your website, it's clean and easy to follow, you don't need any more to add, in this way it's pretty professional.
    P.S. your Pink Union Jack messenger bag is adorable and perfect during these olimpics!
    .... I love this Large 'art deco' themed messenger bag too =)
    can't wait to see next coming soon bags!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous6 August 2012 at 11:02

    Nice easy to navigate website, love it!
    Damasa

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous6 August 2012 at 12:50

    Love your Purses. You will excel. Hope to receive one of them.I like the color of your website and it looks so neat.
    Sincerely

    ReplyDelete
  24. Gill6 August 2012 at 14:00

    You have a great website with great bags! It's simple to use and well laid out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen12 August 2012 at 12:05

      Hi Gill
      Thanks for commenting on my blog. You were the name drawn out of the hat to win one of my bags. If you could drop me a line at handbagsbyhelen@gmail.com with your address and which of the 4 bags you would prefer?

      Delete
  25. Gina S6 August 2012 at 14:49

    Very easy to navigate, nice job! I'm liking the one on the bottom left also.

    ReplyDelete
  26. say it6 August 2012 at 16:02

    I think your new website is fab. I love your logo and the professional look of the whole site. It's good to see you've provided a clear returns policy. Jolly good job, well done - I hope it brings you lots of sales :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Margaret6 August 2012 at 18:42

    Great website, gorgeous bags and lovely photos, all very easy to navigate around. I'm particularly loving your cosmetic bags, and the pyramid purses, great to have such a variety of items. Good luck hope the sales come flooding in and thanks for such a fab giveaway! Hope you get to 50 comments very soon:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. barbara woods6 August 2012 at 19:30

    love your bags

    ReplyDelete
  29. Carolee Crafts6 August 2012 at 19:53

    Ooh so exciting, off to have a look. good luck on your relaunch

    ReplyDelete
  30. Fiddly Fingers6 August 2012 at 20:03

    Love the website. I had no problem viewing or navigating. Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Chris6 August 2012 at 20:47

    Love all your bags and purses, good luck with the launch :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Unknown6 August 2012 at 21:06

    Congratulations on the launch, how exciting! I look forward to keeping up-to-date, I do love bags!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Tracey6 August 2012 at 21:11

    Hi just found your blog through "Reloved remnants" (which I also stumbled upon!).

    I love the website - looks really clean and professional, the logo is also fab! The only thing I found was that I would prefer to see the whole bag in the thumbnail rather than a pic which seems to crop the edges.

    I also love the gallery section - great inspiration to give an idea for the bespoke possibilities.

    I'm definitely coming back!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Unknown6 August 2012 at 23:38

    Your website looks fab, I love the social media icons, very different. Your bags are great, I really like the owl cosmetic bag.

    Good Luck with your new website :0)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Susie7 August 2012 at 00:51

    The website looks awesome. But I am so taken with the ribbon label! Very professional. And of course the bags. I am always impressed by your sewing skill. Anyway congrats on the new home on the web, very nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous7 August 2012 at 05:03

    Great bags! Love the Tree of Life fabric especially. Good luck with your website! CarolB in SB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:27

      Thanks CarolB. I only have a small amount of the tree of life fabric - so i'm being veeeeeery careful about when i use it. Think i may have to keep a bit for myself though!

      Delete
  37. Crazyspagirl7 August 2012 at 08:52

    Great bags! Love your sense of style and choice of fabrics! All the best! Cheers!
    Shannon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:18

      Thanks for dropping by Shannon and your lovely comments about my bags.

      Delete
  38. Stephanie - My Calico Heart7 August 2012 at 09:26

    Great looking site, very professional looking! Hope you have many sales!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:26

      thanks Stephanie. Am keeping my fingers crossed it might help with my profile a bit. Have just been over your blog - what an amazing quilt! I really want to start quilting but am not sure I know where to start. But i have just seen a quilted bathmat on someone elses blog - maybe i should start small!

      Delete
  39. Unknown7 August 2012 at 10:24

    Great website Helen, the bags look stunning! I would love to see an 'About me' page....
    Good luck!

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:17

      Thanks Linda. Completely forgot about an 'about me' page. Will try and get something sorted today. Really appreciate a fellow 'bag lady' stopping by.

      Delete
  40. Lindsey R.7 August 2012 at 10:47

    YRour website displays wonderfully on my iPad! I would like to add that I really like the social networking buttons!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:15

      thanks Lindsey. I spent ages mooching around the internet to try and find something which would look OK and still keep to the handmade theme.

      Delete
  41. Cecilia7 August 2012 at 13:21

    Congratulations on your website. It is easy to navigate and looks great. Your pictures and descriptions are good, but I would also like to see the inside of the bag. Good luck in your endeavor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 11:16

      Hi Cecilia
      thanks for commenting. I keep trying to get some pictures of the inside but my photos don't turn out that well. I think i need to do a bit more research on how to improve my photos!

      Delete
  42. sewVery7 August 2012 at 16:12

    Helen, your new site and logo are fresh and fun. I wish you much success!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Unknown7 August 2012 at 16:31

    Love the website - your new labels are great where did you get them from ?

    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 14:31

      Hi Andrea. Thanks for commenting. I got the labels from Etsy. You can find them here:
      http://www.etsy.com/shop/hobbytime?ref=seller_info

      Delete
  44. Anonymous8 August 2012 at 16:55

    The website looks good and is easy to navigate.

    I'd agree that having an 'about' page would be good, it creates trust in you which should help with sales. Interestingly I found the social networking buttons a bit dark but others like them, so you can probably ignore my opinion on this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 10:47

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting Annabel. I completely forgot about doing and 'about' page! I'll sort that today 'cos i think you're right - it adds a bit of a personal touch doesn't it

      Delete
  45. Anonymous10 August 2012 at 07:15

    I love your bags and havr you on my birthday prezzie list. Website is looking great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 10:39

      Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. Nice to know that you like my bags. Hope you get lots of lovely things off your birthday list when the time arrives. I have a ridiculously long list of handmade items i'm coveting for my birthday - at least it will make hubbies job easier.

      Delete
  46. imogens.imagination11 August 2012 at 07:24

    oh helen! this is super :o)

    congratulations :o)

    sophie
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 10:37

      Aw, thanks Sophie. Nice to see you over here. You make amaaaaaazing stuff so sending the appreciation right back atcha!

      Delete
  47. Teresa11 August 2012 at 07:51

    Congratulations on your new venture - I am sure you will do really well. I know bags are time consuming things to make! Looking lovley - website is easy to use too x

    ReplyDelete
  48. Bossymamma11 August 2012 at 08:27

    I really like the clean fresh look of the website - having a white background and unfussy icons makes it very professional-looking and easy to navigate. The uncluttered layout is the perfect combination with your beautiful bags.

    I don't like the picture on the home page as the two bags in the centre look lost with their bases chopped off. It spoils what would otherwise be a great picture. Unfortunately the photography does seem to let the site down as only part of each bag is visible when you see the list of bags.

    I'm so sorry to sound so picky. The bags are gorgeous, I love the clean layout and I wish you every success in your exciting venture.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 10:29

      Not picky at all. I appreciate you taking the time to have a look and comment. A couple of other people have commented on the thumbprint pics. I'll work on that today and see if I can get it to look better. thanks again for commenting.

      Delete
    2. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 10:36

      PS You have the coolest blog list. Have just got very distracted visiting some of the cool blogs you follow - and i'm s'posed to be updating my images!

      Delete
  49. skippy11 August 2012 at 08:28

    you must be so excited having a new website :) I too would like to see inside of bags (possibly with some bright lining) and so I can see if they have zips etc.
    Love the luggage labels - they are ace.
    Are you going to be putting any bag making tutorials up? I always love a quick basic project inspired by someone else.
    Good luck with it all

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handbags by Helen11 August 2012 at 10:28

      Thanks for taking a look. Tutorial sounds like a good idea. I'll have a think and see if I can co-erce the hubby into helping with photos.

      Delete
  50. Little Harriet11 August 2012 at 11:33

    The website is great, I am sure you will have lots of sucess with it. I've viewed it on my phone and everything is easy to navigate. I love the fabric gallery idea.
    Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Essential Creations4 September 2012 at 23:26

    Your handbags are lovely! Wish I had the skills to sew! ;)
    Wish you all the best with your new website!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)