Framing directory website..want in?

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JbNormandog

JbNormandog

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Posts
3,751
Loc
NJ
Hi all,

I was thinking about the complaints that our industry doesn't do enough to promote us, so why complain when we can help ourselves. It's a small step but a step nontheless.

I think I might have time before the holiday rush (or hopefully might not) but I was thinking about creating a site that has a directory of frame shops broken down by state and country.

I know there are others out there that do this for a fee but if I can find free hosting and we all promote it to bring more awareness to our industry it could help get our names out there more.

I am thinking besides our store info we can have links to our sites and monthly info articles written by other grumblers.

I would hope that other more tech savy grumblers could help a little in other ways to call attention to the site.

Would anyone be interested? Any other ideas?


BTW... din't know where to post this thread. Move it if you must but I didn't want it to get lost on the tech posting board.
 
It's a good idea. One that I have personally wanted to do, but haven't had the time to get it fully off the ground. It needs a better design and I dont have the time. www.custompictureframing.com is what I have up so far.

I'll donate the free webhosting if this is something you wish to do with your own domain, or i'll entertain ideas and assistance if you want to revamp the one Ive already started.

It's a great idea. The FramerSelect site sends us a lot of leads because of their referral engine, PPFA is considering improvements to theirs soon (for members), Larson Juhl has listings for their partners, www.pictureframer.com and www.custompictureframing.com each do it free.

All industry related links help those involved get a higher popularity and ranking on the search engines.

Count me in too

Mike
 
I need a way of finding free hosting and any ideas that can make this different than just a list of names and addresses. I would like it to be a site that people will check back on for other interesting things.

Maybe a scrapbooking section since some grumblers do that as well, pet section (with framing suggestions), a framer spotlight for truly gifted individuals that bring framing to a higher level (Baer for starters), framing specials we could all run as part of framing month (I think it's october, but was thinking of next year).

I think at the least to start to compile a list basic info such as store name and location, contact info and website link to start. Maybe primary people at the store that customers are most likely to talk to. Specialties (brag a little) about the store etc.

Mostly we need a free host and ideas.
 
I like it. Will be thinking more about it today. Hope to have some ideas.

---
Mike
 
I like!

will noodle on some ideas today, most of the good ones come in the middle of the night though!
 
In a similar vein, is there anyplace here on the grumble where I can search on either a shop name or a town and find out if any grumblers work in a particular place?
 
This is a great idea. It is time for us to realize we need to market our industry instead of expecting the big boys to do it for us. Of course we let Framer Select get away because nobody wanted to pay for it. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.
 
This is a no brain "FREE" who would not!~
A man with time on his hands I knew we all liked you for a reason!~
 
Hi all,

Every one that wants in send me an email with your info.

I am thinking ...

store name
address
city state zip
phone number
website address (complete)
email
specialties
anything like a quote or what sets you apart from the competition
maybe a pic or two
basically general info and anything that might get someone in your door!!!

My email address is classicfandg@aol.com
I'm going to try and do this in my spare time but with a half finished house and a 21 month old at home my spare time is minimal at best.

IF you have any questions or comments feel free to email them as well.

Mike that webhosting sounds just like what I was hoping for. Greatly appreciated!!!

Now Grumblers lets put our own fate back into our own hands.

BTW any supliers want to get invloved let me know what your ideas are.
 
Bob,
I have sent you a message showing something I have been working on for the past week. I hope that will help. For those others I have been working on this site piggy backing on another site.
Framers Co-op

The forum part is for putting up ideas about marketing etc and to get people to commit to helping.
Similar how this thread has.
 
This sounds like a great idea, but rather than seeking free hosting, which might have limitations, how about seeking a sponsor instead? It might be necessary to get it up and running first, but sponsorship would at least cover the ongoing expenses of administration.

I'm no web expert, but my understanding is that the effectiveness of a site depends on its searchable key words and its position in the search engines. Favorable search positions are to be bought, are they not?

A sponsor's involvement could be as simple as a banner, such as we have on the Grumble forums.

Having a volunteer site would be better than nothing, but it would probably be a bare-bones design. Having a sponsor might facilitate development of a wonderful site.
 
OzDave - I have a question about the site that you linked.

Out of the 24 members, 6 have a webpage link. All 6 of those are for travel sites, and not one of them is about framing, or even art.

What is that all about? :confused:

ALSO - I tried to register, and the link from my email came up as 'page unavailable'.
 
Eric
As I said it has been piggy backed and is not up and running at this stage. It needs some work but as Bob had put the idea up I decided to show it a few days earlier than I had expected. I used a short cut to copy the info from a site already up and running and I need to do the data bases behind the scenes. I was hoping to work on it this weekend and have it running by Sunday. Give me a few more days and I should have an URL for you as well. Just waiting for my provider to set this up

Registering will be available by Sunday I hope
Sorry about the confusion. Its just showed everybody a sloopy site
Sorry
 
Everyone with their own websites needs to provide a link to the directory which will help give it much better search engine ranking.

If you decide to go up a little from free which I would recommend you might consider http://www.netfirms.com/
They are $4.95 a month. I have a temp site hosted with them and have not had any problems.

Cheers,
Mark
 
Candians too ....eh!

Looks like all these sites only have room for US - Can we play too?
 
Cliff,

My initial thought is to make it more than an index of framers.

Our industry has stores that do framing and gifts, scrapbooking, collectibles and more interesting things that participants may want to write articles about. I want to get the site (someday) to the point that people won't just go to it only when they want a framer but check it every so often to see what new article or advice is up concerning something that interests them.

I think cross promotion will drive more trafick to it than just having someone search on "framing".

The first generation of the site will probably be a bit simplistic to get something together but after the holidays I hope to build it into a real attraction for those most likely to visit our types of shops.

I have only received a few emails concerning interested participants information.

If you want in email me with the store info listed in an earlier post and a comment about your shop (BRAG about yourselves)

I will put up another post when it starts to look more like a webpage.

C-ya.

classicfandg@aol.com
 
HB,

All countries are welcome. The more the better.

I think I was out sick from school when we studied geography so for grumblers outside of the U.S. please send in your email what counrty, province, etc that you want included in your store info that I would probably never know to include.

Thanks.
 
A Web site like this is a great idea, and we just wanted to let everyone know that our company is in the process of developing a directory site like the one you have been discussing here.

We’ve secured a Web site domain, www.localframeshop.com, and when we launch, we will be able to automatically list subscribers of our magazines who own frame shops if they choose, so consumers can find them. Local Frame Shop.com will have educational material for subscribers, as well as content to educate consumers (in an open environment) to get consumers thinking about how things can be framed by custom framers, thus encouraging consumers to consult their local custom framer for unique framing ideas.

Also, while we’re on the subject of the Internet, we posted Steve McKenzie’s keynote address from DECOR Expo Atlanta on our Web site www.decormagazine.com or you can link to it through http://easylink.playstream.com/pfingsten/SteveMcKenzieKeynote.wvx.

Kristin Stefek and Gabe Kiley
 
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