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Using tumblr as a simple web store?

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  • 16-05-2011 12:00am
    #1
    Grue
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭


    Hi,

    I am creating a simple web store, and have been toying with the idea of using tumblr. Before that I had chosen a nice wordpress theme, and was ready to get hosting and use that, but in these recessionary times, I thought it might be more prudent to simply use a freely hosted tumblr page, with paypal button integration.

    Do you think that doing so will put potential customers off as lacking proffesionalism? Or do you think it will be ok if the product being sold is good?


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    #2
    cormee
    Registered Users Posts: 1,801 ✭✭✭cormee


    Grue wrote: »
    Hi,

    I am creating a simple web store, and have been toying with the idea of using tumblr. Before that I had chosen a nice wordpress theme, and was ready to get hosting and use that, but in these recessionary times, I thought it might be more prudent to simply use a freely hosted tumblr page, with paypal button integration.

    Do you think that doing so will put potential customers off as lacking proffesionalism? Or do you think it will be ok if the product being sold is good?

    How can you not be willing to spend the €50 per year (or so) shared hosting costs? If you're unwilling to invest such a minimal amount in the project you should reconsider it.

    Tumblr isn't the way to do it. You'll have no control over scripts/code/SEO and yes, it would probably look unprofessional to your more web-savvy customers.


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    #3
    OctavarIan
    Registered Users Posts: 2,736 ✭✭✭OctavarIan


    Tumblr is a step sideways from Twitter; would you run a web store on Twitter?

    A Tumblr webstore would look totally amateurish, no-one would touch it.

    I have hosting and a domain for €19 a year, have had no downtime since last October when I bought the hosting. I use Lithium, they've great prices and customer service.

    I'll also echo what cormee said, if you can't even invest a paltry amount into your business, especially something as fundamental as the actual shop, then I'd reconsider even starting one. There's no excuse for not spending the price of a night out on a year's hosting.


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    #4
    Grue
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭Grue


    Well, I agree with what you guys are saying in one way. But on the other hand, there are some really nice templates available for tumblr, and I thought perhaps that I could use it to start out with, and get a better site when the time comes. To do things as they are needed in order of priority. Right now we are mainly focussed on putting the finishing touches to our actual product range. Perhaps we will use the tumblr for a few months to test the waters.


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    #5
    aidan_walsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,208 ✭✭✭✭aidan_walsh


    Look into a hosted service thats dedicated to doing the job right like Shopify rather than trying to turn a toaster into a Ferrari.


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    #6
    Grue
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭Grue


    Thanks for the advice guys, Shopify does look pretty nice.


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    #7
    Grue
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭Grue


    Honestly though, maybe I'm a bad judge of these things, but I think that my work in progress looks pretty good. And we are only selling one product, so perhaps we don't need so many features/


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    #8
    Fanny Cradock
    Registered Users Posts: 10,245 ✭✭✭✭Fanny Cradock


    If you think you are a bad judge then seek the advice of others (you do that even if you are a good judge). Post a link.


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    #9
    Grue
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭Grue


    Well the site isn't live yet, and it's still very much a work in progress, so please don't judge too harshly. None of the images, have been added, or the bulk of the information. http://bit.ly/lhhUhk (NSFW)


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    #10
    cormee
    Registered Users Posts: 1,801 ✭✭✭cormee


    Grue wrote: »
    Well the site isn't live yet, and it's still very much a work in progress, so please don't judge too harshly. None of the images, have been added, or the bulk of the information. http://bit.ly/lhhUhk

    You might want to warn people that that link is not safe for work.


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    #11
    Fanny Cradock
    Registered Users Posts: 10,245 ✭✭✭✭Fanny Cradock


    I wasn't expecting that!


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    #12
    Grue
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭Grue


    Do you mean that the site looks better than you thought Fanny? Or are you just referring to its content?

    I would if possible rather just stick to the topic of whether this tumblr page, as a webstore, will be sufficient.


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    #13
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    For one you should include a "Are you over 18?" with JavaScript or whatever date of birth checker. Even if theres no porn on the site I think it is still a requirement if your selling adult content, I may be wrong, however. Also I would reccomend investing in web hosting and installing Wordpress or whatever over tumbler, yes tumbler may work, but I wouldn't be too supportive purchasing off a site hosted by free-web-hosting.com which this essentially is, best of luck anyways ;)

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



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