Colleen brought up a great subject on another subject line and I thought it would be a great topic in itself.
Her comments are copied below:
“Where do people on these negative blogs get off thinking that $25-50 a year is expensive to run a website? If you look at the calibur of that MK website if you to go to an outside person to develop it and maintain it ..it would surely cost $1000.00 or MORE it is VERY professional.”
and from an expert in answer to her question:
“I think $50 is a fair price, but it certainly doesn’t cost MK that much to run it. They are just mirror sites basically. Even updating them can be done in a very short time. So they are making a little profit off the sites (I am sure they have hosting that offers unlimited sub domains and bandwidth, so it costs nothing extra to put up individual sites or to host them).
“But compared to Avon, it is a very fair deal. At Avon, you pay $7.50-9.50(depending if you are a recruiter) Every Two weeks for a site, and you don’t even get the e mail forwarding. You also only earn 20% off your sales. And your customers pay shipping if they want delivery to their house instead of through you. At $8.50 every two weeks the site costs you $221 a year,so $50 is a real bargain if you ask me.”
I promote my Mary Kay website at every available opportunity, and for me the $50 per year is a bargain AND worth the money. I get web orders all the time and many of my customers will host a “web party” for their friends if they are unable to host a personal party. I have customers all over the country, and web parties also allow them the opportunity to get hostess credit or gift. My website brings in a lot of money for me. I always educate my customers, and especially new and potential customers, about how easy it is to shop with me via the website.
Do you have one? Why or why not? How do you promote it?
Thanks, Colleen, for a great idea for a topic!
20 comments
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May 27, 2007 at 11:04 am
anonymous
I promote my website ALL THE TIME.
1. It’s on my business cards.
2. It’s in the signature line of all of my emails - personal and professional.
3. I offer a 10% off your first order on my website to new clients to encourage their reorders and train them to use my website.
4. My product reorder labels ONLY have my name, phone number and website address.
5. I promote all of the company promotions on my website (e.g., sweepstakes, holiday open house, etc.).
6. Periodically, I run sales that are only available when the order is placed through my website (I’m running one now to move spa products and eye pencils).
7. I send the Beautenews (or whatever that newsletter is called that the company sends out).
Yes, our websites are a bargain. I’m involved in an organization that has its website through Go Daddy and it costs us $8.95 or so a month. And we have to do all the design and updates. In fact, I’ve never heard one person say our websites were anything but a bargain (well, except PTers, but they complain about everything).
I find that my sales via my website are far higher than a sale via the phone. The difference is so great that I even try to talk my phone reorder calls (the ones that call me) into placing their order via my website. The selling point I use is that they can pay right there via credit card and it’s 100% secure - I don’t even see the card number. It doesn’t always work, but it works often enough that I continue to try. They like it so much that they then usually continue to do it.
Another way I get my phone reorders to place their order on my website is when I’m out of the current PCP gift with purchase (like I am now) and they are spending over $40, I let them choose any item $10 or less for free. They really like that and although my cost is $5 ($5 WS = $10 retail), they find other stuff they want and my sale increases. In case you don’t know, when their order comes in, you have to put in the final total and then choose “mark as paid” (if they’re paying by check) or “charge card” (if they’re paying by CC). So I subtract that $10 item, add the tax, put in the final total then charge the card.
May 27, 2007 at 3:58 pm
It's just me, Me!
Website orders are the bomb!
As a director with very little time to do classes, I rely heavily on orders from my website. And at $50/year, it’s a steal.
I call it like I see it. If I thought this marykay.com website thing was a rip off, I would tell my unit members not to enroll. But the MK company maintains it completely for you. They update all the new stuff, and have recently added the coolest features. IT IS SO WORTH IT.
The key is promoting it. No one will order from you online if they don’t know your web address! Promote, promote, promote. SELL it!
Consider me your director for just 2 seconds here. I challenge you all to create 500 coupons. Each coupon will read “$10 of free Mary Kay of your choice with your first online order.”
Yes, this will cost you time and money, but it will be worth it. You WILL see the financial pay-off to this. (within one quarter) Hand out those coupons as fast as you can. Get them out there. Mail them to friends. Get them in the hands of everyone you come into contact with for an entire week. Part of the “sell” on these coupons will be your appearance and your attitude as you’re handing them out. Dress professionally, smile, be polite and courteous, and be excited. People will remember you and will log in on your site just to see how they can get $10 free.
What a great way to generate some leads, move some product, add to your PCP list without spending a whole lot of your valuable personal time. And remember, web orders need to be treated the same way you would treat an order from a class. Work full circle. Book her (if possible) for a follow up, and share some company literature with her as well. I believe that times are changing and we don’t necessarily HAVE to hold tons of skincare classes to experience success in Mary Kay. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
May 27, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Pink Biz
Wonderful information and excellent idea to promote our PWS! Thanks!
May 28, 2007 at 8:33 am
Me
It’s Just Me, right—all you said! I’m sure my customers are like many–they like to shop on THEIR terms and if they know about your website, they will browse around there. Phone sales are great, but I feel that many think they are being “talked into” something that way, whereas on the website they make the decision. It’s easy to pay by check there too–all they have to do is click the “Contact Me” choice rather than paying by credit card.
Letting everyone know of this option is key.
Anonymous, what a good idea about the PCP. I still have some, but I find that often I will have someone have two or more orders within the same promotion time and they might not want two of the same thing. (Just happened yesterday in fact). We want to give them something, of course, but with many of my good customers, they are ordering two or even three times during one promotion. A discount or free item is perfect.
May 28, 2007 at 11:13 am
princessedamame
I don’t know what the MK IBC websites offer you, but the pricing seems a great deal compared to Avon. The last time I was in Avon, it was expensive, and I got one single sale through the website; it was from an avon.com referral. Whoopie! None of my customers wanted to use the site - they wanted the personal contact.
I suppose that it will all come down to what your customers want - if they want hassle free ordering and know what priducts they are interested in, they will go to your website. If they want the personal touch or have a lot of questions, they will call you.
May 28, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Rebecca
I made a pretty little $5 coupon that I offer as a choice to my customers as a gift with purchase. She can use the $5 coupon on her next purchase. I have a lot of customers who pick the coupon instead of the PCP featured gift.
May 28, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Colleen
http://www.nolimitsladies.com/2007/02/more_money_mondays_mary_kay_co.html
interesting opinion
May 29, 2007 at 1:18 am
kmhchimo
In Canada, if you attend Seminar, you can get your website at half price! smile kmh
May 29, 2007 at 10:07 am
princessedamame
Hi kmh - I remember you from PT - have you been banned yet?
May 29, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Dara
Now THIS is what I’m talking about, this is why I came to the MPT, FB and MKR blogs in the first place. Thank you so much for these tips and reminders. My website has generated enough sales to make it well worth my $50 yearly investment. The tips that I have gathered today will help me to generate even more interest, traffic and SALES!
May 30, 2007 at 9:21 am
AZ Anon
I totally agree with you, Dara!
May 30, 2007 at 11:59 am
Betty
Colleen, Thanks for that link! I think that is a fabulous idea! Inviting other women to your parties to network and connect! What a concept!! I’m going to have to try it.
October 17, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Vickie
How much does it cost to get started with Mary Kay? I sell Avon and am doing well, but am wondering what the comparisons are.I have had some people I talked to say that they buy Mary Kay and not Avon, so sometimes I wonder if I should sell both. Please let me know what is required to get started. Thank you.
October 17, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Me
Vickie, I’m not sure why you are asking this question here, but welcome! Do you know anyone that sells Mary Kay? If so, please contact her and she will be glad to give you the information. If you do not know anyone in Mary Kay that you would want to sponsor you, please visit http://www.marykay.com, scroll over to the right side, near the top, and click on the “Sell Mary Kay” icon for information.
October 18, 2007 at 10:54 pm
pynkmyst
I have had a lot of web orders so far this month… well worth it to me and hey… it is also deductible. I had a $14 order today, a $13 order yesterday, a $258 order & a $212 order last week… plus another $57… seems like I am forgettings some… doesn’t matter…
You get the point. Is every month like that… nah, but it easily pays for itself.
Don’t forget to offer your clients bonuses for sharing your site with others. I always offer $5 gift certificate for each referral that becomes a client…
Plus this is a great time of year to use something like evites to hold web post Thanksgiving sales, etc.
March 11, 2008 at 10:04 am
Jenna
Hi there,
I was thinking of ordering some MK Cosmetics online, but I’d like to ask some questions.
I know this may sound kind of stupid, but could you please tell me how it works? I see that I can order products online…but there isn’t anything about shipping and handling charges.
Is it possible to order online and just have my products sent to me? I do have to meet with a rep, etc.?
Thanks for your help. I hope to hear from you soon!
P.S. - Your site is wonderful, by the way!
March 11, 2008 at 11:04 am
Me
Hi, Jenna–I find it interesting that you know about THIS site, but have not visited marykay.com to find a consultant.
If you go to http://www.marykay.com there is an area where you can type in your zip code and be directed to a consultant in your area. All products must be purchased through a consultant with Mary Kay, they are not sold directly by the company on a retail level. If you know what you want, just contact the consultant and order. If you would like to try a product, or view colors, etc. you should schedule a time when you can do so. The consultant will go over this with you when you contact her.
The shipping charges to which you refer are what we as consultants pay when we order our wholesale products, if you are referring to what you have read on this site.
I hope this helps.
March 11, 2008 at 5:28 pm
anonymous
Jenna - There’s nothing about shipping charges to customers on marykay.com because nothing is sent from the company. And the benefit of having a local consultant is that you can arrange delivery however is best for you. Many of my clients pick up their products from me.
As far as having to meet with a consultant - that’s certainly up to you. But speaking as a consultant, I like to meet with everyone the first time they order from my website because it allows me to give them better customer service. I can get to know my clients personally and they stick with me longer because we develop a relationship. The big benefit for you is that you get to TRY the products and if you haven’t used MK before or in awhile, you can’t know what some of our new products are like. The other big benefit for you is that when you meet with a consultant, she can keep a record of your skin care and color preferences. I also record products my clients try so that if they come back to me in a month and say “remember that lipstick I tried at your house last month - now I want it” I can get it to her with ease.
March 15, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Jenna
“Me”, I did go to marykay.com to try to order from the site, but there wasn’t clear information on the site about whether or not I could just have the products shipped to me. I did a Google search and found this site and everyone seemed so knowledgeable that I thought I’d ask here.
Thanks for your help.
And anonymous, thanks very much for your help, too!
March 16, 2008 at 5:21 pm
pynkprincess
I love the website!
The ProPay debit card is also a GREAT advertisement for my Mary Kay biz!