My LHBS

[BrotherMalice]

My Local Home Brew Shop has a very limited website that shows their contact details and not a lot more, I am teaching myself webdesign at the moment and am thinking of doing a basic site design for them to help them out a bit, they seem like a lovley old couple who run the place.

Do you think this is a good idea or a bit weird?

 

[Swift Pint]

I voted Other. Whilst I think it is a good Idea, it could easily end up being more than you bargained for. I think to build a decent website would be quite hard but enitrely possilbe given time etc. However the problem will arise with maintainence, you'd have to make it so it would be super easy for them to update prices and products etc, otherwise you will always be called on to update the site. Not to mention any tech issues that may arise.

I guess it depends on how much time you want to invest in this, how technical the owners actually are etc.
Good idea though :thumb:

 

[calumscott]

I went "other" too.

SP is on the money, you could quite easily get something together with pluggy-in tools, carts, paypal checkout and all that sort of stuff but the real question is "do they even want an e-commerce operation?" If they are as you say a "lovely old couple" then they could well be happy with their little lifestyle business that pays a few bills.

If that's the case then actually just something a bit nicer that showcases their product range without the online sales aspect might be a really nice thing to do for them and you might get a few bits and bobs buckshee in return or a wee bit of discount now and again.

Keep us posted, there's plenty here who'll cast a (constructive) critical eye over your handiwork!

 

[BrotherMalice]

I cant see them wanting an e-commerce site, I just thought it would help them out a bit and if they sell more they may get a better range of stock (thus giving me more choice when I go there)

With out going there I have no idea what they stock and therefore I shop online as the only time I can get to them is on a Saturday.

I am going to start work on it this evening and see what it looks like and go from there, I have emailed them to ask if they have any plans to update their website (I have not offered my services at this stage)

Thanks for the feedback so far though guys, when I get it online I will put a link in here for feedback :)

 

[graysalchemy]

An e commerce site is only one side of running an on line business. I run my own business and wouldn't want an e-commerce site as it doesn't fit in with my business model. Packing up individual orders for customers and running a retail outlet is not easy especially if perhaps you are a "lovely old couple" .

 

[Andyhull]

I voted good idea,

I did this because you are trying to help keep your LHBS open.
You are best off asking them if this is what they want though before you go putting any sort of work/time in.
They maybe just want their contact details there for local people to be able to find them!

 

[BrotherMalice]

I think I will get on with it anyway, I need the practice :)