Imagine Retailer announced that brick-and-mortar furniture stores can increase profitability using fast, effective and affordable online selling solutions recently introduced by Imagine Retailer.
“Using our experience in retailing, marketing and programming, we’ve developed powerful solutions to maximize marketing dollars with a step-by-step system to convert website visitors to loyal customers,” said David Lively of Imagine Retailer. “For a very small portion of the typical advertising and marketing budget – just $399 a month – retailers can customize a unique website loaded with features.”
"Industry feedback was very positive when Imagine Retailer was introduced in Las Vegas in early December. Retailers don’t have time for complicated technical jargon, and they always appreciate our straightforward strategies and uncomplicated explanations,” Lively said. “We provide a comprehensive and transparent price list, just like you get from furniture manufacturers. And everything we do has only one person in mind: the retail customer. When we make her happy, everyone’s happy.”
Current research shows that 75% of consumers do research online before making a store purchase. “It’s very confusing to these customers when there’s no connection between a store’s website and their traditional marketing media in print, television, radio and direct mail,“ added Gregg Stopher of Imagine Retailer. Imagine Retailer websites bridge this gap and maximize advertising dollars by using traditional media to drive website traffic, where every visitor is tracked, traced and tempted with online-only offers, full-featured product galleries and relevant content.
“The level of detail we can provide about each website visitor is mindboggling,” said Rafferty Pendery of Imagine Retailer. Retailers will know exactly what page and product each visitor clicked on, how long they stayed, what they searched for, how they found the site, and what they were looking at when they left. Retailers can access on-demand reports in real time using a dashboard control panel, which is also used to choose options and order changes to the site. Changes can be requested at any time; up to four change requests each month are provided at no additional cost.
“One of the most frustrating things retailers encounter when trying to show their furniture online is finding pictures, descriptions and useful information from the furniture manufacturers,” said Lively. “We’ve eliminated that frustration because we manage the product gallery on the Furniture page for you.” Retailers can feature pictures, descriptions, dimensions, pricing or item numbers for up to 126 products included in the base price of $399 per month (additional items are $1 each per month). Customers can email, print and share products on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. A secure Shopping Cart module for $300 per month will allow retailers to sell furniture online. An interactive Room Planner can also be added to the site for $100 per month.
The basic package for $399 per month includes a Home page with flash animation, quick links to the online product catalog, a store locator, a search field and brand logos. Current advertising is prominently featured on every page. The Current Offer page asks for detailed customer contact information in exchange for online-only offers that drive store traffic. Customers will find links to online finance applications and detailed financing offers on the Finance page, or learn about the company on the About Us page. The Contact Us page includes a Google map with driving directions, prominent phone numbers and options to email the store or submit comments using an online form.
A blog page to engage customers can be added for $100 per month, including training on how and when to blog and where to find content. Up to four coordinating email marketing campaigns can be added for $100 per month, including access to e-newsletter content, list management and detailed reporting.
While each website is designed to be search-engine friendly so customers can find the retailer quickly, three additional paid Search Engine Optimization campaigns are also available. Other services include setting up staff email addresses, purchasing the domain name, logo creation and customized video production. Additional marketing services such as circulars, direct mail, national direct mail distribution and in-store signage are available to complement the online message.
Imagine Retailer is a joint venture between three companies, each of whom brings a unique perspective and skill set. Imagine Advertising & Publishing specializes in strategic marketing solutions. Flora and Gregg Stopher, along with a team of designers and writers, create print, direct mail, in-store signage, television production, radio and web design. “We blend the disparate elements of your marketing campaign into a comprehensive whole, which now includes a promotional website that can track, analyze & ultimately measure the campaign’s effectiveness,” adds Flora Stopher.
Studio98 designs and builds each website and provides search engine marketing services. While they created the complex code behind Imagine Retailer’s exclusive product catalog system and shopping cart, they also emphasize simplicity and statistically reliable results. “We have the technology and the brainpower to make anything possible online,” said CEO Rafferty Pendery, “but we know it has to be usable and user-friendly to do any good.”
The third party is The Lively Merchant, who will manage customer service and sales. As former owners of a retail store twice named one of the “Top 100 Independent Furniture Stores” by FurnitureToday, The Lively Merchant brings a retailer’s perspective to the venture. “Every feature, every benefit, every form, every instruction is geared toward retailers. We constantly listen to retailers’ needs then develop solutions that can be instantly and easily implemented in their businesses,” said David Lively.
Visit www.imagineretailer.com for a demo, testimonials and to learn more about online selling solutions from Imagine Retailer. For an interview, please contact David Lively at 800.549.9206 or david@imagineretailer.com.