Today we would like to spotlight the winner of the 2009 ‘Celebrate Excellence Website Contest’, Rose Merritt, from Rosabella’s Garden Bakery in Bow, WA. www.rosabellasgarden.com
Rose managed to find some time this spring (not an easy thing for a farm marketer to do) to tell us about her website and business.
Rose managed to find some time this spring (not an easy thing for a farm marketer to do) to tell us about her website and business.
NAFDMA: Rose, love the picture of you, Allan and Lili Bella. It’s fun and really sets a tone. Your web site has great photography. Can you share with us your philosophy regarding the use of images?
ROSE: The American Gothic photo of Alan, myself and Lili Bella was done as a joke for a local group here in our Valley called Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland. We asked for the lifesize cardboard cutout when they were finished with it at their annual dinner, so they gave it to us along with photos by a local artist on CD. We liked the message the photo conveyed so we submitted it to the web designers. Apparently, they found it befitting as well.
Our main desire for our website was authenticity; we wanted the website to convey exactly what we look like and what we do as a mom & pop small family farm. The website tells our story.
NAFDMA: What feature on your website are you most proud of?
ROSE: I like that our photos and address and contact information appears on every page, just the way Jane Eckert and John Stanley have been preaching to us at NAFDMA for years. I also love all the food and flower photos. I took all the photos for our website except the American Gothic.
NAFDMA: How do you generate traffic to the website?
ROSE: Since we chose a destination website over a commerce one, we generate most of our traffic during apple season. Folks who are seeking U-Pick apple farms google and find us. We pay to be aligned with Puget Sound Fresh farm guide and the famous Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in our area, both of which give us great exposure as a destination. Folks see our beautiful country red barn, rustic bakery items and gorgeous flower gardens on the website and they put us on their "must visit" list.
ROSE: Since we chose a destination website over a commerce one, we generate most of our traffic during apple season. Folks who are seeking U-Pick apple farms google and find us. We pay to be aligned with Puget Sound Fresh farm guide and the famous Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in our area, both of which give us great exposure as a destination. Folks see our beautiful country red barn, rustic bakery items and gorgeous flower gardens on the website and they put us on their "must visit" list.
NAFDMA: Words of advice for those looking at starting a website or making improvements?
ROSE: Be sure to reflect your authenticity by using real life photos. Cartoons and clip art are poor substitutes. Put your address and a map in plain site, preferably on every single page. Once folks turn the page they seldom turn back. Make customers want to find you. Put your face on the line. Beautify your place and make it as unique to you as possible. Make it worth the trip, especially if you are off the beaten path like we are.
ROSE: Be sure to reflect your authenticity by using real life photos. Cartoons and clip art are poor substitutes. Put your address and a map in plain site, preferably on every single page. Once folks turn the page they seldom turn back. Make customers want to find you. Put your face on the line. Beautify your place and make it as unique to you as possible. Make it worth the trip, especially if you are off the beaten path like we are.
NAFDMA: What’s your biggest challenge with your website?
ROSE: Good web designers are busy and tend to put you in a queue. It took over 2 years to get my website launched. Ask about all costs involved; they can be expensive especially monthly upkeep. They didn't reveal that part to me. We are unable to go in and make changes to our hours to reflect our slow seasons without paying a fortune. Designers are in it for the money so try to get it done right the first time. Recessionary times are challenging so most of us need to cut expenses where we can.
ROSE: Good web designers are busy and tend to put you in a queue. It took over 2 years to get my website launched. Ask about all costs involved; they can be expensive especially monthly upkeep. They didn't reveal that part to me. We are unable to go in and make changes to our hours to reflect our slow seasons without paying a fortune. Designers are in it for the money so try to get it done right the first time. Recessionary times are challenging so most of us need to cut expenses where we can.
NAFDMA: How long have you been a NAFDMA member?
ROSE: We have been members for about 10 years now. I missed a few as they seem to be getting very expensive and I now have to pick and choose. It's hard to afford much travel during a recession when customers have curtailed their spending and we must do likewise.
ROSE: We have been members for about 10 years now. I missed a few as they seem to be getting very expensive and I now have to pick and choose. It's hard to afford much travel during a recession when customers have curtailed their spending and we must do likewise.
NAFDMA: Why do you come to the NAFDMA convention?
ROSE: To refreshen our business. I am always seeking solutions to everyday business challenges such as: people who use us as a restroom stop or dog potty stop or to dump their auto trash. We struggle daily to find positive ways to deal with such issues. On the NAFDMA trips, I try to network with others for good insights to affect positive behaviors.
ROSE: To refreshen our business. I am always seeking solutions to everyday business challenges such as: people who use us as a restroom stop or dog potty stop or to dump their auto trash. We struggle daily to find positive ways to deal with such issues. On the NAFDMA trips, I try to network with others for good insights to affect positive behaviors.
NAFDMA: Why would you encourage others to attend?
ROSE: It could change their way of doing business. There is always room for improvement and positive change. When this many people come together and talk and share, you can't help but learn new ways of doing business. Everything helps. We were really in trouble in our business by the time we started coming to NAFDMA. Our eyes were opened, new energy and creativity awakened, and over time we were able to apply our new knowledge and reinvent ourselves. We are still in business when others around us have disappeared.
Thank you Rose! We hope to see you in Lancaster in February 2010.
ROSE: It could change their way of doing business. There is always room for improvement and positive change. When this many people come together and talk and share, you can't help but learn new ways of doing business. Everything helps. We were really in trouble in our business by the time we started coming to NAFDMA. Our eyes were opened, new energy and creativity awakened, and over time we were able to apply our new knowledge and reinvent ourselves. We are still in business when others around us have disappeared.
Thank you Rose! We hope to see you in Lancaster in February 2010.
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