Hi Tom,

For ADayattheBeach.com, I'd first look at re-designing the sight. When I first logged on I thought you were selling posters of bikini clad women. It looks (no offense intended) home made and that is not really what you want for your online store.

For examples of more pro-looking sites check out Marthastewart.com or Redenvelope.com They are clean mean selling maschines. Comb through sites such as these to get a better sense of how your site's look can better serve you.

Next, how are sales from your website so far? If not too great, look at some of the items you are selling. Many of which are readily available to people in their local stores. I wondered, "why in the hell do I want to buy Banana Boat Sun Block on the net?". People like unique things and/or bargains. Rather than a regular old sun ubrella, sell a variety of novelty umbrellas that are wacky, colorful, artistic, creative. Commission an artist to paint umbrellas, bikinis, hats a la Van Gogh.

People also like ideas. Produce a fun news letter for your customers with ideas of what people can do at the beach, which beaches are nicest, recipes of things to make to take to the beach, how to organize a beach party, etc. Provide some sort of stastic or trivia people ususally don't know in relation to the beach or ocean life. Something like, "Did you know you can be jailed for sun bathing nude at Doheney State Beach?". Then come back with a listing of nude beaches all over Southern Cali. because it would really suck to be in the slammer naked. (For more ideas on what to include in your news letter you'll have to pay me... hee hee hee).

Now go get 'em!

Tom,

How are you advertising for your site? Are you tracking all visits to your site to see where they are going? Those are some good ways to see how people react to your site and what they want the most. Are you referring these items from different sites (i.e. Amazon, are you housing/shipping the items yourself (which can be much more costly) or are you JIT shipping the items?

Matt