Website Advice

Business By BatterUpCake Updated 26 Jun 2013 , 11:15am by SystemMod2

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kaylawaylalayla Posted 15 Jun 2013 , 7:07pm
post #31 of 134

good changes. heading in the right direction!  Also, I think make "batter up cake" font larger, and maybe consider a change of the back ground image.  I think your hearts in the right place and I know you can do a good job. Just keep working!

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BatterUpCake Posted 15 Jun 2013 , 7:16pm
post #32 of 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaylawaylalayla 

my suggestion for the grocery store vs custom cake section, if you decide to even keep it. is a table. keep it vague, simple and for the most part positive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by BatterUpCake 

 

 

 

Quote:
Originally P

I was on the phone earlier and just seen the table you posted. Can I use that?

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kaylawaylalayla Posted 15 Jun 2013 , 7:23pm
post #33 of 134

please do! customize it however you want, I tried to make it purple to fit into your theme.

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CCupcakez Posted 15 Jun 2013 , 10:44pm
post #34 of 134

I'm a bit behind on this particular thread, but I definitely suggest getting a web designer. Even if that means looking into your own contacts and getting a "favor" or some help in return for cake (yep that's how I do it lol).

 

Also check out freelance sites such as www.guru.com or www.elance.com or even Craigslist... I'm listed there for marketing and other business-related what not and do cheap stuff for small businesses. I can't be too much help with website design though ... I'm still working out the kinks of my own. I grabbed a cheap domain and got a godaddy.com account and built my site from there. I'm using a form builder through Google Drive as my online order form until further notice. Site visitors go to the site, fill in the order form and submit it. I'm notified via email every time I get an order. Not the most high-tech stuff but it's working well for now. Go to www.cemcupcakes.com to see what I'm talking about ...

 

I think the best tip is already out there .. keep it professional. I see the changes that you've made and you're definitely moving in the right direction, but there is much to be done if you want a top notch website to compliment what I'm sure are top notch cakes! Good Luck!!!

 

(Sorry so long ... I talk a lot lol) tapedshut.gif

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BatterUpCake Posted 15 Jun 2013 , 11:00pm
post #35 of 134

AI used a site builder site like godaddy and paid for my own domain

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sixinarow Posted 15 Jun 2013 , 11:11pm
post #36 of 134

I like the changes you made! I saw it this morning and thought it gave off more of a blog feel, but I think it looks great now. I like the way you added the "veteran owned and operated business" on the home page. I didn't see that before. :)

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CCupcakez Posted 15 Jun 2013 , 11:15pm
post #37 of 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by BatterUpCake 

I used a site builder site like godaddy and paid for my own domain

What sitebuilder are you using? I've had experience with quite a few of them so I may be able to give your some more specific advice...

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CWR41 Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 12:31am
post #38 of 134

Not words:
proprieter
reccomended
suprise (x2)
 

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 12:57am
post #39 of 134

AWhere do you provide information about the products you offer?

Get rid of "About Us" (it's redundant, include that info on the home page), "Guestbook" (that's what Facebook is for), and "Fun Facts & Trivia" (this can go on a FB page or a blog). "Favorite Sites" should be changed into a page where you coordinate with complementary vendors (florists, photographers, venues, etc.) in your area, perhaps you can work with them to put together packages for event.

I also recommend including your licensing info based on your state's cottage food law (if you are not issued a license number you can just say that you are operating according to the cottage food law rules).

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 1:01am
post #40 of 134

AAnd FYI, there is a Batter Up Bakery in Portsmouth VA that holds a live trademark. This may be an issue down the road if you end up expanding.

http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4809:2e23hl.3.1

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costumeczar Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 2:07am
post #41 of 134

A[quote name="jason_kraft" url="/t/759796/website-advice/30#post_7404698"]And FYI, there is a Batter Up Bakery in Portsmouth VA that holds a live trademark. This may be an issue down the road if you end up expanding.

http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4809:2e23hl.3.1[/quote]

If they're a registed business in the state of VA you won't be able to use that name as a business. I never even thought of how the cottage food law works with that, but if there's another business who's licensed with that name in the state then you should just change your name now and save yourself the trouble down the line.

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BatterUpCake Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 2:37am
post #42 of 134

AAlready checked with the Va trademark site and my name is available. I already talked with the Portsmouth lady. She had her LLC and has applied for a registered TM. Unfortunately for her she could not provide a physical address or any info about her livense

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costumeczar Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 2:42am
post #43 of 134

A

Original message sent by BatterUpCake

Already checked with the Va trademark site and my name is available. I already talked with the Portsmouth lady. She had her LLC and has applied for a registered TM. Unfortunately for her she could not provide a physical address or any info about her livense

I'm not talking about a trademark, I'm talking about the registration of a business name with the state. When you register for your business license you need to do a search to see if any other businesses are registered with that name in Va. If they are, you can't use it. Trademarking it is something totally different, anyone can trademark anything as long as it's not already trademarked and it gets approved. You should check with the county business license office to see what you have to do to register a DBA name. If she's already registered it you could end up having trouble down the line.

I have a friend who had that name for her business before she blew her knee out and had to stop doing cakes, but she was in Richmond. It's not an uncommon name...trademarking it might not even fly if they decide that it isn't unusual and original enough to trademark. I looked into trademarking my business name and decided it wasn't worth it since it's not an unusual enough name.

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 3:07am
post #44 of 134

A

Original message sent by BatterUpCake

Already checked with the Va trademark site and my name is available. I already talked with the Portsmouth lady. She had her LLC and has applied for a registered TM. Unfortunately for her she could not provide a physical address or any info about her livense

The information about her LLC is public record, you should be able to find it with a simple search. According to her web site she is already shipping her products to addresses within VA, so depending on her volume that could become a serious concern (considering the federal trademark establishes a date for prior art) since there is market overlap.

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Stitches Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 3:25am
post #45 of 134

The changes you've made today are big improvements from what I viewed earlier today. Good JOB! It looked too much like a personal blog than a business site. You're getting there....

 

One change I'd like to see is, increase your page width to decrease the amount of wall paper behind your text area. Are you creating at 100% scale? It looks like you might be designing your site while viewing it in a larger scale.

 

Another thing that could be improved (if your site will let you.....) is your site menu layout. Can you delete the folder symbol next to the text? It makes your site menu look amateurish.

 

The last thing I'd like to see is more contrast with your color choices. Purple is a great color, but I think you've got too much of it. Some people (like myself) are very color sensitive and I over dose on the amount of purple you currently have. I also buy according to how attractive the companies colors and logo are....it influences how long I'll stay somewhere and browse..There's an incredible website for choosing color palates (which I use all the time for cake colors too) http://pinterest.com/source/theperfectpalette.com/  I would suggest you find your color purple and then look for a palate using it that you really like. Keep in mind that there are certain colors that are food friendly and ones that aren't.

 

hth

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kaylawaylalayla Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 3:37am
post #46 of 134

ADoes it make a difference if its batter up cake? As opposed to batter up bakery? I suppose probably not

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BatterUpCake Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 2:15pm
post #47 of 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar 


I'm not talking about a trademark, I'm talking about the registration of a business name with the state. When you register for your business license you need to do a search to see if any other businesses are registered with that name in Va. If they are, you can't use it. Trademarking it is something totally different, anyone can trademark anything as long as it's not already trademarked and it gets approved. You should check with the county business license office to see what you have to do to register a DBA name. If she's already registered it you could end up having trouble down the line.

I have a friend who had that name for her business before she blew her knee out and had to stop doing cakes, but she was in Richmond. It's not an uncommon name...trademarking it might not even fly if they decide that it isn't unusual and original enough to trademark. I looked into trademarking my business name and decided it wasn't worth it since it's not an unusual enough name.

I have already dealt with this with the state. The state licensing place approved my name so either she doesn't havea license (you cannot cook from your home in this area) Or my name was different enough not to conflict. My license was approved

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BatterUpCake Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 2:17pm
post #48 of 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by CCupcakez 

What sitebuilder are you using? I've had experience with quite a few of them so I may be able to give your some more specific advice...

simplesite

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BatterUpCake Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 2:29pm
post #49 of 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWR41 

Not words:
proprieter
reccomended
suprise (x2)
 

never mind....I got it. Thanks

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 3:24pm
post #50 of 134

A

Original message sent by BatterUpCake

I have already dealt with this with the state. The state licensing place approved my name so either she doesn't havea license (you cannot cook from your home in this area) Or my name was different enough not to conflict. My license was approved

Your license being approved and your name infringing on her federal trademark in the case of market overlap are two different issues.

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BatterUpCake Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 3:45pm
post #51 of 134

AI have already checked all of this and our names are different enough. I went To the trademarking website and it said it was differentiated enough. I want to the state they said it didn't infringe on any other licensed businesses. And IRA got my LLC and it did not come up with any conflicts either everything has been taken care of. Her and I have already talked. You cannot operate out of your home in this area and you cannot be a business without having a business license. I am not saying she does not have a business license. I am just saying that when I went to the state they said the name did not conflict with any other business, same with the trademarking site. And the same with the LLC.

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 4:13pm
post #52 of 134

A

Original message sent by BatterUpCake

I went To the trademarking website and it said it was differentiated enough.

Are you referring to the VA trademark site? If so, she has a trademark with the US PTO at the federal level, not with the state.

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BatterUpCake Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 5:33pm
post #53 of 134

No....not VA. All of this has already been taken care of. My daughter and her husband own a restaurant (which is where I do my baking after hours) and they helped me with the process as well as doing research and talking with their business attorney. He directed told me what needed to be done. Even with their business The Cutting Edge, there are 2 other businesses in this area with the same name (not restaurants)That part is done..... I do appreciate you taking the time to bring this up though.

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 9:07pm
post #54 of 134

AI'm glad you've talked to an attorney on this, just be sure to get advice specific to your situation. A similar-sounding name in the same industry is very different from similar-sounding names (or even the same name) in two unrelated industries. For example, if Batter Up Bakery starts selling cakes wholesale and local stores in your town carry their products there could be the potential for considerable market confusion. Not so if a restaurant and a hair salon nearby are both named The Cutting Edge.

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CWR41 Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 10:02pm
post #55 of 134

Not words:
Co.is
accomodate
asterick
Orange Dreamcicle
Royal Rasberry
Rasberry
layerswere
respondedto
mailto:
Recomended
decided launch (decided to launch)
 

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BatterUpCake Posted 16 Jun 2013 , 10:05pm
post #56 of 134

AThanks.... I will fix em. Good lookin out

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BatterUpCake Posted 17 Jun 2013 , 2:26am
post #57 of 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWR41 

Not words:
Co.is
accomodate
asterick
Orange Dreamcicle
Royal Rasberry
Rasberry
layerswere
respondedto
mailto:
Recomended
decided launch (decided to launch)
 

I think I got all of them. I used to be a stickler for details and then became ill and that brought on a brain fog. It sure helps to have a second set of eyes.

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BatterUpCake Posted 17 Jun 2013 , 9:42pm
post #58 of 134

OK...I completely deleted the other site and started fresh. Please keep in mind that it is a work in progress. I know it needs some pricing info, etc...I need to lookback through all of the suggestions here. I think it looks so much more professional. But for now I need to get some baking done...Ciao

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BatterUpCake Posted 17 Jun 2013 , 9:43pm
post #59 of 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by BatterUpCake 

OK...I completely deleted the other site and started fresh. Please keep in mind that it is a work in progress. I know it needs some pricing info, etc...I need to lookback through all of the suggestions here. I think it looks so much more professional. But for now I need to get some baking done...Ciao

oops... www.NorfolkBatterUpCake.com

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CWR41 Posted 17 Jun 2013 , 10:38pm
post #60 of 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by BatterUpCake 

oops... www.NorfolkBatterUpCake.com


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