Lingerie advertising

I seem to have spent the whole day today messing around with the new photographs - trying to come up with attractive ways of using them on the website. I was hampered by my struggle with Paint Shop Pro - a programme I've never really used for anything other than resizing photos.

If we have a manual for it, I've no idea where it is, so it's just a case of trial and error (lots and lots of error, particularly). Anyway, I did come up with something in the end.

The brief was to create an image that I can use on the homepage of the lingerie website when I add new items. Usually, I just have a big sign saying 'New items...' and then four little pictures - which you can click on to take you to the individual product page. Tis rather boring and unimaginative though. You can see that not much effort goes into it (what you can't see is that I spend hours putting just a few new items on the website - it ain't up to much).

After going through the whole rigmarole of adding new items, I don't think I have the energy to create an exciting image for the homepage.

Anyway, what I really wanted to do is to create what I thiiiink is called an image map - where different parts of the picture link to different things. So I could have lots of different products incorporated into one image, and then if you clicked on the product, you would be taken to the individual product page.

I haven't got as far as investigating image maps though - the picture above was just an experiment in manipulating individual images into one.

I did a little bit of research into it, and a more popular idea seems to be to use just one picture - a big striking, dramatic picture, with just a little bit of suggestive text. However, the websites that did this were all big brand names, and it seems to me that if you're visiting the website of a big brand, you're not going to be put off if you don't like the advertising image on the homepage. You know from personal experience - or from their reputation - that they're going to have something you like.

By contrast, with a small, unknown business like mine, you need to find something that will catch the reader's attention immediately. I read somewhere that an incredibly high proportion of visitors to any website will not go any further than the first page, before they hit the back button.

Anyway, tomorrow I will see if I can find out how to create image maps - or whatever they're called.

DGBVintage update

As always, when I'm bear-making, I neglect the lingerie site (and vice versa), although lingerie sales have been pretty good recently. I sold two of the mega-expensive pieces that I was moaning about in a previous post!

I seem to have hit a brick wall so far as bear-making goes, so I thought I'd spend some time on the lingerie.

I have listed 10 full-slips in a bust size 32 (on the basis that, with my clunky, hand-built website, its easiest if I only list one type of lingerie, in one size, at any one time). There are some really lovely items: there are always loads of tiny sizes when you're collecting vintage lingerie - so although I'd rather my site wasn't known for size zero lingerie, listing tiny sizes is an effective way of showing a particularly wide range of styles.

A strapless slip, by Wonder Maid. I've had a few of these - they are lovely. I wish I could wear them - although not being particularly supportive, I doubt anyone above a B cup can get away with it - even with a bra underneath.

This is a really, really tiny thing. It has a metal side zipper - and even on my puny, size 8 mannequin, the side zipper wouldn't do up. It is a lovely shape though, with a high neck and fitted bodice. I have termed it a 'pencil slip', because the skirt tapers from the hips down. I have never seen another one on sale.

A blue mini slip - actually made from double-layer chiffon. This came from a lot which was all British-made lingerie. Most of the lingerie I sell is American - the Vanity Fairs, Olgas, and Van Raaltes - and the British stuff is actually really different. The fabric, although still 100% nylon, is different from the American version. It is thinner and less sturdy, and the straps don't have sliders on them. None of the British pieces from this particular lot have brand names on the labels, so I'm wondering whether they were actually intended to be cheap and cheerful (so to speak).

Anyway, in spite of the thin fabric, and the non-adjustable straps, some of them are really pretty - certainly, there's a much wider range of colours and patterns than you would get if you bought a typical lot of American vintage lingerie.

And a Fischer slip! If you're into vintage lingerie, and you have never seen a Fischer satin slip, I would recommend them. The rayon satin is wonderful - really heavy and silky - and they are always really well fitted.

Anyway, I just thought I would share some of the new items with you. I have just realised that I don't have a link to either of my websites on this blog (duh!). I will off to do it now!