Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

As you can imagine, I see a LOT of resale, consignment and thrift shop web sites. And I’m always on the lookout for good ideas and designs, and most of all, functionality, on these sites.

So here’s the Top Ten as seen this year, in my opinion. Take a look…then VOTE! Please notice that I restricted my choices to shops that have brick-and-mortar locations, since that’s what most of you have. Perhaps another time we’ll explore online-only shops and seasonal consignment sales.

What I was looking for: Besides the obvious does it work? and Is it carefully proofread? I was looking mostly for:

If I saw this web site, would it motivate me to grab up my wallet and go shopping?

Is it tempting enough that I’d send a link to it to my buddies who live in that area?

Does it make me feel like there are treasures to be had in the world of recycled possessions?

In other words: does this web site add to the perceived value of the shop’s offerings? Is it pre-educating customers well and elevating the status of “used” stuff?

So here they are, in no particular order. This year, I’ve added to my comments what I’d change if it were mine... mostly because I just redesigned my web site and am hyper-aware of how difficult it is to get every little nuance right. Take notes as you look through these, there will be a test at the end.

EDIT July 2012. The following site comes up as dangerous? hacked? in all my browsers. That’s all I know… http://www.dannieduluth.com/
why? cute links on the price tag, clean look, to-the-point copywriting.
what I’d change if it were mine: shop photos, at LEAST the outside, so I’d know when I got there, or so I’d notice it if on the way by. At least a LINK to a map if not a map on the site. But them, I am a map freak. A contact email address.

http://www.tradingplacescanada.com/
why? The main page graphic functions as a ad. The site is professionally done, leading you to believe it’s a much larger store than just 4000 sq ft.
what I’d change if it were mine: in the gallery, I wouldn’t insist on the customer taking one more step (emailing) to find out about the pictured items. That’s like having a customer on your sales floor have to dial a number to get a salesperson or even just see the price tag…and then check my messages an hour or a day later.

http://peoniescouture.com/
why? Another “clean” site, no blinking words or bouncing pigs or anything else to detract/ distract. Personality is rampant (notice their contact email name.) And most of all, because all this site is…is a well-executed blog. Blog. That’s as in free software. As in I can add to it any day all by myself.
what I’d change if it were mine: Again, no photo of the shop or its environs. What is this, is everyone ashamed of the look of their storefront?

http://thedressconsignment.com/
why? I defy any bride to look through this site and not make tracks over there ASAP. Or any single woman to go find a guy just so she COULD shop here.
what I’d change if it were mine: You have to look fast to see where to click for the gallery of shop photos. It’s only linked one place…on a page that is possibly the LEAST-visited on their site.

http://chictochic.com/
why? Photo of the shop front! Yay! Great about-us page makes you feel welcome even before you enter for the first time. Love the angled photos (angles=energy) and the lady dreaming on the park bench is eye-catching.
what I’d change if it were mine: The video is great, but a lot of effort was put into it, too much to allow it to date itself with a coupon offer that’s already past. Steer clear of limited-time offers if you want your masterpiece to last. Also, a procedural note: the site loses paragraphs at the end of each page when viewed in Firefox broswer instead of IE. Almost half of all viewers use Firefox now, so insistour site looks good on all browsers.

http://frontandcompany.ca/
why? Because with this site, No one would guess it’s a consignment shop! I hate that phrase, but you know exactly what I mean, don’t you?
what I’d change if it were mine: move it about 3,337 mi southeast. So I could shop there. Don’t you have possession-lust from this site?

http://www.amazinggoodwill.com/
why? This site, for the 30+ Goodwills in the Milwaukee-Chicago area, is full of stuff…and cheerful and bright. Something dear to me: the audio IS NOT turned on when you arrive there. (Click the radio controls upper right; it’s a cute jingle.) Don’t you hate sites which figure they have your ears in captivity? Me too. A site to study: even though their budget is probably multiples of yours, it’s an idea source to do your own!
what I’d change if it were mine: Not much. I mean, orange and lime’s not my color scheme of choice, but on them it looks good.

http://www.designitconsignment.com/
why? Tells a big story…including their staging and rental programs…in a direct and simple way.
what I’d change if it were mine: Got pages in the navigation (so people will click over to them) but have nothing on them? A giant no-no. Even if you haven’t any content yet, give the person who bothered to click something for her effort. Never ever just say “coming soon.”

http://hwga.com
why? Love the attitude and approach. Light-hearted and friendly.
what I’d change if it were mine: Put it all in one place. What’s the point of Twittering (signup required) to send people just to your Facebook page (another signup required)…never getting them to your site where your business is the star performer?

http://newleafgalleries.com/
why? Another good use of a blogging platform. Lots of info available at every turn. Interesting use of classified ads, although it didn’t seem to resonate with users. And let me tell you, I’m an expert on that.
what I’d change if it were mine: Same thing that I’d change on Trading Places. If it’s worth taking a photo of and posting, it’s worth 25 words of great selling copy and basic info, probably followed by Want us to measure it for you? Hold it til this evening? Call right now.

Okay, now let’s see what you think. Choose your 3 favorites. Vote. Your opinion is important!

See last year’s 10 Best

Take a cruise through the Sponsor Shops on HowToConsign.com

Don’t miss the mini-seminar on Perceived Value.