New online store for home automation gear!

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › New online store for home automation gear!

SumnerBoy

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Topic # 136631 3-Dec-2013 22:55

Hi there,

I have just launched a new online store here in NZ for home automation equipment, called Smart Things NZ.

It is mainly Fibaro gear but I am also looking to import more stuff from overseas, mostly Z-Wave devices initially, but open to other suggestions!!

Check it out - www.smartthingsnz.com - if you are interested.

There is also a Twitter feed - SmartThingsNZ - for the latest news and product updates.

Cheers!
Ben

DISCLAIMER - I am the owner/director of Smart Things NZ!!

Edit: fixed URL link

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Infrastructure Geek
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Reply # 945034 3-Dec-2013 23:12

your www site URL is broken, might need to add an http:// to the start of it..

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SumnerBoy

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Reply # 945041 3-Dec-2013 23:19

Thanks Regs - fixed!

timmmay

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Reply # 945083 4-Dec-2013 07:59

One person supports this post

When I search for things in NZ on google I use "site:nz". Your website wouldn't register in my searches. NZ websites should have a .co.nz domain

andrewNZ

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Reply # 945084 4-Dec-2013 08:06

Kind of agree with timmay, I'm always wary of a .com site that's trying to look like a NZ site.

You also need a FAQ page which should include shipping info and your returns policy.

Location: Dunedin

SumnerBoy

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Reply # 945085 4-Dec-2013 08:07

Thanks Tim - good point - there is a .co.nz domain however - www.smarthings.co.nz - which redirects to the store. www.smartthings.co.nz was not available and I just felt that www.smartthingsnz.co.nz was a few too many NZs!

I have yet to sign up for Google Ad words, and have to learn a bit about how it all works, but I am hoping that will help point people in the right direction.

Any tips or suggestions would be great :).

andrewNZ

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Reply # 945088 4-Dec-2013 08:12

As a general warning, make certain that anything you do import and sell is electrically compliant for AUS/NZ. It will save you a LOT of trouble.

Otherwise, nice site. :)

Location: Dunedin

SumnerBoy

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Reply # 945089 4-Dec-2013 08:12

Ok - fair point guys - I have just registered http://www.smartthingsnz.co.nz and am in the process of setting it up to redirect to the store.

SumnerBoy

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Reply # 945091 4-Dec-2013 08:15

Yep - thanks Andrew - this stuff is all compliant - so far I will only be importing Aeon Labs ZWave gear which is already available in Australia via other importers. It is just not available here in NZ - hence the idea for this store.

Good idea re. the FAQ. I will look into adding that. The idea is the store is very simple. We only ship to NZ and there is a flat fee of $10 for all orders.

timmmay

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Reply # 945092 4-Dec-2013 08:19

I'm not sure I understand. www.smarthings.co.nz redirects to the domain you posted above www.smartthingsnz.com. You'd be far better off running the whole domain on www.smarthings.co.nz

No matter how much SEO you do you won't get people who search using site:nz queries. A redirect isn't counted as a website.

SumnerBoy

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Reply # 945100 4-Dec-2013 08:32

Cheers guys - as I said I am pretty new to all this so still finding my way a bit. Appreciate your feedback.

sleemanj

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Reply # 945179 4-Dec-2013 10:17

Since you are dealing with mains voltage stuff, Have you ensured you have all the necessary documentation prepared should somebody request it, worst case that somebody being MED?

SDOC for a start; http://www.med.govt.nz/energysafety/appliances-fittings/electrical-appliances-fittings/medium-risk-products/supplier-declaration-of-conformity

---
James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

SumnerBoy

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Reply # 945190 4-Dec-2013 10:24

Hey James - yeah I am dealing with the Fibaro distributor here in NZ who has all the necessary documentation.

jarledb

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Reply # 945360 4-Dec-2013 14:04

So, one big thing I would fix if I were you:

Contact information needs to be more than just an email address if you want me shopping with your shop. You need a phone number and your address up there as well.

Just showing an email address as contact information looks dodgy to me.

PS: Google gives away money to start up Adwords. Be careful not to use too common (broad) search terms, they are always expensive and will likely not end up getting you any customers. Ideally you should have Google Analytics set up with conversion tracking so you know which search terms produce sales and which are just a waste of money.

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SumnerBoy

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Reply # 945364 4-Dec-2013 14:07

Thanks Jarles - I have got Analytics running but still getting my head around how it all works. I will have a look at the conversion tracking as you mentioned.

I have set up a very low daily limit for Ad Words initially, just to see how it works.

I am going to get busy with some other SEO techniques to try and get the site showing up in search results.

I take your point re. the contact information. I will update that right now!

nakedmolerat

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Reply # 945411 4-Dec-2013 15:09

Do you have gallery on trademe?

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