8 Eyewear: From Idea, to Launch, to Growth (And Quitting the Job)

[mws87]

update.

I finally finished the new website.

www.IWEAR8.com

kinda had to. after that douche bag copied my site.

Looks great, @Vick! The new design is simple and straight-to-the-point, something more manufacturer's and retailers should do! Thankfully, short-cutter's are often outdone and prompt their targets to further outdo them.

Only 1 issue I'm noticing with the new design--and I'm not sure if it's only me--is when I click "shop now" on the home page, it just keeps me in a loop (on the home page). Just a head's up. Other than that, everything works great.

 

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[Vick]

Looks great, @Vick! The new design is simple and straight-to-the-point, something more manufacturer's and retailers should do! Thankfully, short-cutter's are often outdone and prompt their targets to further outdo them.

Only 1 issue I'm noticing with the new design--and I'm not sure if it's only me--is when I click "shop now" on the home page, it just keeps me in a loop (on the home page). Just a head's up. Other than that, everything works great.

hmmm works fine on my end. the link should go to the V.1 collection

 

[Vick]

I appreciate all the comments on the website.

our website needed an update anyway. I didn't change it solely because of that F*ck face.

I like to update the site at least once a year. keep things fresh.

 

[mws87]

hmmm works fine on my end. the link should go to the V.1 collection

Yeah, works fine in my mobile. Huh, maybe my browser was goofing. Woops! Sorry about that.

 

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[pgtownsyou]

update.

I finally finished the new website.

www.IWEAR8.com

kinda had to. after that douche bag copied my site.

I do like the simple layout, however, I do also miss the images that set the luxury tone for your brand. Keep up the good work and happy selling!

 

[Vick]

I do like the simple layout, however, I do also miss the images that set the luxury tone for your brand. Keep up the good work and happy selling!

the images are there. you can flip through them at the bottom right, or they rotate every 4 sec

 

[Vick]

I added a 3D viewer to the website

I have a quick link on the matte black page, see below

http://iwear8.com/collections/v1-collection/products/stealth-matte-black-v-1-polarized

Click 3D Model Viewer

Should work, however it does have to load the model for a few seconds. If your on your phone, finger rotates, 2 finger pinch zooms, and 3 fingers move the model. For desktop users, click and hold mouse buttons to rotate, scale and move the model

I cant setup the model to look like all the colors yet. for now its just a nice view of the V.1 model in 3D space.

 

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[theag]

As you sell mostly through your IG profile, I'm curious how your mobile/tablet/desktop conversion/revenue stats look in your shop. Whats the rough % of revenue per device type for you?

I'm trying to understand how the IG users think and act. Do they open the profile link? Do they see you on IG and then google you or type in the url directly? You dont seem to use shortlinks to track individual images etc.

Maybe you can shed some light on it with your site's analytics. Not in absolute numbers of course, just interested how it roughly spreads out in %.

Thanks!

 

[Supa]

I added a 3D viewer to the website

I have a quick link on the matte black page, see below

http://iwear8.com/collections/v1-collection/products/stealth-matte-black-v-1-polarized

Click 3D Model Viewer

Should work, however it does have to load the model for a few seconds. If your on your phone, finger rotates, 2 finger pinch zooms, and 3 fingers move the model. For desktop users, click and hold mouse buttons to rotate, scale and move the model

I cant setup the model to look like all the colors yet. for now its just a nice view of the V.1 model in 3D space.

Love it! Makes the buying decision a lot easier for customers in my opinion.

 

[pgtownsyou]

the images are there. you can flip through them at the bottom right, or they rotate every 4 sec

I must be missing them somehow. All I see on the homepage is the left hand side menu, and a large picture of the blue/black glasses with a shop now button.

 

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[Vick]

I must be missing them somehow. All I see on the homepage is the left hand side menu, and a large picture of the blue/black glasses with a shop now button.

Ya the Homepage only has that. The product pages have all the images.

 

[Bigguns50]

That 3D Efin' Rocks !

 

[pgtownsyou]

Ya the Homepage only has that. The product pages have all the images.

I was referring to the images that set the 'luxury' tone for the brand, such as the one with the ferrari and I think there were a few others.

As a heads up - I'm on my laptop now and I am also experiencing the endless loop from the "Shop Now" button on the home page. It worked properly from my desktop, so I'm not sure what's happening there. If I use the left hand nav bar it works fine. When I hover over both links they point to the exact same URL so it doesn't make any sens to me.

 

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[Vick]

I was referring to the images that set the 'luxury' tone for the brand, such as the one with the ferrari and I think there were a few others.

As a heads up - I'm on my laptop now and I am also experiencing the endless loop from the "Shop Now" button on the home page. It worked properly from my desktop, so I'm not sure what's happening there. If I use the left hand nav bar it works fine. When I hover over both links they point to the exact same URL so it doesn't make any sens to me.

Ya not sure what that is. Small bug maybe. My analytics tells me that all my traffic is finding the Collection page ok. But I'll message the developers and see what's up.
The images you were talking about was the banners and Instagram photos. I might add those again.

 

[Vick]

As you sell mostly through your IG profile, I'm curious how your mobile/tablet/desktop conversion/revenue stats look in your shop. Whats the rough % of revenue per device type for you?

I'm trying to understand how the IG users think and act. Do they open the profile link? Do they see you on IG and then google you or type in the url directly? You dont seem to use shortlinks to track individual images etc.

Maybe you can shed some light on it with your site's analytics. Not in absolute numbers of course, just interested how it roughly spreads out in %.

Thanks!

Hey sorry bud. Missed your message.
Not sure of the % of mobile conversions. My guess is its over 50%, my wife knows the number she said it was high.
Most visits from IG are from people clicking the link in my Bio. Unfortunately IG does not put links on individuals images, at least not click-able links.
My analytics says that most conversions come from Direct visits or Google. Which tells me they see our product on IG or FB, come to website, wait a few days or week to think it over, then they search us on Google or type iwear8.com, then buy right away. I also get alot of conversions from Retarget ads on FB.

 

[Aaron W]

Bumblebee Tuna to you Vick. You've done an awesome job and I'll be keeping up with this.

Hopefully you will be able to finally start your pet detective business on the side

 

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[exclusives88]

@Vick What is your conversion rate? I heard average in e-commerce is 2 -3%. However, I wonder if it is lower for products that are more expensive (over $150)?

 

[Vick]

@Vick What is your conversion rate? I heard average in e-commerce is 2 -3%. However, I wonder if it is lower for products that are more expensive (over $150)?

yes its a bit lower.

 

[youngtrep]

Just a heads up I am also having issues with the site. The home page would not load at all except for the left half of the page with logo, clicked sunglasses and got a 404 error then when I clicked gallery and went back to the homepage everything seemed to be working.

 

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[Vick]

update.

Apologies for being scarce my friends. Alot has been going on.

Anyway, I got sales back up. Waaaay up.

Our sales have gone through the roof over the past month, strictly from using Facebook. The other day $5k converted just from FB alone. After 1.5 years of dabbling with Facebook, I finally figured out a nice ad flow that works great... for me

Got a few pairs up on Amazon. Decided to give Amazon a try again. So far not much Revenue from there, I get the odd 1 every now and then.

New inventory and CAMO lineup for V.1 model will be here around June. Just placed a large order.

VX model should be out around July or August. Like usual, there was a lot of back and forth's with this model, changes to be made, etc etc. Much more complicated then the V.1 and much more expensive mold wise. Because of the Rubber and the Double injection molds we'll need. But I must say, it is looking awesome, very proud of this next model.

Instagram hasn't been converting lately so I took that Ad expense down drastically, I may even take a break from it for awhile and focus on FB, which is converting like crazy.

Wayfarer design (VR model) is almost complete, that will go into production within the coming months. And then after that, an Aviator will go into production next. Then another Sport model after that. then who knows.

We picked up about 5-6 retailers over the past couple months. So that seems to be growing as well.

Not much else to say.

Oh, my "company" car purchase will be a reality soon. Another goal crossed off the list so pretty excited about that.

oh 1 more thing. I hate the winter.

Peace

 

[putinwork]

Awesome update Vick! I always have a deeper love for Canadian progress threads (I'm in T.O too) - which is quite rare.

One question, how are your positioning your company car purchase? I know Canadian laws for this type of stuff is much more "strict" and from what my accountant has told me, it's not as easy as doing it in the US. They look at how many cars you personally have and ask for mileage logs when you expense a company car, unless you are plastering it with advertising wrap and doing photoshoots etc.

 

[JasonR]

Our sales have gone through the roof over the past month, strictly from using Facebook. The other day $5k converted just from FB alone. After 1.5 years of dabbling with Facebook, I finally figured out a nice ad flow that works great... for me

Love your process man. I saw @biophase 's car and sunglasses in person. The glasses look good man. I'm going to have to buy a pair.

 

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[Vick]

Awesome update Vick! I always have a deeper love for Canadian progress threads (I'm in T.O too) - which is quite rare.

One question, how are your positioning your company car purchase? I know Canadian laws for this type of stuff is much more "strict" and from what my accountant has told me, it's not as easy as doing it in the US. They look at how many cars you personally have and ask for mileage logs when you expense a company car, unless you are plastering it with advertising wrap and doing photoshoots etc.

My accountant had told me I can write off 40k for a company car purchase. The rest is out of my pocket.

Yes. I will be advertising with it. License plate. Possible wrap or magnetic decals. Pics for ads. Etc.

As long as your advertising. It's an expense. But only 40k can be written off.

 

[Vick]

Love your process man. I saw @biophase 's car and sunglasses in person. The glasses look good man. I'm going to have to buy a pair.

Sent you a message on FB.

 

[throttleforward]

I've been really inspired by your progress from the very beginning. If you can do it, anyone can do it if they work hard enough. Congratulations!

 

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[BlakeIC]

Would love to have bought a pair by now

But I have a Greek nose so I can never find a pair of fitting glasses nor sun glasses

Knowing that I am positive your sun glasses would not fit me sadly

 

[Vick]

I've been really inspired by your progress from the very beginning. If you can do it, anyone can do it if they work hard enough. Congratulations!

Thanks bud.

It is hard. But if you want it bad enough. It will happen.

 

[Iwokeup]

Thanks bud.

It is hard. But if you want it bad enough. It will happen.

I find it very refreshing that you're killing it OUTSIDE of Amazon. Just goes to show that not all roads are paved with AMZ gold.

Awesome progress dude.

 

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[TedM]

It is hard. But if you want it bad enough. It will happen.

Thanks for the update, Vick - and big congrats on your persistence and success.

I think you started this thread just before I joined the forum! It's like watching a classmate succeed - you keep rooting for him and motivating yourself at the same time.

 

[pgtownsyou]

Our sales have gone through the roof over the past month, strictly from using Facebook. The other day $5k converted just from FB alone. After 1.5 years of dabbling with Facebook, I finally figured out a nice ad flow that works great... for me

That is AWESOME! I've been working on improving my website sales via FB ads (until recently, 95% of my sales have come from Amazon). Any further details on your FB Advertising breakthrough would be much appreciated!