Rabbitry "BUSINESS" (1st Topic) : Website discussion

[TinysMom]

I thought I'd start a series of topics (a few days or a week apart) on some of the parts of having a business side to your rabbitry...and here is our first topic.

Do you have a website?

What do you feel should be on a website?

What do you look for when you look at websites of other breeders?

To our non-breeders:

What would you like to see on a website if you were browsing for rabbits (even if you only get yours from rescues)...

 

[massie777]

i think whats good to have on websites if your breeding or rescuing is the rabbits that you have for sale/adoption should have pictures and good descriptions of the rabbits. People love to see pictures and i see alot of breeder websites don't have alot of pictures of the rabbits.

 

[paul2641]

TinysMom wrote:

I thought I'd start a series of topics (a few days or a week apart) on some of the parts of having a business side to your rabbitry...and here is our first topic.

Do you have a website?

What do you feel should be on a website?

What do you look for when you look at websites of other breeders?

To our non-breeders:

What would you like to see on a website if you were browsing for rabbits (even if you only get yours from rescues)...

Loads of pictures of the breeders set up, All there breeding rabbits shown so I no the standard there kept in. Loads of information given on the site to help me if I'm starting out, And the breeders daily life while working with the rabbitry.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Do you have a website?

Yes. http://oakridgerabbitry.bravehost.com

What do you feel should be on a website?

I like to see ALL the bucks and does on their respective pages. Some breeders only include their show animals on their website, but I prefer to see the whole herd and what they're working with.

I also want pictures and a description of sale rabbits on the sale page. If I see "Broken Tort Junior Buck" in only text, no picture, no description, I will more than likely not bat an eye at it and will move onto another site. If you're too lazy to keep your website updated, DON'T have one!

Sales policy, to protect yourself and let your customers know your policy right up front.

Links page. If you don't have one, no one will link to you and no one will ever find your website.

Those are the neccesities, IMO, but I do have some extra things on my site, as you can see.

What do you look for when you look at websites of other breeders?

Same things as above.

Also, I only frequent websites that have an update date and are updated often.I tend to ignore sites that are never updated...I feel like seeing what's available NOW, not what was available 5 months ago when you last updated.:rollseyes

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

what i would like to see on a web page if i was considering a rabbit from anywhere are complete and clear policies of the procedure in which you will acquire a rabbit. What is expected from you and what is expected from the person or agency that you are getting your rabbit from. There is nothing more frustrating when you are (in my case adopting) going to get a rabbit and there policies, and procedures are not clear and you have to keep emailing them. I like to look at sites that are easy to follow, where everything is in a place that you can easily follow, and find what you are looking for, again there is nothing more aggravating when i go onto a site and i cant find what i am looking for because they have it in the most craziest spot,lol.

lastly i LOVE PICS!!!!! I have been on breeders sites and i love to look at the pics of the babies, and mom and dad.

Also i dont know if this is appropriate or not but i love personal stuff, and i know in light of things that have happened someone who breeds might be hesitant to share anything on a personal level, but i love personalization of things. like i like to read short stories about each rabbit or the rescue (in my case my experience is with rescues), i love to read about the rabbits personality and t hings like that. i dont know if this is ok with breeder sites or not.

 

[TinysMom]

Here are some more specific questions...

Do you post your phone number on your website?

Your address?

Do you have an "about me" section so people can learn about you?

 

[polly]

My website is www.cinabunstud.co.uk

I have a contact page with my phone numbers and email but I do not have my address on it. I try to put a bit aout us on our homepage including what clubs we are affiliated with and that we are BRC members.

I have all the rabbits pics up by colour.

I have a rabbit is for life for people to read!!

I have a for sale page that I update when I need to and yes I do include pics of rabbits for sale.

WHat I do not agree with is baby rabbits that are less than 6 weeks old being shown as in "in the nest" pages I dont mind sharing on forums but I do not think the general public should see them as you dont know at that point what you are keeping and the baby is not going to look like that even at 8 weeks. If someoen is serious about rabbits and comes to my shed then fair enough but not over internet to my mind.

ps I hope my website is all right Lol I was maing some adjustments and have still to finish checking it!

 

[DyemondRabbitry]

Website: www.dyemondrabbitry.com

What should be on it: Everything a breeder can. I like to see the set-up, the people I'm dealing with and LOTS of animals. My page doesn't have pictures of us (yet) and my new set up is still being built so when it's up it will be on there.

Phone Number and address: yes, so they can contact me.

About me: Well, sort of. I have a "mission statement"

 

[Erins Rabbits]

Do you have a website?

Yes; http://www.meadow-view-rabbitry.webs.com/

What do you feel should be on a website?

I have information, pictures, winning of every one of my rabbits. I update at the very least once a month with new pictures, an updated sales list, and, I'm really considering starting a blog on-site.

Really, if you want to see, just click the link.

What do you look for when you look at websites of other breeders?

The standards- I want pictures of the sale rabbits, I want picture of every rabbit theyre working with, I want proper information and speels on each rabbit.

Do you post your phone number on your website?

No no no no and no again. If we have a sale going on, I MIGHT give you my phone number but don't expect it unless it's nationals or something with a lot of people, just so you can find me.

Your address?

NO. Oh, wow, That's, um ridiculous to expect? I sell at 4-h meeting, and shows. If you contact me about picking up a rabbit in the off season I'll meet you at wal-mart. You will never ever come to my home or into my rabbitry unless you're a trusted friend. The horror stories (and my own experience) are enough for me to keep a closed doors policy.

Do you have an "about me" section so people can learn about you?

Yes, I do. It's actually about us and tends to lean more to the rabbitty side of us, but I'm working on fixing it as we go.

 

[DyemondRabbitry]

I don't believe I would be inclined to purchase a rabbit if I could not see the entire herd when going to pick it up. A big thing with us is uniformity and care of all. But I've never had the horror stories either... I believe if you would like to take my husband on you've got to be crazy enough.

With that said, we always have at least two people present when selling.

 

[Spring]

As someone who has looked at breeder's websites before, here are the things I look for and the things that make me not want to support the breeder..

Things I love to see on a breeder's website..

• An about me or a missions statement. Just to get a feel for why the breeder is breeding, their goals and just a small blurb so I somewhat know what their rabbitry is all about
• Their past showing experiences/awards. If I find a breeder who frequents shows that are not strictly local, it shows me they are dedicated to showing and breeding to improve the breed and go out of their way to do so.
• Their past/current breeding's. If I find out a breeder was cross breeding just to see 'what the babies would look like' this is an immediate red flag and something that will automatically not make me want to support that breeder
• Clear and reasonable sales policies. I do like to see that breeders will take back rabbits if a rehoming doesn't work out - shows me they are dedicated to the welfare of that rabbit and just doesn't want to 'get rid of it to never see it again'
• Pictures of the current rabbits and information about reasons for breeding practices (to improve certain trait, etc rather than just throwing two rabbits together)
• Professional set up with clear information and easy on the eyes.

Things that I do not personally like to see on a rabbitry website..

• Frequent spelling errors/improper grammar. If I find it hard to read, I just will skip that website. Spell check is important!
• Unprofessional looking. So lots of glitter, inappropriate animations, cluttered, etc.
• Lack of show experience. This is only my personal opinion and not to knock 4H, but especially with youth breeders - I would need to see something other than just the local 4H breeding projects. If they show an effort tojoin ARBA and attend shows, it means they are attempting to really make a difference and will make a sacrifice to attend these shows.
• The advertising to sell babies younger than 8 weeks

So there are my thoughts as someone who once was looking for a certain breed with no breeding experience. What I want to see in a website is the reasons why I should consider this breeder reputable, therefore support them by buying a rabbit from them.

 

[TinysMom]

These are two templates I'm looking at on godaddy.com for a site...which one is better for rabbits?

http://162.coolexample.biz/

http://25.coolexample.biz/

I was going to go with the second one - but I'm thinking I like the first one better.

Obviously the pictures and stuff will be changed because it would be rabbits.

 

[pamnock]

Those are both nice, professional layouts. My personal preference is #2,

Pam

 

[TinysMom]

pamnock wrote:

Those are both nice, professional layouts. My personal preference is #2,

Pam

But how would you stretch out the picture like that of one rabbit at the top? Unless I found a way to do a collage...

I do like that one also....

 

[maherwoman]

I love Spring's ideas...and agree completely...

One other thing that has been difficult when looking at breeder pages (such as, when looking for a Flemish breeder), was the fact that many don't update them regularly. So, I found many that hadn't been updated in many months, and thus I couldn't see what current litters they had, what bucks and does they were actively breeding, etc.

So I guess...updates! I know that rabbitries have a steady stream of litters, but maybe figure out an easy way to post about new litters (once they're weaned)?

I guess that's another thing...I've encountered sites where someone will post a picture of the litter so young, that your average pet bun owner won't be able to tell what the buns will look like once they're a bit more grown. I think by the time it's time for weaning, they're much easier to tell. Does that make sense?

I've also had a bit of a pet peeve with organization...such as making a little menu saying "current litters" and "bucks and does" and such so that it's easy to navigate...along with making sure things like captions for pictures are lined up underneath the picture, and not on the same row and then going beneath (hope that makes sense).

Maybe include some basic rabbit information; such as information about health, care, dietary stuff, what you feed your rabbits (so someone getting a bun can buy more of the same), things you recommend specially for that breed (like with lionheads, grooming tips and ideas), etc.

I hope all those make sense...let me know if they don't!

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I want to see pictures of the bucks, does and some babies. The babies don't have to be current, but a few would be nice. If there are multiple breeds, each breed should be a section, then by sex. Each adult rabbit should have the name, colour, birthdate and some other info like a story, where the rabbit comes from (self bred or form another breeder) and any winnings.
For kits, I would like to know if a litter has been bred/born and pictures when they are older and ready to go. Some updates like sex, colours and when they will be ready is a good idea.

Contact info is a must. An e-mail address and at least the general area are the minimum that a breeder should have. I don't need a phone number, specific address, but something is good. There is an angora breeder who I think live in/near Calgary, but there is nothing saying so and no e-mail. I would love to contact her, but can't.

A decent sales policy. Pricing, age for babies to go home, a basic health guarantee, info on deposits and a return/refund policy.

As far as picking up the rabbit, I would want to see where the rabbits are raised. I don't trust a breeder who will want to meet in a parking lot. I know that sometimes a breeder is too far away and you can't see it in person, but your should at least get recent pics and the breeder should be willing to let you visit. If the breeder is worried about stressing out the rabbits of illness, they can have a window or allow the person to look in at the door.

Updates as often as possible would be nice. Even if it is only once every month of 2. I know that some breeders are busy, but at least updating when they have new stock and rabbits for sale.

Links to other breeders (both local and of the breeds they have), and clubs they belong to or are affiliated with. Websites of shows they are going to would be nice, but not necessary. Some links to rabbit info sites can show that they want to help you (the buyer) take better care of your rabbit.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Just wanted to point out that if anyone needs banners or anything done to fit your site, let me know! I love playing around on Photoshop!

A nice layout and appealing banner can make all the difference!

 

[wooly_queen]

Do you have a website? Yep http://www.freewebs.com/nbrabbitry

What do you feel should be on a website? I like to see all the bucks and does. Either just on their breed pages or in their color groups. I also like to see some good rabbit info too. They should also have good quality pictues.

What do you look for when you look at websites of other breeders? I like to see thier winnings and look at the photos. I love if their is also something to read and learn from.

 

[Rayen]

While I was looking at breeders before I got my two, I know it was a pain to find any that were kept up-to-date. I hated looking at the ones they were selling just to see that it hadn't been updated in a few months and thus either telling me that they didn't sell them, or didn't bother to say which ones they sold. I'd have to agree with the unprofessional looking websites too. I don't want to go looking for an animal that's going to cost a bit more than some of the other options and look at flashing sparkly objects on the side of the screen with poor grammar/spelling and random music playing. I don't care if it's fancy looking, it could be a white screen with text and pictures for all I care, just, don't burn my eyes/ears please.

I also like to at least see a phone number available. Maybe not an address, but I have had terrible experiences with e-mail. Mostly for dogs I've gotten, but so many just don't reply and demand a holding fee of usually a few hundred dollars then just don't want anything to do with you again until you show up to pick up the animal. I hate having the void of silence between breeder and customer. I also like being able to go out there and pick the animal up to see what the others in the litter are like, what the parents are like, etc. It sends a pretty big red flag to me if the breeder absolutely refuses to let me go out there. Pictures on a website and a paragraph of fancy words aren't really proof of what an area/animal is like, and if after I've searched around and finally chosen a breed/breeder I like, I like the extra reassurance that it's not some crazed animal mill. (not that I'm saying they all are, but you do have to be cautious!)

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Do you have a website? Yes, I do. Www.blueskyacresrabbitry.net76.net

What do you feel should be on a website? Definitely pages of your rabbits, show rabbits, stud/brood rabbits, kits, etc. A For Sale page, a Sales Policy, Links page. A page about you/your rabbitry would be nice too. Especially since future owners like seeing the set-up because it gives them an idea of how your rabbitry is, and for their own set-ups. Definitely a page about the breeders experience (and that could be in the About Me section) with rabbits, how long they've been showing/raising. Any accomplishments, all clubs they are a part of, etc.

What do you look for when you look at websites of other breeders? I look for sales policies, rabbitry pages, about me section, For sale pages, and constant updates.

Pictures are great too, of course. Definitely pictures of the current stock, and those rabbits whom are for sale.

I do not post my address nor my phone number on my website. I only post my e-mail addresses. Never will. That's just asking for ridiculous calls. People can find your address through your phone number, too, so even if you don't have your address up, people could stalk you, so no. If someone is interested in buying, they can e-mail me. After we discuss it for quite a while, I'll give out my number. We talk on the phone and then we can meet in person.

And I do have an "about me" section so people can read about me.

Emily