Florist > Flowers Online Business Blooming For Local Florists

Flowers Online Business Blooming For Local Florists

(ContentDesk) August 3, 2006 -- The Internet has changed the face of business.
In the United States alone, more than two-thirds of the population uses the Web regularly, and online revenues are growing nearly three times faster than traditional sales.
The flower business is no exception.
Flowers are already one of the most popular online shopping categories, and roughly 90% of florists in the U.S. and Canada have some type of Web site."Today, an e-commerce Web site is a necessity to do business in the flower industry." says Barry Pond, President of Jackman's The Floral Pros in Ontario.

"Online ordering is the fastest growing channel compared to phone or in-store options and appeals to a younger demographic -- in other words, our future clients." According to Walter Knoll, III of Walter Knoll Florist in greater St. Louis. "Our Web site is the glue that keeps us close to our customers, guides what products are being produced, and disseminates information to our employees." The move to the Web is one that fits the new generation. Revolutionary sites like eBay and Amazon have changed the way we buy and sell. With flowers, its a big net gain for the consumer.

Flower senders can still visit a local flower shop or order flowers by phone, but the Internet offers 24/7 convenience and a host of interactive services.
It's not surprising that a few large floral companies have emerged.
What may be surprising to some is that a handful of more established traditional florists have kept pace, carving out a niche with online customers seeking more personalized service and direct local delivery."The Web was a natural outgrowth of our core business," says Jim Phillip of Phillip's Flower & Gifts, a third-generation florist with ten shops in the Chicago area.
"We began sending floral orders electronically to fellow florists in the late '70s, then started receiving orders electronically from large commercial customers in the '80s.
We launched our first complete online flower shop in 1995 and haven't looked back since."
Walter Knoll Florist opened its first online store in the mid-1980s.

Its Web site at www.wkf.com features local specials, wedding flowers, flower care tips, delivery tracking, employment information, and more.
"It's a full-fledged branch store," explained Knoll, "where customers can find almost anything they need to know about our products and services."How do these more traditional local florists compete online?
According to Pond, who oversees www.jackmanflowers.com, "We offer customers the best of both worlds -- professionally trained florists able to serve their local needs combined with a network of skilled florists elsewhere for convenient nationwide and worldwide delivery."
"Customers love being able to see the flowers they're sending," explains Phillip, "the convenience of ordering online anytime day or night, and our same-day and next-day local and nationwide delivery."
Knoll adds, "We're much more nimble than most national companies, and build our business on personal relationships instead of just marketing dollars."
At www.viviano.com, operated by Viviano Flower Shop, headquartered in Saint Clair Shores, MI, customers especially like the wedding flowers portfolio, which includes a budget estimator, as well as the ease of being able to order online.
Other resources include sympathy flowers, event decorations, and a detailed flower library.
According to Paul Viviano, CEO, "Real florists are proud of their work and go out of their way to make people happy; this pride and diligence is hard to find in a company that merely takes the order and sends it on to the florist."
"Another benefit of local online florists," says Viviano, "is that you can avoid the middleman and deal directly with the shop that is designing and delivering your gift.""Customers have told us they like ordering with a local florist they already know and trust," notes Phillip. "They've seen our work and know we stand behind it.

For deliveries in our own metro area, they know we provide more direct, cost effective service.
Plus, we provide the same guaranteed nationwide delivery service as larger companies.
Many have told us about trying the big name merchants only to come back to us.
Our Web site is not as flashy, but we think our personal service and floral experience make all the difference."Other services at www.phillips-flowers.com and the company's sister site, www.800florals.com, include a Free Reminder Service, a pictorial Glossary of Flowers, and a way to send Free Virtual Flowers and eCards by email to anyone on the Internet.
"You simply select a flower picture or e-greeting," says Phillip, "add your personal message, and we take care of the rest."
Phillip's delivers tens of thousands each month at no cost for people all over the world.

"We also offer flower design and decorating tips, meanings of flowers, and lots of other helpful information," adds Phillip, "and our customers appreciate the fact that we keep all of their information private."Local florist Web sites may never be quite as fancy or heavily advertised as those of the big name brands, but most use the same sophisticated encryption technology to protect customer information, and savvy Internet shoppers know they'll often get better value and more personalized service by dealing directly with trusted local merchants."It's all about fresh flowers, creative design, reliable delivery, and a commitment to customer service," says Viviano. It's no wonder that top regional and local brick-and-mortar florists are excelling online.
"The best florists were around before the Web," says Pond, "and the Web has made them even better.".

New Site Informs Consumers on How to Avoid Being Ripped Off When Buying from a Florist

(ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) May 9, 2006 -- NathLaf Enterprise announced today the launch of its new informative website, www.flowerandflorist.com. This website only purpose is to provide unbiased and reliable information on how to shop for flowers and how to find a trustworthy florist both offline and online.Last year, $1 billion of flowers were sold online and it is estimated that Americans will spend $20 billion on plants and flowers this year. Its a huge industry, but for the customers what is important is to make a loved one smile because the flowers they bought are just perfect and were delivered on time. We feel strongly about educating the general public on how to make wise purchases so they dont feel theyve been ripped off, said CEO Nathalie Lafleur. Its particularly important when you buy a gift since youre not the only one involved in the process. There...

New Site Informs Consumers on How to Avoid Being Ripped Off When Buying from a Florist

Florist > New Site Informs Consumers on How to Avoid Being Ripped Off When Buying from a Florist

Flowers And Flower Delivery

Flowers And Flower Delivery

Flowers are one of natures beautiful things that have always fascinated humans. Flowers are perfect for all occasions. Be it a birthday, anniversary, Valentine's day, funeral or a wedding there are flowers to suite.

Flowers can be the perfect gift and a perfect way to express your emotions. And its not just women who like to receive flowers as a gift either.

The society of American Florists conducted a survey and found that 60% would like to receive flowers on special occasions, especially Valentine's Day.

By searching on the Internet or looking through the local phone directory you should be able to find a good florist to arrange a flower delivery. If you would like to arrange for a flower delivery and you have not done this before you may be slightly unsure of some things. For a florist the busiest times of year will be Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, although a good florist will manage to stay busy...

Flowers And Flower Delivery

Florist > Flowers And Flower Delivery

Are You Hiring The Wrong Florist?

Did you know that 3 out of 4 hosts or social planners hire aflorist for their special occasion? Although professionalflorists can enhance your special day with flowers, theflorist must know your style, criteria and budget. Manyattributes must be carefully thought through beforeselecting a florist or flower shop. Carefully read throughthe information below to save you time, money andunsatisfactory results from your florist.Many people agree that flowers are one of the most importantelements in your design. From big parties to smallget-togethers, flowers can bring that added touch to anysetting. If you are planning to appoint a florist for yourevent, discuss what you want to achieve with your flowers.Many people do not know what they require and will be leftwith disappointing flowers.

Lots of hosts or organizers hireflorists that can turn out to be a disappointing investment. If you follow the5 rules laid out below, you will invest in a good floristthat knows exactly what you like...

Are You Hiring The Wrong Florist?

Florist > Are You Hiring The Wrong Florist?

The Highly Anticipated New Thorlo Coolmax Ultra Light Hiking Socks are Now Available

Muck Boots Online, http://www.muckbootsonline.com announces they are carrying Thorlo's new Coolmax Ultra Light Hiker socks. "These are perfect for people who prefer a thinner sock, but it's a sock that still provides padding protection around the critical stress areas of the heel, toe and instep," says Pete Yeager of Muck Boots Online. The colors available make these a perfect all day sock for work, play, walking and hiking in style....

socks Florist Flowers Online Business Blooming For Local Florists The Highly Anticipated New Thorlo Coolmax Ultra Light Hiking Socks are Now Available

Florist > The Highly Anticipated New Thorlo Coolmax Ultra Light Hiking Socks are Now Available

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Over 100 Russian Mail Order Brides to gather in Silver Spring, Maryland, on June 26, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDateline: Washington D.C. Over 100 Russian Mail Order Brides to gather in Silver Spring, Maryland, on June 26, 2004.June 26th, will mark an unusual precedent for the city of Silver Spring, Maryland, a suburb of the Nation's Capitol. Over 100 Russian Mail Order Brides will assemble for the Premiere screening of the Award Winning US Independent film, "POSTMARK PARADISE."The screening date coincides with the Home Video & DVD release of the film on June 29th, by Distributor Vanguard...

Over 100 Russian Mail Order Brides to gather in Silver Spring, Maryland, on June 26, 2004 dvd Florist

Florist > Over 100 Russian Mail Order Brides to gather in Silver Spring, Maryland, on June 26, 2004

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How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?

I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know the answer tothis question yet in practice they fail. Everybody I've talked toseems to know that 8-12 glasses of water a day is the recommended standard. But if I ask them how many glasses of water have you consumed today? The answer is usually none. Or the other standard answer at a corporate environment "does coffee count?"While 8-12 glasses of water is great for the average sedentary person, many of us are fitness conscious or on the pursuit...

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Florist > How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?