Case study – Oceans Apart

Oceans Apart is an Oxfordshire-based supplier of handcrafted ethnic-style costume jewellery created from natural products, such as soap stone, marble and shell.

Problem

When Ocean Apart’s owner Tamsin Beard, started her jewellery business in October 2006, she was initially selling her products at craft fairs, fetes and home jewellery parties but she quickly realised that an effective online presence would be vital to the survival of her company. The problem was that she did not know where to start.

Solution

Having received a personal recommendation, Tamsin approached IRUN and after discussion it was decided that the Lite package would suit her business’ needs.

The Lite package includes 10 web pages, 1 email address and a full set of management tools which allows the client to update the site anytime, anywhere, with no special skills required.

All the IRUN packages are 100% internet based so there is no software to load or update. Hosting and technical support are also included.

Result

With some training and technical advice from IRUN’s customer service manager, Andrew Allen, Tamsin has built the Oceans Apart website herself and now has many pieces of jewellery available for purchase online.

In addition to building the site, Tamsin has also attended a series of FREE 1 hour, online workshops offered by IRUN on website design, copywriting and marketing and search engine optimisation to make sure she gets the maximum benefit from her website.

Although the Oceans Apart jewellery will still be available at craft fairs and through parties at home, it is expected that sales through the website will make up the majority of the business. With the IRUN system Tamsin’s website can grow as her business grows.

Testimonial

When I started my company I did not consider how important having a good website was until I realised I was missing out on valuable sales, especially the lucrative Christmas trade.

Initially, I was absolutely terrified about having to develop a website because I didn’t know where to start. However, a friend recommended IRUN to me and I decided to take the plunge and sign up to a 30 day free trial.

I don’t consider myself to be particularly computer literate (I can type and use the internet) but using the IRUN package, I was able to build a professional website myself. Andrew Allen was exceptional when it came to helping me with some of the more technical aspects of my site – nothing was too much trouble.

I am now completely addicted and update my website all the time as it isn’t difficult to do at all. I love the fact that I can add the details and image of a new piece of jewellery to the site whenever I want to.

I have also attended the four online seminars which have taught me a lot when it comes to website design, copywriting, marketing and search engine optimisation. I will be putting what I have learned into practice to make sure I get the most out of my website.

At the moment online retailing only makes up a small part of my sales, but with my new website I look forward to developing my business so that it is mainly internet-based. With IRUN I know that as business grows, my website can grow with it.’

Tamsin Beard Oceans Apart
Oceans Apart (now EVE)