Connecting consumers to real local flower shops

At LocalFlowerShop.com we commonly get confused with other online floral directories. It may seem that all directories are the same but we know this is not true.

We are LocalFlowerShop.com a floral directory that aims to connect consumers with real local flower shops. LocalFlowerShop.com is a name we believed in from the very beginning. Who better to assist a customer on an important day than a local flower shop.

As customers become more and more disappointed with camouflaged companies posing as local shops, they learn to search using words like “Local Flower Shop” or even type it directly into their browser.

Traffic on our site has been on the rise this year. Our recent figures show that we attracted almost 20,000 visitors just in the month of May; compared with 3,400 at LocalFlorist.com.

LocalFlowerShop.com is on the rise to becoming a leader on the web. Most shops who track the results of their listing find that they get between 30-50 orders a year. Not bad for listings starting at just $120.00 a year!

Directories secure local results. Try us, track us, share your results with us. We look forward to helping flower shops increase online awareness to your website!

2009 FSFA Convention featuring the “Art” of Sales

Owner of Beneva Flowers, Arthur Conforti was invited by Womar Glass to be a guest speaker at the FSFA Convention in St. Petersburg.

Art opened by addressing the very root of what all floral retailers want, to sell more flowers. While that seems simple, the current economic conditions play a big role in this effort. Understanding where we stand is the first step when building a plan to succeed in any market.

Art pointed out that during Valentine’s Day, there were over 4.2 million unique visitors at the top four floral websites; 1-800 Flowers, Ftd.com, Pro Flowers & Teleflora

Where did these customers come from? “Each of our local markets,” Art explained. “If there are 4.2 million customers out there, I feel confident there is enough business for each of our shops, even in time of a recession.”

Wire In Orders

Of the companies competing, Art made it a point to state that Teleflora was the only one of the big 4 that always send all their orders to local flower shops to fill. Retail florists seem concerned about these efforts. “Let’s face it,” Art said, “if Teleflora weren’t there, the other three companies would be getting those orders? Would they ever come back to the florist or would the orders be shipped direct? My point is that regardless of the competition, sitting back and waiting for orders is killing the local floral retailer’s chance for survival.”

How Can We Compete

Art reminded us of where we once were and were we are today. Starting with Main St, USA and the how you used to visit each local store like the butcher, baker and pharmacy. Now these are all under one roof at the local supermarket; one stop shopping. The retail florist is now being challenged by not only the local supermarket, but by flowers in a box. So how can we compete? It starts with the right attitude. YES WE CAN! Timed delivery? Specialty Requests? After hours delivery? The more we aim to satisfy these requests, the more we will be looked to for sending flowers. In many cases, the local retail florist has made it difficult to have an order placed. Removing these barriers is the first step to keeping people shopping locally. Why should someone choose your flower shop is what Art believes we should be asking ourselves each day.

New Business is a MUST

You must be looking for new business today. Almost everyone’s customer base has diminished somewhat. However, there is still business out there. You need to replenish your customer base with those who are still sending flowers. There are companies still thriving and using flowers to recognize employees and for customers. Are they using your shop? As other florists in your town are going out of business, what are you doing to secure their customers? What are you doing to keep those customers local???

Covering Ground

While the task of covering the entire nation is too cumbersome for one, it is manageable if we are each responsible for marketing to our own local area. If we can each claim our local customers and work together sending orders back and forth then the pool of opportunity for the online companies would diminish. “By owning our local markets and working together we can cover a lot of ground,” Conforti added.

Personal Selling

We must be unique. Most floral designs can be duplicated. Suggesting an upgraded vase or offering a Conforti Collectable piece is unique. It is not available everywhere. It is what makes people look at YOUR marketing piece and your shop. To market a promotion featuring a standard design or a container that can be purchased at any flower shop is not the most effective. Using unique containers and LocalFlowerShop.com to find the shops that carry them is how you can send orders out of town as well as service your local customers.

Local Flower Shop.com

While this directory is designed for consumers, complete with an image gallery, it also promotes florist to florist transaction by showing memberships to wire services. This way, you have the option of sending your orders using any wire service you please. LocalFlowerShop.com is not a wire service and we have no intentions of ever being anything more than a link for customers and florists to find local flower shops as well as hospitals and funeral homes with servicing florists listed.

Measuring Success

Comment cards and surveys in Art’s opinion are a must. This is the only way to really know what your customer feels about your shop.

Conforti Coaching is what Art offers with every marketing effort. He mentioned that he and his team are always there to help guide other florists into solutions that will work in their shop. He was clear that his coaching is free of charge, after all, “I am one florist trying to make the most of the industry today and if we each have that goal, we can strive in our local markets and support each other nationally to provide the greatest customer experiences.”

Introducing the Fitz and Floyd Holly Berry Bowl

Be sure to leave your comments to this video as you will have a chance to win a case of Holly Berry Bowls.

LocalFlowerShop.com is Proud to Announce Winners of the Mother’s Day Sweepstakes for the Lenox Butterfly Garden Pitcher!

Phoebe Flower Shop in Allentown, PA – Lan Mai Tran

This holiday, local flower shops across the country offered a beautiful Mother’s Day gift with a great Sweepstakes attached! Each shop that carried the Lenox Butterfly Garden Pitcher was able to submit one local winner to the national drawing. Five names were drawn and the following shops had winning entries:

Adrian Durban Florist in Cincinnati, OH – Susan Souther
Boyd’s Florist in Wilmington, DE – Joseph Satta
French Florist in Los Angeles, CA – Daniel Gary Busby
Phoebe Flower Shop in Allentown, PA – Lan Mai Tran
Stadium Flowers in Everett, WA – Nu Truong

French Florist in Los Angeles, CA - Daniel Gary Busby

It was a great honor to host such a successful product and creative sweepstakes through our website. We especially enjoyed hearing the stories of our winners of who they purchased for and how long they have been supporting their local floral retailer.

Boyd’s Florist in Wilmington, DE – Joseph Satta

Joe Satta of Middleton, DE reported that the sales person at Boyd’s Flowers sold him into buying the Pitcher once she explained the sweepstakes to him. He figured it was a nice gift and that it would be super if he won cash too! When his wife received the Pitcher, she knew exactly what it was and why it is such a special piece; she was so excited. But not near as excited as she was when Joe announced that he had won the Sweepstakes!

Adrian Durban Florist in Cincinnati, OH - Susan Souther

In Cincinnati, Susan Souther decided to buy the Pitcher for her mom and her mother-in-law so that she would have a better chance of winning! Looks like her good planning paid off, as she was the winner for Adrian Durban, a florist she says she has been buying from forever!

Stadium Flowers in Everett, WA - Nu Truong

Nu Trong of WA drives by Stadium Flowers on the way to and from work everyday and can’t wait to see the beautiful displays and flowers they have out front. She bought a pitcher for her mom because it was so beautiful and said she just couldn’t believe it when she got the call saying she had won!!!

Again, we would like to send a special “Congratulations” to all the winners and flower shops who participated in this exciting program. It’s great to see local retailers creating unforgettable experiences for their customers. Keep up the great work!!!

Creative Mother’s Day Promotions Paying Off For Independent Florists

In economically hard times local retailers have even more difficulty competing against national brands. One floral retailer is taking the challenge in stride and helping his peers to do the same.

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) May 6, 2009 — Small business owners are working harder than ever to find creative ways to survive in a struggling economy. For floral professionals, the creative ideas may come free of charge if they work with flower shop owner Arthur Conforti and his line of floral keepsakes, The Conforti Collection. Sweepstakes and community coloring contests are just some of the programs Conforti outlines and encourages florists to employ when they become dealers of the line and this years’ Mother’s Day piece, The Lenox Butterfly Garden Pitcher.

 

Lenox Butterfly Garden Pitcher Sweepstakes

 

Conforti, owner of Beneva Flowers in Sarasota, FL and a long time marketing enthusiast, shares his collectibles and their marketing programs with florists across the country. He believes that local florists can support each other by working together to create the greatest consumer experience possible. Something, he says the national floral companies can’t compete with.

“I understand that in this new economy, the needs of my customers have changed,” says Conforti. “Gone are the days when shoppers were most concerned with time and convenience. Now, a customized experience and value are paramount when they shop. So, I offer a keepsake that will help build a relationship with customers.”

For the florists participating as dealers of the Conforti Collection, the value comes in free promotional programs to go with their gift ware. Shops receive numerous images, tips, templates and programs to deploy in their local area to generate buzz about their shop and featured holiday product. The Conforti Collection Sweepstakes is the biggest promotional tactic. Each shop gets to promote a $1000 cash giveaway for purchasers of the Lenox Butterfly Garden Pitcher. Then 5 shops will be able to announce winners in their local areas. The program is funded by The Conforti Collection and each shop carrying the pitcher is included in the drawing.

New to the promotional line up this holiday is the community coloring contest. Several shops are working with elementary schools in their local areas, including Mancuso’s Florist in Michigan and Marco Island Florist in Florida. These florists are also teaming with other local retailers to provide prizes for the schools and kids who participate. Conforti is excited to see thousands of kids across the country coloring pictures of the Pitchers and talking about flowers and their local flower shop.

Conforti created a keepsake that, with the use of marketing, will assist florists who want to differentiate their shops this Mother’s Day. Conforti believes, “This type of gift is perfect for our shops and our customers and is going to help create relationships! That is how you survive today. Relationships built on trust will withstand hard times and come out on top. That is my aim.”

The Pitcher and the Sweepstakes are available at florists across the USA. You can find one who delivers in your mother’s neighborhood by visiting LocalFlowerShop.com. Support your local community when you place your order and be entered to win cash from your florist!

Lenox Butterfly Garden Pitcher

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and it’s never too early to plan how you are going to celebrate your mom. Especially when you can reward yourself in the process!

This year, honor mom with the Lenox Butterfly Garden Pitcher bouquet! This limited collectible is trimmed in 24k gold and can be delivered to Mom in a collector’s gift box with a beautiful floral arrangement.

The best part about this gift is that when you order for Mom, you will be entered to win 1 of 5, $1,000 cash prizes from the Conforti Collection.

Mom will receive two gifts in one; stunning flowers and a keepsake she can cherish forever! And you could win CASH just for showing mom how much you care!

Visit our home page to find a florist in your area carrying the Lenox Butterfly Garden Pitcher. Place your order today and be entered to WIN!

 Good luck and remember, even if you don’t win, Mom will still love you anyways!

Spring has Sprung!

When the first bud pops through the snow, we are reminded that the beauty of Spring is just around the corner. Celebrating the season with tulips, daffodils and daisies brings visions of sunshine that warm the heart. At a time when each of us could use a bit of extra pep in our step, flowers could be the perfect way to lighten that long winter lull. 

If Easter planning is on your spring check list, remember that it is the perfect holiday for sending flowers. As Christians celebrate the Risen Christ and the joy of the resurrection, flowers symbolize Christ’s victory over death and new life. Traditional white Easter Lilies symbolize the purity of the holiday but a centerpiece could really set the table!

Whatever your reason for sending a gift that shows the joys of the season, call your Local Flower Shop for the best quality and service available. Local florists are eager to create the perfect gift to help put some Spring in your step!

Northeast Floral Expo

   Arthur Conforti, the owner of Beneva Flowers & Gifts of Sarasota, Florida will be a guest speaker Saturday morning at the Northeast Floral Expo in Cromwell, CT. He will be speaking in the morning’s Florist To Florist session on the importance of maximizing your tools to grow your floral retailing business and strengthen the industry.

 

   Being a florist is in Art’s genes. His Father had a shop in the city before he moved the family from New York to Florida 22 years ago. He began a new flower business (Beneva) that Art later took over from him. Today, Beneva Flowers is listed as 1 of the top 25 largest grossing floral shops in the United States.

 

    Art’s out the box ideas will provide many ways to increase business with little or no costs! He has a totally fresh approach to marketing, with a major effort put forth toward community relations. Florists will learn what can be done not only to survive, but thrive in the community as the #1 Florist for consumers to call for their gift giving needs! His positive view point, during a challenging economic climate will breathe new life into shops and the industry.

Valentine’s Day

A large selection of Valentines Arrangements were just added to the LocalFlowerShop.com Floral Gallery. My personal favorite is Starry Eyed. It is truly exquisite! The bold design sends an extravagant and scent-filled message to the recipient and onlookers, is sent to the office. A magnificent combination of rich red roses, fragrant stargazer lilies and just the right amount of greenery are sure to speak volumes about the senders taste and thoughtfulness. 

 

This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday so I urge you to contact your  LocalFlowerShop.com florist as soon as possible to ensure a timely delivery. It would be my recommendation to send her flowers to the office on Monday to set the mood with flowers that she can enjoy all week long before the big day on Saturday!

 

Remember that when you order flowers, whether for an out of town or a local friend, ensure that you place your order with the shop that will be designing the arrangement. Then you will be confident that your gift will be gorgeous, fresh and hand delivered by a florist who cares.

 

Using LocalFlowerShop.com is easy. Just enter the zip code of your recipient (or the city and state) and the shops that can design and deliver to this market area will appear. Pick up the phone and call them directly or visit their website to see what they have for your special someone.

The Best for 2009

While it is still January, LocalFlowerShop.com wants to wish all of our member shops the best in 2009 and we also want to thank you for your support of LocalFlowerShop.com’s many programs and services. 
 
One of the benefits of having your shop listed on LocalFlowerShop.com is the increase to your web rankings and visibility. Most of our members know the importance of web rankings and visibility and how vital exposure can be to their SEO. For those that do not  – Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via “natural” (“organic”) search results. Usually, the earlier a site is presented in the search results, or the higher it “ranks,” the more searchers will visit that site.
 
A top-ranked SEO blog Seomoz.org[40] has reported, “Search marketers, in a twist of irony, receive a very small share of their traffic from search engines.” Instead, their main sources of traffic are links from other websites.[41] Which is where your membership with LocalFlowerShop.com will benefit you.

Your shop can be listed in all the cities that you deliver to and your website can also be linked so that customers looking to send flowers in your delivery area can find you and call you directly.
 
This is a giant step away from the traditional form of floral industry standard practice of turning on the Dove or Mercury and waiting for the orders to come in. Floral directories are nothing new, they have been around for over 8 years and getting your shop listed on some of them will prove to be an asset.