We have uploaded this site since the beginning of this year and finally some inquiry and sale started to come. At the moment average visit per day is around 450-500 but we would like to increase more traffic to get a constant sales. What kind of ad or promotion works the best? Or is there a design problem? We know that our products are targeting the niche market so it will take time but appreciate good comments and criticism to improve our site.

Cecilia
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ヾ(*^｡^*)ﾉ Cecilia ｏ（＾－＾ｏ）（ｏ＾－＾）ｏ
Cecilia @ Hospitality Japan.com
e-mail: mail@hospitalityjapan.com
http://www.boutique-hospitalityjapan.com
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Here is a few points for what it is worth.:

You do have a bad link, just above the Paypal mark at the bottom right col. FYI.

A few of the words got questions marke (?) next too them perhaps because your computer is set for asian standards or something.

I do not know if I can comment much on your sites design (colors etc.) as I do not know anything about Japanise products or the type of customer you promote the products to.

But if I was you I would get a picture at the top somehow "show me something from Japan" that is what I am searching for (I see faster than I read). Perhaps get rid of that google search bar and firefox add.
By the way what is the difference between "join our e-mail list" and "sign up for email newsletter" seem to be the same for me a little bit of an "over-kill" of getting people to sign up. Get rid of one perhaps along with that google search bar. For sure do not have it set to "search the web" .......the customer just found your web site and now you invite them to leave again........ you see the ironi .....I dont think that is a good idea.

It seem like you mainly (being the site is in English) sell outsite Japan. I assume this in the following.
Then perhaps you should think: "how does the Americans see Japan and the people of Japan" or the Germany, British etc. or ask youself "perhaps more important how would your customer preferably like to see Japan and its history". Because in all reality they may not buy a piece of art but more like a "piece of Japan" a piece of history for the more history related items. That is in essence what you sell.

For the collector which may be the "long term / repeat customer" you are looking for, this may be just as important part as the item. The history behind the product. This I see you picked up on this on "glass wind-bell" - great marketing. "Now the customer has something to talk about with all her friends and family". Can you picture this and why it is important. If so then you got something worth gold.

Good luck. And keep up the good work.

Keepfiler

you could try featuring an item on ebay (japan and u.s.) and
indirectly send them to your site where they might just purchase
your other products, and at least grab their email address
and build your customer list? ... just a thought.

Have you thought about linking to Asian grocery store sites?? People interested in Asian food/sushi might be interested in buying things from your site. I agree about needing more visual content. Maybe a picture of a fabulous kimono or a painted scroll. Something that is eye catching and makes the visitor want to explore the site some more.

When you first go to your home page there is a lot of useless info on everything you see on the screen. For example you have two places to sign up for your email list but no reason to join. Decide what is the most important thing you want to do i.e. build an email list or selling products and that should be your only focus on the top part of the web site above the fold (everything you see without scrolling)

Optimizing the top portion of your site should give you the best increase in your income

Dawn