Name of your website?BRITISH COLONIAL OUTFITTERS, London, Calcutta and Bombay.
Your name?
Jason Hunt
Your Location (city, etc)
Retford, United Kingdom
Please give us a short summary of your website?
We have put together a series of designs that are inspired by the Colonial styles of the past. I found that the kind of Tshirt I really wanted simply wasn't on sale anywhere... so I created my own. This led to the creation of our online store. As expected it is very popular with soldiers and those just generally interested in history or those wanting something alittle different from what you can buy from most stores.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
Having designed some of my own Tshirts, I was always being asked about them by other people. So in co-operation with Spredshirt the well known Tshirt printer, I opened an online store for those interested in something a little different.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
The website has been operating for about two months now. It is called BRITISH COLONIAL OUTFITTERS.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
The name was chosen because the merchandise is of a British Colonial historical nature. In addition to this it gives the feel of an old fashioned supplier of days gone by.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
I have found that similar offerings have been in poor tacky tase. The tshirts are printed on top quality products and the contents of the designs are not designed to provoke outrage only an appreciation for British history.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
For the time being the store is small, but sales are growing online. I will see how it developes over time. If nothing else I have enjoyed designing the products on sale.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
It is early days, but I believe there is huge potantial for these products. In time I may break away from the Spreadshirt company and have the products made on a stand alone basis. But it is early days.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would have a larger site designed with more products that are related to the subject matter. I have huge ideas. I would make BRITISH COLONIAL OUTFITTERS a well known brand.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes because our designs are made by Spreadshirt on our behalf and currently on a commission basis.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Not having much internet experience I have found getting the online store web exposure hard work. Especially keeping costs down as the customer base is not universal.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Online advertising and choosing the correct and cost effective medium for getting the site exposure.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Believe it or not adding my link to free sites such as the British Army Runour Service.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
Exposure has been more limited than expected.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
I will keep running the site, and have no plans to end it. I think I have a great product and brand.
In the current politically correct climate, do I think my products are appropriate?
Yes I do. My products make no references that are unacceptable or will cause offense. There is a place for everyone to have an interest and be proud in their history. For those who would rather not see products relating to Colonial history, have a choice not to purchase our products. They are a minority and believe by hiding their head in the sand they can believe history can be rewritten or pretend it didn't happen.
What is your website address?
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