Howdy. After viewing some rather poor quality websites put up by various custom gunmakers, I was tossing around the idea of offering some web design services to gunsmiths. What I need is some input from those of you out there who are clients or might be future clients of a custom gunmaker. What do you like to see from your gunmaker's website? Lots of text describing the processes that go into making the firearms? High quality photos? Testimonials? Are you swayed by flashy graphics or would you just appreciate a straightforward approach?


Thanks much for your help.

Brian

As someone who has no alternative but dial-up modem, I always appreciate a page that loads fast. Also, intuitive navigation around the site is a real plus.

Photos - examples of work done, prices and current turn around time estimate.

Basic pricing is vrey important, along with pictures and option listing.

XL Bar

Do you have some web page design samples we could look at?

I hope he hasnt looked at mine

I just dont have the time or inclination to have a professional looking site. I would also like to see a sample web page.

Bill and Scrollcutter,

Sorry I don't have any sample pages. I was thinking more about the overall theme and design of a site. Have you seen Rigby's site www.johnrigbyandco.com? It seems a little underwhelming for such a legendary firm. One or two photos of their guns and a short vague description of their services. Perhaps they don't need any more than that?

Maybe a website isn't as necessary in this business as in others. Roger and Bill: How much work do you think you generate through your websites?

Brian

Just an opinion. I really like Mark Stratton's web site. WWW.Gunmaker.net The reason being that he has good well lit photography of his work. He shows a bit of himself by showing his shop. He gives quite a bit of information about the custom gun business. Just an all around good web site.

I seem to get a lot of hits on the site. But not much actual business. Most of mine is word of mouth.

Not a bad idea! This site http://www.eschoder.com/english/english_index.htm the new manufacturer of Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles, (For example:

Technical Data:

 The breech-block is characterised by its high functionality.

 The long cartridge case bridge is slotted. The flat, sporting cartridge case bridge, and thus functions as a kind of safety button.

 The push-lever located on the side cartridge case tube enables the quick, easy emptying of the magazine be means of a locking catch.

 The magazine shaft is produced in one piece together with the breech-block case. The 5 cartridges lie around the cylinder Mechanism. The whole magazine is therefore designed to fit very snugly into the weapon, saving a lot of space.)

"THROW THE COW OVER THE FENCE, SOME HAY!!"
(Thuis is my attempt at a translation of the above, although I am sure it is not completely correct! "Technical Data:

The bolt mechanism is easy to operate.

The receiver bridge is long and has an extended tang portion which is fitted with a sliding tangs safety button. The push-button located on the right side of the receiver wall enables quick, easy emptying of the magazine be means depressing the magazine locking bar.

The magazine spindle is made in one piece, as is the bolt body. The 5 cartridges lie in a circle around the magazine spindle, resulting is a very compact magazine that nevertheless holds five rounds, and saves considerable space compared to a staggered-box magazine of the Mauser pattern. "

obviously needs a complete rewrite in English "gun-ese" so we can undersand what he's describing!

No doubt there are other craftsmen whose products are a better tribute to their skills than their websites!!