The Winery Web Site Report

Quick Wins For Direct-To-Trade

A worthwhile post from JuiceBox | Direct with suggestions for eCommerce, your tasting room and wine club.

You might also want to subscribe to their Free Run blog.  I did.

Rats And Wine

It's not what you think.  This post from Seth Godin should make you stop and think about your sales channels, and why it isn't the rats you need to be worried about.

Do You Have A Mobile Web Site?

 

If you have (or know of) a winery Web site which treats mobile users differently, please leave a note in the comments.  I'm trying to assemble a list of wineries (so far, Frog's Leap) which see value in providing a more appropriate experience to mobile visitors.

If you're not pursuing a mobile Web site for your winery at this time, please leave a comment as well, perhaps with your reasons.

This Is Your Web Site On iPhone

The iPhone is a best-seller (despite AT&T).  As a single phone, it is probably the dominant US-based mobile phone today.

If you haven't yet taken time to see what your winery Web site looks and feels like on an iPhone, please do (I'm sure at least one of your family or friends owns one).  Some sites are truly hideous. Flash-based sites don't work at all.

This has been a public service announcement.  Thank you.

PS - the Apple tablet computer (the iSlate?) appears to be coming soon.

PPS - Everflight does mobile winery Web sites.

2009 Best Of Wine Online

If you haven't already done so, check out Jeff Lefevere's two-part awards post at Good Grape: Part 1, Part 2.

I think Jeff deserves some recognition as well for taking the time to consider thoughtfully the state of wine online.  Please take time to read and comment on his posts.

Thanks, Jeff!  Looking forward to more Good Grape posts in the new year.

New Winery Blogs, November 2009

Another month, another batch of winery blogs!

This month's list of newly-discovered blogs includes Robert Mondavi Winery, which started blogging in October of this year.  Even though it's great to see this name with a blog, the content seems to be primarily event announcements rather than something more authentic and engaging.  Ah, well.  It's still a resource for Mondavi fans.

• Bennett Lane Winery
  http://www.bennettlane.com/About/Blog/tabid/125/BlogID/1/Default.aspx (no RSS feed)

• Casa Barranca
  http://www.organic-wine.com/blog/

• Conundrum Winery
  http://conundrumwinery.blogspot.com/

• Robert Mondavi Winery (Grape to Glass)
  http://blog.robertmondaviwinery.com/

• Sunfire Winery (Try Tempranillo)
  http://www.sunfirewinery.com/blog/

As always please check my comprehensive list of winery blogs, and let me know if I've missed yours or one you know of.

3 Types Of Video

Are you trying to go viral, convert visitors, or create loyalty?

This is the kind of thinking you need to do if you are considering adding video to your winery Web site.  The link above leads to a picture at CommonCraft, which leads to an in-depth article at ReelSEO.com.  It's worth following the chain.

How To Stand Out

 

If there was ever a crowded marketplace, it's wine.  There are approximately zillions of bottles to choose from on retail shelves.  There are another half-a-zillion Google results for wine.  What to do?

This video contains some thoughts which may lead you and your winery to an answer.  

It echoes my thoughts on wine labels and vineyard pictures.  It's the essence of Seth Godin's Purple Cow.

Leave your examples of wines and wineries which stand out from the crowd in the comments!