Florists we all understand the importance of selling sympathy floral work.

Establishing a good rapport with your local funeral homes is an essential part of the floral business and can double your funeral flower sales or more.

Lately florist express the concern that funeral homes are unsupportive of their flower business. Here are some simple ways to establish a partnership  with your local funeral directors.

image via google.com

Visit Your Local Funeral Home

Stop and visit your local funeral homes and ask to speak to the director briefly. Make sure you have your floral business cards and leave them at the funeral homes.

Ask to see the “Flower Room” and take a glance around the funeral home. This will help familiarize yourself with the placement of the flower arrangements.

image via google.com

Floral Look & Feel

Funeral home directors have flower standards and policies. Assuring them that you will meet their exact guidelines assures them confidence in referring your flower shop.

Funeral homes sometimes prefer presentation casket sprays, as they are smaller and show off the casket more. This may seem outlandish, however funeral directors do have preferences and may not share unless you ask.

Tip: Be sure to ask about pins, staples, pics and so on – some funeral  directors do not like certain supplies.

Image via google.com

Percentage Of Sympathy Flower Arrangement

Offer funeral directors a percentage of all customer referrals. Funeral homes generally receive 10% to 20% cash back on all floral arrangements filled. This has proven very successful for many florists.

Image via pixabay.com

Simple Florist Thank You

Send a Postcard or note reminding the funeral director just how serious you are of establishing a partnership with his funeral home.

image via pexels.com

Request A Backlink

Some funeral directors may not directly refer customers to you, however they may be willing to add your url to their funeral home website under services. Request they add your url to their website and emphasis to them you will do the same for them. This will help with increasing your SEO and theirs.

image via google.com

Send A Floral Thank You

Send the funeral director flowers, this will show determination and also show off your design style.

Tip: Never be defensive or upset with the funeral director – these tactics never work and will impede any future collaborations. Be patient, friendly, accommodating, and persistent this works!

Florists what kind of relationship do you have with your local funeral homes?  Let us know any successful tips you have in obtaining a steady flow of referrals from your funeral directors.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

Florists let’s get into the nitty gritty on Florist Website Domain Names!

Before we do lets first explain what a domain name really is, a domain name is used to identify one or more IP addresses. Domains are also used in URLs to identify a particular web page.

For example in the URL https://www.Floranext.com the domain name is Floranext.com.

image via floranext.com

Creating A Florist Website Domain Name

Having a domain name that resonates and stands the test of time is key in maximizing your floral business.

Do’s

1.Domain names are for life, it is important to invest some time in picking the right domain name.

2. If your florist website caters to customers world-wide or mostly United States, using the .com is most recommend. However we are super excited on the new industry specific extension (TLD) such as .Florist, slightly pricey however worth every penny.

If your floral website targets business by country, for example a Canada website that only does business in Canada, then your best bet is a (.ca ),same rule applies for all other countries .

3. Use proper keywords in your domain, if you are a flower business then without a doubt you must use a keyword specific to your business, for example flowers – floral – florist.

Tip: If you are targeting a specific area adding your keyword and area is a great for SEO .

Don’ts

1. Don’t use Hyphens (-) or underscores (_).
2. Don’t be too clever, clever domain names without the proper keywords are harder for search engines and customers to understand. Be simple and to the point with your domain name.
3. Don’t use numbers to replace words, for example – florist4you, even though catchy, this is a major don’t with domain name’s.

Tip: Make sure your domain is spelled properly and avoid misspelling trends

image via godaddy.com

Registering  Your Florist Website Domain Name 

With an abundance of domain managing providers it can be a daunting task when registering your florist website domain name. Following the simple do’s and don’ts below will make it a seamless process.

Do’s

1.  You should be the owner of your floral business domain name, so register it!
2. Remember to renew your domain name based on your agreement.
3. Try the new industry specific TLD’s such as .Florist.

Don’ts 

1. Do not allow a web hosting provider to offer to purchase your domain or set up you with a domain name.
2. Purchase unnecessary TLD’s (.net, .org, etc).
3. Do not purchase anything beside your domain name, such as advertising or marketing.

image via floranext.com & psd mockup

What to do if a Wire Service/Website Provider owns your domain

Obtaining your domain name from a website provider is crucial to the branding of your business. Regardless if you are staying with this website provider or leaving you MUST control your own domain name. There is valuable SEO with each domain name, the longer the business has been established the better the SEO.

Do’s

1. Request in writing to control your domain name.
2. Be persistent,with calls and emails, remember this is your business and this domain name must be released into your control.
3. Beware of cybersquatting –  cybersquatting is using your domain name with bad intentions by selling it back to you or using if for an order gather website. Unfortunately, once this happens there is nothing you can do, your customers will be ordering from an entirely different website thinking it is yours.

Don’t

1. Give up! Continue to pester your website provider for control of your domain.

Tip: please download our sample Domain Name request letters –

  FTDDomainTransferRequest.pdf TelefloraDomainTransferRequest.pdf

1.”I have had a Florist Website domain name for 20 years, however it’s not cool or trendy, should I change it?”

The answer to this is simply, NO – Regardless if your domain name is cool or trendy this not important. The most important thing is that your business is found on search engines and ranking high or on the first page. Changing your domain name will not make you visible on the first page of search engines, which means you will need to start over – it’s like opening a whole new business.

2.”Can I point other Florist Website domain names to my website?”

You absolutely can! – There are no positive or negative affects pointing multiple domain names. However, if  you have a shorter domain name, this could be easier to communicate to your customers. We would discourage pointing a .com to a .ca or country specific TLD however.

3.”What is a TLD?”

TLD stands for Top Level Domain name. TLD are part of the domain name to the right of the url – .com, .net or .org.

A ccTLD is a country code Top Level Domain name.

Florists, if you have any questions or tips regarding florist website domain names, please post below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

Flower arranging has been around for centuries, where did it begin?

The idea of being around beautiful flowers is appealing to a large demographic of people, but did you ever wonder how flower arranging came to be? Take a moment and step back in history with us on how flower arranging began.

papyrus painting via google.com

Egypt

Earliest known flower arranging dates back to ancient Egypt to 2,500 BCE.  Egyptians were the first to cut and place flowers in a vase to decorate and add color to their surroundings.

Egyptians were known as the first florists by trade and commissioned to place very high stylized arrangements around burials, processions, and table decorations. These florists would carefully select flowers that had a symbolic meaning with emphasis on religion.  A big seller was the garland of flowers worn by loved ones and left at the tombs.

Fact: Besides the Iris, the lotus flower and water lily were considered sacred to Egyptians.

Painting by Lawrence Alma Tadema via google.com

Greeks & Romans

The Greeks and the Romans used flowers while incorporating herbs and olive branches with their floral design. Romans prefered flower was the rose, these beautiful flowers were used for dressing tables during many meals due to its overwhelming fragrance, which was known as the “Hour of Rose.”

Fact: Laurel wreaths were created and presented to athletes who won in the ancient Olympics, flowers are still presented in today’s Olympic games.

Han Dynasty Flowers – Image via google.com

China

China was not left behind with their flower arranging dating as far back as 207 BCE. Being a florist in China, you were held with great respect and honor.  Flowers were a component of religious teachings and medicine; Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism place flowers on their altars in honor. The most typical design was a cone shape design with the most honored flower the peony, “The King of Flowers.”

Painting by Jan Brueghel the Elder, Flower Still Life via google.com

Europe

Flower arranging finally reaches Europe by 476 AD.  Flowers were popular in churches and monasteries where flowers were used for food (to eat) as well as decoration. An important part of flower arranging was with herbs, which was used as a spiritual symbol in arranging.

Italy was the first in Europe to incorporate flowers in paintings, they were the first to paint flowers in a vase, thus creating a need for floral design. Adorning your balcony with flowers and petals in baskets was an inviting sign to your home.

Image via pixabay.com

United States

Large tall flowers in a vase were a sign of wealth and success and considered “trendy” in the United States. Floral design was compact and asymmetrical and stacked tightly with many different flowers and colors for a unplanned look.

Flowers were also a sign of respect and kindness when giving as a gift during this time and created lots of need for florists. Men ideally wore a boutonniere daily during their travels, think of it as the business men attire.

Fact: A popular bouquet was the tussie-mussie bouquets, these bouquets were a must for eliminating odors in most homes during this time.

Centuries have past, but one thing remains, flower arranging is a timeless art and will continue be an important in centuries to come. Florists, do you have a favorite floral arranging history fact? Please share below with our readers.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

flowers are the #1 choice among celebrities across the world.

Celebrities send flowers as gifts almost 100% of the time due to the fact that flowers are equally attractive to anyone no matter what age, status, and origin. Celebrities love sending flowers and they love decorating their homes and dressing rooms with them as well. While we all have our favorite flower, take a look at flowers celebrities favour and flowers named in their honor.

Images via google.com

Kim Kardashian

Kim is obsessed with jasmine’s flowers, no surprise that this simple pure flower inspired her perfume line which is a huge seller.

images via google.com

Katy Perry

Known for having fresh flowers on a daily basis, Katy Perry has a love for purple and white hydrangeas.

images via google.com

Angelina Jolie

Angelina’s beauty is like her favorite flower being the orchid,Stunning. Orchids are one of the world’s top pick, they range in various colors and shapes which adds luster to any arrangement.

Images via google.com

Audrey Hepburn

Known as one of the world’s most recognized celebrity, Audrey Hepburn prefers Lilies of the valley. A small delicate flower which adds sweetness to any bouquet.

Images via google.com

Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Britney Spears, and Scarlett Johansson

All these famous women prefer the elegant and beautiful white rose.  The white rose is a symbol of courage, elegance, and mystery.

Images via google.com

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon, a historic celebrity, favored the violet after having a very important revelation come to him upon receiving these beautiful flowers. He consider them as the “emblem of his wishes.”

Flowers Named After Celebrities

Did you know that these celebrities have flowers named after them?

Image via google.com

Michelle Obama – Michelle Obama Purple Orchid

Image via google.com

Paul McCartney – Hybrid Tea Paul McCartney Rose

Image via google.com

Image via google.com

Princess Diana –  Princess Diana Rose & Clematies Princess Diana

Image via google.com

Cher – Iris Cher

Image via google.com

Claude Monet – Hybrid Tea Shrub Rose

The gesture of giving flowers still remains the symbol of love, respect, and admiration to the one who receives them. If you were a celebrity, what flower would you want named after you? Please share your comments below for our readers.

Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

Get customers in your flower shop with”Pokémon Go”!

If you are not playing “Pokemon Go,”more than likely you know someone who is. Players use their mobile phones to capture Pokemon animals in different real-world locations – parks, fire stations, and even your flower shop.

For florists, there are ways you can use this to your advantaged — you can actually get players to go to your flower shop location and potentially convert these players into patrons. Customers will love it and local media will too!

image via https://www.eventmanagerblog.com/

How does Pokemon Go work?

Users with the Pokemon Go app installed can search different physical locations around their towns and cities for “points of interest” which are places you can capture Pokemon animals.

When users arrive in game locations they hold up their phone app, which uses their phone camera’s to see and capture animals hiding in that spot.

Pokémon Go Stop – Image Via Pokémon

Lure In Users to Your Flower Shop

Sometimes Pokemon game locations may not be where your flower shop is located. So to join in the fun, here are some ways your can use “Pokémon Go” to gain income for your flower business.

Lures are what attract wild Pokémon and players to that specific location.  Lures can be purchased in the Pokémon Go game.

• Lures increase the number of players around the PokéStop in that area.
• 30 minutes is how long a lure will last.
• Businesses have benefited using lures to attract potential customers.
• Lures can only be used if your location is already a PokéStop.

Luring is an affordable marketing for your flower business. With just a $100.00, you can increase traffic to your shop within a total of 84 hours.

Pokémon team symbol via Pokémon, background by pixabay.com

Get Florist Customers by Hosting a Pokemon Tournament

Pokémon Gym Tournaments are where users can battle their Pokémon against other user’s Pokémon for  Prize money, special items, badges, and to be the very best!

Being close to a Pokémon Gym will bring a high amount of potential customers to your floral business.  Here are some creative ideas for marketing a Pokémon Gym Tournament.

• Host a tournament, Advertise that you will be hosting and offering discounts to the gym tournament winners.
• Give team leaders a discount on game day.
• Teams consist of multiple players, which in return gain you more potential customers.
• Badges are rewarded to tournament winners. These badges can be customized for your business.

Tip – Use your flower business ‘s social media to post screenshots of  games and use hashtags like #pokemongo to get the message out to customers.

logo via Pokémon, background via pixabay.com

Start a Pokémon Hunt in Your Flower Shop

A Pokémon hunt is where users go out and search for Pokémon to collect and use in their Pokémon Go Tournaments. So why not host a Pokémon hunt to help generating some extra income.

• Start a Pokémon Go hunt that starts and ends at your flower shop business.
• Have you or your staff join in the fun, participate in the hunt, get to know and experience the game with potential customers.
• Have players return to your business after the hunt for a after Pokémon party. These parties are great for your business, especially for florists who are Flower shop /Bakeries.

Logo Via Pokémon, Social Media Symbols Via Google.

Post on Social Media to Promote Your Flower Shop

A great way getting those Pokémon Go users into your flower shop business is to market on social media.

• Show off the valuable Pokemon are in your area.
• Have staff start Pokémon Go and capture Pokemon they have captured in your flower shop and post images online.
• Run a program for paying or asking to use screenshots of rare Pokemon that appear near your business.
• Promote and reward players who find rare Pokémon at your flower shop business.

Tip – Create a Pokémon Go Facebook ad using your location radius. This will quickly spread through PokémonGo users and customers in your area who are likely to go to your flower shop.

These are just a few great marketing tips on how to get paying customers into your flower shop business by taking advantage of Pokémon Go. If you are currently using Pokémon Go as a marketing outlet in your flower shop,  please share your tips with our readers.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

Prepping/processing of flowers is the key to a successful floral business.

Floral Cooler

The temperature of floral cooler should be around 34-36 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure your floral cooler does not reach higher than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to clean your floral cooler on a regular basis, remove that pesky bacteria

Tip – flowers do not freeze at 32 degrees they freeze at about 29 degrees so you run no risk of freezing them if you keep your cooler lower.  

(Image via sunset.com)

Floral prepping/processing tools

To prep your flowers, make sure you have good floral tools. Buy quality! Invest in your floral tools, this is very important as you want clean cuts on your flower stems. Some very important floral tools to open a flower shop are :

• Floral knife or floral clippers
• Rose Stripper
• Buckets
• Floral Food

Some other valuable floral tools are a Stemming Machine and Flower Stem Cutter. A Stemming machine will allow you to eliminate the need for wire and tape by automatically placing a steel pick  on the flower by pulling the lever.  A Counter Top Flower Stem Cutter will cut your flower stems fast and easy.

Must Have – Crowning Glory this will seal your flowers and keep them hydrated

(Image via pixabay.com)

Processing Roses

Wholesale roses come tightly wrapped which needs to me removed. Do not try to pull the roses out, best tip is to unroll the wrapping.  Typically 25 rose stems come in a bundle and come in these lengths of 40cm, 50cm, 60cm and 70cm. The longer the length of the rose, the bloom size is typically larger.

To process roses, please follow these simple steps:

• Use a rose stripper and gently pull, this will remove thorns and foliage. Make sure to remove foliage that will be submerged in water.
• Rose thorns can be removed by pushing on the thorn or with floral clipper or floral knife,  just make sure that you do not remove the whole thorn as this will let air in the stem
• Make sure to go over any little thorns and just remove with floral knife
• Remove the guard/packing petals (the outer petals that have a tear or damage with tiny blemishes) These petals keep the inside of the rose petals presestine
• Each stem needs a fresh cut, hold stem and cut off at least a 1/2 inch at a 45-degree angle, dip in hydrating solution, and add to a floral bucket filled with water and preservative.

Tip – If doing a bridal bouquet remove all the foliage and guard/packing petals. 

(Image via pixabay.com)

Process Flowers

To process other flowers, cut the stems on a 45-degree angle and do not move any part of your hand, just the knife, this will increase the surface area so that they can drink more water. Remember to remove all greens below the water line.

When processing hydrangeas, remember there is a tough stem, all the greens below the water line must be removed. Cut the hydrangea stem with your knife by placing the knife on the flower stem and pull at a 45-degree angle.

tip – cut into the hydrangea stem by cutting snips into the hydrangea (where you cut the angle) and use warm water. Once ready to be arranged,  re-cut stems and dip 1/2 inch into alum power.  

(image via pixabay.com)

Processing Tulips

The great thing is, tulips are now available all year round.  There are some differences between the dutch tulip which set the standards. Tulips come in 10 stems to a bunch.

To process tulips:

• Look for nice firm stems and great color.
• Cut a 1/2 of the stem at a 45-degree angle
• Remove extra leaves from the base of the stem.
• Dip them in quick-dip and add to a floral bucket filler with water.

tip – tulips continue to grow after being cut,  up to a inch or more. They are also phototropic which means they bend towards the light so keep rotating  your containers to keep them upright.

Florists, do you have any tool recommendations or tips of flower prepping/processing? Please help educate other florists and share below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

Want a Pick-Me-Up? These Flower and Animal Photos will Do the Trick!

(Image via m.google.com)

(Image via gplus.slfeed.net)

(image via justcuteanimals.com)

(image via Richard Austin / Nature Animal Pictures)

Did you know?

• Flowers and animals are #1 in evoking true feelings of bliss.
• Looking at flower and animal images help you do better at work or complete a project.
• Taking time to meditate on an image helps you outperform your peers.
• Giving and looking at flowers gives the receiver a feeling of euphoria.
• Both men and women scored higher in their social behavior when they were given flowers.

Top 7 flowers that evoke emotional state of mind

(image via PhotoFind)

Gerbera Daisies – give off a warm fuzzy feeling.

(Image via www.kingwestvets.com)

Lilies – evoke romance with its fragrance.

(Image via wallpapersbuzz.com)

Tulips – helps lighten you up, don’t sweat the small stuff.

(Image via readme.ru)

Roses – gives you a sense of love and security.

(Image via Pinterest)

Gladioli – makes you motivated.

(Image via good4yourpet.com.au)

Hydrangeas – peaceful and calming effect.

(image via Richard Austin / Nature Animal Pictures)

Daffodils – makes you happy.

Sometimes we need a little break to put us back in an emotional state of well-being. Please leave a comment below if any of these images helped put a smile on your face!

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

Want to own a flower shop for very little start up costs? Now is your chance!

There are so many creative ways to open up a flower shop business. Take a look at these easy, fast, and for very little cost ideas to help open a flower shop or continue your business growth.

  Image Via Pinterest

Flower Trucks:

One of the most low-cost businesses are food trucks and ice cream trucks – we have seen these since the beginning of time and they are still going strong. One of the biggest addition to these is that florists are jumping on the truck business too,  and they are making big bucks.  The great thing about having your flower business on wheels is you can go where the customers are, after all, location is key! For very little start-up costs, you too can have a flower truck business, your patrons will be dazzled by its uniqueness.

Image Via Pinterest

Flower  Kiosk:

Flower Kiosks has been a staple in Europe since the beginning of the flower shop business, good thing is, this is trending now in the Untied States.  Opening up a flower kiosk is a great way to start your flower shop business at a very low cost, the amazingly beautiful flower kiosk attracts huge crowds with its European nostalgic feel.

Image Via Pinterest                      

Flower Bike:

Flower bikes are a fast-growing trend for starting flower shop business. China’s main outlet for selling flowers is on their flower bikes and this is a great way to start making your floral sales in an urban city setting.

Image Via Pinterest

Flower Design Home Studio:

What better way to get your hands in the Flower Shop business than to open a flower designed studio in your home. The important thing here is to make sure there is a designated entrance for your customers. Revamping a garage or shed is a great way to start off your florist business and keep costs low.

Image Via Floranext

Flower eCommerce Website:

If you want to start off with literally almost no start-up costs, try your hands on opening an eCommerce Floral website. Making an attractive Floral website with great SEO is a way to get orders and have your florist business grow substantially.

Hey Florist, If you have any innovating ideas on opening a flower shop, share your ideas below!

Want more ideas and info on the floral industry? Check out this link for more ideas on Opening a Flower Shop.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

Advertising for your flower shop business can be a daunting task.

Like it or not the cold hard truth is that sex sells and attracts consumers more than any other form of advertising. Finding a sexual cleverness is the answer to making your floral marketing responsive for your flower shop business, remember to always add a touch of humor. In this blog, we will show you options for increasing the sexiness in your floral business while keeping it tasteful.

Courtesy Of www.jamieaston.com

Sexy Floral Website

This is your weapon to reach a large consumer demographic, so why not play on the fact the SEX SELLS and in this case SEX SELLS FLOWERS TOO! Many florists are already doing this – It’s Brilliant and it works!

• Sexy flower specials
• Seductive web banners
• Sensual Flower Arrangement Images

Photo via Pinterest via listal.com

Fact: Sex in advertising is the most effective selling tool. Sex and marketing is a winning combination for any business – knowing how to be tasteful is the key ingredient!

Photo via Pinterest via trendhunter.com

Send Alluring Mail and Florist Email Flyers

Be creative! Romance does not only happen on Valentine’s Day, it happens every day. With the up-rise on social media dating sites, a good idea is to play on the humorous marketing associated with these ever so popular sites. Create sultry flower advertisements and add them to your floral website, social media, and send them out in the mail or part of your floral shop’s email marketing campaign.

Photo of Woman via Pinterest

Great Tip: Make some flyers up and drop them off at your local barber shop, pub/bar, gym, or popular hangouts, the more attractive and humorous and they are, the more responses you will get.

photo via Pinterest

Florists Future in Sexy Advertising  

Florists, sex is here to stay and with each passing year, it is getting more and more blatant. With the internet explosion, sex and advertisement is everywhere and you should expect to see more of it as time passes. Keep your floral ads sexy, tasteful with a touch of humor.

Fellow florists, if you are currently using sex in your floral marketing, please share your ideas and feedback with our readers.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.