Apollo Blinds
Description:
Apollo Blinds is the UK's largest retail blind store chain, with over 75 stores throughout Britain and Ireland.
Opportunities:
Franchises available in all areas of the UK and Ireland.
Business Type:
Franchise.
Minimum Investment:
£14,900.
Financing Assistance:
Yes, through a third party.
Training Provided:
Yes.
Home-based:
Yes.
BFA Full Member: Yes.
Apollo launched into cyberspace
July 24, 2008
Inspiring consumers and supporting its network of franchisees are the key reasons why Apollo Blinds has launched its new website.
Britain’s biggest blinds store chain has the UK’s most extensive collection and it wanted to use the new website to showcase its ranges. This will give consumers plenty of ideas on how window blinds can have a massive impact on the look, feel and atmosphere of any room.
By showing consumers what is possible with window blinds and accessories, the company believes that the website, www.apollo-blinds.co.uk, will help generate more leads for its franchise network.
In the development of the new website general manager Gary Chambers believes Apollo Blinds has been very focused on what it wants to achieve and that is driving enquiries for its franchisees.
“Our new website is a fantastic showcase for the blinds that we have right across our ranges and the stunning use of photography gives visitors plenty of ideas and inspiration for what can be accomplished in any room of a house,” he said.
“But we are very aware that the whole point of investing in a new website is to entice customers so that they make an enquiry.
“This gives our franchisee network the opportunity to follow up that enquiry. They can invite customers to visit the store or arrange for a free home consultation so they can experience for themselves the abundance of window blinds in the Apollo Blinds range."
There are two distinct elements to the new website. The first is the Apollo collection which is classified by the different ranges of Roman, roller, Venetian, vertical, wooden and conservatory blinds and awnings and canopies. Each section contains stunning photography and key facts about the products.
The other section is the store locator. Visitors can enter their details to find their nearest store and the website has a dedicated page for each of the 85 franchise stores. Each page contains information on opening hours, address and contact details as well as directions.
“The important feature of each of the store pages is that franchisees can personalise them,” added Chambers.
“Some have put pictures of their team on the website and shots of the front of their stores because giving consumers a sense of who they will be dealing with goes a long way to building a sense of rapport that helps to make a sale.”
The website also features information on service and aftercare, information for prospective franchisees and a press centre.
Chambers concluded by saying: “We think that visitors to the website will love it because it is intuitive to use, has lots of stunning pictures of the different blinds and it is easy to make an enquiry.”
