Technology

The PR Adviser: Dear Lilian

TechnologyAug 08, 2016

The PR Adviser: Dear Lilian

Lilian Raji took a break from her spectacular Italian vacation to help a jeweler in Barbados who’s looking to redesign her website.

2016_Lilian-Raji-new.jpg
Lilian Raji is a strategic marketing and public relations adviser who helps luxury lifestyle brands sell more products to luxury buyers.

Dear Lilian,

Many thanks for your informative articles.

I have decided after 17 years to do a new website. My current website is lovely but not interactive. I want this site to be really user friendly, require use of a password in order to view collections and have awesome photography.

I have two shops in Barbados and would like the website visitors to have an “interactive” experience when on the site. Most people are seeing your website before your shop. How can I get the private- jeweller-of-Barbados feel on a website?

Heather Harrington Jones

                                                                        ----------

Hello Heather,

Hopefully, you and my wonderful readers are having a fantastic summer! I write to you now from the breathtaking shores of Capri, which the Italians have ardently informed me is pronounced KAH-pree.

It’s only fitting your email is my next focus as I’ve heard Barbados’ shores are just as spectacular!

I, and my dear friend Christina Hagopian of Hagopian Ink, have reviewed your website. Christina’s business is ensuring that the first impression her luxury clients’ receive is that they deserve whatever price tag they command.

Let’s start with your website’s biggest problem; this far outweighs your website’s lack of interactivity because, as it currently stands, your website can’t be found organically.

In April 2015, Google introduced major changes to their ranking system. Google declared that if a website doesn’t look good on mobile devices, well, gosh darn it, it’s not good enough to acknowledge! Christina spent early 2015 getting her clients’ websites updated, and this is what you must do.  

As you’re evaluating web designers, the first question you must ask--repeat after me, dear--are you fluent on everything that will make Google happy with my site?

Next, your desire to be positioned as the private jeweler of Barbados is commendable.  A strong positioning serves as a shield against competitors.  

However, I assure you your customers care less about you being the private jeweler of BARBADOS, and more about you being THE PRIVATE JEWELER of Barbados.  They care more about what you offer and less about your location.

“Your jewelry needs to be front and center,” Christina recommends. “Make Barbados secondary to your primary purpose, which is providing an elite selection of jewelry they can’t find anywhere else.”

To do this, you may have to reconsider password-protecting your site.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of making customers feel special with invitation-only access.
But until your site visitors become customers, they need reasons to contact you. They need to know what you offer.

Christina and I differ on which luxury website offers the most inspiring design. Christina is all-American with Tiffany & Co. And I, who’s never seen a flute of Taittinger (or any other French product for that matter) I didn’t immediately want, j’aime Cartier

We’re both right for different reasons. Albeit, for a budget less than a tenth of Cartier’s annual earnings, Tiffany’s website is your better muse.

What we want you to notice on Tiffany’s site, first and foremost, is the white background.  

“You want a white background because jewelry shows up best on white,” Christina advises. “Black is a very difficult color to work with in web design.”

Christina recommends banner imagery for your home page. Banners spread across a browser’s full width, and when properly designed, welcome in visitors. They highlight immediately your unique positioning while luring visitors deeper into the site.

Integrate Barbados by using subtle allusions to your island. Perhaps conduct a photo shoot with your vendors’ jewelry elegantly styled on beach sands. Or have a woman wearing your vendors’ gems standing before an exquisite golden sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

If you don’t want to invest in a photo shoot, ask your vendors to provide you with high-resolution images. For your home page, include a few revolving banner images from brands exclusive to you. Make sure you prominently note somewhere on those images “Available exclusively at Heather Harrington Jones.”

Your vendors, Doves by Doron Paloma, Mattioli, and Oromalia, all have gorgeous pictures on their home pages they might be willing to provide in exchange for photography credit. I personally love Vendorafa Italy’s home page image of jewelry-as-leaves.  It tells a million stories, all of which end with “what else is available from Vendorafa?”
After your home page shows them a bit of leg, the rest of your site should whisper “come hither,” with “hither” being your “Contact Us” page.
Hmm … is it just a coincidence that I’m referencing mostly your Italian vendors, or have I drank one too many Limoncellos here on the Caeser Augustus hotel terrace to see anything other than prodotti di Italia?

Perhaps that’s a question best answered after another Chianti.

Back to your website.

The very essence of creating an experiential site is to evoke emotion from visitors. Emotions are the quintessence of luxury.

Your new website’s job, Heather, love, is to tease potential customers with products extraordinarily different from other Barbadian jewelers--products exclusive only to you.

After your home page shows them a bit of leg, the rest of your site should whisper “come hither,” with “hither” being your “Contact Us” page.

Use your “About Us” page to declare your ties to Barbados. Have fun with a Barbados-inspired photo shoot, where you serve as supermodel in stunning jewelry. Match your photos with a personal testimony as to why you love the island.

Your “Designers” page requires a white background. Multiple images set on a black background are visually disruptive. Luxury is all about ease. Make things easy on the eyes.

Christina and I highly recommend featuring more than two products on your vendors’ individual pages.  Give your potential customers something to lust after. If they’re not already familiar with Tagliamonte, two random images won’t solicit a call with their Centurion card number to get your latest Tagliamonte exclusive. 

We recommend at least six to eight product images per vendor.  Plan on updating images monthly so customers have reason to come back to your site regularly.

Assuming you’re not planning an e-commerce site, still allow customers to click through your vendors’ product images. The subsequent page should feature an enlarged image, product name or number, and description.

Because you are not selling online, rather than listing prices, use “Contact us for pricing.” The name and/or number will make it easier to know which item is being summoned to your customer’s jewelry collection.

Lastly, create a monthly email newsletter and encourage all site visitors to subscribe. A newsletter as simple as “what Heather found this month” will do, with a picture of your recently discovered gem and the designer’s bio. Mind you, “recently discovered” is subjective, so don’t feel you have to be on a monthly hunt for something new to feature. Last year is more recent than five years ago!

Now darling Heather, this is where I must leave you. I saw a gorgeous Damiani ring in Quisisana Hotel’s lobby showcase yesterday on my way to their pool and I must now contact them for pricing.

Thank you, Christina, for your contributions.

Ciao bello, beloved readers. Until next month--and please send me your pressing PR and marketing questions!

Lilian Raji is a strategic marketing and public relations adviser who helps luxury lifestyle brands sell more products to luxury buyers. Send questions for The PR Adviser to nationaljeweler@lmrpr.com or contact her at lilian@lmrpr.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Lilian Rajiis a strategic communications and PR adviser who helps companies understand their marketing problems, then designs and executes strategies to solve them.

The Latest

Sothebys The Desert Rose orangy pink diamond collectors week
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

Calvin Klein watch and jewelry campaign
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff Impact

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

Mark Davis Bullseye Necklace
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Image #1_Resized.png
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and Coaching

Sponsored by Clientbook

Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
GIA’s new report for lab-grown diamonds
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

Botswana President Duma Boko
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales Slump

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Afton Robertson-Kanne Borsheims
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry Buyer

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis Students

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

Taylor Swift Engaged
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond Cuts

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

11,685-carat Imboo emerald
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem Mine

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.

Shopping cart
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income Worries

Plans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.

Mine + Found Play Collection Prize Bubble Locket, Whistle Pendent, Fortune Dice
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful

The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.

CCWW lifesaver necklace
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

Nick Jonas x Fossil Campaign
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil Campaign

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

Wally Hinkamp and Donna Hinkamp Warren
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 Years

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-Gifting

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.

London Jewelers Rolex East Hampton Boutique Exterior
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons Home

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

Madison Keys
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US Open

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

Marie Lichtenberg emerald and diamond locket on the 18-karat gold “Rosa” chain
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a Wrap

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

WatchTime New York
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary Edition

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy