tlc2003

5.6.2008

tlc2003, DC Area Antique and Furniture Restoration Business Launches Website

tlc2003, DC Area Antique and Furniture Restoration Business Launches Website

Sterling, VA (PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- Restorations Unlimited, a top drawer refinishing & repair (http://www.restorationsunlimited.com/) business in the Washington, D.C. area, is proud to announce the launch of its new website, www.restorationsunlimited.com. The website came to being thanks to owner Bill Shotwells daughter, Cinnamon Colbert, who prompted her Dad to take the leap into cyberspace. Apparently, Bill never had to worry much about competition. Since opening the doors of Restorations Unlimited in 1973, the luxury antique and furniture restoration (http://www.restorationsunlimited.com/) business has done very well. The fact that the business survived for so long speaks volumes about the quality of work. But, Bill was spending a fortune on advertising and realized that in order to stay connected with customers, he would need to turn to the internet.

"Sometimes I couldnt take a paycheck because I was spending it on ads in every phone book in Virginia, Maryland & DC," says Shotwell. "You just never know who you are missing by only hitting one venue, so we tried to hit them all and it was financially wearing on us." Now that Restorations Unlimited has a website however, business is running a lot smoother. Shotwell is relieved that his customers have all the information at their fingertips.

Bill Shotwells daughter, Cinnamon says it was hard to watch her Dad spend thousands on advertising when the internet could provide a better way. "I just knew it was time to revamp my Dads direction. He was afraid of e-mail, so I knew it would take a few years of patience in teaching, then forcing to get him to take the leap into cyberspace, but we did it!" She spent almost a year brainstorming the different aspects of the site. The website has the requisite basic information, like hours of operation, directions and contact information, but she felt it was important with their refinishing & repair (http://www.restorationsunlimited.com/) business, to let the customers see before and after pictures, read testimonials from famous clients, and read in depth about the many services they offer above and beyond the typical restoration job.

Bill says customers would call daily and try to get a ballpark estimate over the phone. "They would try to explain what their antique looked like and what needed fixing, but its like trying to give a haircut over the phone." Now, thanks to the new website, people can get a free estimate by emailing digital pictures. "It works better for both of us. The customers picture shows us what needs to be done and in turn, we can provide them with an accurate estimate," Shotwell says.

Restorations Unlimiteds website also has pages dedicated to monthly specials, classes for do-it-yourself restoration, and for antiques and collectibles they sell completely refinished, ready for refinishing or on a commission basis for customers that need to unload.

"Launching this website is like a breath of fresh air for us, almost every customer that calls our office asks if we have a website, and now we proudly say yes to every single one," says Cinnamon. She hesitates, but then she slyly adds, "Its always fun to say I told you so to your father."

About Restorations Unlimited, Inc.

Bill Shotwell, founder and co-owner of Restorations Unlimited, Inc., opened his doors for business in 1973 on Pickett Road in Fairfax, Virginia. In 1997, Bill moved the restoration company to Sterling, Virginia. Bill and his wife of 40 years have five kids and all of them have had their share of working at the shop and learning the refinishing and repair craft. Cinnamon, his oldest daughter began working at the shop part time in1997 as a receptionist and is currently the Vice President of Operations.

A majority of his employees have been family members with a few exceptions. They have kept it small, customized and fun. Now that they have the new website, they spend less time on the phone and more time doing what they love: restoring furniture and antiques.