Why Customised Window Coverings Need an Online Presence

The Future of Selling Custom Window Coverings Online

In 2025, having an online store is no longer optional—especially if you’re in the business of selling customised products like window blinds and curtains. The reasons are clear, and we’ll explore them further in this article. However, one thing is crucial to understand: the online market is constantly evolving, offering new and improved experiences for purchasing, choosing, and customising products.

In this article, we’ll share tips and recommendations to help you better understand how to sell curtains and blinds online. We’ll explore how online curtain sales can add an extra £100,000 to your annual revenue, how to effectively promote curtains online, and whether it’s possible to run a successful online curtain store without a physical presence. These questions, and more, will be covered in detail.

If you already know what you’re looking for and would like to skip ahead, feel free to book a demo with me. Simply fill out the form, and I’ll send you a link to my calendar for us to arrange a meeting. CEO and Founder of InterioApp

Why an Online Store is Essential for Selling Customised Window Coverings

The shift to online shopping isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of retail. For businesses selling customised products like window blinds and curtains, this shift presents a massive opportunity. Here’s why:

1. Reach a targeted audience: Unlike a physical store, which is limited by your local area, an online store allows you to reach your target customers far beyond your immediate location. This means you can connect with people who are most interested in your products and services, no matter where they are. While traditional methods like radio ads, local stands, and magazine advertisements can help, an online store enables you to engage with an audience actively browsing for inspiration. Whether they’re across the country or even internationally, potential customers can discover your products, fall in love with your brand, and become loyal clients.

2. Offer unlimited customisation: Customisation is key in the window coverings industry. It’s why you can’t easily tell your friends how much their curtains will cost without knowing their specific desires—fabrics, headings, linings, accessories, borders, and more all factor in. Now, all of this is possible to offer online! An online store provides the flexibility to present a wide range of custom options without the constraints of physical inventory space. Customers can select their preferred sizes, fabrics, and colours, creating a product that’s uniquely theirs.

3. Convenience for customers: Shopping online offers customers the convenience of browsing, customising, and purchasing from the comfort of their home. This is especially important for first-time homeowners, who might feel unsure about the costs of custom curtains and blinds. By shopping online, they can explore options at their own pace without any pressure. This ease of use is increasingly crucial in today’s busy world and can give you a competitive edge in the market.

How Online Curtain Sales Can Add an Extra £100,000 in Revenue

Selling curtains and blinds online isn’t just about convenience—it can also be a significant revenue driver. Here’s how:

1. Treat your online store like your local showroom: When discussing their physical showroom, many business owners express more passion than when talking about their online store. Why is that? As humans, we often feel safer and more connected to tangible assets like real estate or a physical store, compared to an online business or stocks. However, this mindset is why younger generations are making millions online—they don’t have this attachment to physical assets. Business is business, and it needs to be treated as such. If you put the same effort into your online store as you do into your local business, the online side can deliver ten times more sales and significantly higher profits than your local operation.

2. Use your online store as a quoting and designing platform: An online store equipped with a price calculator for curtains and blinds allows potential customers to get instant quotes for their desired products. How can this feature help you outperform the competition and attract more clients? For many, the cost of custom curtains is a mystery. By offering a transparent pricing tool, you can differentiate yourself in the market. Use this tool to engage with clients, designers, and even competitors, being open and honest about your prices and values. Don’t be afraid to highlight your strengths. The calculator will filter out those who aren’t serious buyers, saving your sales team time and focusing their efforts on genuine prospects. Remember, it’s not about one-time sales; it’s about building long-term relationships with recurring clients.

3. Implement upselling techniques: Once customers have selected their curtains or blinds, suggest complementary products like matching tiebacks, curtain rods, or additional room decor. These upsells can significantly increase your average order value, turning a simple purchase into a more substantial transaction.

Promoting Curtains and Blinds Online: Effective Strategies

One common misconception among business owners, especially those new to the market, is the belief that they must attract all their leads and clients organically. I understand why this feels important—buying leads can sometimes feel like admitting your business can’t attract customers on its own, which can feel like a failure. But this thinking is flawed. You will attract leads organically, but it may take time. Buying ads is simply a way to accelerate this process, much like giving a little push to a child doing homework or motivating an adult to hit the gym. There’s nothing wrong with that. The real question is not whether you should buy ads, but how to do so most effectively. Here are a few steps to help you in the digital marketing field:

1. Search engine optimisation (SEO): Optimise your website and product pages for search engines. Use keywords like “custom window blinds,” “made-to-measure curtains,” and “online curtain store” to help potential customers find your store when they search online. When working with our clients, we go a step further by identifying their Ideal Customer Personas (ICPs)—understanding what they like, where they go, what they buy, and where they live. This insight allows us to create more effective keywords that not only generate higher quality leads but are also more cost-effective compared to the generic keywords your competitors might use. Remember, your customers are often browsing the internet for home inspiration, so knowing your ICP can help you craft content that resonates with them.

2. Social media marketing: Use platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to showcase your products in real-life settings. Post high-quality images of your curtains and blinds in beautifully designed rooms, and engage with followers by answering questions and sharing tips. While many businesses already do this, always ask yourself, “What can I do differently?” At the moment, most curtain sellers are posting before-and-after images. This strategy works, but five years ago, hardly any retailers were doing it, and the first ones to adopt this approach gained the most followers. Think about what you can share online that your competitors aren’t—or consider how you can do it better.

3. Email marketing: Build an email list of potential customers and send them regular updates about new products, promotions, and helpful content. Offering a discount code for first-time buyers can encourage sign-ups and drive initial sales. This is where Shopify and InterioApp come in with a big advantage. Automate your emails so you don’t have to send them manually—this should be a tool that works for you, not something you have to work for. Automation allows you to stay connected with your customers effortlessly, ensuring consistent communication and better sales outcomes.

Can You Run a Successful Online Curtain Store Without a Physical Store?

If I simply said “absolutely,” it might sound like what you expect to hear. But the best way to answer this is by sharing examples of our clients who sell curtains exclusively online—some of whom have even closed their physical stores. As we’ve already discussed in this article, one of the most important things you can do as a business owner is to put the same effort into your online store as you would into your local store.

A physical store requires you to be present, open the shop, turn on the cash register, hold meetings with your sales team, and perhaps interact with seamstresses if your workshop is in the same location. Consider the costs involved in running a physical store and think about how you can redirect that effort to your online store instead. For example, you could start your day by writing a blog post or uploading 1-5 new product images and descriptions to your website. Or perhaps you could begin with a post on Pinterest or Instagram. Remember, when it comes to posting on social media, a personal video message often garners 10x more attraction and engagement than a simple text post.

We could continue listing examples: just as your physical store has a logo and window displays, and your team distributes postcards, you should think about every step you take for your local store and consider what you might be missing for your online store.

Consider the Costs

How much does it cost to run a physical store? Consider investing the same amount into your online store. The cash register, 2-3 sales team members, showroom rent, logos, samples, interior decor—these costs could be redirected to your online store, potentially yielding 5-10 times greater returns. Here are some recommendations you can implement even now:

1. Focus on your website design and automation: Your website is your storefront, so it needs to be well-designed, easy to navigate, and optimised for conversions. Ensure that your product pages are detailed, with high-quality images, customer reviews, and clear calls to action. Think about how your customers or leads navigate your site: Do they easily find information about each product? Is there enough support, such as pop-ups and clear navigation buttons? How does the checkout page look—does your website inspire trust? Do you have enough testimonials and recommendations from previous buyers? Do you offer a guarantee? Can customers easily contact you, and can they see examples of your work online?

2. Implement a calculator for instant quotes and easy purchases: This is crucial for customised online stores selling products like curtains and blinds. Make it easy for customers to understand what they’re buying and to complete their purchases. Add as many opportunities as possible for customers to ask your team questions. Offer additional services like measuring, installing, and fitting, as well as consultation services for an extra fee.

3. Build trust with customers: Offer excellent customer service, clear return policies, and secure payment options. Building trust is essential when customers can’t physically see or touch your products before buying.

Final steps:

If you’ve been considering taking your curtain and blinds business online or enhancing your existing online store, now is the time to act. The opportunities are immense, and with the right approach, your online store can far exceed the success of a traditional physical store. By focusing on your website’s design, implementing tools like instant quote calculators, and building trust with your customers, you can create a seamless and profitable online experience.

If you’re ready to move forward and explore how we can help you achieve these goals, let’s schedule a call. We’re here to guide you through every step, from setting up your online store to implementing the best strategies for growth. Book a meeting with us today, and let’s turn your vision into reality.