Hi everyone. I know that just about everyone here is very web savvy. Everyone except for me...that is! I'm looking for some input on my mothers web site. We just went live about a week ago. I'm looking for as many issues as I can, but I admit that I have limited vision. Since I put the stuff up, it's hard for me to see what is wrong.
I'm looking for any input you may have - don't worry, I'm not a cryer. I need the criticism. I want this site to be successful for my mother. Anyhow, here is the link:
http://www.basket-full.com
I really appreciate your time.
Input on Site...totally non-anime!
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jenn-b
- Himajin - Get A Life
- Posts: 3620
- Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2002 3:09 pm
- Location: Stewing over the idiocy of some collectors.
Input on Site...totally non-anime!
Once a Bleach Whore...always a Bleach Whore
"Looks like you're on the ass end of an ass-kickin'" the All-Powerful Bender
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jcaliff
- Kuwabarakuwabara - Oh My God!
- Posts: 720
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 9:59 am
- Location: Houston
- Contact:
I like the color choices and the font. My first impression is that the home page feels a little cluttered, but I'm thinking that could be intentional since I figure it's supposed to have that country store sort of feel. Navigation is pretty straight forward, although I notice that when I clicked the first link it reloaded the menu images instead of using the ones that are already cached. I don't know exactly how you coded it, or if it's using the same files or a different set of identical files, but it did seem to slow down the page load.
I have a few questions and suggestions:
On the Wine Companion Gift Basket it says it contains
*Tuscan Sunflower Dipping Set - Oil Container and 4 Serving Plates
*Gourmet Olive Oil
Then it says that "This set can also be prepared without the Olive Oil Dipping set for $32.95 less."
Does that just mean the first asterisk item? It doesn't have the word "olive oil" in it, and I found myself thinking it was sunflower oil, which I know doesn't make much sense but it is a type of oil. Does it also not include the olive oil in the second asterisk if you get it without the set?
In Gift Baskets, the first link I clicked, I found most of the items with various options a little confusing at first until I actually clicked the links to the descriptions. I'm afraid when those pull-downs are on the first page, some people may not realize that there is a second page with a description of the options, especially when there isn't a directive on the main page that says, "click the item name for a description"
Why is the big image on "quilted keepers" a link? Is it actually a different image when you click it? It looks the same to me. It's not supposed to be an image map, is it? I do think you should maybe put the title and description above that image, or maybe delete that image altogether and maybe create a menu further down that says something like "these are the fabric options" and just have names of the fabric with links to large, detailed pictures of the fabric.
On Boyd's Bears, again I think you should have a title above the graphic. Also, what are Doll Stones and Bear Stones? Are those not finished?
I find it a little strange that there isn't a direct-order button on the main pages for Coffee and Teas, Gourmet Food, Local and Central PA Products (might want to spell out Pennsylvania on the main page for the last one since there are liable to be people who won't know what the abbreviation means), Home Fragrance, Cookbooks, Kitchenware, and Calendars when they were on all the other pages before.
Finally, I can't find shipping information. I'm especially curious about rates, insurance options, and whether or not you accept international orders. What type of payments do you take? None of that is on the information page. I also think the information, search, etc could be a little larger font and easier to find - you have to scroll way down to get to them.
Hope that helps a little!
I have a few questions and suggestions:
On the Wine Companion Gift Basket it says it contains
*Tuscan Sunflower Dipping Set - Oil Container and 4 Serving Plates
*Gourmet Olive Oil
Then it says that "This set can also be prepared without the Olive Oil Dipping set for $32.95 less."
Does that just mean the first asterisk item? It doesn't have the word "olive oil" in it, and I found myself thinking it was sunflower oil, which I know doesn't make much sense but it is a type of oil. Does it also not include the olive oil in the second asterisk if you get it without the set?
In Gift Baskets, the first link I clicked, I found most of the items with various options a little confusing at first until I actually clicked the links to the descriptions. I'm afraid when those pull-downs are on the first page, some people may not realize that there is a second page with a description of the options, especially when there isn't a directive on the main page that says, "click the item name for a description"
Why is the big image on "quilted keepers" a link? Is it actually a different image when you click it? It looks the same to me. It's not supposed to be an image map, is it? I do think you should maybe put the title and description above that image, or maybe delete that image altogether and maybe create a menu further down that says something like "these are the fabric options" and just have names of the fabric with links to large, detailed pictures of the fabric.
On Boyd's Bears, again I think you should have a title above the graphic. Also, what are Doll Stones and Bear Stones? Are those not finished?
I find it a little strange that there isn't a direct-order button on the main pages for Coffee and Teas, Gourmet Food, Local and Central PA Products (might want to spell out Pennsylvania on the main page for the last one since there are liable to be people who won't know what the abbreviation means), Home Fragrance, Cookbooks, Kitchenware, and Calendars when they were on all the other pages before.
Finally, I can't find shipping information. I'm especially curious about rates, insurance options, and whether or not you accept international orders. What type of payments do you take? None of that is on the information page. I also think the information, search, etc could be a little larger font and easier to find - you have to scroll way down to get to them.
Hope that helps a little!
Hector the Collector loved these things with all his soul,
Loved them more than shining diamonds, loved them more than glistenin' gold.
Hector called to all the people,"Come and share my treasure trunk!"
And all the silly sightless people came and looked...and called it junk.
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Krafty
- Custodian of Records
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2004 12:59 pm
- Location: England
- Contact:
I've had a good look round and have a few things to say.
I think it's very wel put together, having the main headers on the left-hand side throughout is very useful in terms of navigation. Everything's laid out well and it puts across most of the info customers need to see.
A few things you could add:
The Information page needs a statement about shipping. I understand you prefer customers to pop by the store in person but advetising on the web means you have a worldwide customer base. It was only through completing a dummy order that I understood you shipped abroad and I then had an idea of shipping costs. It'd be good to be up front about this and maybe even the shipping costs to help customers from the outset.
You needn't go into detail about shipping costs for each region/country, but addressing this would be useful.
The Shop Front page blurb appears a little too humble in it's tone. I'd be a little more assertive because YOU are the boss and are offering the best possible good to customers. You need to convince us of that. It's good to be polite, as you have been, but talk as if you ARE the best and everyone should know it!
Another quote that I thought you should rephrase was:
"Although we do not have our entire inventory online, we have a nice selection of some of our most popular items."
Say something like "A diverse selection of our most popular items are displayed here and exciting new stock is arriving continually. Check back regularly for the latest additions..."
Do you see? Always avoid statements like "Do Not, Can Not" and only express what you CAN do.
It may seem a minor point but it subconsciously gives a better impression to anyone reading it.
It's important to get as much online as possible so visitors can browse through it all- that's what I like to do with sites I visit. I prefer that there's too much for me to see than not enough.
If you want return customers you have to keep everything up to date and add lots more inventory to the site. I'm sure this is what you have in mind already, just reinforcing that idea
Now you're site's online do you have it linked/indexed on search engines? Go to Engines like Yahoo, Google, Excite, Altavista etc and manually submit your page to each of them. It's free and will generate more casual surfers over time. It can take one or two months to get listed but it's worth doing.
Also get your site linked directly to as many popular, similar websites as possible. People will often click a link to your site through another page and this also helps in your 'rankings' once your site is listed with search engines. The more sites that link you the better.
With your site starting off, you will have very few hits but once it's linked with some of the well-known sites, you'll get many more customers who believe you're a big player too
It's looking really good, maintain that energy and you'll do well!
I think it's very wel put together, having the main headers on the left-hand side throughout is very useful in terms of navigation. Everything's laid out well and it puts across most of the info customers need to see.
A few things you could add:
The Information page needs a statement about shipping. I understand you prefer customers to pop by the store in person but advetising on the web means you have a worldwide customer base. It was only through completing a dummy order that I understood you shipped abroad and I then had an idea of shipping costs. It'd be good to be up front about this and maybe even the shipping costs to help customers from the outset.
You needn't go into detail about shipping costs for each region/country, but addressing this would be useful.
The Shop Front page blurb appears a little too humble in it's tone. I'd be a little more assertive because YOU are the boss and are offering the best possible good to customers. You need to convince us of that. It's good to be polite, as you have been, but talk as if you ARE the best and everyone should know it!
Another quote that I thought you should rephrase was:
"Although we do not have our entire inventory online, we have a nice selection of some of our most popular items."
Say something like "A diverse selection of our most popular items are displayed here and exciting new stock is arriving continually. Check back regularly for the latest additions..."
Do you see? Always avoid statements like "Do Not, Can Not" and only express what you CAN do.
It may seem a minor point but it subconsciously gives a better impression to anyone reading it.
It's important to get as much online as possible so visitors can browse through it all- that's what I like to do with sites I visit. I prefer that there's too much for me to see than not enough.
If you want return customers you have to keep everything up to date and add lots more inventory to the site. I'm sure this is what you have in mind already, just reinforcing that idea
Now you're site's online do you have it linked/indexed on search engines? Go to Engines like Yahoo, Google, Excite, Altavista etc and manually submit your page to each of them. It's free and will generate more casual surfers over time. It can take one or two months to get listed but it's worth doing.
Also get your site linked directly to as many popular, similar websites as possible. People will often click a link to your site through another page and this also helps in your 'rankings' once your site is listed with search engines. The more sites that link you the better.
With your site starting off, you will have very few hits but once it's linked with some of the well-known sites, you'll get many more customers who believe you're a big player too
It's looking really good, maintain that energy and you'll do well!
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klet
- Taiyo - Sun Fearer
- Posts: 2923
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:48 am
- Location: confused and wandering through life
- Contact:
Personally I'd put the Shopping Cart, etc stuff lined up horizontally along the top of each page. That way, people won't have to "search" (ie scroll) for them. You'd be surprised how many people may miss that. My parents are completely internet-ignorant, and sometimes they miss stuff like that. After all, thet's the most important part. When people pay for their stuff. 