Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am trying my hand at being an online retailer.  I designed the site myself and I am afraid it really looks that way. My main concern is that consumers will not have confidence buying from me. I would appreciate any critique or suggestions in making my site look more professional. Thanks.

http://www.kanekaiclothing.com 

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Angelica Calayan
President
Kanekai
Cool shirts for little boys...
Aloha style with a Southern California twist.

As the parent of a toddler ... I didn`t even know what "wovens" are. So there`s your first problem.

Secondly, I`m on the home page, and yet the topmost button says HOME. Which takes me ... no where. So I`d drop that one.

There are no prices before I click purchase.
There is no running total of my cart.
The pictures could be better.
I don`t like the whole lightbox cart thing ... that you have to click to close.
There`s way too much white for a full-size screen.
The images along the right side look like an afterthought.

I could sit here and rattle off all the things that are missing from the site and from the shopping experience ... but really I think your best bet is to either
A) Find a good template and premade shopping cart.
or
B) Hire someone to make it for you.

I say these things not to be mean, but because I think it`s a really cute product and I`d like to see you succeed.


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That PHP Girl
Small Business Essentials
Latest Post on SUN: New Facebook Pages - First Impressions

First, Thank you for your reply.
Prices, I can`t believe I don`t have them. I thought that I did.  I have looked at it so many times, it`s blinding.

I will remove "Home" from the home page.

Unfortunately, hiring a professional is not in my budget.  I never really found a template that I liked, but I would definitely consider it.

I am really taking all of your suggestions/comments in.  I am considering reworking all of the shopping pages. I better get to work.

Thanks for your reply.

Angelica




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Angelica Calayan
President
Kanekai
Cool shirts for little boys...
Aloha style with a Southern California twist.

I agree with NHG that the photos could be better, but then I am a product photographer.  Clothing is one of the most challenging products to photograph but to improve yours I would put the clothes on some models and keep the detail photos as well.

Personally, I like simple pages and I would keep your current style.  Just add more photos of the product in various backgrounds.

Oh, you mentioned adding your voice to the home page.   Don`t.  Put it on an "About Us" page and don`t start playing it automatically.  In my book a website that starts playing media automatically every time I land on that page gets a failing grade.  If I want to see/hear it, I get to press "Play" - not you.

Steve Mann


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Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email

Hi angelicab.

I have never been one that critiques others websites, but I did take a look.  My first impression before even going further to purchase or look for prices is that the shirts your showing in pictures look all wrinkled and difficult to see what quality they should be showing.

I agree with Steve Mann.  I think you need some quality photos of your product first, because your customers need to really view something that looks very attractive for them to want to purchase.

Good luck , cute shirts.

Janie

 

 

Steve,

I would definitely agree that clothes are hard to photograph.  No matter how many times I smoothed them out they still look creased or wrinkled.  Now it is very clear to me that I need better pictures. Thanks for your response. 
Oh, and no I won`t be puting any sound on my website, you might be thinking of someone else. 
I also agree with you that keeping it simple is best, especially when you are not a web designer.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

Angelica


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Angelica Calayan
President
Kanekai
Cool shirts for little boys...
Aloha style with a Southern California twist.

Janie,

I really appreciate you taking the time to have a look.  Your response definitely confirmed that I need to have better pictures.

Thanks.

Angelica


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Angelica Calayan
President
Kanekai
Cool shirts for little boys...
Aloha style with a Southern California twist.