Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi guys,

I`m new to this forum, I started this post because I really need some feedback from you about my free classifieds site. My site is www.telists.com covers 50 US states and more than 360 regions. I offer free ads on 38 different categories. The paid section covers Featured and Highlited ads and a 468x60 banner ads. Your ad will go online instantly. the site has many other features. just have a look and give me suggestions please.

The OP asked for critique.  Not for a pitch for your services.  Besides, you said the website is great, so why would they need your help?

The website is not "great".  The landing page is cluttered, it rambles and there is no compelling benefit demonstrated.  I can place my ad there.  So what?  I can do that on Craigslist and probably get a whole lot more response for my efforts.  Why are you different from Craigslist and dozens of other more focused classified sites?

What does the photo in the banner have to do with classified listings?  It looks like Fidel Castro on a bad hair day, or a bum off the street.  Also, the "recently uploaded" photos?  Why are these here?  If I want to see photos of an ugly kitten I`ll search Google for them.  If you have to have a showcase photo, at least put them in the area of interest.  Like, put the hairless cat in the pets section, not on the home page.

Steve Mann



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Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email

How about a big search field on the home page - I`m looking for a used washer and I live in Pittsburgh - I want to be able to find that quick and easy.

I`d get rid of the entire top banner section to add some more space to your site - I think there is a little too much scrolling around to find stuff.

Hi,

I am using Mozilla and your main page is cut on the right side because I always have favorites open so I did not see Google and state selection. I agree with the input above that search is important. You want to show the easy steps to either publish an ad or find what people are looking for. This was not obvious.

For some people fonts will be small. Photos should be relevant.
And your logo is not showing well on my 1260x768 resolution.

Hope it helps.

I agree that the dark banner with the partial face and beard is a bit off-putting. Sort of threatening, or like a homeless person looking at you.

But more importantly, in my opinion, is that on any of these kinds of sites, the search capability is crucial. Nobody wants to just browse categories hoping to find something to buy.

Everyone is looking to buy a particular thing. If they get taken to your site, that ad via a search engine. Great. But otherwise, the very first thing anyone would want to do is search for their particular desired item.

That may be why eBay has a search bar right at the top of their home page.