CascadeStar.com - Fine Jewelry Website

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CascadeStar.com - Fine Jewelry Website

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infilta

posts: 126

Jul 04, 2008 10:03 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

IDK, I like rings photos on white background, no blue or anything, unless they`re photographed on some fine fabric.

Anyway, I don`t see a point in discussing your current site if you intend to redesign it soon. You need ideas for the future site, right?

CascadeStar

posts: 14

Jul 14, 2008 6:56 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Very nice :-) Y`know, watching the image come in at the start of each category page (I found myself wandering around, looking at all the categories, so you`re definitely pulling me in...), I got to thinking.

Would it be very time intensive if you were to use that category main picture as a sort of highlight on featured products?

In other words, you`ve got all this extra whitespace around that image, and it could be working for you. If you were to put a featured bracelet, for example, as your main image for "Bracelets," you also have room for some sales text below that. It`d be discrete, nice, and go along with the overall site style, but it could bring people to maybe a whole page that`s devoted to special items? Maybe?

Craig,

Thanks for your input. Yes, what you are suggesting is something that I had in mind for a long time and it is on my list of minor tweaks to the re-design. I intend to put the design title and price in the white space under the image so that folks will have more incentive to click on that image. It will be very discreet text, though, so as not to take away from the "art gallery" look of the image (the large amount of white space you see is intentional).

-------------------------

Rushabh Sheth
Cascade Star - Indulge in Style™
Specialty Diamond Designer Jewelry at Perfect Value.
http://www.cascadestar.com

CascadeStar

posts: 14

Jul 14, 2008 7:03 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

The usability is definitely better but I do have two suggestions:

1. I like the zoomify effect but zoomed all the way out (which is the default) on most of the products makes the images blur a little. I would suggest starting them at zoom level 2. [/quote]

I`m glad there is another person who is noticing this same blurring issue. I thought it was just me or that it would escape attention but if you could see it, then so can my customers. I`ll ask my developers to make the default zoom level at 2 or higher to avoid the blurring effect.

[quote]2. At the head of each category put a image that represents the category. The text links are ok but I think you would do better with image links. [/quote]

An image would mess up the navigation breadcrumb from an aesthetic point of view. The reason is that the category will be an image but the rest of the breadcrumb will be text links (they have to be text links due to the dynamic nature of the breadcrumbs). Not only that, but it will also make the pages look more busier which may take away from the "art gallery" look I`m trying to achieve.

[quote]Also in FF 2.0.0.15 the "A" in the text blurb under pendants is not at the beginning of the sentence.[/quote]

Thanks! This has been corrected.

-------------------------

Rushabh Sheth
Cascade Star - Indulge in Style™
Specialty Diamond Designer Jewelry at Perfect Value.
http://www.cascadestar.com

Videography

posts: 672

Jul 14, 2008 7:35 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

This is the first time I saw the site, and right off the top - the photos are perfect.

Like Craig, I did find the site compelling to investigate, not just for the photos (my business), but for the information. I would, however, add a photo on the landing page of a model`s hand and wrist (holding a bouquet) showing off some of your work. Maybe the neckline of a bride wearing one of your necklaces.

Get rid of the Site Pal cartoon characters. They add nothing to the site and may be hurting your high-end image.

I did enjoy reading about the process, etc. I`ve never seen this much information on the web before - it almost looks like you are taking me on a tour of the facility. Of course, I would recommend a video for this purpose, or at least a slide show with better narration and background music.

I also agree with Craig that you need to reassure the client that they are safe spending this much money to an Internet Merchant.

Hope this helps

-------------------------

Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email

CascadeStar

posts: 14

Jul 14, 2008 9:26 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Videography, thanks for your expert advice. I included the Sitepal feature to add some pizazz and technological sophistication to the website to improve its credibility in the eyes of the visitor. If you feel that the Sitepal feature adds nothing to improve the site`s credibility, then I think I may remove it.

[quote]I did enjoy reading about the process, etc. I`ve never seen this much information on the web before - it almost looks like you are taking me on a tour of the facility. Of course, I would recommend a video for this purpose, or at least a slide show with better narration and background music.[/quote]

Great idea about the video. It could be a nice replacement for Sitepal. Thanks for the suggestion.

[quote]I also agree with Craig that you need to reassure the client that they are safe spending this much money to an Internet Merchant

I have tried to incorporate as much reassurance as possible into the site but if there are suggestions as to how I can improve the credibility of the site further and reassure the customer, I would love to hear them. Thanks!

-------------------------

Rushabh Sheth
Cascade Star - Indulge in Style™
Specialty Diamond Designer Jewelry at Perfect Value.
http://www.cascadestar.com

DavidTishbi

posts: 1

Feb 23, 2010 8:49 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Nice design jewelry,

I've found another website while i was looking for handcrafted jewelry online.

David Tishbi Handcrafted Jewelry and its versatility seem to have walked straight out of an imaginary land. Each piece is carefully crafted, testing the boundaries of the creative jewelry norm to produce something that is so exceptionally beautiful; one cannot help but be drawn to it.

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Designer Jewelry

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