Critique, Please.

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Critique, Please.

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skbohler

posts: 37

Jul 11, 2008 4:20 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hello,

My site is at: http://www.theoxfordprogram.com

Most of the people come to my site by searching on "career counseling" or "career change".

My conversion rate for orders and newsletter/ecourse sign-ups is pretty poor.

Do you see anything major with the layout, or subscription path, or wording, that may be a big factor?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

-Steve

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

"Life is short. Love your work." Steve Bohler, MS The Oxford Program Founder/Head Coach http://www.TheOxfordProgram.com

WebsitesUnleashed

posts: 47

Jul 11, 2008 5:53 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Steve,

How do you know your conversion rates are low? Do you have any other data to compare them to? What I`m getting to is that they may not be low relatively. However, I believe there is always something to improve those rates.

The first impression of your site is that it`s very professional. However I clicked on the Students section, and it changed the entire layout compared to all the other sections. It got me confused, and I noticed there was no testimonies in the student section which is what worried me the most, especially if a non-savvy parents is on your site and gets stuck in that section for their child. Also note there is no clear way of going back to the main site besides using my browser back button.

Second thing I noticed was the intrusive bulletin popup. I strongly recommend you don`t have any popups as it is in most peoples opinion they degrade the integrity of your website.

Regards

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

Colin Winter
Small Business Website Management and Marketing

skbohler

posts: 37

Jul 12, 2008 7:21 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hello Colin,

Thanks for your reply.

I can`t really compare to others, you`re right in my assuming they`re lower than most.

90% of visitors don`t click on the Students section (which is essentially a very different site). So, while I understand the issue IF people went there, I`m not really concerned with that.

I put the pop-over recently, since I`m testing different methods of getting leads. I noticed that most internet marketers use these, so I thought I`d try it out. My guess is they`re not working, and maybe hindering people.

Thanks again for taking the time to visit my site and supplying comments.

Steve

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

"Life is short. Love your work." Steve Bohler, MS The Oxford Program Founder/Head Coach http://www.TheOxfordProgram.com

pskipper

posts: 22

Jul 12, 2008 12:41 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Steve,
     I spent a few minutes going through your web site. Wow! There`s certainly a ton of content there and plenty of information to respond to concerns about the validity of the service and potential benefits. At first blush, I felt that there was almost too much content. Repeating the message several times that everything was above board or bonafide caused my "spidey senses" to be a little more on-guard. Make sense?
     With regard to your original question...conversion rate...I`d imagine that the person who was sincerely looking for this career assistance and diligently read the content would seriously consider your service and probably follow up. My guess is that would be a relatively small percentage of those who visited your site and therefore your conversion rate is perhaps on par with what you`d expect until you build your brand to the next level.
                                                                            Paul

skbohler

posts: 37

Jul 12, 2008 2:10 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Paul,

I`ve heard others talk about being too much content. But then I look at really successful sales sites and see really long pages and mine doesn`t feel too long.

But, let`s assume that there`s too much content. My fear is cutting out that muscle and leaving the fat. What would I cut out?

It would be very helpful if you elaborated on the message that everything was "bonafide". Can you point out an example?

Thanks again!

Steve

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

"Life is short. Love your work." Steve Bohler, MS The Oxford Program Founder/Head Coach http://www.TheOxfordProgram.com

PODDpro

posts: 1

Mar 02, 2009 4:17 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Hi,
This is a junk collecting business that I came up with.

Please let me know what you think.

www.Junkpodd.com

I did design everything on the site myself and I need help on just about everything.

My goal is to convey an easy way to contact me for my service as well as a platform for

marketing to possible affiliate companies/people

Any criticism is what I am looking for to improve the site...

Thanks.

banzaibert

posts: 19

Mar 02, 2009 8:08 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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What you are selling is very clear. You just need more info about your company, Put a little bit of nice graphics on your site so it`ll be attractive.

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Cheap Web Hosting - Host ALL Your Websites on One Account...Click Here

ideas4

posts: 67

Mar 02, 2009 8:21 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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the website is very simplistic and lacks pictures which leads me to believe you are not fully in business or might be underfunded. I would recommend some pictures of the podds at a customer`s house and your truck picking it up.

Also, be careful you don`t get sued by PODS - they may not like you using POD in your name.

The logo could use some work too - maybe get something a little more substantial to say "We Are A Solid Company."

Agree with Banz on the about us page.

Art

stevewyrostek

posts: 5

Mar 02, 2009 11:38 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Hi-

You may want to consider the following:

- The title on the right side of the pages may be redundant.

- The fact that they`re on the right side of the page might be disconcerting to some, since we read left to right

- Maintaining the same font all the way through- either Arial or Verdana works best for computer screens

- The green, orange and black bolded and large and small font might appear amateurish. You may want to consider toning it down

- Print readers read and web readers scan so sentences and paragraphs work best when they`re short. 3 to 5 sentences per paragraph, 5 to 15 words per sentence.

- Have a call to action on each page

- You may want to consider moving the pricing guide up and have short bursts of text to the left of it

- There may be too much white space on the pricing page

Anyway- those are some of my thoughts- I hope you find them helpful.

Steve Wyrostek

No Cliche Copy

Internet Writing for Business People by Business People

steve@noclichecopy.com

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

Steve Wyrostek
No Cliche Copy
Internet Writing for Business People by Business People
steve@noclichecopy.com
http://www.noclichecopy.com

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