Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Company Name: Fixelated
My Site`s URL: http://www.fixelated.com

Greetings fellow startupnation members.  I recently joined the nation a few weeks ago after running into the site during a Google search.  I`ve been hooked on the radio show and listen to the podcasts religiously. Now I am taking my first steps into being involved in the community :). 

My name is Adriel and I recently launched a new online video game shop nearly 1 month ago called "Fixelated.com".  The basic concept is like Wal-Mart`s "DVD Tuesday" but 24/7, customers don`t have to pay full retail prices on new releases.  We sell the newest video game releases for a limited time at lower prices, and progressively move to the next batch of releases while phasing out and discontinuing older ones.  All while providing excellent customer service, fast fulfillment, and tons of new video game media and information.

I have lots of web experience (and am an avid gamer), which is why I built the site myself, in hopes that I could provide a simple yet unique look and feel.  I chose to go the simplistic route and reduce the amount of clicks possible to provide a quick and easy route to checkout, which is why I don`t require registration.  Unlike most online video game shops, we don`t carry a large selection, and instead specialize solely on new games we believe in.  I chose to reduce the filtering and keep products in top-level categories associated with which system the games were on.  Though, this is also due to the limitations of my cart software.

I would love to get some "first impressions" of the site and its navigation.  Here are a few questions I pose.  Are there any roadblocks you encountered?  Does the site instill buyer confidence and trust?  Does it come off as "professional"?  What`s "missing" for you as a visitor, and did you expect more?  Are the product categories sufficient?  Is our messaging clear enough?

I continue to work on building traffic, but would rather like to maximize the traffic I`m receiving now and convert those into sales.  I find that many of our visitors do not dig deep enough to even begin to checkout.  I`m trying to figure out why, and am hoping that some of you can help me find the solution.  I`d like to give my sincerest thanks ahead of time to those that take time out to provide impressions and critique.  Feel free to bash me into the ground if you feel something isn`t working.  I`d love a few wake-up calls, especially after being so close to the project.  Thanks to all!

Sincerely,
Adriel
Owner, Fixelated.com


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

Fixelated.com - Your source for new video game releases.

Ruh roh ... I think I just found my new source for Wii games! Paper Mario, here we come ... Gotta let my wrists rest after too much Tiger.

My one (quick) first impression is that the animation on the front seems to be going too fast. Like HYPERSPEED! If you slow it down, it might be less distracting and more helpful.

The tagline was a turn-off in some ways. I don`t know why. Maybe it was the thought of buying a game for $50 that would be outdated in a week? I think that is what the tagline makes me think of. But I`m probably not your typical shopper on there - I`ll ask my husband when he gets home, he`s probably more your market because he`s the spender and I`m the money manager.

I like the bubbles of the background/sidebar/featured items. Very original Super Mario or Qbert feel. Old skool.

Whoops! One problem though.
I clicked on Paper Mario in the right side - loved the product page with the description, media links, price, buy now button - perfect!
But I clicked buy now, and got a page saying my cart was empty. Are you not live yet? I want my Paper Mario!

Maybe that is why people are not checking out?

nhgnikole,

First off, thanks so much for taking the time out to view the site.  Great feedback, especially about the tag line.  I`m looking for many points of view, so your comment about it was very valuable. You`re right, the flash animation is extremely fast.  I wanted to save load times, so I tried to keep it below 10 seconds.  But if the message is distracting, I`ll take another look.    And about Wii games, we`re definitely here for you .

Wow!  Your empty cart is a huge concern to me.  We are in fact live.  I tried it just now and it appeared to work fine.  Can you tell me what browser you are using and what type of computer?  I did not know that user`s might be experiencing that!  To think that could be hindering sales...

Do you think you can try it again if you have time?  I want to get to the root of the problem before I lose any possible leads.  Thanks so much again!  I`ll definitely take your feedback into consideration.

Adriel

update: nhgnikole, I found out the problem, and am currently working on a fix.  It`s because the link you arrived at our site from was http://fixelated.com.  If you visit through http://www.fixelated.com, it will work just fine.  Wow, I`m glad you found that out for us!  


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

Fixelated.com - Your source for new video game releases.

OK glad you found it. I want Paper Mario!

For reference, Mac OS 10.4.9, Firefox 2.0.0.3.

After reading your concept, I understand the tagline. But if I had just arrived on your site, I would not have. I like to visit a site before reading the description because if I need a description, something is wrong! So I see that as the issue ... that your concept is not coming through. I just see cool games, and I`m thinking ... Paper Mario, cool. It`s about what you offer, not what you do - and what you are offering me is Paper Mario. I don`t care about your business model, as a consumer. (No offense, just telling you how consumers work!)

I`m going to make hubby look at it for you too. He`s my model for making things so simple it hurts ... if my husband can`t figure it out (Mr Averagejoe Consumer), I know I need to rework it.

Hi Adriel :-) Cool name....what are its origins?

I agree with Nikole, that the tagline has to go. "Where new games get old fast," says just what she pointed out...."buy a game here and it`ll be obsolete in a week."

I also agree that the high-speed Flash element was just plain distracting, served no purpose, provided no information, and meant nothing.

That being said, I REALLY like that you`ve got everything right there, no hunting around, no troubles, just "Here`s the game, here`s what the box says, here`s how to buy it." Most excellent!

I think you should offer people an option to register, one way or another. You`re going to want to offer email promotions and so on, beyond your customer listing. You could have a button or tab, something like "Hear about Specials." If people have the option, they`ll feel it`s their choice, so it won`t be in their face.

Nice site, though. :-) You might check through the various profiles here on SuN, as I know there are a couple of game developers. You might have a section of games nobody`s yet heard of, sort of like "indies."

Nitpicking dept:
Definition: Fix-ehl-ay-ted (verb): Fixated on pixels.

The pronunciation guide should be "Fix-eh-lay-tid"

Craig,
 
Many thanks for the critique.  Both you and Nikole have sparked some new ideas that I will attempt to implement this week.  You`ve also answered a few questions I had about some elements on the site.  I love the honesty. 

We in fact do have a registration option, though it`s not prominent at the moment (on the help page), and I`m currently working on getting the Newsletter form up and running.  Should be this week *crosses fingers*.   The great thing about websites is that you can tweak, tweak, and tweak some more.   So I`ll definitely be doing that. 

Nikole,

Great advice about how consumers think.  One of my biggest problems is that I`m not the average consumer, yet I try and *think* like one.  I`m currently reworking my site to make it even simpler and friendly to all walks of internet life.  Thanks!

BTW, the origin of my name comes from the names "Adrian" and "Gabriel", it makes sense, my parents tend to be indecisive people.


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

Fixelated.com - Your source for new video game releases.

That really cracked me up.

LOL!! I read another story about someone`s name, same thing. Parents couldn`t decide. In your case, though, it really works very well. 

Yea, it`s pretty original I think! =]  Thanks again, you guys are great.

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

Fixelated.com - Your source for new video game releases.