Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello all!  I am a Career Coach, and I just launched my website in June. 

I would like to get some feedback on my site.  I have started an advertising campaign with "Do you HATE Mondays?" (I have bought 20 spots per week on one of the largest local radio station`s streaming feed).  I`ve had the streaming audio ad (which you can hear on my site) running since July 3rd.  I`m averaging about 30-40 hits per day, but have yet to see any conversions. 

I also have a link on the local radio station`s site and CareerBuilder.com`s site.  When clicked, it drops the user into my SERVICES page (however, I am trying to find (or come up with) a BOLD design as a landing page for the folks that click on these links).

I designed the site myself.  I started with a template, but added my own pictures and navigation. I`ve programmed a few web pages, so I am good with HTML.  The site does use cascading style sheets (CSS), however I am not an expert in those technologies.

My site`s URL is:  http://www.GreatOccupation.com.
I`m looking for critique on design, copy, SEO, and usability.

Thanks so much for looking at my site!

The overall site template is nice.

I think that starting out with "having fun?" is a bit weird.

The question marks all look weird to me, maybe it`s the font ... it`s throwing me off. It`s like superscript question marks.

The section on "What is career coaching?" is wrapping around the picture in a weird way, making it hard to read. I think that is a problem with justification and too much line spacing.

There`s something about the double column and the text ... my eye is just wondering where to go. It`s like the page needs to be rearranged to have more focus, maybe?

I`m getting the superscripted question marks, too. (Firefox 1.x).

And what`s with the lack of capital letters to start a sentence of phrase?

Looks like a decent site, but I think the copywriting is weak and the layout/design could use some work.

At the moment, my eye is drawn every-which way, while my mind is still stuck on dumb questions like, "how come there aren`t capital letters...." You don`t want people focusing on the technology. Instead, they should be getting a message. ;-)

Yes, the question marks were meant to be superscripted.  The lack of capitalization was on purpose as well.  It started out as a good thought, but you make very good points. 

I removed the superscript tags and fixed the capitalization.  I also followed my "Hate Mondays" theme and replaced "having fun?" with "Do you hate Mondays". 

I also fixed the line spacing around "What is career coaching?".  It still looked a little weird, so I removed the image altogether.  I also moved the bottom ICF affiliation to the ABOUT page.

As for the copy, I sure could use some help on that.  I want to make sure it grabs the visitor`s attention.  I also want to make sure it is informative.  The copy is all my design, and although I know what I am saying, the casual user might not understand.  Any specific suggestions on the copy itself, or referral to someone who can write good copy?

Thanks for all your input! 

If you still want the image, you can use the Float Left CSS capability. I`m thinking with proper line spacing, and adding a few words, the text would wrap a little better

I like the changes. I`d put, from the main body of the index page, the "What can we do for you over to the right, and have the color-box questions to the left. In western culture we read left to right, so the questions would be "more important" that way. Faster to read, going with the 4-second attention-getting idea.

I`d also consider increasing your line spacing. Additional white space makes it easier to see, easier to read, and therefore, better comprehension "at a glance."

By moving the "article" to the right, you could then make your bullet points into sub-titles, then place the explanation paragraph below those. That`d help not only in visual scanning speed, but also in SEO structuring.

Example:
Could be:

Excellent suggestions!  I`ve updated the copy with many of your suggestions.

I appreciate all the help! 

i think you need a logo and a new header image.
you could also have more graphics on your site to pinpoint some important messages and to help people get more orientation on your site.