Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

http://www.coolerwagon.com/index.html

Hello fellow Long Islander!

I was actually just looking at your site based on a link I saw on another post, what a coincidence! As a mom of 3 I can say that this would make our trips to Cedar Beach and Smith`s Point a breeze. Believe it or not, I used to take the Pack-Play right onto the sand. Wagons are great, but I have to agree, the wheels get stuck and you`re exhausted from dragging all that dead weight by the time you get to the waves. Never mind keeping the kids from running off!

It is a cool product, but it is a bit bulky. Is there anyway to modify the frame to collapse further (think stroller).

Keep in mind that I am not, by any means, and expert on website design but I am not sure if I am loving the black background, it gives me the impression that I am looking at someone`s vacation highlights (I guess I am, actually) but not as if I am here to see your cool new product. For your header (where you have the sunset beach scene) I would change that to include a showcase of there coolerwagon so we know right away what we are here for.

Also, the Amazon links on the bottom are a bit confusing, and almost changes your mind about your product altogether as it shows conventional wagons and competing designs, already perfected and priced to sell.

As you are still in development phase, you could try offering pricing based on your prototype or even some kind of "test drive it here" where you have video of this badboy in action, and maybe allow locals to rent it for the day (I`ll sign up for July!) This could help you bring in revenue while your working to perfect your design, and it will give you some more exposure and testimonials.

Keeping tinkering and I`ll keep an eye out for your updates! Best of luck to you!

I love that there are so many Long Islanders on this forum!

As for your site, it is a good start, and just starting out when being new to html and css can be difficult. I would consider putting together a more simple banner. You can see the dithering on the one you are using, and you will have much crisper results with a simpler image (and thus, and inherently smaller image file). I would remove or change the color of the gray outlines of the site, and change the link color to something that contrasts better with the black background. Finally, I`m not sure if you need a guestbook. Guestbooks are a little outdated and arent used as frequently any more. Instead try using a contact form for ease of email or even using a "shoutbox". I don`t know how to create a shoutbox or something similar, but I`m sure you can find the code for it somewhere.

Great start and good luck!



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Motivation for Entrepreneurs
Entre-Propel.com

I agree, get rid of the Amazon section .... you want people on your site interested in your products, not someone elses` .... and I don`t see a point in either of the search bars, as you don`t have much at this point to search for .... move the "Tell a Friend" link, it doesn`t add to the content by being within the content.

Decide on what your primary message is .... to sell me a wagon, or find investors for your company ....

If you want to sell me a wagon, the first thing you want to do on your main page is show me, your website visitor, different ways in which this would be beneficial to me .... you`re showing up front a picture of 2 people using the wagon, which is good for me to get an idea .... the other pictures don`t do anything to tell me how it helps me or solves my problem .... get the idea? Use images and text to show me, a potential buyer, why this is good for me, and make me want to get one .... don`t state "We think this will be a great product someday", as that isn`t making me, a potential customer, have any faith in it right now.

If you want investors, look at it from an investors point of view .... ask yourself questions .... "Why do the developers think this will be a successful product?" .... "Why would the general public buy this?" .... "Will you, the developer, expect sales to roll in on their own, or will you actively promote this product?" .... "Am I investing in a reliable, viable, and profit generating product and company?" .... "If it isn`t great today, why not, and when will it be?" .... know how to answer all of these beforehand.

If you are trying to do both, I would suggest a public site, and an investors area, and share different information with each group.

You have a member log in ..... I don`t see any information on membership, a members area, or what a membership offers.





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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons