Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have read some other comments on previous threads of a similar nature and would welcome the good and bad (don`t worry, you couldn`t hurt my feelings if you tried) about my site. It`s hand made and simple, but to the point. Thanks in advance for your time. The site is www.scientificbusinesssolutions.com

 

 

Hi TOCExpert,

I`m not one to typically pipe in on the website design stuff, but I thought I would pass on a piece of advice that I received recently (and have implemented) with respect to my site...  Again, I`m certainly not an expert in this sort of thing...

Specifically, when I first got to your home page (and now I understand what my advisor was telling me) I saw a whole lotta text.  I`m sure it`s good stuff (mine was too!), but it may be a bit overwhelming for a first page.  Perhaps you could shorten it up, use some bullet points and make it a "quick read" that leaves someone wanting more so that they continue on to the other pages.

My only other comment based upon my very quick glance was that I think you should definitely get your About Us page up and running as quick as possible.  I know this is one of the most important pages when I`m looking for a business to work with...

I hope I`ve provided some insight that you can use...

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MeLissa
Independent Chocolatier for Dove Chocolate Discoveries http://www.ChocoRocco.com Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ChocoRocco

Oh, hey!  I just noticed you`re from Littleton.  Awesome!

I`m from Lamar, CO (way down there in the SE corner) originally and Colorado Springs more recently.  :)

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MeLissa
Independent Chocolatier for Dove Chocolate Discoveries http://www.ChocoRocco.com Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ChocoRocco

I would have to agree with MeLissa,
What I would suggest is taking all the text on the first page and using that in your about us page. On the front page, add some photos and descriptions to kind of give a small hint as to what your    business does and to intice the visitor to venture farther into the webiste to find out more.

I did not like the website.

I hope you can take my comments  (I do not write flowery), as constructive feedback!

Your site "pukes" on visitors. Stop the Text!

Questions that should be answered in less than 20 seconds (website)

What is in it for me?

What concerns, or challenges are you "fixing for me"

What is your solution for my "pain, challenge"

How can I receive more information "only if I choose"

Is your website just a "company brochure", or can I get anything "done" for me and "my needs".

DO NOT PUKE ON YOUR VISITORS.

 

 

 

TOCExpert -

I have to agree your home page is daunting.  You need to consider your home page to be similar to a book cover.  You want it to be compelling enough to make the reader want to open it up to explore further.  My first impression is that you placed the entire novel on the front cover.

Also, definitely use some images or graphics to break up your content and make it feel like a nice easy stroll, rather than an all out sprint.  This goes for just about every page unless it is specifically labeled something that would indicate a no-frills concept.  Your tagline is "the missing piece of the puzzle" - maybe you could play on this by using graphic elements in the shape of puzzle pieces to break up your main content.  You can use these as a way to quote something important by pulling it from the main content...

You have two choices on your about us page:

   1. you either have to get something on it, and I mean anything that could be considered about us content; OR

   2. remove the button until you do have something on it.

DON`T EVER use "under construction" or "coming soon" - EVER!  This is because what happens 99.9% of the time is that 6 months later, your page still reads "coming soon!" and that just tells people that you aren`t really that serious about your website, so why bother having one in the first place...

It is better to have no page at all, then to have one that says, "coming soon" - just my very strong opinion.  I imagine others may disagree...

Even on your content pages, it is better to have as little scrolling as necessary.  Unless you have some other reason to have a website (and you may) - your site should be considered an online brochure.  You don`t put everything in a brochure.  You put your most compelling info in a brochure hoping to receive face or phone time with your potential client.  Too much information won’t get read anyway.  It will be breezed over and then forgotten.

Those are some quick thoughts, I hope they help!

R-




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Quaerite Primum Regnum

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
~ Oscar Levant ~

Twitter: @rossb

TOC,

The novel on your home page is your attempt to tell visitors everything you want them to know. Instead, you need to focus on what they - your visitors - want to know. What makes your customers feel like they`ve spent their money well after doing business with you?

After reading your entire home page (normally I wouldn`t have read that much text, but since you`ve asked for an opinion, I felt obligated to read it ), I`ve concluded this what you`d do for me:

Within 11 weeks, you`ll see a significant cash flow increase as a result of the reduced lead time that our hands-on TOC training delivers to manufacturing companies.

What makes SBS different from traditional TOC:

• Designed for small manufacturing companies with limited time resources
• Minimal impact on management`s day-to-day responsibilities
• Hands-on implementation over 4-8 weeks
• We deliver bottom line improvements in 3 weeks

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Consider consolidating your home page content into a concise headline and a few bullet points like that above. After you`ve piqued the visitor`s interest, you can offer additional information. Make sure that your additional information is still concise, however.

I don`t recall where I picked up this piece of advice (it may have been Seth Godin or perhaps Dr. Eric Schaffer from Human Factors International -- sorry gentlemen for not remembering), but I`ve rarely found myself unable to apply the rule to a client`s, as well as my own, first draft of website content:

You should be able to reduce your first draft`s word count by 50% without changing your message.

I`d venture to say that you could reduce your current home page word count by 50% and then run through again and further reduce it by another 50% without changing your message`s main points.

That`s all I have time for now. Good luck!

Regards,

Jason

P.S. Here`s a nice example of a website that concisely tells the visitor what the product will do for him (or her):

http://www.tadalist.com/

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Website Strategist
InetSolution, Inc.
Website:www.inetsolution.com
Blog: turnleft.inetsolution.com

This is a GREAT rule of thumb, thanks for sharing!

R-


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


Quaerite Primum Regnum

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
~ Oscar Levant ~

Twitter: @rossb

Well heres my two pennies....

Get those email off the page...

Look into some sort of "formail" script. There are all sorts of nasty little things out the on the web the gobble up any thing the looks like an email address and spams it to death... if your sites been live a month, i`m sure you`ve already found this out the hard way.

Just a suggestion to those who don`t really know how to design sites.  Surf the web and visit sites that are in the same of similar to your industry.  Then borrow the idea of the design and customerize to reflect your existing superficial "brand" elements (colors, font style, etc).  Ta-Ta, you now have a very nice design for your website.  Implement it though may be another issue:-)