Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I didn`t think that I was pushing an agenda.  Your designs are great and you should do well if you can reach the customers, but your photos deny you the best presentation of your work.  You asked for help.  My expertise is photography.  Craig`s is in marketing, Others here are web designers.  We each gave you feedback from our own expertise.  I`ve already said that I can`t help you with the photography because I am on the other coast, so where is the agenda?

Steve



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Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email

I concur, that Steve really didn`t sound as if he`s pushing an agenda. I`ve stayed away from discusson on the photos *because* Steve has that covered. Just as Webline and Nikole have expertise in Web coding.

Frankly, photos are fundamental to a jewelry site, but I do understand that with organization and "concept" problems, they`re going to have to take second place. That being said, with a professional graphic editing program, scanned photos can be modified in just about all possible ways---including changing the shadows, lighting, and focus.

For now, the bigger issues are the navigation bar organization and the overall "customer journey." Without that, the photos won`t really matter so much. But keep it in mind because AFTER the site is better organized, the pictures are going to have to at least be brightened up. (I messed with one of them and it`s not that time-consuming.) :-)

From what I`ve seen in my short time here .... I have not, obviously, read every post, but I have yet to see anyone "push an agenda" .... everyone is here to offer what assistance they can to each other. At times it can sound a bit pushy, harsh or critical ( myself included in that ), but it is only to get a point across to convey the importance of the information that is being offered. You want to know what you need to do, and replies are made telling you not only what to do, but why.

When I have time to revamp my site a bit, I will ask for the same critique .... and be thankful for any input I get here, whether I like it or not, and whether I agree with it or not.


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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

Webline`s right. Except for a few instances out of the mainstream, most people here are all in the same boat. Everyone`s got a startup business of some kind, or they`re hoping to have one. They`re a bit lost in the confusion, looking for a break, and simply hoping for some like-minded other folks to act as a sounding board.

One of the most depressing things about being an entrepreneur is how many of us are alone and isolated. Family and friends so often disbelieve the idea will work, or think the entrepreneur is just nuts. Many times, someone "throws it all away" to start their own business, and in the process, alienates most everyone they knew from their previous, traditional life.

Agenda? Nobody really has time to push an agenda. :-)

I stand corrected. I apologize.

I have just about updated all photo info (not photos yet).  I looked into a light box for the new Pictures.

I am still going to add a logo for Credit Cards.  I took the wording out of the front page.  I think pictures are louder than words.

Hopefully almost done.

When I feel I am complete, I will send out a shout to all.

Many Thanks to All

 

 

 

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Chrisi
Deisigner
http://www.elegantcustomjewelers.com

Hi Chrisi, it`s a lot of work. I know, we`re often changing things on our site. Do let us know when you`ve made some changes. :-)

< =text/>_popupControl(); Well, I have just about changed everything on my website.  I have added pics, names, changed fonts, color, settings and just about everything else.

I have also purchased a picture light box.  I will be here anyday.  I can`t redo old old pics.  I have already sold the demo.

I would love some more detailed input. 

I do need to add the visa/mc logo on the front page. 

Will do that soon.

Thanks for any and all input

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Chrisi
Deisigner
http://www.elegantcustomjewelers.com

Wow, MUCH BETTER!!! 

I don`t really think you need to add a V/MC logo. I think people pretty much assume those things are accepted where credit cards are accepted at this point.

Oh man...is THIS better or what!! Superb job, Chrisi!! :-D

One thing you might add would be when you have a featured item, like you do on your home page, turn it into a link that takes someone right to that item in your overall store. After all, maybe they`ll buy it right then and there, right?

Same thing where you use a standalone picture anywhere else. For instance, on your "About Us" page, you have a nice necklace. Instead of linking to a larger picture, why not link to its shopping cart entry, where people can THEN click the thumbnail and see the larger image? That way, they know the price.

You don`t have to put prices on the pictures when they`re being used to decorate another page. Just link that page`s thumbnail to the shopping cart entry. It`s like having an example of a room, in a furniture store. You see what the room would look like, but you also see a *discreet* price attached to each item.

What about a company logo? You could have that, then use "Elegant Custom Jewelry----that does or offers something?" A tagline, in other words.

Try to include your company name in the page titles. Right now, "bracelets" takes me to that page, and the title simply says "bracelets..." and so on. If you include "Elegant Custom Jewelry -- Bracelets" as the page title, it`ll help in search engines.

When you get a chance, figure out a nice form people on the Wholesale page can use. It`s classier than have them do all the work to build something, then send you the page in Word or whatever. It`s for later....but that`d be a project for then. :-)

Really cool re-work, though! I`m impressed.....!

Major improvement.  Bravo.  I am impressed with the difference.

I agree that you don`t need the V/MC logo - if you are selling on the web, then people naturally expect that you will take credit cards.  I would move it, and the PayPal logo to your order page.

Check your spelling.  On a random search, I found this: "Sterli9ng Silver with Swarovski Crystals and Rhinestone Spacers Stretchy"

Just an idea, but could you offer fashion tips on the product descriptions?  Also, don`t miss the opportunity to upsell when you have matching or complimentary pieces.

On your Wholesale page - the grammar is awkward and it doesn`t tell what a wholesale customer is.

On the About page - STOP SELLING.  Just tell the viewer who you are and what experience you have with making jewelry.  Some photos of you at work might be nice.  And get rid of the ALL CAPS.  It is yelling and looks amateurish.

Just a suggestion....
Why do you need such complex shipping methods?  99% of your goods can ship by USPS Priority Mail for the same flat rate anywhere in the USA.  Up to one pound is $4.60.  I use this for my product (DVDs) and charge a flat $5 per order, no matter the size of the order.  The 40-cents pays for the label (I use "Click-n-ship").  If I get an order that cost me a little more in shipping, then I am pleased to eat the difference because I`ve more than made the difference on the price of the order.  I find the flat shipping rate to be very consumer friendly and so simple to calculate using the PayPal checkout.






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Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email