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Now I`m broke $$$ with a site that needs something

 
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hwj688

posts: 2

Jan 25, 2009 2:58 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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   I hired a pro do my site and its boring I sure could use some advice here. I`m not sure if long copy is what I need or keep it short. www.jansmahomes.com was suppose to be my baby and it will be. I, I, well, just look at it. What can I do.
 
I have a big ticket Item with limited global flexibility.
 
hwj
Jansma Homes
Webline

posts: 687

Jan 25, 2009 6:57 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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It is rather, umm, bland .... this was done by a pro? I hope it didn`t cost an arm and a leg ....

The top buttons, site coloring and top image don`t blend well .... not all pages have the left menu .... the copt/text could be worked on .... yeah, there are a few things to fix.

There are several site designers here on SUN that could work with you on this .... myself included .... have you talked to the original designer about the issues you have with it? Did you get a chance to preview it before it went live, or before payments were required?



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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons


hwj688

posts: 2

Jan 25, 2009 11:34 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I haven`t talked to him about it yet, I guess I needed a second opinion first. Do you think it looks outdated, He was recommended by a friend and  I was told he was outstanding. OK,well, I told him about the buttons and site coloring at our last meeting because I thought it didn`t look right but I an still waiting for the changes to be made. You see, I don`t have control of some designing package he is using. I`ll have to send him an email of when I expect it to be done.
How do I contact someone to build a site that is second to none for my kind of business?
 
hwj
jansmahomes.com
CraigL

posts: 9051

Jan 26, 2009 1:11 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Oy....I`ve gotta agree with Webline. The top tabs really don`t fit in at all with the site itself. The way the text is set up, it looks amateurish. An example of a minor thing that creates a growing impression of being unprofessional is the way the "Home" button never dims when you hover the mouse over a different tab on the home page.

Tabs themselves rarely are on top of a banner. They`re usually below the banner. The principle being that in that banner you`re using images and tag lines to rapidly sell or promote your business. People look at the banner for company "image," and having the tabs at the top buries them.

The white space to the left of the content and image on the home page looks like a mistake. On "Packages," I see there`s some navigation in that white space. So how come it isn`t there on the Home page?

As to the content, that`s not a Web designer`s problem. That`s a copywriter`s issue. The content at the moment on the Home page isn`t compelling, nor are the graphics. I clicked your "specials" and saw 1 house. And it looked like a billion pictures of a house.

The problem of design is upsetting, I`m sure, but it`s really not the main problem. Instead, I would argue that the lack of interesting content and images is a much bigger problem. You`re trying to sell.....what? Houses? Or are you a builder, selling your services?

That`s the main issue: What *exactly* are you trying to sell?
The second issue is that after I know what you`re selling, there`s no easy way for me to figure out how to *buy* whatever it is you`re selling. See?


CraigL2009-1-26 1:12:26
vwebworld

posts: 1237

Jan 26, 2009 10:16 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Design - Ooo... not so good, as noted above.
 
I do not know the "process" you went through with the designer... but usually there is some discussion before the work starts about the "look" and feel of the site and maybe a few sample
mock-ups. So that you know what`s coming.
 
As Craig says... you do need to think about  your site`s content. What is your marketing message? Who is your target market?
 
The pictures of the homes are nice... the web is a visual media. So I would think your site would
be more visual.
 
~Roland


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Loren

posts: 242

Jan 26, 2009 4:56 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Copywriting here is mostly about "we" and how spiff "we" are.

Turn the focus to "YOU" and what "YOU" get out of  requesting
more information.  How YOU will save costs and have a home 
to brag about with higher resale value and obvious advantages.

You say here:
" There are so many reasons to choose Jansma Homes. As an experienced builder and agent for Nelson Homes, we`ve got a design, plan and building lot to ensure you move into your dream home."

But you give no reasons for me to get my mind around,  Just puffery about
your experience.  This site sucks for getting leads because the message is
bland.

You need to learn to write better copy or hire somebody to do it for you.  Since
you have no money I suggest you check out every book you can get at your
library about copywriting.

And good luck.  Converting web traffic into leads and sales is, as with all advertising,
something where diligent attention to detail pays off.

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