Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi everyone!

This site has been up for a while, but it never hurts to get some feedback and constructive criticism

www.learnphotoshopfast.com

Thanks in advance,

Shaun

Like the product I hate using photoshop so I might buy a copy. 

As for the site reading it I would rather have the site broken in to pages.  Refferals, product description, ordering, etc…. the site is so long on the single page format that I found my self just wanting to scroll down and not read it.  It looks like it would take forever to read.  Its like if someone handed you a great book that is only 70 pages great, but if they give it to you on a 70 foot long sheet of paper, it seems to look like it is to much. 

I would recommend using http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/ as a guide to improving the site.  Having this much text and content on one page, especially your home page is not a usable design.

I agree with sleepehead that you need to break this up into logical sections/pages.  When people visit a website, they don`t read it like a book...instead, they quickly glance around for something that catches their eye and something that is "clickable".  They follow the "scent of information" to get closer to what they are looking for.

One rule of thumb that I would apply to copy writing is "Eliminate unnecessary words".  Essentially, take your copy and cut it in half.  Then take your copy again and cut that in half.  You`ll find that you can convey your message much more effectively if it is succinct and to the point.

I use Photoshop everyday and it can be a nighmare for a first time user, so I think the product is great.  You may also want to check out Template Monster and get some ideas from their template collections.  They have a large selection of templates that would apply very well for your product.

Good luck.

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Brian Cleveland,
Web Producer,
StartupNation

Definitely split the site into sections and cut the text down tremendously.  Extremely long pages can work for blogs, but not for a site based on one product.

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arp laszlo | www.inkwire.net | web design, development, marketing

Thanks for the feedback. Have the scissors ready now!

Shaun

I know a lot of people are commenting on the length of your page.  I know that I have heard from the "internet marketing" gurus that a page like that sells.  That people who already know they want your product will scroll to the bottom to buy and the ones who need more info/testimonials will read as much as they want to be convinced to buy.

How is your site converting?  Perhaps that will tell you how it is doing.  

On a personal note I do agree that is is a long page and I am starting to get annoyed with this type of "web page"

My two cents!  All the best,

Nancy

 

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Nancy Politis Wooden Children`s Toys and Furniture www.HeritageToys.com www.heirloomwoodentoys.com

I agree with many of the comments. Less, less, less. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Your front page needs to be simple enough to hook users in ten seconds or less. Once hooked, the user can visit other pages that contain more information. Also, here`s something to consider ... your site isn`t cosmetically attractive. You propose to teach people how to use PhotoShop to create attractive images. This is sort of a disconnect for me.

How about "Learn PhotoShop Fast!" followed by a few attractive images that lead to very short slide shows? How about having a bunch of simple pages instead? Simplify, simplify, simplify. I know that simplification seems counterintuitive, but you cannot market something with 3000 words. Ten words would be much better. Remember, you`re basically marketing a very technical product to non-technical users. Shouldn`t your site be non-technical? Wouldn`t that reinforce the idea behind your product? I know what an alpha channel is but I can guarantee that 90% of your market hasn`t the slightest idea why or what or when to use one.

Luckily you have a lot of testimonials. This is super. You should have a page of testimonials. Ideally, keep the entire site to five pages or less. [Not including a few slide shows.]

You also need a bit more proof-reading. At the bottom of your page, you misspell subsidiaries. I certainly would not use the following phrase: "I’ve been called anal-retentive… somewhat of a perfectionist. " Using the word anal retentive?

Might be time for a rethink. Here are some great web sites.

http://www.digg.com/ [Check out their self-description on the upper left.]

http://www.smartsheet.com/home [Notice their lack of text.]

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/ [less text than your site]