Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

What can I do to improve my website?

This my jewelry website and we get over 600 visitors a day - yet sales are still low.

Advice anyone? 

http://www.eranavital.com/

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

http://www.eranavital.com Gold and Diamond HandCrafted Wedding Bands, Bridal Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry.

Couple of quick notes, I`d swap the "Some of our Customer Favorites" with  the "Gold and Diamond, Wedding Bands, All New Bracelets, Get Free Shippping" sections, just to let people know right away that they can start shopping. 

I`d also make the "Some of our..." font much larger to draw attention to it. 

Possibly change this graphic:
http://www.eranavital.com/Themes/button_themes/MC_Steel/view .gif
to say "Order Now", instead of "View Details". 



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

Ben Grinnell - 337 Design - Web Design & HD Video Production

Thanks for the advice,

I am wondering what needs to be changed on the main page, Do we need pictures?

Thanks again!

Eranavital.com

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

http://www.eranavital.com Gold and Diamond HandCrafted Wedding Bands, Bridal Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry.

Pretty good start up you got going. Overall the site is pretty familar feeling, however one thing I`d like to add is that when I purchase things on the net especially jewerly i`m worried I`ll get a bum product. Hey thives are out there and I have an honest reason to worry. I would add something like a guarantee or "personal protection" promise that helps give confidence to the user.

I would also drop the free shipping since most of these products aren`t heavy and replace it with maybe a clearance banner, or if you wanted to stay with shipping offer some a secure shipping process that`s free, so they KNOW the product will come safely.

With the clearance section I would also offer products at the bottom that aren`t in clearance only because that section has to get hit alot, I could be wrong, but make sure you cross promote those sections.

 

 

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

He who gets greedy like a pig, gets slaughtered like a hog!

On the homepage, you don`t need the buttons that say "View Details" or
"Add to Bag". People are aware enough with e-commerce that if they
click on the image or description, they will get to the detail page. As well,
most people add items to their cart via the product detail pages and not a
homepage. Removing those buttons will visually clean up the page a bit.
This will make each item easier to browse through.

And I agree with the previous post about changing the line about
customer favorites.

Thanks for the advice!

What can or should be added to the main page?

EranAvital.com

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

http://www.eranavital.com Gold and Diamond HandCrafted Wedding Bands, Bridal Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry.

It`s weird that some say "view details" and some say "add to bag".
I really don`t like the "add to bag" phrase anyway. I would vote for "purchase" or "buy now", or "add to cart" if you must add it to something.

What percentage become sales?
What is your target?

Where are you advertising? Who is referring people to your site? Could your marketing efforts be more targeted so you will better find people who want your product?

My other concern is your pricing. I think you have to choose if you are a discount site or a artisian site. Discount site ... your banner is wrong. You need something like "artisian jewelry for 40% off retail!" Artisan site ... get rid of all the crossed out prices and raise your prices. The problem with a $300 gold wedding band is that most people would expect to pay A LOT more than that. So if your site has them for considerably cheaper, they might start asking themselves why.

I bought my rings a couple of years ago from these people:
http://www.artifact.co.nz
I loved the rings and the prices were right for us. Although I don`t like their front page, if you go to the catalogue you will see the rings. One thing you will notice ... the pictures of the rings make them look so SHINY. Yours don`t have the same feel for me. Also, they are craftspeople, and I think their site reflects their artisan nature. Yours looks more like an ecommerce site that happens to have rings on it, but could easily replace it with shoes or books or whatever else at a moments notice. Not that there`s anything wrong with that ... if discount jewelry is what you are going for. If it`s artisan jewelry, you need to upscale the whole thing and raise your prices.

The reason why I mention this is that you are trying to hit 2 markets at once and you end up in some middle ground. The upscales are going to be the kind of people who are into DeBeers diamond commercials, because they can afford those. (These are the kind of people more likely to buy "one of a kind" pieces.) The downscale is people who buy at stores that boast things like "designer fabrics for half the price!" or "famous name clothing at 40% off retail!" You can`t be both, as you end up in some middle market that`s not making a lot of money. I`m your middle market, and I don`t care if I`m getting the item at some amount off retail - I just care if I like it and if the final price is right for me. (This is probably the hardest market to create momentum for.) So I say pick the top or bottom and refine your image.

Thanks nhgnikole for that advice!

We have begun to change things around on the site like you said.

As of now our advertising is being focused through the many different social networks, craigslist, msn expo and other online selling sites, online bulletin boards and maybe soon Ebay. Also exchanging links

Bottom line:

anyway that we can get our name out there!

Finding the target crowd in this case I find very hard - due to the fact that anyone can be a potential customer. Any insights on this?

Thanks again!

EranAvital.com Jewelry!

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

http://www.eranavital.com Gold and Diamond HandCrafted Wedding Bands, Bridal Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry.

I just hit your site again today and thought about something else. Your missing out on seasonal sales, Valentines Day is almost here and you should have a banner for V-Day specials.

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

He who gets greedy like a pig, gets slaughtered like a hog!

I`m very impressed with your website.  The certifications certificates at the bottom of the page significantly increases the credibility and overall sense of security on your site.  I particularly like the COMODO lower-right mark....great addition to make your visitors feel that their information will be secure and be comfortable to purchase online from you.

If I had any suggestions (at least for the home page), it would be to consolidate and treat the top 3 promo images differently (Wedding bands, All new bracelets, get free shopping).  They seemed to be just thrown in to this top area....

Todd (above post) had a great idea for this area...you should use it for seasonal specials and promotions.  (just one promo...adding more than that will make this area too busy)

Once again, great job on the site.  Very professional.

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

Brian Cleveland,
Web Producer,
StartupNation