Hi,
I tried various social networking, a bit of Adwords spending, direct contact, and partnerships with potential sites.
But nothing strongly of those is really sticking, or getting anywhere.
My site is: http://www.itsbusinessbaby.com/ it`s local small business info, via the Business Card images of local city businesses.
-------------------------
---lawrence
http://www.ItsBusinessBaby.com
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Promotion of my site - help?
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Hi Lawrence :-)
I visited your site, and have a couple of thoughts. First of all, I really like the idea, and the business cards make a nice visual tour type of thing. I can see where it`d become a useful location.
On the down side, I suspect the overall content is too large for many monitors. That`s not so easy to solve, what with wanting the cards themselves readable. But when I first arrived at the site, it just seemed a bit like a comic book....very large, broad strokes, and "loud."
I chose Chicago, and quickly understood the concept. However; I can`t seem to get back to the main map to choose another city. When I click "Home," I arrive at the Chicago listing of business cards. (Oops...just tried clicking the main logo, and that got me back to the map of the US).
I`d suggest having a tab that offers "National" or something, to make it a bit more obvious how to get back to the whole database.
More importantly, I tried a search of the businesses, and was brought to a sign-up screen. At that point, I lost interest. I don`t intend to sign up for something just to see how it works, or whether it works at all.
When I looked MUCH more closely, and tried a different search, I realized that my search for "moving company" hadn`t found a result. That`s not good, since I was looking at a trucking company. I re-entered "trucking," and found that business card.
So the problem here is partly that the "Get me" is a bit cute, and should be "Search", and secondly, that if no results are found, the screen should highlight easily that there aren`t any results. Of course there *should have been* results, associated with "Trucking," so that`s a search failure.
Even worse, my "assumption" was that I could click a business card and 1) see it larger, 2) go to the underlying text version of the card so I can copy and paste information, or 3) have an option to go the company`s Web site. None of that happened, and it degrades the site`s functionality, in my opinion.
Setting aside the potential for making money from the site, the way things work in general are that they`re useful in some way. If I can go to your site, see the cards, do a search, and that search is comprehensive!...then I`ll consider signing up.
When I say comprehensive, I saw a card for a trucking company, for example. My intent was to search for "moving company." For that trucking company to be found, one of the text fields would have to include keywords relating to moving and furniture.
Who does the data entry for the searchable fields? Does the search function offer fuzzy logic? Can I search the entire site, all across the US, or am I limited only to the city I chose to view? Craig`s List is like that, and I think it`s the number one reason that company`s gone from having a national buzz, to inspiring a yawn from many people.
Having written this, I then decided to go through the process (see below). That`s where I saw I enter my own keywords. What I`d like, though, would be to click the cards and see a sort of "profile" card, in text.
All of the database questions might be better answered by simply searching. But since I couldn`t do that, my questions are unanswered. I went to the "About" page, hoping for answers, and saw nothing useful there either.
So what I`d suggest would be to focus on the useability and interaction side of the site, first. Make the search feature strong and comprehensive. Offer the option to search for free, with joining having some sort of trial-to-full membership fee.
From there, I think you`ll encourage word-of-mouth, which will make it easier to advertise the site and gain visibility.
On a postscript, I thought I`d upload our business card, and started the process. Then I got so completely lost with the AdReady pages, my mind was boggled. So even if I`d wanted to join the site, I have no clue what that`s all about. I just assumed I could upload my business card. I`d seen that somewhere else, but couldn`t find it easily again.
I went back to it, and saw that I`d clicked on the "Advertise Online in 3 Easy Steps," and was taken off your site totally, apparently. I didn`t think to hit the "Submit" tab. So you`re probably losing customers all the time, as they go to some other location and never see your site again.
All in all, it`s a pretty cool idea, a lot like a business card storage folder for real cards. It needs better structure, and more robust functionality. There should be some specific guidelines as to size, type, and resolution of images uploaded. The business cards are a great visual attractor, but there needs to be some place to go with those, after you see them. :-)
I visited your site, and have a couple of thoughts. First of all, I really like the idea, and the business cards make a nice visual tour type of thing. I can see where it`d become a useful location.
On the down side, I suspect the overall content is too large for many monitors. That`s not so easy to solve, what with wanting the cards themselves readable. But when I first arrived at the site, it just seemed a bit like a comic book....very large, broad strokes, and "loud."
I chose Chicago, and quickly understood the concept. However; I can`t seem to get back to the main map to choose another city. When I click "Home," I arrive at the Chicago listing of business cards. (Oops...just tried clicking the main logo, and that got me back to the map of the US).
I`d suggest having a tab that offers "National" or something, to make it a bit more obvious how to get back to the whole database.
More importantly, I tried a search of the businesses, and was brought to a sign-up screen. At that point, I lost interest. I don`t intend to sign up for something just to see how it works, or whether it works at all.
When I looked MUCH more closely, and tried a different search, I realized that my search for "moving company" hadn`t found a result. That`s not good, since I was looking at a trucking company. I re-entered "trucking," and found that business card.
So the problem here is partly that the "Get me" is a bit cute, and should be "Search", and secondly, that if no results are found, the screen should highlight easily that there aren`t any results. Of course there *should have been* results, associated with "Trucking," so that`s a search failure.
Even worse, my "assumption" was that I could click a business card and 1) see it larger, 2) go to the underlying text version of the card so I can copy and paste information, or 3) have an option to go the company`s Web site. None of that happened, and it degrades the site`s functionality, in my opinion.
Setting aside the potential for making money from the site, the way things work in general are that they`re useful in some way. If I can go to your site, see the cards, do a search, and that search is comprehensive!...then I`ll consider signing up.
When I say comprehensive, I saw a card for a trucking company, for example. My intent was to search for "moving company." For that trucking company to be found, one of the text fields would have to include keywords relating to moving and furniture.
Who does the data entry for the searchable fields? Does the search function offer fuzzy logic? Can I search the entire site, all across the US, or am I limited only to the city I chose to view? Craig`s List is like that, and I think it`s the number one reason that company`s gone from having a national buzz, to inspiring a yawn from many people.
Having written this, I then decided to go through the process (see below). That`s where I saw I enter my own keywords. What I`d like, though, would be to click the cards and see a sort of "profile" card, in text.
All of the database questions might be better answered by simply searching. But since I couldn`t do that, my questions are unanswered. I went to the "About" page, hoping for answers, and saw nothing useful there either.
So what I`d suggest would be to focus on the useability and interaction side of the site, first. Make the search feature strong and comprehensive. Offer the option to search for free, with joining having some sort of trial-to-full membership fee.
From there, I think you`ll encourage word-of-mouth, which will make it easier to advertise the site and gain visibility.
On a postscript, I thought I`d upload our business card, and started the process. Then I got so completely lost with the AdReady pages, my mind was boggled. So even if I`d wanted to join the site, I have no clue what that`s all about. I just assumed I could upload my business card. I`d seen that somewhere else, but couldn`t find it easily again.
I went back to it, and saw that I`d clicked on the "Advertise Online in 3 Easy Steps," and was taken off your site totally, apparently. I didn`t think to hit the "Submit" tab. So you`re probably losing customers all the time, as they go to some other location and never see your site again.
All in all, it`s a pretty cool idea, a lot like a business card storage folder for real cards. It needs better structure, and more robust functionality. There should be some specific guidelines as to size, type, and resolution of images uploaded. The business cards are a great visual attractor, but there needs to be some place to go with those, after you see them. :-)
The background images are distracting - I would think a simple white of off-white color would do very well.
The search mechanism produces varied results. Unlike search engine (google) results, it seem I need to use the exact search terms to yield good results. For example: searching on "realtor" produces different results than a search on "real estate".... so a viewer ttried to find rea estate agents / realtors may see different results depending upon what they use.
~Roland
-------------------------
Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter
Hi,
Wow- thorough response CraigL, and thank you too for your reply vwebworld.
Yes, that`s right - users submit their business card image - and data. And the admin manually inserts/edit the business card per given city.
It can`t be automated...because the business card image is subject to editing...cropping...and adjusting the contrast/brightness...all in Photoshop...so the image will seem large, and bright, and clear.
Sometimes, there`ll be `crossover` keywords...that are associated with varying degrees of "home" and "realtor", for example. Both realtors and contractors...will have `Home` as part of their keyword lists.
Based on the domain name/catchphrase, if you will....the site personality Has to be "loud". that was the intended personality from the get-go for the site.
Oh, another thing...also from the get-go...I want the business cards to be Static, and Pure at it`s core. That`s what makes the site unique. If i make emails, for example, in the business cards linkable...it`ll only destroy the pure business card concept.
-------------------------
---lawrence
http://www.ItsBusinessBaby.com
Wow- thorough response CraigL, and thank you too for your reply vwebworld.
Yes, that`s right - users submit their business card image - and data. And the admin manually inserts/edit the business card per given city.
It can`t be automated...because the business card image is subject to editing...cropping...and adjusting the contrast/brightness...all in Photoshop...so the image will seem large, and bright, and clear.
Sometimes, there`ll be `crossover` keywords...that are associated with varying degrees of "home" and "realtor", for example. Both realtors and contractors...will have `Home` as part of their keyword lists.
Based on the domain name/catchphrase, if you will....the site personality Has to be "loud". that was the intended personality from the get-go for the site.
Oh, another thing...also from the get-go...I want the business cards to be Static, and Pure at it`s core. That`s what makes the site unique. If i make emails, for example, in the business cards linkable...it`ll only destroy the pure business card concept.
-------------------------
---lawrence
http://www.ItsBusinessBaby.com
The only problem with keeping the business cards static is that practice is contrary to the effective use of the internet, a web site, and is not user friendly.
If I`m a viewer looking for a realtor, I perform a search on itsbusinessbaby.com and get a page that displays a bunch of business cards - so far so good. Now that I have that information displayed, to use it I must get a piece of paper and write it down or maybe print the page. Then type in the realtor`s web site address or open my email program and again type in the email address.
I would think it would be easier for the viewer just to use a search engine (google, yahoo, etc) to search for a realtor and get a link directly to the realtor`s web site.
So, to get people to use your site and thus convince businesses to list their business card - you need to convey how and why your method/approach is better than others or how it benefits the user and business.
~Roland
-------------------------
Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter
How can one possibly add to what Craig and Roland have suggested?
Trying to not repeat them, here are my first impressions....
It`s much too large. The text, the images, everything is too large. It looks gauche.
I should be able to click on a card to go to their website.
I should be able to download the cards of interest. You are already paid by the cardholder, so why are you restricting the downloads?
I would like to elect see the list of cards in a text only format, with sortable columns (ZIP code comes to mind).
There is NO logical order to the images of the dozens of cards. If your site picks up steam, you won`t be able to continue doing this manually.
There`s no mention of the price for adding a card. I don`t want the teaser of "first 50 spots free", what will spot #51 cost me? Also, what counts as a "spot"?
-------------------------
Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email
Trying to not repeat them, here are my first impressions....
It`s much too large. The text, the images, everything is too large. It looks gauche.
I should be able to click on a card to go to their website.
I should be able to download the cards of interest. You are already paid by the cardholder, so why are you restricting the downloads?
I would like to elect see the list of cards in a text only format, with sortable columns (ZIP code comes to mind).
There is NO logical order to the images of the dozens of cards. If your site picks up steam, you won`t be able to continue doing this manually.
There`s no mention of the price for adding a card. I don`t want the teaser of "first 50 spots free", what will spot #51 cost me? Also, what counts as a "spot"?
-------------------------
Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email
I guess what I`m saying, echoed by Roland and Steve, is that if you
want to promote your site, you`ll likely want it to be attractive to
people visiting the site. No matter what you spend on advertising,
nothing becomes successful without customer word-of-mouth. If early
adopters and visitors aren`t satisfied with their experience, then
you`re sort of anti-promoting your site.
To me, the integral part of developing a marketing campaign is to have a product that`s useful, interesting, and "good." Of course you can promote a bad product, or even no product at all, but that`s not interesting to me, personally.
My comments, although similar to a site critique, really were more about useability and "customer satisfaction," if we call the customer someone who simply visits the site. They don`t even have to join or upload something, just visit.
To me, the integral part of developing a marketing campaign is to have a product that`s useful, interesting, and "good." Of course you can promote a bad product, or even no product at all, but that`s not interesting to me, personally.
My comments, although similar to a site critique, really were more about useability and "customer satisfaction," if we call the customer someone who simply visits the site. They don`t even have to join or upload something, just visit.
Hi replyers,
The site is free - indefinitley, for businesses to submit their business card.
The `50 free` cards, was there from the `old days` when I originally intended only the first 50 spots of each city to be free. But later changed my mind, when finding how difficult it would be to charge at this point.
I know, I know...I`m the first to admit, the site isn`t precise, or technical. If anything - it`s probably the worst website...since you have to only observe the business info visually.
But like i said, I want to keep the "Business Card" concept pure at it`s core. for better or for worse.
Not every business, has a site. So it shouldn`t really be clickable to link to their site.
The site is basically like a phonebook directory. But with business cards of local businesses. think that.
don`t think of it as a "website", per se.
I still need help though getting local business to want to submit their business card to the site!
i guess my problem is i`m trying to create awareness, w/ a Very small - to none, marketing and promotion budget.
-------------------------
---lawrence
http://www.ItsBusinessBaby.com
The site is free - indefinitley, for businesses to submit their business card.
The `50 free` cards, was there from the `old days` when I originally intended only the first 50 spots of each city to be free. But later changed my mind, when finding how difficult it would be to charge at this point.
I know, I know...I`m the first to admit, the site isn`t precise, or technical. If anything - it`s probably the worst website...since you have to only observe the business info visually.
But like i said, I want to keep the "Business Card" concept pure at it`s core. for better or for worse.
Not every business, has a site. So it shouldn`t really be clickable to link to their site.
The site is basically like a phonebook directory. But with business cards of local businesses. think that.
don`t think of it as a "website", per se.
I still need help though getting local business to want to submit their business card to the site!
i guess my problem is i`m trying to create awareness, w/ a Very small - to none, marketing and promotion budget.
-------------------------
---lawrence
http://www.ItsBusinessBaby.com
As a business owner, I would much rather simply pay either a monthly or annual, reasonable fee for placement, or a click-thru (pennies per click) fee.
If the placement is truly free for now, then remove the confusing fee information. Maybe make it free during the beta phase or introductory phase, then placement fees will apply - but tell the advertiser what to expect!
As a user I would expect better locating or sorting methods, and the card should definitely be downloadable (I don`t understand why you would block the copying of the card images). The card should also be clickable. If the card owner doesn`t have a website, then tell the visitor so. (And tell the website designers on this site about the opportunity).
-------------------------
Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email
If the placement is truly free for now, then remove the confusing fee information. Maybe make it free during the beta phase or introductory phase, then placement fees will apply - but tell the advertiser what to expect!
As a user I would expect better locating or sorting methods, and the card should definitely be downloadable (I don`t understand why you would block the copying of the card images). The card should also be clickable. If the card owner doesn`t have a website, then tell the visitor so. (And tell the website designers on this site about the opportunity).
-------------------------
Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email
You can get the SEO service from Thewebpole.com this SEO service helps to promote the site in many search engines.
-------------------------
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