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Redesign gets conflicting reviews

 
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lyonsperf

posts: 9

Feb 23, 2008 4:32 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Using the suggestions from this forum I redesigned both my website and store. I have received a few thumbs up but also many thumbs down. Some people tell me I need more graphics and others say there are too much. What is the norm for a store? What are the best colors to use? I can`t afford a design service and have already spent more than I should on the godaddy programs. Can somebody put on the road to enlightenment?
Haven`t had an order in four months!
 
Thank you all in advance.
Matt
johnqh

posts: 113

Feb 24, 2008 1:40 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Very amature looking.

Design the navigation and flow of your site yourself, but please hire a graphic designer to do the visual design.

CraigL

posts: 9051

Feb 24, 2008 1:52 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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The Web site looks kind of poor, but the store looks better. There isn`t any "norm," really, but there are emerging trends.

For example, over the few years the Web has been developing ecommerce, a typical site uses a navigation bar on the left margin, and sometimes tabs along the top. Nobody *has to* do it that way, but Web surfing potential customers have come to sort of expect it to be that way.

Same with images: It isn`t the number of images that counts, it`s the way they`re used. I`m reminded of a line in a James Bond movie, where Bond heads down to the lab to pick up his toys. What`is-name, the lab guy, asks him, "Will there be a lot of gratuitous sex and violence James?"

Too many sites use images that mean nothing, or that do mean something but are too hard to see. I often see thumbnails with a "click to enlarge" option. Then, when I enlarge, the image ends up about half an inch larger. What`s the point of that?

Until just now, I would`ve said that you should really try to find someone who you can afford to either build the site, or help you fix problems. However, we have a new member, SmartSites, who`s put together a very nifty way to build your own site, make it look quite professional, then port the code to anywhere else. You can leave it on their server, or put it back onto whatever hosting system you`re currently using.

I think using some sort of template system might be a strong option for you.
Videography

posts: 672

Feb 24, 2008 9:16 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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This is the first time I saw your site, but here`s what I find amateurish about it.

Center justified text. 
Too much text about you, not the customer`s solutions.
Too wordy.  You say in a paragraph what should be in a single sentence.
Too many various colors of text.

Customers don`t just come to your site, you have to market it using traditional means.



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Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
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Webline

posts: 687

Feb 24, 2008 10:03 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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The page graphics, fonts, table borders, etc., just don`t blend together; nothing looks like it belongs together. Hire someone, or use a template to rework your pages.

You don`t state upfront why you are a better source for products than your competitors; why is ordering from you better than ordering from a similair website? What sets you apart and makes you better, more trustworthy?

It seems like much of your main site links to your store, and imports many of the products to display them, so maybe you really don`t need both....?
It`s like having 1 1/2 stores with your same products. Use the main site for information and to supplement the store, not in essence repeat much of it.


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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons


CraigL

posts: 9051

Feb 24, 2008 7:56 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Webline makes a great point...how come there are two separate sites?
lyonsperf

posts: 9

Feb 24, 2008 9:08 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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When I originally started the company in Jan of last year, I started with just the shopping cart from GoDaddy. I quickly learned that it would not allow linking, forums or even charts to improve seo. So I called them and was talked into their"Website Tonight" package that is a DIY program with everything not included in the cart.
I now have found myself in a bit of a mess! The templates are limited and dated. The cart and web programs don`t really share the same template formats. Each time I request an improvement they tell me "its on the roadmap".
Suggestions to hire a designer is something I wish to persue but where do you find someone that can work with Godaddy`s programs?
stonesledge

posts: 1093

Feb 24, 2008 11:04 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hello,
 
A member here has a great solution for you. I just looked at his product and I think you will love it!! http://craigbuilder.com/
 
Erin


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Our Goal Is Your Success!
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CraigL

posts: 9051

Feb 24, 2008 11:55 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Yah...what Erin said. :-D
lyonsperf

posts: 9

Mar 05, 2008 8:14 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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OK. Here`s an update. First off let me offer my most sincere thanks to all of you that took time to reply. Now the update.
After more indepth research concerning my host I found out that the server my sites were on were overloaded. For more info I suggest you peruse www.nodaddy.com. I have now purchased a new cart from Pinnacle cart and am in the process of working with a designer to develop the site. This new software enables me to combine the website and the cart to eliminate the dual site issue. I will also be transferring my domains to network solutions.
 
Craig, expect an order real soon for a template from me!
When the site is completed I will re-post for new comments.
 
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