Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Take a look at our site and let us know what you think.

www.toinvite.com

It looks good. Compelling and most of all it looks clean...

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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

Hi,

I`m going to be honest here because I`m sure as a business owner, your goal is to maximize the return on your investment, which in this case is the amount of money, time and resources you put into getting this site together (ultimately, making money from the site).

Upon first opening up the page, I couldn`t tell what the purpose of your site really was. After looking at the graphics, I initially thought you were in the wedding gown business, but after looking even more, I thought you were in the `holiday cards` business.

I`m still confused...however, I`ve concluded you`re in the Invitation business, I think?

Also, when I clicked on several of the links (most of them), new windows popped open, that really confused me and I noticed on some ocassions, I was at different web sites altogether.

I think your site needs a little more focus and guidance...shoppers need to be held by the hand and guided, for example:

The following site has Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3

They`re directing the customer, while educating them along the way. (they probably could get rid of that banner at the top, but I guess it`s a revenue generating product for them)

http://www.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning/wedding-invit ations/index.html?c:3482:s:596101785:t:93:p:300:l:104594

Notice how they showcase another product on the right "Looking for Something Different"

I`d probably put your "Ticket Invitations" in a section like that...

Perhaps view the site above and that should help give you some direction.

They sell a boatload of stuff. My theory is to find a successful model and model it.

Hope this helps
Cartess Ross

 

 

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Website Startup Coach: Step-by-Step Coaching to Help You Build a Profitable Business Online!

Hey there,

The site needs some work. Cartess hit on the #1 issue which is that your visitors are probably having a tough time figuring out what exactly you sell.

In E-commerce you simply cannot afford to have your visitors be confused or not know exactly what you do and how you can help them. Remember, they are just seconds and a single click of the mouse away from leaving your site.

In fact, I have something I call the "Five Second Web Test." After the page loads you have 5 seconds to accomplish 3 specific things:

(1) Identify your company
(2) Clearly identify what  you sell
(3) Clearly articulate why people should buy from you

I know that`s a tall order but let`s face it. Conversion rates online are notoriously low and you have to be clear and provide visitors a compelling reason to buy or engage with your company on some level.

I also think the site could use a re-design. There are too many graphical elements on the page and too many unfocused choices. People crave simplicity and order and the site right now is just too busy.

For some inspiration, check out this site which I think is effective:
http://www.finestationery.com

Godspeed,

-Danny



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-Danny E-Synthesis: Marketing + Web Design Web Design and E-Marketing Services for Small Business

bxcolli,

I guess we`re at a 50-50 standoff. 4 posts and 2 for and 2 against. I thought your site was easy to understand. I got it right off like Edgar did. Discount wedding invitations. Could it be designed better? Maybe. But heck, that could be said of 95% of the sites out there. And I`m sure you will evolve as time goes on. I found it easy to navigate and use.

If you ever decide to offer hand-calligraphy, contact me - I am a calligrapher and I do wedding invitations- not as a main business, but from time to time when called upon by people I know. Give it away a lot as gifts for friends` weddings. I have one main style I use and most people like it. I can send samples. But as you probably know, hand-calligraphy is not inexpensive - it`s not for everyone.

How are you marketing the business? Just curious.

Have a great weekend.

R@ 

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

I`m gonna have to make it 75-25 again, because I agree with Cartess and Dan. Yes, at first I thought it was about discount wedding invitations. Then I clicked on the "variety" and found Christmas cards, photographs, and all sorts of stuff. I looked at the banner picture on the home page, and the rose "seemed" to indicate it was wedding invitations....so how come that other stuff?

Confused, I went to the About Us page, and found:

Okay...fine. Quality selections and premium services of what? As CookieMonster said on the 10-second elevator pitch thread, "Where can I buy some quality selection? I`d like to order a couple of boxes of premium service...how much will that cost me?"

The site looks really nice! It`s clean, easy to see, and I think there`s even the start of a nice visual pathway there. But it`s missing an opening theme---a sort of "overture," to follow the symphony analogy.

The home page actually looks like it`s a Products page. Where`s the introduction? Someone else said, in reviewing a site with a similar problem, that they want to get to know the vendor in a friendly, personable way. The home page shouldn`t be an "about us" page, that`s where you put in how many years you`ve been doing this, why you started, and how many pet cats you have.

But the Introduction on the home page should be something like what you`d find when you walk into any physical store. "Hi, my name`s Carla. Is there something I can help you with?"

Typical customer responses might be, "Well, I`ve never been in here before. What`s the store all about? I saw your sign that you sell discount invitations; does that mean after someone`s had a wedding you sell used wedding invitations?" LOL! Okay...kidding...a little. :-D

What IS the store about? Why should I stay there, wander around, and browse? Where`s the virtual salesperson who`s there, not bothering me, but available for me to ask questions or a price or so on?

I like it.  Like "keycon` said,  it will evolve over time.  As putting up an online store can sometimes be labour intensive.

Maybe look at other wedding sites for more great ideas like your own.

Best of  Luck and keep up the good work.

And isn`t that the point of a critique, to show possible pathways for evolution? :-) 

These are excellent comments from all.  I appreciate everyones input and will take all comments into consideration as I continue to refine and evolve.  Keep the thoughts coming!  Thanks!

Have a look at your site using other browsers like Firefox or Mac Safari if possible.  I am on Firefox 1.5 and noticed that your header image (when used) on the left side shifts things down. You`ll know what I mean when you view it.




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Brandon Eng, Owner, Lead Studios

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