Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

CraigL... Spot on.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

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This may or may not go without saying, but I`ll say it for the sake of emphasis.

I think it`s important for reviewers/critics of sites to exhibit a certain level of tact when offering their opinions and observations. A recent and popular thread here has highlighted this point.

On one side of the discussion, some folks think site creators should not be emotionally involved in their site and should be able to take (negative) criticism without taking it personally. On the other side, some folks think that the creation of site is in many ways a personal expression of the business, and therefore near and dear to the owner.

However you may feel about this issue, it should be clear that a tactful and measured criticism/observation is always the best approach.


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Mac-Sage "Complete Mac & OS X Consulting"      www.mac-sage.com

As an advocate of objective reasoning, I think there`s a difference between taking something personally to the level where your *feelings* override your analytic capabilities.

Anything done well requires a level of personal involvement and commitment. But if (changed from "then") that personal involvement causes someone to ignore reasoned advice, then there`s going to be trouble.

Amen Craig!

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Chit Chat and Chew is reconnecting families and changing lives. Visit us online at www.chitchatandchew.com

I try to offer constructive suggestions based upon my knowledge and experience of what works or what does not work. I understand reading reviews of your own work may not be pleasant and you may tend to ignor it with the rationalization that "they don`t know what they are talking about".

It is especially easy to rationalize when there is a wide diversity of reviews... that is, reviews that contradict each other.  Who is the website owner to believe? I`m sure all the reviewers believe their comments are valid.

There is some level of frustration on the reviewer`s part too... when I see and comment on something that I think is important to change (to improve the website) and it does not happen. However, I try only to make a suggestion once... so I don`t beat it to death . If the website owner incorporates my suggestion fine, if not, that`s ok too... it is their website and thus their decision.

The advice/review is free. So, it may be worth the price . If I were hired to make suggestions to improve a website, I would be more forcefull in guiding the client.

~Roland

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Let`s not forget the original reason for this post. It isn`t to direct the actions of the critiquer, it`s to address when you should request a critique to begin with. At the time of this post, it seemed people were asking for a critique for the purpose of being able to announce to the SuN community, "I have a website. Take a look!" That`s not the real reason for a website critique. Many of the requesters were not ready for a critique. It was being used as an advertising option (my personal opinion).

That doesn`t discount that there is a sort of responsibility to the critiquer. People do have their feelings and emotions tied up in their website. Especially when they are on revision 15 and have spent all their time trying to improve it. Nevertheless, the website owner needs to take all critiques with a grain of salt. If you (the site owner or designer) don`t agree... just ignore the comment. There is no need to go on the offensive and shout a post back about how rude the critique adviser came across.

We all have attitudes. Some are easy going. Some are "in your face." Respond to those people you (the web designer or site owner)
 feel provided quality insight and forget about the others. After all, every successful person was shunned by someone for their idea at one point or another. The proven, long-term success is the best "I told you so" any site builder or owner can provide.

So Site Review 101 (guidelinesV1) is less about the review and more about being ready for your site to be reviewed in the first place.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

:-) Good post, Vincent. We were gettin` a bit off track there.....

Hello, everyone...I am a newbie to "SUN", and I think this thread is truly wonderful!    So...I am going to try and take full advantage of using it...it is not often when you can get truthful feedback about your "baby" or "pet project", (especially from friends or family) and, in this case, a project that I hope will not only become my primary source of income, but, eventually provide enough income for me to also help produce seed money for an adjunct business.  Now, on to the desired critique.

My website is Working Girl Gems, and the address is www.workinggirlgems.com .  I also have utilized Hyperstreet`s webhosting as well as their website builder feature.  However, since my background is pretty extensive in computers and networking, I also utilize an FTP site to make necessary corrections and changes that I feel Hyperstreet`s program is remiss in, primarily the SEO side of this equation.  (Some of the ability to upload files is cumbersome also and I am very comfortable with FTP, so, I use it.)

What I really wish to have critiqued is the following:

1. How effective is the template design I have chosen for the business that I am in? (Artisan jewelry) I have not yet changed the primary logo (the lady that appears on all pages, and intend to when I am able to do so, so that I can more accurately reflect the industry.  Is this the kind of site that someone will feel comfortable buying Artisan jewelry from?  Should I utilize a more simplified, ecommerce "siteish" one-page type of website design, versus the one that I have now?
2. Please pay particular attention to my "Online Store".  It is the first tab on every page and it is where my "shopping cart" is for prospective customers to make purchases.  Is it appropriate for my line of business....should I utilize a separate program to make my own shopping cart and upload that to a new page(s)?
3. And last, but not least, are the rest of my web pages appropriate?  What I mean to say is, I am hoping to convey as much information as possible without being too wordy.  (I personally hate that myself, so I try to be as concise as possible when addressing any issues on my website.  I know that robots like a lot of text, however, I personally believe that well written pages and excellent SEO, combined with sufficient traffic/sales to/from one`s site can usually broach that obstacle.

I appreciate any and all comments from serious responders!  And...I thank all who do in advance...

Thanks, Deborah

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Working Girl Gems...Artisan jewelry at affordable prices! http://www.workinggirlgems.com

Hi Deborah :-) Welcome to Startup Nation.

What I`d recommend is that you post a new topic in the Web Critique area, with a subject line something about needing a critique of your Web site or something like that.

There`s nothing wrong with posting here, excepting that it`s a pretty old topic and now so many people would find it. But if you make a whole new topic dedicated particularly to your site, I think you`ll probably get more viewers to help. Give it shot....worst that could happen is nothing, right?