Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello to everyone out there in SUN!  I`ve been `lurking` around the forums for a while now and I have just recently begun venturing out of my shell to post.  I`ve been particularly impressed with the quality of constructive criticism I`ve seen posted in regards to members` websites.  We are an established transportation company with an informational website that I paid to have designed.  As I`ve been reading posts here at SUN, I`ve become aware of some issues with our website that may need some fast-fixing.

If anyone has a few minutes to take a peek at our site and offer their wisdom, I would be greatly appreciative.  I know how valuable your time is, and how easy it is to let it get away from you, so thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer. 

Tracy

www.boiseboysinc.com

Boiseboys,

I just took a peak at your site.  It is very clean and professional.

The only suggestion I would make is to maybe include some history, or even better some testimonial under your company profile page.

I`d like to know that you are doing business and your customers are happy. 

also, while I think about it, I didn`t see anything that stands above other carriers oout on the website for potential customers to see.  I`d be asking you, What exactly is it that sets you apart from ABC Trucking and all the other carriers.

Web design is very subjective...I love the way your site looks and navigated.  Content on the other hand should be conveyed to a person (personal, you, yours, etc.) and should address many of the common questions prospective cusomters have and get them hooked enough to contact you.

Hope that helps!

It`s really good!

I like the graphics and color scheme.  I do have an observation about the content and layout....

1)  Advertising:  Unless Google is paying the bills, I would get rid of the advertising.  Your advertising will cause visitors to leave your site.  Even worse, the google advertising at the bottom of your page could advertise for your competition. 

2)  Text Overload:  You have great graphics that communicate exaclty what you provide.  However, as a best practice, within two-three seconds of looking at your site your visitor should know why they need to read more.  Right now, you have to skim through your first paragraph.  I would craft a one sentence (less than 10 words) mission/service statement and place it right where Google search graphic currenlty resides.

3)  RSS Content:  RSS news feeds can help keep the content fresh, but they will also cause visitors to leave your site.  If you want fresh content in that type of format, set up your own blog.  Use it to establish your credibility and demonstrate your knowledge of the industry you serve.  You could add an RSS reader to your main site and point it at your blog.  This way you get the same effect of fresh content, but the content belongs to boiseboysinc.com.

bthomd -

Thank you for taking the time to give it a look see.  I appreciate your feedback.  You hit on something I had inadvertantly let go........We originally had trade references available on the site, but a couple of months ago a couple of my exclusive clients began getting calls from brokerages looking to handle their freight.  It didn`t take long to figure out where the contact info came from, and so we took the references down.  I need to replace that info with some sort of confidence-building content.  I think you are right, testimonials are the way to go.  We have plenty of satisfied clients who are not stingy with their praise, I`ve just been a bit sheepish about asking for formal testimonials.............guess I`d better get over it!  Thank you very much for you insight.

Tracy

Deisign Caddy,

Thank you for you input and candid advice.  The advertising goes - I can`t honestly tell you what the original thought process behind that was, as google is definitely not footing the bill. 

I always have been a bit `wordy` - it might take me a bit to condense the info on the front page, but I`ll definitely get to work on it.  Are you suggesting that I place a service statement in the search bar position, use it as an attention grabber, and keep the remaining text - or should I give most of the text the boot?

I`ve considered the idea, but been a bit intimidated by the thought of implementing and maintaining a blog. I do think you are right about maintaining fresh content while keeping visitors focused on our page.  I`m going to do some research and begin working on this. 

Thank you for your response!

Tracy

I was just thinking that the the prime "front and center" space could be used to communicate what makes your business unique.  Like I said, your graphics get the idea across quickly, so I would focus on what differentiates you from your competition.

Donna - 

Thank you for your thorough review!  I hope that you did not actually regurgitate your last meal while perusing our site!  I wouldn`t have put it out there if I wasn`t looking for honest feedback that we could consider acting on.  Next week`s Monday Morning Meeting will have an agenda item just for reviewing the comments received here.  The google bar and ads will be gone by Monday, and we will move forward from there. 

Thank you to everyone who has offered suggestions, and feel free to keep them coming.  This is definitely a work in progress and the state of our web presence has been moved up the priority list.

Tracy