Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

My website is www.hartdigitalstories.com  this is my first business venture.  At first I was interested in photo restoration/enhancement.  I found myself talking with people about their picture, who the people are, why do they want it restored etc.  I was interested in the stories that folks told me about their picture...this led to research on storytelling, then digital storytelling.

The site was professionally done with my input.  Looking for a feel that was professional, technical, yet approachable... would keep the customer wanting to know more.

I am a retired school teacher and I know the value of constructive criticism.

Thank you in advance for your ideas on how I can improve the site.

Sincerely,

Ray Hart

Hello Ray,

I like the simplicity of the site and easy navigatable. I actually like the business model to make the life easier. Being a computer pro myself finding hard to make digital albums. I just take pictures and store them in hard disk and we don't see until there is a need. Your service would help make the life easier and getting things done and see the memories often. Good business model and hope you are getting some friction.

But few things came in to my mind. How many can relate to digital stories in real world? I am sure you might done the domain name research before fixing on this name. I think this more of a digital scrapbook type deal which many can relate to it easily than digital stories. Also life/memory album would be another way putting it.

1. Try to cover Search engines with more tags and keywords which can cover scrapbooks and album type business. THis way you will get more traffic.

2. Home page looks good designwise but need tweaking. It feels like I am in a site which usually try to sell CD's and book. Try to make specifically about what you are trying to do? Offers and package info can be in specials or service page.

3. Keep the about page as about page only. No steps and stuff

4. Sample is good. Add more samples and add videos about the process.

5. Finally, I see the logo is not clickable. Usually people used to click logo to get to the home page. Make it clickable.

I hope these feedbacks helps you to improve upon.

Dear Vijai,

Thank you so very much for your time and advise to improve my website and business.

I agree that "Digital Storytelling" is out of the mainstream. This was intentional, as I believe I offer a unique product.  But I am not getting hits.   Probably, as you say, who knows digital storytelling?

I especially like the idea of making a short video about the process of creating my product.  And, yes, symplifying  the home page to clearly define my product and create the desire by the viewers to want to learn more.

The web design plan I purchased was for 5 pages.  Do you suggest more pages and targeting the information more specifically for each page?  I have tried to post a lot of information on my 5 pages.

When I am done making these adjustments, Vijai, would you be willing to take another look?

Thank you again for your professional insight and advise.

Sincerely,

Ray Hart

Yeah, Happy to take a look again. I know it is tough to contract everything in 5 pags but if you only say what you mean and avoid unwanted things you should be able to do it. TO attract visitors, it is more important to attract search engines. In order to do it, meta keywords and fresh content is important. Just making a website and putting out there doesn't attract any customer unless you already have them. I would suggest you to blog or go visit photo related websites and add an article or blog there. That would help bring traffic.

GOod luck and buzz me when its ready for another peak. How much you are paying for 5 pages design?