Website success = is your product or service selling?

**Cricket** · 10-17-2003, 08:13 AM

Hopefully I have chosen the correct forum for my question.

:

No matter how good or bad the design is on a business site, the final determining factor of success is if the product or service sells.

My question involves understanding what makes the public choose to buy or choose not to buy from a site?

I would love to see examples from various sites used in the answers so all of us can truly understand and develop our sites accordingly.

If you were looking at either of our main sites... What would encourage you to make a purchase? What would make you nervous about making a purchase?

http://www.gnc-web-creations.com
http://www.mississippi-photo-gallery.com

Bubo · 10-17-2003, 08:53 AM

Hmmm, just wanted to give my impressions of http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/.

I must ask, what type of business are you trying to attract? The "About Me" page was an enjoyable read, but that style of writing is aimed more at private individuals and non-business customers. Nothing wrong with it, but if you are looking for more sales oriented websites then remember that many successful businesses are very conservative. They like what they want in the way they want it without a lot of clutter. One suggestion that I'd make is to make the "About Me" page into a traditional block about your company, standards, when you were founded, etc. Then have a link on that page to "Ghost-n-Cricket" where you would place the current About Me information. My personal preference would be to put the professional image before the personable one, but others would feel that the other way around would be better. It's really what you want.

Taking a look at your business from a customer standpoint, I find myself looking to the design of your own website as the premier example of your skill. You've already commented that you were looking for a Copywriting tutorial in my article thread, so I won't harp on it. I would like to point out your headlines. They are fairly repetitive, and confer a sense of monotony rather than prompting interest. The word "custom" is used in every headline and subheadline of your home page, and the phrase "custom web creations" is used for every subheadline. Take a thesaurus to them. Personalized Web Creations, Unique Web Sites, Distinctive Graphics Design, Impressive Web Presence.

The reason why this repetitiveness bothers me as a customer is that I am looking for creativity from a design customer, and repetitiveness harms the impression of creativity. The med_film2.jpg graphic is unique, with the film still look, but the creativeness of this image is drowned by the repetitive headlines.

This might just be me, but there was something about the solid black bar on the left with orange text. I kept finding my eyes drifting to it instead of focusing on your copy. It distracts from your attempt to sell yourself. JohnScott has a basic marketing color tutorial here, but I would look for more detailed information on color-schemes. If you do like the colors, I'd suggest using a gradient or possible overlay a grey pattern over the bar to breakup the monotony.

I'm seeing a lot of white in your portfolio. It leads to another impression of monotony. Why not make some colorful templates to put in the portfolio, or better still make your own website an appealing mix of color?

I think you get the idea of what would convince me to not purchase your services. The site feels really monotonous when it should be inspiring me to purchase.

On a more positive note, the thing that would really move me to purchase from you are the graphics! The actual photos are impressive, but what really caught my attention was the method of framing.

http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/images/med_film2.jpg
http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/ima..._creations.jpg
http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/ima...mike_small.jpg
http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/ima...okin_small.jpg
http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/images/wv_ms_small.jpg
http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/ima...erenity_sm.jpg

Even your button frames are nice!
http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/buttons-bars.htm

I would really place a few more images on various pages. Every page should have at least one image with your custom framing of the image.

Also, the fact that you have publishes articles is a definite selling point. It lends credibility to your business. I'd recommend changing "Web Articles" to "Published Articles" if you can make that work in the menu bar.

Bubo · 10-17-2003, 09:03 AM

Now I want to comment on http://www.mississippi-photo-gallery.com/

WOW!

From the first page load, I was struck by your site. You really have a prime example of "simple elegance" here.

The whole feel of your site is simplicity, and the effect was pulled off really well. Thin, plain lines. Short menu. Plain image descriptions with amazing headlines for the images. The gradient in the upper right of your title serves to accent the simplicity, rather than draw from it.

The entire effect serves to showcase the photos themselves, not the site. The abundance of white draws attention to the colorful photos. The fact that there are only four photos per page ensures that the viewer is not sensory-flooded by massive amounts of images.

I've really only got two suggestions for this page. I'd make the image above the menu a different one for each page, preferably not one already repeated in the images for sale of that page. That would help inspire customer curiosity and give better exposure of your work. The other refers to theft, and really matters only if you are concerned about thieves. I'd add some kind of copyright or sample notice to the full sized images, to make it difficult for someone to just copy the photo and use it elsewhere. As distasteful as it is, the most effective method that I can think of is to place it in the center of the photo. That way thieves cannot just slice the edge off with the notice.

Also, whoever shot those photos has some excellent taste!

**Cricket** · 10-17-2003, 01:35 PM

Quote:

I must ask, what type of business are you trying to attract?

We prefer working with small Mom and Pop type businesses. These folks seem easily put off by the overly "professional types".

Since I spent nearly 20 years as the director of personnel (and a large volume of motivational speaking) for a corp in South Texas, I have a complete understanding for the corporate world but also have found a "niche" working with country folks.

I accept your points concerning the "About Us" page and am considering the best way to find the happy medium between the two worlds.

Quote:

I'm seeing a lot of white in your portfolio.

When you work with images a lot (especially framed and shadowed) a white background is best - otherwise you deal with substantially more GIF files which of course are terrible for high quality photos and graphics.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the tips... You've given me a ton to think on and begin making adjustments.

Bubo · 10-17-2003, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostncricket

We prefer working with small Mom and Pop type businesses. These folks seem easily put off by the overly "professional types".

*nod* An excellent point, and it has served to give me a reality check. Many of us set ourselves with the big business money as our goal. Too often we overlook the smaller community oriented businesses. Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostncricket

Since I spent nearly 20 years as the director of personnel (and a large volume of motivational speaking) for a corp in South Texas, I have a complete understanding for the corporate world but also have found a "niche" working with country folks.

Oooooh! I'm really looking forward to reading more from you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostncricket

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the tips... You've given me a ton to think on and begin making adjustments.

Thank you for sharing with us, offering us more tutorials, and joining our community. Just the chance to see your Mississippi Photo Gallery was a wonderful education.

I'm really looking forward to reading more from you.

**Cricket** · 10-17-2003, 01:49 PM

Quote:

I've really only got two suggestions for this page. I'd make the image above the menu a different one for each page, preferably not one already repeated in the images for sale of that page.

Great minds think alike!

I was looking at the site this morning and was thinking that I need to make a collection of "elegance type" photos and use a different one on the top of the navigation links on every page! Now you've convinced me to take this past the "thinking about it" stage!

Quote:

Also, whoever shot those photos has some excellent taste!

This is a question we get often (asking who shot the photos). I am wondering if that is something that is necessary to make clear on the website. BTW... I personally shoot all the photos. I simply look for things that bring me the feeling of peace and serenity. (Pretty easy to do living in such a beautiful area!) Thanks for the compliment!

Quote:

I'd add some kind of copyright or sample notice to the full sized images, to make it difficult for someone to just copy the photo and use it elsewhere.

I used to drive myself nuts worrying about this. I guess I just made a decision to stop worrying. I tried the watermark stuff and the photos looked terrible. I refuse to punish all because of a few.

The pages have many reminders that the photos are fully protected by the copyright laws. ISP's hate copyright fights. If you contact the ISP of the site posting a stolen photo with proof of ownership of the photo, most will require the site to remove it or shut down the site for fear of lawsuits.

Your comments on the site truly brought a smile to my face! Made we wonder if you're from the south because you fully understood the vision in my mind for the site!

**Cricket** · 10-17-2003, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Too often we overlook the smaller community oriented businesses. Thank you.

It's amazing how much money is hiding in these types of businesses!

This is a "different" point, but somewhere in my mind it makes sense... A million dollars in nickles and dimes is still a million dollars!

Bubo · 10-17-2003, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostncricket

Made we wonder if you're from the south because you fully understood the vision in my mind for the site!

<-------- points to his location

My grandparents had a farm on the side of a mountain in Tennessee (my grandmother sold it when my grandfather passed away), and I spent a few summers there climbing the forests and tending the farm. I've spent more than a decade in Texas (in a forested town north of Houston), and my step-father raised horses (which I would break *wince*).

A friend of mine visited my parents house with me once, and his comment was "How did a country boy like you learn so much about computers?" *giggle* I still like to head out to the forests as often as I can, and one day I'm gonna kick this Internet addiction and build me a log cabin.

**Cricket** · 10-17-2003, 02:03 PM

Wow! Small world!

I spent quite some time living in the Hill Country just outside San Antonio! (I drove 40 minutes each way to work because I refused to move to the city) I got up to the Houston area (on business) on a regular basis! My grown kids are still in South Texas because they think that anything north of Austin is Yankees! lol!

About 3 years ago I just made a decision to enjoy every moment of life and live it "my way". I walked away from the corporate world and moved into the sticks!

Your an incredible moderator! This forum is very lucky to have you!

Bubo · 10-17-2003, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostncricket

Your an incredible moderator! This forum is very lucky to have you!

Aw, shucks.

To prove how much of a small world this is, I was born at the Airforce Base in San Antonio.

**LazyJim** · 10-17-2003, 03:57 PM

Great site.

As to your question, apart from the obvious (Do I want it? and Can I afford it?) the biggest factor I can think of in deciding whether to purchase from any given web site is...

Do I trust the company I'm giving my money, and maybe credit-card details to?

**Cricket** · 10-17-2003, 04:14 PM

I think perhaps you have hit the head on the nail! Trust certainly has to be the biggest common denominator on successful websites...

Often times I think all of us expect that our web visitors understand far more than they do. We're all guilty sometimes of forgetting how foreign everything seemed when we first started online and have to find ways of putting our "guest" at ease...

Any ideas on developing that trust factor?

Cricket

**LazyJim** · 10-17-2003, 04:46 PM

lookig professional, (you already do I think).
Displaying recognised trust logo's.
There are organisations that allow you to display a logo if you meet their requirements for being a legitimate company and tht you fullfil your responsilities, and conform to things like the Data Protection Act, and that you keep any credit card transactions safe.....
I think the name etrust is one of those companies, but the fact that you havn't mentioned them and I don't know much about them (only they exist), could mean either that the users are more knowledgable than the designers in this case, if more users know about them thab designers; or that based on the high probability that we know more than users about what we design, not many users know about such companies.

You can tell you customers you keep all their information confidential and protect it form theft.
You can tell them you use secure connections when transfering sensative data such as redit cards (via SSL technology).
Those are, obviously, only if you really do, (no-one gains trust by lieing

).

You can even regester for a digital certificate for authentification that your site really is yours. Don't forget to renew it each time it expires else your users will get a warning - it will only way that the certificate has expired, but the damage is done when they read a warning related to your site, and authenticity.

*edit - sorry for all my typos and spelling, and lack of links tomore info - it's late and i'm tired!

Digiteyes · 10-21-2003, 01:30 PM

I agree with Bubo. I would buy from the photo site, the "simple elegance" says "trust me". The color scheme of the web design site scares me off at first, but the magnificent framing of those graphics brings me back for a second look.

Just curious... who are your customers for the photo site?

Keith

**Cricket** · 10-22-2003, 01:02 PM

Quote:

the web design site scares me off at first

Thank you for your intuitive comments on this topic! It's certainly helpful to all of us. Ghostie and I have been discussing this for some time now and are currently putting that site through a total re-design. Watch for major changes coming very soon!

Quote:

who are your customers for the photo site?

Our specialty is digital stock photography, which makes web designers the predominant clients at this point.

Thanks again for the input!

**Cricket** · 10-24-2003, 08:07 PM

This is a test page I made for a new design... Please tell me if this design would make you "feel" more comfortable visiting ... if it has a more professional appearance without being "cold"... (content is not complete... just working on design right now)

http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/test.htm

Sure do appreciate your time!

Digiteyes · 10-24-2003, 09:50 PM

Beautiful! My only possible suggestion would be to make the header a little smaller, but that's just my opinion. You could not change it and it would still be awesome. Great work!

Some might tell you you've optimized the graphics a bit too much, but that's usually what I get too. I tend to sacrifice a bit of sharpness for a faster load.

BUT... since you don't have that many graphics on the page you might be able to get away with slicing the header into a few pieces and tweaking up the images a bit. In fact, now that I think about, since it is a graphics/design site, that might not be a bad idea.