Overhaul

[Corabar Entertainment]

Originally Posted by City.Com

Well in my opinion the background should be plain and soft colour, it should not destruct reader...

I keep getting this advice from people 'in the trade', but I did carry out quite extensive research with potential customers about this. My competitors sites go either one way or the other - they are either black flashing backgrounds with neon writing, which is very 'in your face', else they are as you are suggesting. The result of my market research suggested that, whilst they found the black/neon sites too garish, the soft-colour ones they found too business-like and formal - they wanted to see something a bit more alive and fun from a company offering party/celebration services. This is why I went for the disco-lights background behind the soft colour boxes - ie, the best of both worlds.

Originally Posted by City.Com

...as well as some aye catching animations. Information about your business or services you offer is first.

I am not sure whether you are saying I should have animations or not here. I do have 2 simple animations, but I think that animations can seriously detract from the message you are trying to get across if they are not used very carefully. The content is my main priority and the site does contain a lot of information about the company. I always check, double check and then get someone else to proof-read any copy before I even begin to design the page, and once it is up-loaded, I check all the copy again, plus all images and all links.

Originally Posted by City.Com

It seems your site is presentation of advance programming and could drive away real customers..

Advanced programming! I wouldn't even know where to start. I am a beginner!! As for driving away customers, my initial monitoring of the site since its up-date is very positive - Approximately 1 in 5/6 visitors landing on the site from targeted keywords through search engines are making an enquiry, (I am discounting those landing through specialised directories because that would be too easy) and around 85% of those are confirming their booking with us. I thought that was pretty good, but maybe some of you out there will tell me otherwise.

Originally Posted by City.Com

Being simple, easy to navigate and fast are the core to a good website. It is not what you like, but what customer need is important.

Again, I do analyse the stats from the site very closely, and it is clear from those that customers do find the site very easy to navigate - following logical paths through the site.

I am sorry everyone that this has been such a long post and please do not think I do not want your feedback or constructive critisism, but I must confess that I was not very happy when I read your comments City.com - especially when you state your profession in your profile as 'Web Developer' and your own site's content contains so many errors and broken links - hardly the best advert for your services. Maybe I am being unfair, and you just have an unfortunate way of putting things across, and if this is the case, I apologise.

[microbe]

If your site works, that is all that counts.

In the past I have encountered slick, smart, beautiful, professional sites which just don't work, and truly awful ones which work great and make good sales.

This Internet thing is still pretty new so the 'rules' are no more than best guesses in most cases. Real experts are rare.

There is some obvious stuff, useit.com is worth a (regular) read. But that does not mean that it should be adhered to slavishly.

Do what works, track your stats, make the changes they suggest and don't worry about what other people think.

[Corabar Entertainment]

I agree completely, and please don't think that I do not value and respect everyone's opinion - because I do.... And thanks for the tip for useit.com - I'll take a look.

[Oscarr]

I've looked at your site and am wondering what the fuss is all about. It looks well designed and eye catching. I don't think that it would put customers off at all. After all, your customers are managers of sports clubs, workingmen's clubs, wedding organisers, etc that would require your product. These people would not be computer experts or internet marketing gurus, but ordinary people wanting the type of service you are offering. Don't be panicked into making great changes. That would be a mistake if you haven't got a lot of spare time to do that. By all means complete the links. One rule - if it 'aint working, don't display it unitl it is.

There is the old story about the man, his son and his donkey going to market. No matter what combination they organised to get there, ie, if the man walked and his son rode the donkey, someone would criticise the son for riding the donkey when his aged father had to walk. If the father rode the donkey, someone would criticise the father in making his little son walk. If they both rode the donkey, someone would say that they were both cruel to the poor donkey for overloading it. If noone rode the donkey, the father and son would be laughed at because they had a good donkey to ride and they walked instead. Here is a classic no win situation.

My advice: Accept the comments that you know are helpful to you. Don't be afraid to ignore the ones that make you feel panicky or put down.

Here's another principle: "Those who can't usually criticise those who can." Make of that what you like.

I hope my remarks are helpful to you.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Thanks.

Just one query...

Originally Posted by Oscarr

By all means complete the links. One rule - if it 'aint working, don't display it unitl it is.

Did you find any links that weren't working? I thought that everything was linking OK. I would never deliberately put something in without it's relevant link, as that is one of the most annoying things I find on the net! Let me know if you found any problems. Ta!

[microbe]

I use Xenu periodically to run quick checks on sites.

[City.Com]

Well, what is the point putting site asking for a feedback and then arguing.

I only give my opinion(opposite to criticism) for improvements, and if you are not agree with this, then just forget it.

All people different, and from my point of view you trying hard to impress with design of the site not with your services or products. And that is opinion of Internet user, not a designer.


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[inbakumar]

Originally Posted by Corabar Entertainment

I am a beginner!! As for driving away customers, my initial monitoring of the site since its up-date is very positive - Approximately 1 in 5/6 visitors landing on the site from targeted keywords through search engines are making an enquiry, (I am discounting those landing through specialised directories because that would be too easy) and around 85% of those are confirming their booking with us. I thought that was pretty good, but maybe some of you out there will tell me otherwise.Again, I do analyse the stats from the site very closely, and it is clear from those that customers do find the site very easy to navigate - following logical paths through the site.

Hi Angela,

I have been watching this thread with some interest but didn't have time to post anything - until now .

Even though I don't much like the colour scheme / background personally, your conversion rate is fantastic. I'm in fact envy of it . Therefore my recommendation is to stick with the design. If it isn't broken don't break it. The web site actually reminded me of something I learnt previously which is that sometimes busy looking advertisements work better than neat ones. At the end of the day, it is the results that count isn't it?

BTW, any chance of designing a similar web site for us with a similar conversion rate? I'm prepared to do a joint venture with you if you can guarantee a similar sort of conversion rate. We could become rich fairly quickly.

Best regards,

[microbe]

You are right, Inbakumar.

It is impressive.

Before I got into internet development, I spent a long time in sales. One of the things which made me want to make the switch was that I found that no matter what you are selling, there is always a fairly short list of questions that people ask. After a little while, I would get fed up with being asked the same questions again and again.

It seems to me that, with a web site, there is very likely to be a similarly short list of questions that buyers will want answers to. Some will be the ones they would voice to your face, others will be ones they would normally look for implicit answers to (things like "are you honest", "can we trust you").

If this is so, then, if you can put together a site which efficiently answers all the explicit questions and provides the right implicit answers at the same time, then you will likely be on a winner.

If you work out a formula for how to do this, please share!

[Corabar Entertainment]

Originally Posted by microbe

I use Xenu periodically to run quick checks on sites.

Thanks for the pointer - a handy tool to have!

Originally Posted by inbakumar

... any chance of designing a similar web site for us with a similar conversion rate? I'm prepared to do a joint venture with you if you can guarantee a similar sort of conversion rate. We could become rich fairly quickly.

Wish I had a magic formula - I could make a fortune!

To be honest, I think that the reason the site is doing so well on enquiries / conversions is because people stop to take a look at the site as it is picking up the middle ground visually between the really "in your face" ones that people view as cheap and cheerful and the "so professional and formal" ones that turn people off because they do not convey any sense of fun. Then, because we have so much information on there (far more than our competitors) it is holding their interest.

This is a market and a 'product' that I know about, and I conducted a fair bit of market research before doing anything. I think there is a danger of all sites - whatever the market; whatever the sector, becoming rather generic visually, all because we keep getting told that "this is the way you do it", rather than finding out for ourselves.

Originally Posted by microbe

... if you can put together a site which efficiently answers all the explicit questions and provides the right implicit answers at the same time, then you will likely be on a winner.

If you work out a formula for how to do this, please share!

I think you've hit the nail on the head with that one - I tend to give as much information as possible, so that whatever anyone wants to know, they should find the answer. Being so open may give people the answers to those "implicit questions".

Oh! I've just come back on to edit this post, because I forgot the original reason I came here in the first place!

Originally Posted by Joyous

..map on the left hand side was jumping up and down like mad. Seems OK now though so I don't know if this is a glitch at your end or mine.

OK just noticed that if you try and scroll down the page using the down arrows then the site map bar starts jumping.

I think I've cured it now, but if anyone has a few seconds, can they test it out? Ta. (The scroll out navigation does not appear on the home page, but on every other page) Thanks again!