Thanks for the feedback - Oddly enough the Google ads block doesn't show many competitors, many of the sites listed either complement my clients site [he doesnt sell absolutely everything related to pools & spas], or link to him [vendors, ad affiliates, etc] - plus it brings in some extra cash on the side; I will probably move it to a different location but with the competative ad filter that google has it is actually something that adds some enhancement to the site [someone clicks on a pool search link and is referred back to this site will know that they are highly recommended for instance] - the xhtml logo is for my own reference right now, a future integration of the site will be an XML based news section [company based news] and chemical FAQ that will show info on balancing pools and spas correctly - that is why i chose the XHTML standards verse HTML.
The navigation link titles are directly taken from the old site for now, as I stated, I am trying to bring this site into the future slowly and taking it one step at a time - I will be renaming the Sales links 'Information' because that is all they really do right now, a future online store will be accessed differently - I get your idea though and completely agree. As for further categorizing the products, that would make the Right navigation bar way to long - My client sells 5 different brands of spas and another 5 different types of pools [brand names] as well as subsets of each. The reason they are seperated the way they are right now is so that the customer can get access to any part of each category from any page, I think that too many clicks to get to say information about maintaining your pool would drive more customers off - My client has actually had customers that have been coming to the site and liking the fact that they can get to specific areas so quickly. As for the maintenance and service sections - these are going to contain important information for consumers -> owning a pool or spa is _not_ a hayride in the park, there is work involve and my client wants to provide owners with a sense of security by showing them common problems and how to fix them on their own, or what sort of services he provide to help them keep it as pain free as possible. I do not want to gloss over the responsibility of owning a pool, and I also want my client ot be able to showcase his [and his staffs'] knowledge of what can go wrong and that they know how to fix it. I plan on streamlining the site more and more as time goes by, but I also am working within the constraints that the client has, he wants people to be able to make the proper choice (as well as do business with us) so he wants them to be able to get pertinent information fast. I will think about your ideas though, I just don't want his site to become too 'glitzy' like most of the pool & spa store websites out there [his competitor sites run from basic and holding no information, to extremely over glitzy with not enough of the right information] I will work on the suggestions and post the link again when I am ready for another honest review. Thanks again On 11 Apr 2006 at 17:39, David Blakey wrote: > I would start by taking out the Google Ads block. There may be a > chance that a rival site will attract customers away. > > The XHTML logo has no significance to visitors. Take that off, too. > > If I was thinking about - well, considering - buying a pool, I would > be put off by that 'Sales' link. Too powerful. Show the punters the > product, interest them, and then move on to selling to them. The > whole left navigation needs a re-think. I would suggest a heading of > 'Products', with pools and spas listed below. Maybe even a list of > all the products, if they fit. Can they be categorized any further? > > I also wouldn't want to think about 'Maintenance and service' up > front. It may be a sales point to throw in along the route to a > purchase, but where it is now might make we think 'Maybe a pool would > be too much trouble'. > > I really don't think that this site aligns very well with the sales > process. > > Regards, > David > > ____ The WDVL Discussion List from WDVL.COM ____ To Join wdvltalk, Send An Email To: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or use the web interface http://e-newsletters.internet.com/discussionlists.html/ Send Your Posts To: [email protected] To change subscription settings, add a password or view the web interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/read/?forum=wdvltalk ________________ http://www.wdvl.com _______________________ You are currently subscribed to wdvltalk as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with.
