Does your website suck?

[James D]

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have seen member’s signatures, not only here on this forum but all over the internet that contained a link to their website. Often my curiosity causes me to visit a link and once I arrive I am often completely amazed at their poor, unprofessional website presentation.

These people apparently failed marketing 101 because they haven’t any clue how to create a corporate image even for the smallest home business. This immediately tells their visitors they have no clue what they are doing and their credibility is shot within seconds.

It’s therefore I suggest you find a FREE website forum that specializes in website design and participate so you can ensure your web site doest fall to the same fate of causing you instant credibility failure.

[Peterla]

Do you have an example of one of your own web creations? Just so we know what to aim for.....

[James D]

I apologize if I sounded harsh but it’s the truth,

Not only that, I practice what I preach. I often help others above and beyond what many are willing to do when it comes to providing any advice and all for free. I am not patting myself on the back or intentionally trying to sound like a know it all so if I came off that way I apologize but I will always be brutally honest.

Since I was asked to provide references I am linking to a free website that help's people create new webpages, take a look at two recent critiques I made, then get back to me.


http://www.websitebabble.com/site-re...ding-page.html

http://www.websitebabble.com/site-re...w-my-site.html

[Encrypted]

I actually agree. Everyone tries to get their website built the cheap shitty way and that simply isn't the way to go. Your appearance should be your number 1 priority. That's why I spend a boat load of money when I go to have designs made: CodeEgg › Programming and Development Resources

[James D]

Ok

Let me give another example,

I have randomly chosen three websites that I have no affiliation with but have chosen them for an example.

I have placed them in order or appearance and presentation the first being the less appealing and the third being the most IMO. If you were going to trust your life with surfing instructions, what company would you have more confidence from their presentations?

Surf Lessons Santa Monica, surf lessons Los Angeles, surf lesson, surf lesson Manhattan Beach, surf lessons, surf instruction, santa monica surf lesson, los angeles surf lesson, venice beach surf, surfing lessons, surf lesson el porto, surf instructi

Outer Banks Surfing Instructions - Teaching the Fundamentals & Beyond

Learn to Surf - Gold Coast Surf School

[peteVA]

My website sucks. Yet I'll sell $50,000 per month from it.

When ever this subject come up I ask one simple question, which I will do here -

Two sites offering the same goods. One looks like crap but has been established for some time.

The other state of the art in design, also been around awhile, according to whois.

Only difference is the crappy site sells the exact same goods for 10% less.

Where are you going to buy?

Are you going to pay 10% extra because you like the design of the one site over the other?

I haven't had anyone yet say they will do that, even die hard designers who will talk the talk, but back down when they have to walk the walk.

How about you, are you willing to pay a premium simply to buy from a good looking site?

No "it might be a scam", no weaseling about this or that. Both sites legitimate and established.

Put up or shut up.

[James D]

For me it depends on the products being sold,

I can say I personally have no problem paying %10 more if the company is professional and I think there is less chance they will lose my shipment or send me through the customer service circles when they do lose my order

Edit to add

@PeteVA

I just visited your web hosting site because I happen to be in the market for hosting for another website I want to launch and yet I am choosing another hosting company over yours and they are three times the price for the basic service. I will pay more because I feel more confident in this other company’s presentation and customer service.

Again this is nothing personal against you it’s just how I personally conduct my business and spend my money.

[Encrypted]

@PeteVA

I just visited your web hosting site because I happen to be in the market for hosting for another website I want to launch and yet I am choosing another hosting company over yours and they are three times the price for the basic service. I will pay more because I feel more confident in this other company’s presentation and customer service.

Again this is nothing personal against you it’s just how I personally conduct my business and spend my money.

I second that statement.. I always look for quality in a company when I'm looking to purchase something and a nice website counts as part of that. If a company puts the extra money into their appearance, it means they care about the way they're perceived by their customers and they're in it for the long haul.

If I want to be in business for the next 30 years, would I want my customers thinking I don't care about the future image of my company and that I just threw up a shitty website temporarily to make a fast buck? I put the extra time and effort into everything I do.

I'm having a bit of trouble explaining myself, but it makes sense.

P.S. Someone offered to start a financial site with me recently, but they wouldn't throw in the required money to put up a quality website (it wasn't even much, there were 3 of us so I think it was about $200 each) and he wouldn't do it. I turned down his offer.

[Peterla]

I think James D needs to take his head out of his ....

[peteVA]

James, you are the first.

And, to be honest, I did not even consider the hosting site. I don't know that I've ever gotten an order from it by itself. I sell hosting one at a time to forum members looking to host and set up a shopping cart site, something I specialize in.

I was speaking generally in terms of product sites / shopping carts. I have no qualms at all with state of the art (less flash) brochure sites, corporate sites, etc. But in terms of buying something for yourself or your family - a pair of shoes, a wheelbarrow, an iPod, a shirt or watch, I seriously doubt you would pay an additional price due to the looks of the site.

And, even if you do, you are not the normal buyer. You do judge a book by it's cover, you are more concerned with form than function. Not saying you are alone, but certainly in the majority.

Pretty shallow, in most cases.

Again, not taking up for that hosting site. It's basically a place where I send people to the order page to start their subscription through PayPal. I never intended to compete with hostgator, just started it to help newbies get a shopping cart online. 5 bucks a month, treat them as family, no account numbers and a support person who speaks English as a first language. Hold their hands through setup of the cart, something no server company does with "applications", and keep them forever.

It's a shame some folks miss all the good stuff.

[James D]

I think James D needs to take his head out of his ....

lofty goals… or as some would say "out of the clouds" for trying to always raise the bar or to better myself than just the status quo

No apologies here and again I’m not trying to sound like a know it all prick I just have standards I adhere to.

This is business and the competition is fierce so you have to better than the next guy if you want to succeed, or take second place. If you’re happy being last or unsuccessful then that’s great and I have no issue with that.

James, you are the first.

And, to be honest, I did not even consider the hosting site. I don't know that I've ever gotten an order from it by itself. I sell hosting one at a time to forum members looking to host and set up a shopping cart site, something I specialize in.

I was speaking generally in terms of product sites / shopping carts. I have no qualms at all with state of the art (less flash) brochure sites, corporate sites, etc. But in terms of buying something for yourself or your family - a pair of shoes, a wheelbarrow, an iPod, a shirt or watch, I seriously doubt you would pay an additional price due to the looks of the site.

And, even if you do, you are not the normal buyer. You do judge a book by it's cover, you are more concerned with form than function. Not saying you are alone, but certainly in the majority.

Pretty shallow, in most cases.

Again, not taking up for that hosting site. It's basically a place where I send people to the order page to start their subscription through PayPal. I never intended to compete with hostgator, just started it to help newbies get a shopping cart online. 5 bucks a month, treat them as family, no account numbers and a support person who speaks English as a first language. Hold their hands through setup of the cart, something no server company does with "applications", and keep them forever.

It's a shame some folks miss all the good stuff.

Let me address the hosting site issue,

I chose to go with Register.com because I have hosted with them in the past and they have great customer service. This is the main reason I went with them because when I had issues in the past their 24 hour customer service was outstanding. Sure they are more expensive but I consider it worth it just for the service.

Again not price but service and quality is more important for me. My intial impression of their company was what caught my attention


Let's move on to products.

Take shoes for example, I love leather slip on shoes. I’m a simple guy who happens to be rough when it comes to shoes so I go through several pairs a year.

Now I have a particular style I like (which is a very common style) and I have seen this style in countless places and stores, almost identical and lower in cost at times.

However I spend a little extra money and purchase a better quality shoe because I like how rugged they are, the tight solid fit and how they do last with what I put them through.

Sure I could save some money and buy cheaper shoes a discount store or knocks offs but I never feel good about them or the fit or feel of them. Again a little extra money for better quality is more important to me.


Let’s take Q-tips as another example, have you ever been to a dollar store and purchased a generic package of Q-tips and when you went to use them they folded in half of didn’t have any cotton on the end? Exactly, and that’s why I buy only Johnsons & Johnson Q-tips. Better quality and no short cuts.

Now if you are selling the same exact product say Clorox Bleach opposed to a generic brand I might see where I might buy the generic brand because bleach is something that is chemically the same and it’s something I am not personally digesting but if it’s for my consumption or family it has to be the best quality.

Quality is exemplified by a business when they take the extra steps to make their image and products the best they can be.

Am I rare that I am willing to spend more money, no I don’t think so I think many will agree

[peteVA]

You are misreading what I said, James.

I am not trying to sell you generics. My question had nothing to do with knockoffs, private label or anything of the sort.

Like you, I buy only genuine Q-tips.

The question is simply if you can buy THE SAME branded product from a crappy site or a top of the art site, are you willing to spend 10 - 20 - 30% more for the IDENTICAL PRODUCT because of the design of the site?

Not talking beautiful site sells genuine, crappy site sells junk. Talking one site has the identical, name brand product but is selling from a generic ZenCart or CubeCart or one of the hundreds of other shopping cart script sites without a fancy template to make it look good.

The other site, selling exactly the same products, from the same shopping cart script, even. But has a truly attractive template over that still free basic shopping cart. Are you going to pay extra for the template on the cart?

Hell, may even be the same company, selling to different markets. Basic site, name brand goods at a lower, but not cheap, price. Other site exactly the same, just a fancy template overlaid on the cart, and getting a premium for the exact same goods.

Where are you going to spend your money.

And I'll leave you with a quote from one of the US's most renowned columnist and talking head - "The price difference between 'the best' and the adequate often is much larger than the quality difference." George F. Will

[Peterla]

PeteVA
I wouldnt even bother replying to this (in his own words 'know it all prick'). If he wants to pay an extra 10% because a site or retailer looks good, then let him! Product will be the same but overpriced! His loss!
I think he must be a code person, i.e. blinkered!
If I want anything I will give you first shout (am looking for HDC HD2 phone).

[LingerieLady]

I kind of agree and disagree with all your posts..

I'm not very good at expaining what i mean.. but i'll do my best to explain my humble little opinion.. haha

I think that if you are already familiar with a "crappy" website and you know that they have really good prices.. you will go to them first, to see if they sell a certain product as this will save you money. Regardless of what the site looks like..
This, however, is not thanks to the crappy website. This is due to the person behind the website advertising and promoting his business, and marketing his good deals on brand name products.


On the other hand.. a person starting fresh, who likes things to be simple to understand (like myself), perhaps hasn't heard of this guy's website yet..

A person like this will browse through websites, probably skip the boring, difficult to navigate ones, and stick around longer on sites that are more esthetically pleasing.
Chances are, these people will easily find what they are looking for on this "good" website, and because of their good experience on the site, they'll browse around some more, and perhaps even add some more stuff to their cart by the end of their visit.
Also, it doesn't just seem like they tried to throw a quick business together just because they wanted to make some money (which is probably the case for many business owners, but customers don't like to think they're buying from selfish people).
The person behind this website, actually put lots of effort into their appearance and customer service, which adds to their credibility and professionalism.


In my opinion, a beautiful, wonderfully laid out website vs. a cluttery random website..
Is like a beautifully laid out store with professional sales consultants (helping you find the items that will suit your lifestyle or event the best.) VS. a massive cluttered bargain store with uninterested clerks (who would rather be doing something else rather than helping you find the cheapest stuff available.)

Sure.. they both make money.. but which one is more likely to get the credibility and lifetime relationship with their customers..
Plus the word of mouth advertising if those customers have friends who are looking for something more professional/trustworthy.

I guess it just depends on the kind of clients you are trying to attract and what your service is

[Peterla]

Just looked at your site, nice pictures etc but not that much about yourself and how you decided on this particular idea of revenue for a site. You have a shop front which is great! but how are you thinking of marketing over the web? Would it be mail order?
Peterla