GREAT thread! Can I have honest opinion?

**ron komorowski** · 03-08-2008 08:04 PM

COOL! I wanted to start a post like this on another site. This is so important!!! I am greedily posting before I look at other's websites but I will try and check all and contribute!!!

I will say, this post is so important so we all learn here!!! Websites are even more important than the actual product or even your face I believe.

I know I need more work. The venture is less than a year old. The website was first built for free and I will not now take it away from this helpful person, wouldn't be fair.

Please be picky if you look!!!! On font, colors, whatever. I don't like the star curtain as is but a video is supposed to go there shortly. Thanks so much!!!! I will look at yours too! Handi Straps Lifting System Home

Ron
Inventor of Handi-Straps

**ASJ** · 03-12-2008 12:16 AM

Hello Ron,

First of all, I like the product. It is very cool, especially the use for the rescue personnel. That might be a good niche market to pursue.

If you don't mind, I would like to give you my basic review of your website.

The design of the site is quite dated. I would even say it is similar designs that were being used in the late 90's. The bold color combinations (dark blue and yellow) can be very harsh on the eyes. The content of the site also doesn't follow many current standards that would optimize the site for both visitors and search engines.

My Recommendation:
I would recommend having your previous web designer, or another company, update your site to use more current standards (both in design and programming). You should have the content on your website more organized and use some of the common practices for easy reading. Also, I would recommend that you work on the branding of your website/ company. There is no logo on the website...if you have one, you should have it added immediately. Lastly, I would suggest optimizing your website for search engines in order to get increased traffic to your site.

I hope this quick review helps.

If you need any assistance with your site, or if you'd like a more in depth review of your website, please contact me. I would be happy to help.

**ron komorowski** · 03-12-2008 09:46 AM

Thank you very much for your time! I have heard all that you are saying and I have to ask people about the website because that is just what you need to do.

Your advice is consistant with what I've heard before. When I started the president of the inventor's group offered to do it for free. It was one of his very first few. I don't want to take it away from him but I will need someone else at some point or still use him for some maintenance. I will definetly keep you in mind.

As for rescue, yes, rescue, EMS, FD's and military now know about it around the world. I pushed this market because they would also help me build a solid reputable brand plus I just want to help. Those groups also get a large 25% discount.

Thanks again! Have a great day! Keep in touch on here!

Ron

**happygolucky** · 03-12-2008 11:23 AM

I sell domains and constantly look at sites on the internet. My biggest advise would be to GET RID OF THE TABLES. Go CSS, much smoother and appeals to current internet users and buyers.

The product is great but the website (no offense) sucks. The colors are terrible. The text is some what well written but not stimulating to the reader. The way you have your pics is not very smart.

There is not even a way for customers to buy directly on the site that is quick. REMEMBER most internet sales are impulsive. Get them to buy then and there not through email.

I am not sure I can recommend you to a web designer but the company I use for domain appraisals is awesome. Message me for any advice.

**OnTheWayUp** · 03-12-2008 11:46 AM

oh no....tables....can't look....burning my eyes....ughhh **passes out**

Really, you just need a simple redesign, I would go to rentacoder.com or elance.com. It is really inexpensive and they can have it up in about 2 weeks. You also should look into creating a logo that stands out, but that can come with the site redesign. I'll offer my services if needed

**ASJ** · 03-12-2008 01:51 PM

Honestly, whether it is in tables or not doesn't matter that much. The end user (visitor) doesn't care.

I would also recommend, if you redesign to go with a CSS-based design, but not because of the way it looks. There are other benefits to it such as download speeds, SEO, etc.

**Ahern & Brucker** · 03-12-2008 02:18 PM

I think your web site is just fine... lol but i'm not an expert... I wanted to make a couple of points however...

#1. I saw something similiar to this advertised on TV just the other day... it's not the exact same product but it's close. (Uses the forearms and a few 2/1/2 inch straps with hooks... Have you considered taking your product to the guys who advertise on TV?

Also, When I was really young, I worked for a volunteer ambulance outfit... this outfit was really primitive but we used to use leather straps with hooks (similiar to a barber strap) This was extreemely convenient carrying overweight people flailing around while trying to carry them down narrow steps...

When I got older and moved to a professional ambulance service, they didn't use any straps and the difference was amazing... My back is currently as sound as spaghetti and although it's from a lot of lifting and gen abuse over a long duration had I been using your straps, I'd still be as spry as I was when I was young.

ANyway, I like your product for many applications and hope for the sake of young rescue workers, you sell out. GOod luck!

**OnTheWayUp** · 03-12-2008 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by ASJ

Honestly, whether it is in tables or not doesn't matter that much. The end user (visitor) doesn't care.

I would also recommend, if you redesign to go with a CSS-based design, but not because of the way it looks. There are other benefits to it such as download speeds, Search Engine Optimization, etc.

It matters big time. Someone who is tech-savvy and web-surfs all the time will look at this site and think that there has been no maintainence, the product hasn't went anywhere, or that it there is no product (meaning there may have been a product, but it has flopped, causing the user to think twice about purchasing)

This is especially important since his product is fairly new, you want your website to be fairly updated as well. I am not saying that he needs to spend tons of money on the website, but he should invest around 200-400 dollars to spruce it up, make an image gallery, fix the navigation, and make a proper order page.

Or, keep it like it is, and wonder why sales are not coming through email. I'm just saying, its alot easier to buy a product with the proper tools in place, then it is to have to email, wait for the email, exchange bank information, etc. For $60.00, I would classify this as an impulse item, meaning people want to be able to come directly to the site and purchase right then and there.

With so many email scams out there, people would be relunctant to give away information through email.

My 2c

**ron komorowski** · 03-13-2008 12:40 AM

Thank you so much for all the opinions!!!! This is very important to me! I sort of agree although I don't know much about websites but you know what....I say it sucks too.

I feel bad about taking it away from the guy that did it for me for free when I first started this. He does not have the capabilities to improve much. I will be telling him about everyone's advice here.

Much will be changing. I am adding 4 more product to the line and we will refine then. I don't want online sales just yet and I know how it can increade sales 3 times by catching impulse buyers.

The product is out for only a year. I want people to call the phone number so they can ask questions and also we have many very important people and companies we sell to like all divisions of military and companies like Boeing as well as around the world. We kind of like to know who we are selling to right now.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME!!! HOPE I CAN RETURN THE FAVOR SOMEDAY!

Have a great day!

Ron

**ASJ** · 03-13-2008 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by OnTheWayUp

It matters big time. Someone who is tech-savvy and web-surfs all the time will look at this site and think that there has been no maintainence, the product hasn't went anywhere, or that it there is no product (meaning there may have been a product, but it has flopped, causing the user to think twice about purchasing)

This is especially important since his product is fairly new, you want your website to be fairly updated as well. I am not saying that he needs to spend tons of money on the website, but he should invest around 200-400 dollars to spruce it up, make an image gallery, fix the navigation, and make a proper order page.

Or, keep it like it is, and wonder why sales are not coming through email. I'm just saying, its alot easier to buy a product with the proper tools in place, then it is to have to email, wait for the email, exchange bank information, etc. For $60.00, I would classify this as an impulse item, meaning people want to be able to come directly to the site and purchase right then and there.

With so many email scams out there, people would be relunctant to give away information through email.

My 2c

I understand your opinion that they need their site "spruced" up, which I agree with. It has some design and organization flaws, which everyone has commented on. The point that I was trying to get across is that so many people say... TABLES ARE THE DEVIL...GET RID OF THEM to spruce up your design.

Having proper tools like a photo gallery, stronger sales methods, better navigation and overall site organization can be done with or without a table-less design and has nothing to do with the technology methods used to build the site. That is like saying that in order to make your site look better you have to use PHP rather than ASP.net.

I don't mean to sound argumentative, I just want to explain my point.

Sorry for hijacking your thread, Ron.