Christmas Product Site Not Converting

[lisag]

Let me confess: Just like a barber doesn't cut his own hair, I don't write my own copy. I'm too busy writing everyone else's copy.

So I got this idea for a quick Christmas money maker and put the backend together using tools I wrote in the past. Hired a copywriter and turned the site loose last week.

I'm getting 80-90 hits per day on key words like Santa picture, letter from Santa, etc, but not one sale yet.

Time to find out why and I'm thinking you guys know the answer. Let 'er rip. I'm listening...

HoHoHoMail.com

P.S. I posted a paid ad link for this site in the classified ads section. Just telling everyone so you don't think I'm trying to squeeze out some free advertising :-)

[lisag]

27 people clicked so far but no one has provided any suggestions, comments or critiques. Come on guys, help me out please.

[Scott Ames]

For me, I'm not even thinking about Christmas yet. I'm in Thanksgiving mode.

Also,, I find the white text on red hard to read. I might include a shot of Santa handing a child a photo.

[Liam Hamer]

The site just doesn't jump out at me and capture my attention - in my opinion the colors should be brighter, they're a little dark at the moment. Maybe some snow on each side of the main sales copy would brighten it up a bit. Also, to be honest - whilst the actual product itself is a nice novelty, I'm not sure a decent percentage of your visitors are going to be impressed enough to buy it. Perhaps I'm wrong though. I think the sales copy is good, but I'd definitely brighten it up a bit

[lisag]

I was wondering about the font colors myself. I understand you're not in Christmas mode, but apparently a lot of people are judging by the traffic. I had someone list it on StumbledUpon yesterday and got over 200 hits so far. Still no sales :-(

[lisag]

Thank you.

[tryinhere]

The white writing on red is a red i am gone layout, why am i needing to click the link to see the pic ? it should be part of the main screen where the tag is ?

just 2 things from here , a good idea

[GoGetta]

The first thing I would do is:

1. Get a headline created graphically that grabs your attention and stands out on the page. I would go with a white background in all honesty as well! Change the text to black and headings to a different colour!

Headline Example of the top of head,

"REMEMBER The Feeling You Get When You See That CHRISTMAS EXCITEMENT & HAPPINESS Beaming From Your Childs Face?"

"A Feeling You Could NEVER FORGET!"

"Well, How Would You Like To Create This Excitement & Happiness Again This Coming Christmas For Only $5?"

"Read On To Find Out How!"

Ok, a quick example of a possible headline, at the moment your page doesn't grab me!

2. FORMATTING!

Formatting is key in my opinion, change the text sizes up, emphasize with bolding, key emotional words and distinguish with colours, headings, statements and body content!

3. Sample! Maybe show the sample rather than having to click and maybe get some more samples as well!

4. A video would also be cool, of something related, windows movie maker, christmas images, excited kids, headlines etc!!


Hope that helps!


GoGetta

[Taylor French]

My sister has children, and I asked her to take a look at the site. Her first reaction was, "Why would I pay for this? I could just download a picture of Santa, print it on photo paper, and write on it myself with a Sharpie. It would be handwritten, and it would look more authentic."

People searching for "Santa picture" are probably looking for free pictures. People searching for "letter from Santa" are probably looking for their child to get something in the mail that has a return address of "North Pole" or something. I don't think you're offering your visitors what they are looking for based on the searches you're getting traffic for.

[Aljiro]

To be honest. The header is not that good. It doesn't command attention. The Santa pic is a sad one. The overall feel of the site is actually depressing. Choice of colors, Header, Background and stuff.

You seriously need a designer my friend if you have the budget.

Shoot me a PM if you need help.

Thanks.

Aljiro

[Fernando Veloso]

Hey Lisa,

Personally I think the site is "dead". No contrast, no power, no "christmas spirit".

You need a small re-design.

Fernando

[Fun to Write]

Your site is too dark for me, meaning the home page photo and red background.
This is the type of product that you need to touch people's emotions with.
What are your visitors going to feel when they click on your site?

Your site doesn't make me feel happy or like this would be something fun to do.

I think you should take a look at what some of your competitors are doing in this niche.
This type of site doesn't have to be fancy, but it does need to be fun.

[SurviveUnemployment]

I'm with Taylor French -- my first thought was, "Why would I pay for that?" Make it a packet of Christmas cards or something and bump your price up. Make the autographed picture of Santa a free extra.

Also get everything above the fold. Put one block on the left telling them what they'll get, one block on the right telling them what a wonderful holiday they'll have, and an order button underneath it. Widen to 960 px. Anybody on a tiny display isn't going to pay for anything anyway, and nobody's going to scroll for more information on this one. If they have man boobs or a tiny penis, they might be willing to scroll out of desperation... pictures of Santa, not so much.

[Edit: PS, by the way, unlike some others, I like the color scheme -- it's traditional. You could make the visuals cheerier, though.]

[Ewan Cormack]

I think the theme is the problem.

There are two ways to go as I see it:

1. Lots of bright colours and exclamation marks - making a site seem as if its made for children often gets more sales from adults buying for children.
2. Go for a proper Xmas theme and sell the idea of a great Christmas - just like the copy tries to do. A picture of a big fire on the hearth with a family sitting around it, Xmas stockings and excited children, that sort of thing.

Whatever you do, make sure your picture of Santa shows him smiling!

[Giggle]

i do not like the theme and the font. Brighter colours ought to be used.

[Kevin Riley]

The white on red is bugging my eyes. Not about to read it all. Change that real quick.

The headline "Delight the children in your life with a personalized autographed picture of Santa!" I'd at least change to "Delight the children in your life with a personalized autographed picture from Santa!" as that is special. Just a pic of him isn't.

In the header, I'd have Santa Claus smiling out at the reader - not off to the side. Make it warm and inviting. Also, why is the photograph not on the page? Why a link?

You have two deadlines. First, Nov 20th. In the PS it's Nov 30th. Things that make you go "Hmmm?"

PS: I'd only have the one choice: A physical mailing. The whole d/l and take to drugstore thing is too confusing.

[scrofford]

Can you come up with a better Santa Pic? I don't like the pic that is on there. There is no back ground and what the heck is he holding?

[mjnet]

i agree with a lot of the comments posted in here.

i am a sucker for online purchases... meaning i do a lot od shopping online bec i dont like driving to the malls. in fact, i have started my christmas shopping already -- online!

now, for one like me, does this site interest me? no. i will not click to see a sample. show it right (one or more ) on the front page. sustain that interest by showing more samples in another page. does your current sample whet my appetite? no, not at all. add more colors. green and red, i know.... but..... get a color wheel. the point is make it more splashy. change header. cant you have a joyful santa? make me smile.who's your targer audiencet? people wanting great fun ideas, i think so. the website doesnt suggest fun.

[JayInOrlando]

I've seen better Santa sites. One that includes a personal letter, stamped from the north pole. That's what I would buy my kid.

[J Elizabeth Dize]

Did you check out the competition?

The site below got me really, really excited

Letters from Santa Get a Personalized Letter from Santa Claus from the North Pole Online Today!

It's something I would get my little one, when he's old enough to understand.

[JeffersonB]

Feels like information being told me to that i cannot be bothered to read and not something i'm being sold..

Just trying to speak as if i was your customer - that's what i would think.

Needs to be abit more striking and bright.. straight to the point then hit them with the information.

[sbucciarel]

I don't want to look at or hear about anything Christmas until after Thanksgiving. November = Thanksgiving. December = Christmas. IMHO.

In addition, I don't know any kids who would want a photo/picture of Santa. Letters, phone calls yes, but a picture ... naaah.

The site is a bit dull for something that should be fun and Christmasy.

[JohnMcCabe]

I found the site kind of depressing, really. Very dark, and the header pic looks almost threatening.

The white copy on dark background is hard to read.

There's just not enough there to make me want to whip out the old credit card.

As was suggested earlier, I'd dump the download option. You're basically telling people to download a photo, print it out and write on it.

[nicholasb]

it could just be the offer it's self.

you would also need to dis able the right click because anyone can just download that picture and print it off and give it to there kid.

I think you need to make the offer a little better, give something else with it that the parents cant just do themselves.

[Fraserb]

Hi Lisa,

Looking at the above comments and the site I have to agree. The idea of the site is great as is the copy, but it just needs a bit more pazazz!

White on red just doesn't do it for me....

Santa should be laughing not looking serious and I definately think you need to show people what their going to get on the main page rather than as a popup.

Fraser
:-)

[nicholasb]

you could also hire a santa to do a video message on the site and target it to kids,

you want kids to see it and run and beg there parents for it relentlessly.

[kfilliez]

On paper this idea sound neat. But, when I read the copy, I thought, "that's it?" -Sorry.

I think ideas like this would work better if they are piggy-backed onto other products. For Example, I love to buy knit mittens and hats for my kids for xmas and would probably add this on if it was a bonus buy right before I entered my cc. I would probably pay $2-3. By itself, it leaves a little to be desired.

I also prefer dark print on light backgrounds when I read copy...while it may seem boring, it keeps my attention because it is easier to read. You could still keep it 'Jolly' by doing this with like a deep dark red on light green background.

Don't give up. Tweak it a little and let the Christmas shoppers in December decide its fate. It doesn't seem like a high cost experiment so hopefully it converts for ya!

Have a Merry Friday!

[Dave777]

Study and review a few misc. related Christmas Santa web concepts! Analyze their web traffic details throughout Google etc. including their marketing tactics. Quietly borrow a few of their ideas...

A few Quick examples! Lots more out there...
Santa Letters
www.SantasOfficialNorthPoleMail.com
www.official-Santa-letters.co.uk
www.SantaGram.co.uk
Write & Email Santa Claus for a North Pole Christmas!
Santa Letters Personalized Letters from Santa Claus & Santa Phone Call
Santa Claus and Christmas at the Northpole
Letter from Santa :: Santa Letters in Eight Languages
Personalised Letters from Santa Claus Just 5.99
Santa Claus Animation Station: Santa Claus' Christmas Website for Kids

Dave

[drwhogoesthere]

Thde colours are a little flat. They have to be bold reds and greens.

Plus you dont really have anything to say Click Here or BUY NOW. You buying buttons are nice but they are not clear enough for some people.

Other than that a great Idea.

[Kirahster]

For me it was the font colors. It hurt my eyes and instantly my finger twitched and wanted to click away.

[Monika Mundell]

Hi Lisa,

I think the above are all valid comments but what really annoyed me the most (besides the colors) was the ad copy itself. It's lame, it misses some serious sparkle and it is written poorly.

The aim of copy on a sales page is to grab the visitors attention in the first few second. Your site actually managed to do the opposite. LOL. If you weren't asking for feedback I would have quietly left within the first couple of seconds.

I think by implementing some of the design aspects and polishing up your copy you should see better results.

Hope this helps.
Monika

[lisag]

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

I found the site kind of depressing, really. Very dark, and the header pic looks almost threatening.

The white copy on dark background is hard to read.

There's just not enough there to make me want to whip out the old credit card.

As was suggested earlier, I'd dump the download option. You're basically telling people to download a photo, print it out and write on it.

When they download it it's already autographed. Our software does it. But I guess I could dump it. I thought it might be a good idea for people who waited until the last minute. Plus figuring out how to write the autograph module was fun :-)
your comment.

[opportunites]

Thank you Lisag for asking this question!

Thank you to all of you who are sharing your opinion on this thread. As I plan to launch very soon my christmas website, I have learned a lot form you!

One more time thank you!

Good luck Lisag!

[JohnMcCabe]

Originally Posted by lisag

When they download it it's already autographed. Our software does it. But I guess I could dump it. I thought it might be a good idea for people who waited until the last minute. Plus figuring out how to write the autograph module was fun :-)
your comment.

Lisa, I understood that the software adds the autograph before the download...

At this stage of the game, there's still plenty of time. Having the download option just gives visitors an extra choice and plants the "hmmm, how could I do this without having to buy it" seed. It also implies that there's no need to make a decision now, because they can always come back for the download later - only "be backs" seldom are, are they?

Here's another way to keep the download module (and yes, it's fun when you figure out how to do something). I'd think about taking the option down for now. Offer the print-and-mail version only. Once you reach the drop-dead date for mailing, tell people they are too late for the regular option, but in the "spirit of Christmas", you can offer them the download option.

That way, you don't jeopardize potential sales of the prints or lose out on potential last-minute sales...