Launching a new site...What do you think? Reviews Please!

[Derek Thomas]

EDIT:

Thanks for your feedback everyone. I'm currently doing some updates on the site, so you'll probably just want to check back later.

Your Main Keyword


Derek

[designbuyers2007]

An Honest Review :
Poor design and logo design is not the best, You could do better then that, Without a huff.

[RobertBand]

Not a bad start. I'm no expert on website design but I like the basic look of your site. No frills or anything. Looks a little bare but sometimes thats a good thing. Thumbs up from me. Keep up the good work.

[jaybaker]

Content is good, website is a bit minimalistic. You could possibly go with a better header, but over all the site is great! The only thing I don't like about it is that for the free quote there is no check box to click on for subscribing to your list. As an IM'er I knew this was coming but at the same point. Coming from the point of view of someone that is not into what we do, this could turn people off or make them think that you or your company is shady for not giving them an option to "opt-out" before the request is submitted. Flame me all you want. That is just my 2 cents worth.

Edit:
By the way would be willing to assist with the website if interested. I can possibly give you some pointers on a few things? Just offering in hopes of becoming part of the solution instead of just stating the problem. You know what I mean. Just trying to lend a helping hand if needed.

[Chris Pambos]

You should focus of capturing your visitors contact information as soon as possible when they land on your website, either have the first page of your website a squeeze page or if you want to keep your current home page, use a pop-over web form to capture your visitors information.

[Derek Thomas]

Originally Posted by designbuyers2007

An Honest Review :
Poor design and logo design is not the best, You could do better then that, Without a huff.

In your opinion, is it the minimalistic design that makes it "poor"...or some other reason?

Thanks for the feedback

[Derek Thomas]

Originally Posted by goliathseo

Content is good, website is a bit minimalistic. You could possibly go with a better header, but over all the site is great! The only thing I don't like about it is that for the free quote there is no check box to click on for subscribing to your list. As an IM'er I knew this was coming but at the same point. Coming from the point of view of someone that is not into what we do, this could turn people off or make them think that you or your company is shady for not giving them an option to "opt-out" before the request is submitted. Flame me all you want. That is just my 2 cents worth.

Edit:
By the way would be willing to assist with the website if interested. I can possibly give you some pointers on a few things? Just offering in hopes of becoming part of the solution instead of just stating the problem. You know what I mean. Just trying to lend a helping hand if needed.

Thanks for the feedback.

Sent you a PM

[Derek Thomas]

Originally Posted by Chris Pambos

You should focus of capturing your visitors contact information as soon as possible when they land on your website, either have the first page of your website a squeeze page or if you want to keep your current home page, use a pop-over web form to capture your visitors information.

Great point.

I'm actually working on that now. I'm experimenting with a pop up footer opt-in form. Any experience with those?

Derek

[baybossplaya]

choose a better wordpress template or customize your own. it makes 200% of a difference.

[Derek Thomas]

Originally Posted by baybossplaya

choose a better wordpress template or customize your own. it makes 200% of a difference.

Any favorites?

[enumoran]

Have a good content.
Need to have a better theme I think.

[hilltan]

I like the site its really clear and simple, all you need to do is extend the header along the top and it will look excellent.

Or you could go for a new header of the same width and place an opt in box in the top right corner insted of extending the header.

Just some thoughts

[Derek Thomas]

Originally Posted by hilltan

I like the site its really clear and simple, all you need to do is extend the header along the top and it will look excellent.

Or you could go for a new header of the same width and place an opt in box in the top right corner insted of extending the header.

Just some thoughts

Clear and simple is what I was shooting for, so thanks for the feedback.

Working on some header ideas now.

Derek

[wassim]

Derek,

I don't mean to rude, but seriously... just at the moment I checked your website, I did not feel that I want to stay any further. The design bothers me alot, and I see lots of texts. Believe it or not, I didn't read any word because I don't want to waste my time reading all these things! I have no idea what your service does and I do not want to know! Sorry Derek I am being very honest.

Maybe making the service or resource easy to follow and understand will make the website better. Maybe you can make something like:
http://www.flippa.com

As you can see, the design is nice and you can easily understand what is the website for.

Good luck. Shall you have any further questions feel free to email me.

- Wassim

[Derek Thomas]

Originally Posted by wassim

Derek,

I don't mean to rude, but seriously... just at the moment I checked your website, I did not feel that I want to stay any further. The design bothers me alot, and I see lots of texts. Believe it or not, I didn't read any word because I don't want to waste my time reading all these things! I have no idea what your service does and I do not want to know! Sorry Derek I am being very honest.

Maybe making the service or resource easy to follow and understand will make the website better. Maybe you can make something like:
http://www.flippa.com

As you can see, the design is nice and you can easily understand what is the website for.

Good luck. Shall you have any further questions feel free to email me.

- Wassim

Helpful perspective.

I may take you up on that PM offer.

Thanks,
Derek

[JeffLam]

Derek,

My personal view:

1) I think you will do better for a one clean page (that ought to have an opt in list) as a homepage. As of now your main page is more like a website (which I feel the layout isn't that great) which doesn't point to where the user should read first. It would be good if you can direct the readers in a certain fashion of reading your content by streamlining your site.

2) Like I said above, for the main page I think it would be more effective to have a one page squeeze page of sorts. For the blog and all that, I generally feel that you need to make better use of colours and bold tags.

E.g. on your right side of the page, "The Keyword Research Shortcut" and "The Latest" are actually categories. However, it blends in with the page and the text and hence doesn't stand out.

Perhaps you can try to bold the text and make it bigger, or add some coloured contrasting boxes to better segregate the page.

3) Rather than the green "more info", have an opt in form!

4) One tip for your copy: I feel you are beating around the bush a little. I have NO idea what you are offering (is it a service? a product?) until I read the copy on the left and click on the bottom link.

I think it may be better if you straight up hit on the user's emotions. Ask a bold question: "Are you frustrated with finding that one BEST keyword for your niche?" or something like "Finally, a service that YOU can use to find the best keyword for your niche!"

Something alone those lines.

Tell them straight what to expect. THEN elaborate. Like news - give them the headline, the summary, then elaborate and give the offer.

Hope it helps!

[Derek Thomas]

Originally Posted by JeffLam

Derek,

My personal view:

1) I think you will do better for a one clean page (that ought to have an opt in list) as a homepage. As of now your main page is more like a website (which I feel the layout isn't that great) which doesn't point to where the user should read first. It would be good if you can direct the readers in a certain fashion of reading your content by streamlining your site.

2) Like I said above, for the main page I think it would be more effective to have a one page squeeze page of sorts. For the blog and all that, I generally feel that you need to make better use of colours and bold tags.

E.g. on your right side of the page, "The Keyword Research Shortcut" and "The Latest" are actually categories. However, it blends in with the page and the text and hence doesn't stand out.

Perhaps you can try to bold the text and make it bigger, or add some coloured contrasting boxes to better segregate the page.

3) Rather than the green "more info", have an opt in form!

4) One tip for your copy: I feel you are beating around the bush a little. I have NO idea what you are offering (is it a service? a product?) until I read the copy on the left and click on the bottom link.

I think it may be better if you straight up hit on the user's emotions. Ask a bold question: "Are you frustrated with finding that one BEST keyword for your niche?" or something like "Finally, a service that YOU can use to find the best keyword for your niche!"

Something alone those lines.

Tell them straight what to expect. THEN elaborate. Like news - give them the headline, the summary, then elaborate and give the offer.

Hope it helps!

Wow! Thank you so much for going out of your way and offering such detailed and specific advice. What your saying really makes sense too, and it helps put things in much better perspective....Especially (4) about "beating around the bush".

I definitely see the need now for a more "streamlined" flow to my site.

Thanks again for the great feedback!
Derek