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Critique it - a site under construction

by Brotherly
25 replies
Hello Friends,

working on a new site though it's still a work-in-progress.

Kindly critique it for me so that i can make corrections - Kitemark Solutions | This Site IS Dedicated To Providing Solutions To Accounting & Integrated ICT Issues

Thanks
#construction #critique #site
  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    So let me ask... why are you using a slider? If you feel you need to hve a slider, at the very least ensure the images are the same size. Screen bounce while reading is super annoying

    your logo and tag line. Your company is Kitemark Solutions.. you providing solutions to Accounting & Integrated ICT Issues. so would not LOGO "We providing solutions to Accounting & Integrated ICT Issues" make more sense?

    Other that that, nothing is jumping out at me


    Originally Posted by Brotherly View Post

    Hello Friends,

    working on a new site though it's still a work-in-progress.

    Kindly critique it for me so that i can make corrections - Kitemark Solutions | This Site IS Dedicated To Providing Solutions To Accounting & Integrated ICT Issues

    Thanks
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    Success is an ACT not an idea
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    My biggest tip is to get your site professionally designed.. I would question your legitimacy based on that website. As far as a critique... I can't find anything positive.
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    • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
      The only thing I like is your name which means something in the UK. As you are in Nigeria I don't think it will mean the same.

      The site itself is disaster.

      Just pay someone to make a proper one for you, even if it is a simple, clear, 5 page brochure type.

      Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
    I clicked on one of the images in the carousel and I ended up here http://cyberchimps.com/

    You might want to fix that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Climb Online
    Tighten up the header (make it much narrower) get a decent logo, get rid of slider and replace with the fact that you specialize in Sage 50 and what that can do for your prospects

    Get phone number and or opt in form above the fold. get rid of the generic images and replace with some real stuff. Get rid of the section between the footer and main body. Give it some personality!

    By no means is that an exhaustive list but it should help tighten things up some.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brotherly
    Website design can be very tasking.

    I thought i could get a good handle on it after studying so many videos and trying my hands on quite a number of blogs.

    I might just have to outsource it to pros. to get a final solution to it.

    Thanks for the counsel.

    Regards.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brotherly
    I think it is finally making sense.

    What's your take on the site now Kitemark Solutions | We providing solution to automated accounting & business issues

    What are my leaving out? Kindly advise.

    Regards.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Solem
    Hello Brotherly!

    While I didn't see the website mentioned in your first post, the one you currently have is ok...but I think you would do better with even a $50 template from Theme Forest or something from Elegant Themes.

    The big issue I see though is not what you're leaving out, but that you have SO MUCH there in terms of products/services offered and your home page is especially wordy and could benefit from the services of a good copywriter.

    When you have just seconds to get a visitors attention, you need an engaging headline on your home page to draw readers into your site and have them wanting to read more. Neither your company name or sub-heading really tells me much or gives me any reason to stick around and keep reading to learn more.

    While I'd highly recommend hiring someone good to help you write your copy for your site, I can understand wanting to learn and do it yourself too and would recommend you download the book "Make Your Site Sell" by Ken Evoy.

    I paid for my copy years ago, but it's now free and a good place to start. Even if you do hire someone to write for you, it'll educate you enough about selling via your website so you can be sure the guy you hire delivers just what you need.

    Hope this helps - Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author nysportsworld
    spell Optimisation correct
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    Stop messing with the website. You have wasted days on it. You could have a few clients lined up by now.

    Worry about the website later. You don't need it.

    Don't hire someone to build it until you have some regular clients, then spend the money and get someone to do it for you.

    You are not a designer - you are an accountant. Do not spend time doing things other than selling or servicing clients.
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    • Profile picture of the author isaacsmithjones
      Originally Posted by Dan McCoy View Post

      Stop messing with the website. You have wasted days on it. You could have a few clients lined up by now.

      Worry about the website later. You don't need it.

      Don't hire someone to build it until you have some regular clients, then spend the money and get someone to do it for you.

      You are not a designer - you are an accountant. Do not spend time doing things other than selling or servicing clients.
      Agreed...

      In business, people always seem to focus on the tangible expenses. But there is a significant intangible expense called your "opportunity costs".

      This is money that you COULD have made, but you've missed out on it for some reason, such as not making phone calls, investing money in the wrong places, or just generally wasting time.

      In your case. Instead of working on the website, you may have been able to spend that time generating a new client worth £1000.

      This means that you are now £1000 worse off than you COULD have been. You have missed out on that opportunity.

      So although you may be trying to save money by creating the website yourself, you've probably already spent £1000 on it in opportunity costs.

      That's why people talk about working SMARTER, rather than working harder. Spend your time sensibly.

      -----

      As for the site itself, I don't want to sound insulting. But it looks very unprofessional. And in the subheading, you've said:

      "We providing solution to automated accounting & business issues"

      Firstly, the grammar is quite confusing. And even if you were to correct the grammar, to something like:

      "We provide solutions to automated accounting & business issues"

      Although it now make "sense", it still doesn't really MEAN anything. I don't know if I'm just missing the point, but I don't really understand what it is that you do. I got about two sentences into your description and got a headache.

      I think that you need to go back to square one. You CAN'T create a good website, or any good marketing materials, or even phone scripts if you don't have a clear marketing message, telling your prospects HOW you can help them.

      You need to peel back the layers of your business, and do some market research. Look at the needs of your clients, and then CLEARLY tell them you you can solve those problems. And then DEMONSTRATE to them, preferably in actual "dollar" terms, how much you are worth to them.

      E.G. "We can save you approximately £8,000 each year by reducing your [blah] costs".

      Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brotherly
    @ Dan McCoy - You're very right.
    I invest less than 2hours once in a while (not everyday) to work on it. I'm always on the road pursuing businesses (offline) and doing the best i can to begin to inject online presence to it.

    Much more important to me at the moment is winning paying clients and thereafter as you rightly
    said, i'll focus attention on the website.

    @ Steve: I'll do just what you've said. At first, i want to make good money after which i'll inject some funds back into my business. I understand the need for the services of a copywriter as it relates to my web copy, so i'm going to push on smarter and harder to win quick. This will have to be the starting point for me.

    @IAmNameLess: I'll get a professional to perfect my website for me.

    I appreciate your counsel and i'll let you in on my development.

    Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author blindapeseo
    Invest in some content (time or money)

    Also: Proofread

    We providing solution to automated accounting & business issues

    That isn't correct

    Either
    We provide solutions to ...

    or

    Providing solutions to...
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    A good rule is:

    Only spend money the business has generated. Only spend time helping the business generate money.

    In many cases, I wouldn't even recommend people get business cards until they have a client paying for it. Find someone small, who needs basic help, and charge them a minimum rate just to get money flowing in.

    Even $25/month. Use that money to buy your business cards. Cheap ones at first.

    Never ever spend any money that the business has not created itself. Accounting has a short sales cycle for small clients. Start walking into businesses and offering simple help. Someone will hire you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brotherly
    Hello Veterans-in-the-house,

    i promised i was going to update y'all with my progress as things unfold.

    I finally got a friend who happens to be a web designer to help me look into my site 3 days ago and he's commenced work on it though he's yet to complete it.

    As advised, i forgot everything about the site and pursued my business, professionally.

    We cleaned up on a deal (Net profit) after deducting business development costs, we made close to $9,375 converting it to dollars but a million & some hundreds of thousand in my currency. My senior partner and i shared at a ratio as agreed and we both smiled happily to the bank.

    The site is still work-in-progress though, (www.KitemarkSolutions.com) but then, i ask that you help me look at it and tell me what's wrong with it.

    I'm working on the content at the moment.

    As usual, i'll appreciate your no-holds barred criticism. Because you told me what i didn't want to hear, i made some thousands of dollars in the past few weeks. So, please, tell me what i need to know to make this site world class and targeted to my market.

    Yours,

    Brotherly
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    • Profile picture of the author StarkContrast
      Originally Posted by Brotherly View Post

      Hello Veterans-in-the-house,

      i promised i was going to update y'all with my progress as things unfold.

      I finally got a friend who happens to be a web designer to help me look into my site 3 days ago and he's commenced work on it though he's yet to complete it.

      As advised, i forgot everything about the site and pursued my business, professionally.

      We cleaned up on a deal (Net profit) after deducting business development costs, we made close to $9,375 converting it to dollars but a million & some hundreds of thousand in my currency. My senior partner and i shared at a ratio as agreed and we both smiled happily to the bank.

      The site is still work-in-progress though, (www.KitemarkSolutions.com) but then, i ask that you help me look at it and tell me what's wrong with it.

      I'm working on the content at the moment.

      As usual, i'll appreciate your no-holds barred criticism. Because you told me what i didn't want to hear, i made some thousands of dollars in the past few weeks. So, please, tell me what i need to know to make this site world class and targeted to my market.

      Yours,
      Brotherly
      I think some of the posters above gave you sound solutions. Is this the site you had professional built with the money you generated? The people who suggested getting a professional design are great at what they do and know when a site works or doesn't work. Listen to them.

      What are you trying to do with the site, Brotherly?
      Generate leads?
      Get your phone to ring?

      If so, I couldn't tell because there's no focus on the site.
      Where is the phone number? It should be "above the fold" and one of the first things you see when you land on the page.
      Where is the opt in form?

      It's wrong if you assume that a user will know where to go to find a phone number or opt in form. They won't, and they'll probably just leave the site to find someone that has a better presentation of what they need. Make it obvious.

      The slides were confusing to me. At the very least fix the text. I could only read half the text. It was cut off.

      Again, I ask, what do you want to do with the site?
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      • Profile picture of the author Brotherly
        Originally Posted by StarkContrast View Post

        I think some of the posters above gave you sound solutions. Is this the site you had professional built with the money you generated? The people who suggested getting a professional design are great at what they do and know when a site works or doesn't work. Listen to them.

        What are you trying to do with the site, Brotherly?
        Generate leads?
        Get your phone to ring?

        If so, I couldn't tell because there's no focus on the site.
        Where is the phone number? It should be "above the fold" and one of the first things you see when you land on the page.
        Where is the opt in form?

        It's wrong if you assume that a user will know where to go to find a phone number or opt in form. They won't, and they'll probably just leave the site to find someone that has a better presentation of what they need. Make it obvious.

        The slides were confusing to me. At the very least fix the text. I could only read half the text. It was cut off.

        Again, I ask, what do you want to do with the site?
        You're very right with respect to all that you pointed out.

        I've been quite busy these past few days but nonetheless, i'll make out time before the end of the week to sit down with him and make necessary adjustments.

        As regards the payment to the webdesigner, i didn't pay him all that i earned from my biz transaction.(lol)

        Thanks once again for your help.

        Regards.
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        • Profile picture of the author savidge4
          Brotherly,

          I looked over your new site. to be honest not a big fan. if you paid for that I am sorry!

          You buy a newspaper... what is the FIRST page you look at? the first page right. ok with a website the FIRST page is the portion that loads on the screen. you see terms such as above the fold. again that is the section that is loaded on your screen prior to any scrolling.

          Right now you have Kiteman Solutions - Accounting | Bookkeeping | Tax Services - We optimize your business for productivity

          then there is the slider...does the slider tell the viewer what you do? As it stands right now.. I think you are an accountant. If I really pay attention I think you are an accountant that trains how to use peachtree.

          On top of all of that there is no call to action to be seen. nothing to click other than the navigation. the slider for a lack of a better term is USELESS. It would better serve you to remove it completely and bring up to the top that currently sits below it.

          that section contains "Kitemark Solutions provide One-to-One hands-on practical Sage 50 (Peachtree) Accounts training at the comfort of your home." AND there is a call to action!!!!! that in itself is 100% better. it describes what it is you are offering and then offers the "Learn more"

          But I know you actually offer more than that... you offer business solutions correct?

          So what happens if you introduce 2 boxes "Business Solutions" and "Personal training" a little text for each and a call to action "Learn More"

          So your page would be your header section ( you need to add your phone number up there ) the 2 columns of the services you provide "Business Solutions" and "Personal training" right below this I would introduce some testimonials ( probably 3 of them in a 3 column format ) After than the "Why Choose Us" and the newsletter then your footer.

          Just get rid of the crap that is doing nothing for you an focus on what you can do for your clients!
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          • Profile picture of the author Brotherly
            Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

            Brotherly,

            I looked over your new site. to be honest not a big fan. if you paid for that I am sorry!

            You buy a newspaper... what is the FIRST page you look at? the first page right. ok with a website the FIRST page is the portion that loads on the screen. you see terms such as above the fold. again that is the section that is loaded on your screen prior to any scrolling.

            Right now you have Kitemark Solutions - Accounting | Bookkeeping | Tax Services - We optimize your business for productivity

            then there is the slider...does the slider tell the viewer what you do? As it stands right now.. I think you are an accountant. If I really pay attention I think you are an accountant that trains how to use peachtree.

            On top of all of that there is no call to action to be seen. nothing to click other than the navigation. the slider for a lack of a better term is USELESS. It would better serve you to remove it completely and bring up to the top that currently sits below it.

            that section contains "Kitemark Solutions provide One-to-One hands-on practical Sage 50 (Peachtree) Accounts training at the comfort of your home." AND there is a call to action!!!!! that in itself is 100% better. it describes what it is you are offering and then offers the "Learn more"

            But I know you actually offer more than that... you offer business solutions correct?

            So what happens if you introduce 2 boxes "Business Solutions" and "Personal training" a little text for each and a call to action "Learn More"

            So your page would be your header section ( you need to add your phone number up there ) the 2 columns of the services you provide "Business Solutions" and "Personal training" right below this I would introduce some testimonials ( probably 3 of them in a 3 column format ) After than the "Why Choose Us" and the newsletter then your footer.

            Just get rid of the crap that is doing nothing for you an focus on what you can do for your clients!
            Thank you.

            I'll instruct him to take down the whole thing, start off by reading what's posted here as per the criticism, take good cue from it and be creative with his job.

            He has to work for his money.

            That's why i came here, though. To be sliced and diced and i appreciate it a lot.

            Regards.

            PS.

            I'll be back soon.

            PPS
            We just got another job yesterday, though not as much as the first one but ok to fuel the vehicle and still put some cash in the wallet.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    Bro it's pretty bad. I don't want to rip you apart, but don't sell design, if you can't design.

    That client at any time could go to squarespace or similar and do something so much better.

    Another question - why on earth would you keep this on a primary domain? Put it on a sub domain or something. I'd never put a website on their primary domain until it's finished.
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    • Profile picture of the author Brotherly
      Originally Posted by Matt Lee View Post

      Bro it's pretty bad. I don't want to rip you apart, but don't sell design, if you can't design.

      That client at any time could go to squarespace or similar and do something so much better.

      Another question - why on earth would you keep this on a primary domain? Put it on a sub domain or something. I'd never put a website on their primary domain until it's finished.
      Thanks.

      I'm not selling design. The site is still work-in-progress and my web designer hopes to be through today.

      Appreciate your thought

      Regards.
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  • Profile picture of the author selfdisciplineacademy
    With sites like this (Non-opt-in sites. I think that instead of the photos, you should use a video about it. Would be much better, with autoplay.

    Hope this helps you
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  • Profile picture of the author joshril
    Originally Posted by Brotherly View Post

    Hello Friends,

    working on a new site though it's still a work-in-progress.

    Kindly critique it for me so that i can make corrections - Kitemark Solutions | This Site IS Dedicated To Providing Solutions To Accounting & Integrated ICT Issues

    Thanks
    Get rid of the slider...

    I noticed an opt-in box WAY below the fold on your page... Make it clear what benefit someone has to opt-in to your list and put your opt-in above the fold.

    The spot where you slider is currently is very valuable real estate. Use it wisely to minimize your bounce rate.

    Thanks,


    Josh
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    • Profile picture of the author Brotherly
      Originally Posted by joshril View Post

      Get rid of the slider...

      I noticed an opt-in box WAY below the fold on your page... Make it clear what benefit someone has to opt-in to your list and put your opt-in above the fold.

      The spot where you slider is currently is very valuable real estate. Use it wisely to minimize your bounce rate.

      Thanks,


      Josh
      Thanks, Josh.

      Will work on it as soon as i get another wordpress theme that is professional and business like.

      At the moment, i'm doing a lot of offline marketing and i just closed a business deal last week. We're restructuring the accounting system of an educational institution and deal is not a bad one.

      Josh, by God's grace, i'll work on it. Thanks for your suggestion.
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