Please Review My Site - Self Defense Products

Not bad! looks pretty good.

The store overall could use some improvements of course
"but thats any store". I'm just picking on the little things

Overall the product display should be improved as well.
Everything else is good.

Feel free to message me if you need advise etc.

cheers!,
Guillermo Mata

When I entered your site, it immediately reminded me of a familiar website back then, but I couldn't quite remember. Nonetheless, the design is good. It needs improvement, however.
I find the banner's idea attractive, however, it must be improved more. Use a different shade of blue for the fonts, or have a stroke pattern in it. Improve the gradient, because the current gradient reminds me of an old website. You may want to use different shades of blue. The logo might need a little bit of fixing as well, to mix and match with the motif.
I agree with the peeps' suggestions to move the video near the top of your content body (i'd suggest above the "Safety in the Palm of Your Hand!" text.)
The searchbox overlaps with the Navigation bar and a little bit of the content body, so you might want to fix that.
The message on top (stun guns...etc) should be moved as well. Place it below the image on the content header, just above the greetings.
Lastly, move the "Like us on Facebook" button. Maybe place it in the left sidebar?

Everything else looks awesome. Great work! I'd rate it a 7.

What I like:
- Ease of Access
- Great looking navigation
- Grammar & Punctuation
- Great looking sidebar

What I don't like:
- Color motif
- Overuse of solid blue-to-black gradients, that makes me feel as if the website is old and is not updated.
- Logo Design

@Mata

There are a few things that I would like to change with the displaying of products, particularly listing by brand and sizes (e.g. batons). I was told by my wholesale supplier's website development team that there is currently no 3-tier navigation system currently set up, but that I could get a "quote" if I was really interested in implementing it (their rates are $50 an hour). Products are not listed in one page (e.g. steel batons) because each has a different weight...at least that's what I was told.

@David

I will move the video up and see how it fares! Thanks for the suggestion! I would go with a different header, but I would have to change the site's entire theme.

@Designs1

That would be great! I'll add you when I have some free time and we can talk. As for the site, yes the template is old. The company uses a list of 12 or so designed templates that distributors choose from for their site when it is designed. Honestly, I wish I could have the site designed by someone else. My girlfriend jokingly said, "It reminds me of those old Geocities websites." I couldn't agree more. lol

@GrowMyForumCommunity

Thanks for the ideas. I agree that the black looks ugly and makes the site look ancient. In terms of the logo, I think its amazing. I had it designed by The Logo Company, after a few revisions.

Yes, I've been noticing the search bar issue. That will probably cost me, even though it's probably a simple fix (if only I knew code!!).

@Everyone

Thanks everyone for all of your advice. I greatly appreciate it! Honestly, I would like the website redesigned by a different company...but then I would lose all of my content and would have to manually add ALL of the product pages back. Sucks, really.

I wanted to use these guys (local company), but the President told me that it would cost $8500!!! I don't have that kind of money. My budget is probably...$1500, if I were to get an $870 refund back from this website design):

Web Design Minneapolis | MN Web Development | First Scribe

I talked to my wholesale supplier about it and he says I need to focus on marketing rather than website design/development. The sites he makes for his distributors convert, apparently. He thinks I am making a terrible mistake by thinking about this and that many others have made the same mistake in the past (he even got pissed off that I would even be considering having my site redesigned; "you should have had someone else make your website for you at the beginning!"...hard to do when this is my first time even having a website!!). Who the hell wants to buy from an ugly site, though? Sure some people don't care, but many probably do...

Here are some of my top competitors' websites (all fellow distributors from the same supplier, but they had companies build their sites):

Self Defense Products For Personal Protection | Guardian Self Defense & Security Products LLC

Personal Self Defense Products such as Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays

The Home Security Superstore - Security Alarms-Camera Systems-Self Defense Stun Guns-Tasers (top distributor...makes most sales)

Security Products America - Stun Guns and Pepper Spray (local competitor, but not a fellow distributor)

I personally love Security Products America's site and like the layout for Guardian Self Defense. What should I do, you think? Have my site redesigned by someone else or just focus on building content/marketing? Or is it too much of a hassle?

Thanks!!

-Ulrich

Yeah, Designs1 (Aleksi) helped me out in redesigning the elements of my website. It looks WAYYYY better than it ever did.

BEFORE:



AFTER:

Your Best Source for Non-Lethal Self Defense Products | Stun & Run Self Defense LLC

If anyone needs their website redesigned, go with Aleksi. He's awesome!!

It looks way better. The old looked a bit outdated with the header and the blue gradient.
A few little changes can make a site look totally fresh and different. Great Job!

It looked very outdated. lol. Now people will probably actually purchase from the site because it looks professional and secure. Just a matter of marketing now.

Glad I didn't have to have the site scraped and made from scratch! This did wonders for me.

Hi,

The main aspect that catches my eye is the background and header. The white in the header doesn't quite match the white in the background. Also if you make the background scroll instead of being fixed and fade it out on the bottom the header wouldn't look empty when you do scroll down the page. Additionally brighten the background image a little. It looks dull with the opacity lowered.

Hope this helps

Joe

Hi Joe,

I'm not sure what you mean about the white in the header not matching the white in the background.

Hmm. I'm not sure how making the background scroll would make it any better than keeping it static.

I will look into increasing the opacity. Although I don't think customers would be too concerned about the logo in the background. We'll have to see.

Thanks for your thoughts!

-Ulrich

I think the design of your site works well for your niche. It's simple and easy to navigate and looks professional and trustworthy. I agree that the second version is much better than the first version.

Thanks fitnessmaster!

Your concept is attractive.
If you make your home page into smaller and change the background then it'll be more beautiful.

What do you mean by making the home page smaller? And the background is ugly?

reflects me like an old website, with the current web standards lots of things not matching up.

Fonts are old style.

Product showcase needs lot of improment.

Hit me message if you need more advice

looks nice and clean design i think