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Hey guys I just joined the forum,
I've been trying to get an online business to take off for years now...
I'm finally having success, but as I work for myself 100% of the time I do not have the money to run ads and constantly have someone fix my site.
I'm wondering if anyone has any helpful tips that might lead me in the right direction (even tell me if you don't like something about the site!).
I use OpenCart for my website and also sell on eBay. Through eBay I do more total sales but they are far smaller dollar-wise. I believe one of the problems is my low amount of feedback (around 85ish I believe, but all 100% positive).
I've tried tons of things and have created many backlinks, done some SEO, craigslist posts(which do drive traffic but don't convert), traffic exchangers, on and on.
Anyone with any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated!
Sorry if there's already a thread about this, I looked quickly and didn't see anything.
(the site I'm talking about is in my signature)
#tips
  • Profile picture of the author Jute
    Hi, your site seem to work well but there are a few things that came to mind when visiting....

    You have a product with 0% off... Remove the discount on that one and any other that might have it.

    The logo has a background that is not the same color as the rest of the header.

    Another thing is that I personally do not like dark sites.

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author Nick ASD
      Originally Posted by Jute View Post

      Hi, your site seem to work well but there are a few things that came to mind when visiting....

      You have a product with 0% off... Remove the discount on that one and any other that might have it.

      The logo has a background that is not the same color as the rest of the header.

      Another thing is that I personally do not like dark sites.

      Good luck!
      As far as the 0% off, I messed up on a csv file then reloaded everything correctly but that brand still comes up as 0% off! I need to spend more time with that.
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  • Profile picture of the author smileverse
    Your site looks good. I can share my thoughts with you:

    1. If it was me, I will not put the introduction on the homepage, waste of place, at least not such a BIG place. Homepage is an gold display place, you should take the most important things here, such as more hot products, etc.

    2. The banner in the homepage seems not processed carefully, which lowers the quality of the product, just my opinion

    3. Maybe you can add live chat tool to your site. It help online businesses like you increase sales conversion. Famous options include LivePerson, Comm100 Live Chat, etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author Nick ASD
      Originally Posted by smileverse View Post

      Your site looks good. I can share my thoughts with you:

      1. If it was me, I will not put the introduction on the homepage, waste of place, at least not such a BIG place. Homepage is an gold display place, you should take the most important things here, such as more hot products, etc.

      2. The banner in the homepage seems not processed carefully, which lowers the quality of the product, just my opinion

      3. Maybe you can add live chat tool to your site. It help online businesses like you increase sales conversion. Famous options include LivePerson, Comm100 Live Chat, etc.
      I was thinking about a live chat but I've never used one before. Have you used any of those mentioned? My biggest concern is that I'm not always at the computer. I was hoping there was something that I could either text or email from my phone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ecommerce Advice
    I would suggest getting rid of your banner (a lot of studies have showed they hurt conversions) Plus on some of them I can (just about read, because the text is almost the same as the background) 'Register and account with us for special offers' - Why? I want you to show me special offers first!

    If you want to collect email addresses offer some other incentive. Don't require registration upfront. That just sounds like hard work to a customer.

    Instead I'd think about creating a strong headline like (and I'm not a copy writer so this is just an idea) "The Ultimate Car Parts Store,

    Just Select Your Model and Year From the List Below"

    You then have 2 dropdwon boxes and visitors just select their model and year. You can then show them everything that is related to them.

    At the moment they have to work out what to do for themselves. Then select a model, a new page loads that have all the years (most of which don't have images so the site looks unfinished) and then select further.

    Under that I show all the car logos (helps give trust) that if you also clicked on would take you through to that models parts.

    Also a black background makes reading realy hard - If it converted better you could bet that the top stores would use it. It would consider changing it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Nick ASD
      Originally Posted by Ecommerce Advice View Post

      I would suggest getting rid of your banner (a lot of studies have showed they hurt conversions) Plus on some of them I can (just about read, because the text is almost the same as the background) 'Register and account with us for special offers' - Why? I want you to show me special offers first!

      If you want to collect email addresses offer some other incentive. Don't require registration upfront. That just sounds like hard work to a customer.

      Instead I'd think about creating a strong headline like (and I'm not a copy writer so this is just an idea) "The Ultimate Car Parts Store,

      Just Select Your Model and Year From the List Below"

      You then have 2 dropdwon boxes and visitors just select their model and year. You can then show them everything that is related to them.

      At the moment they have to work out what to do for themselves. Then select a model, a new page loads that have all the years (most of which don't have images so the site looks unfinished) and then select further.

      Under that I show all the car logos (helps give trust) that if you also clicked on would take you through to that models parts.

      Also a black background makes reading realy hard - If it converted better you could bet that the top stores would use it. It would consider changing it.
      Thank you for the feedback. I agree with you as far as the background goes and I will change that today. I just changed the banner today to see if it's any better but you're right it is too hard to read. I just feel that if there's no pictures immediately it's not too clear what the site has to offer. The year/make/model search was my ultimate goal but this is proving extremely difficult so for now I have grouped it. I do need to get more pictures, I was hoping to take unique ones instead of having some generic online picture though, which is why it is not complete.
      Again, thank you and I will work on changing some of these things.
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      • Profile picture of the author smileverse
        Originally Posted by Nick ASD View Post

        Thank you for the feedback. I agree with you as far as the background goes and I will change that today. I just changed the banner today to see if it's any better but you're right it is too hard to read. I just feel that if there's no pictures immediately it's not too clear what the site has to offer. The year/make/model search was my ultimate goal but this is proving extremely difficult so for now I have grouped it. I do need to get more pictures, I was hoping to take unique ones instead of having some generic online picture though, which is why it is not complete.
        Again, thank you and I will work on changing some of these things.
        You can use Comm100 Live Chat. It offers mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, etc. Then you can keep connected with visitors even when you are not at the office.
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        • Profile picture of the author Nick ASD
          Thanks guys.
          I changed around a bunch of colors, I'm still not happy with it but let me know if it's any better for now.
          I'll definitely look into getting a Chat box up there.
          I need to resize the images under the Featured section so that they are all the same size and square.
          Any recommendations on what I should change the slider to?
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          • Profile picture of the author Nick ASD
            I've really been trying to study the big guys and see what they're doing.
            I think something like this site is doing might be best:
            http://www.summitracing.com/
            Offer a gift card
            Beat a Price Guarantee
            Free Shipping
            Over 1,000 Brands
            etc.

            Of course I'd have to change a few things since I can't offer everything that they can, but maybe something that would at least get visitors to register? Such as register to win/free t shirt to anyone who registers thru November?
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  • Profile picture of the author Host Hoot
    I think you have a good looking site and of course you can make so improvements here and there but you'll always want to do that. In regards to your question, I agree with what others have said and would advise you to integrate a live chat option for customers. While this can be more work if done correctly it will provide your customers with a great experience which will make them more apt to come back (loyalty). Best of luck to you!
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  • Profile picture of the author tritrain
    Congratulations on sticking it out through the toughest part of starting a business.

    I don't really care for the look either. Things don't line up well and the darkness is not my favorite. If you look at any of the top ecommerce sites out there they are all pretty bright and cheery. You can still set yourself apart with a different look, but it should appeal to the customer. Clean sells.

    It's very tough for a site that appears not-quite professional looking (no offense) to convince potential customers that the site is legit/trustworthy/worthwhile enough to enter their cc info and buy something.

    It might very well be worth paying a professional to make your site look more professional. It could go a really long way toward conversions. I've also found that any credentials that can instill trust are worth including. I don't know who your credit card processor and gateway are, but one or both probably have official logos to include on your site (such as Comodo).
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    Domains for sale - see seopositions.net
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