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A Helpful Critique

by gordonlds
22 replies
Hey Guys

This is the first thread I have started and I am looking for a critique of my website at Gordon Smith's Blog | The Art and Science of Marketing I am almost at the stage of going after traffic to build a list. I wouldn't mind doing seo work for free organic traffic but I am reluctant to spend money on solo ads if my sales funnel is not up to scratch.
Any comments greatly appreciated
#critique #helpful #sales funnel.
  • Profile picture of the author genei
    Hi Gordon,

    I just took a quick look at your site. For the most part it looks really nice. On your first page, which I assume is your "Home" page, it looks like multiple posts in different boxes. This may make it a bit more navigable, but it also makes the page look a bit "busy." You might also consider a "Home" tab.

    On your "Internet Marketing," and "My Products" pages you might want to consider making the images links to your product pages. At the moment if you click on them it just shows a picture of the product. You might get more click through's if the pictures linked directly to your sales pages.

    Just a few thoughts. Good job on getting started.
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    Gene Ilten
    www.geneilten.info

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  • Profile picture of the author wildirishtime
    The multiple menubars (one high, one midscreen) sux. The logo sux. SPend $5 on Fiverr.com and get a few made and choose the best - for a 'marketing' blog it looks like you don't know how to market. do as genei said - content is poor and looks repetitive!
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    • Profile picture of the author gordonlds
      Originally Posted by wildirishtime View Post

      The multiple menubars (one high, one midscreen) sux. The logo sux. SPend $5 on Fiverr.com and get a few made and choose the best - for a 'marketing' blog it looks like you don't know how to market. do as genei said - content is poor and looks repetitive!
      Thanks for your comments, I will definitely action them.

      "for a 'marketing' blog it looks like you don't know how to market" Ouch! Your right, that's why I am here.
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    • Profile picture of the author gordonlds
      Thanks for the input everyone I really appreciate it, I will definitely action the steps you have mentioned and take advantage of your experience. I realize there is a learning curve here and I am trying to shorten it as much as possible.

      Some of the things that are mentioned repeatedly; the logo, the two column layout, I had doubts about and now they have been confirmed big time lol Thanks once again, it's great to have a resource such as the Warrior forum where I can get feedback like this
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      • Profile picture of the author gordonlds
        Ok Guys I have made some changes let me know what you think now.
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        • Profile picture of the author successproducts
          One post looks better and less busy. But the header picture is still so dull. I would use it bigger more color and the size like 900x200 - 900 takes the whole width.

          also don't recommend other people product on the first page. Tell a story. Where you are ... what you did and how you get there. what you feel personally of the making money online. I would get more personal -- give out your insight about people and about thing. Be authentic YOU.

          You need a new header -- yeah ...
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          • Profile picture of the author gordonlds
            Originally Posted by successproducts View Post

            One post looks better and less busy. But the header picture is still so dull. I would use it bigger more color and the size like 900x200 - 900 takes the whole width.

            also don't recommend other people product on the first page. Tell a story. Where you are ... what you did and how you get there. what you feel personally of the making money online. I would get more personal -- give out your insight about people and about thing. Be authentic YOU.

            You need a new header -- yeah ...
            Thanks for the feedback I will take it on board.
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  • Profile picture of the author successproducts
    Your site is nice but I got lost in it. One post per page is best I feel. Also hummm give something ..away something really juicy ...
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  • Profile picture of the author Trevor M
    If it were my website I'd outsource the graphic design of a new header. Just user Fiverr. There are some great graphic artists on there that will do a great job.

    I'd also consider instead of two columns of articles, I'd stick to just one column of 3 - 4 articles.

    Go through all the top blogs and get ideas for your blog. They've been in the game for years and know what does and doesn't work.

    Good luck.

    - Trevor
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  • Profile picture of the author valuecreator
    hey gordon,

    The top right corner of your page is you primo real-estate.

    So I would put your free ebook + optin form right there, with catchy color and strong call to action.

    don't ask for names and you'll get 10% more optin.

    put your face in your header.

    and a nice embeded intro video to the right, above the fold, below the opt-in. this way they'll hear your voice and everything they'll read from you from now on will be with your voice in mind. precious...
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  • Profile picture of the author dave_hermansen
    The biggest things that stand out to me are:

    - the color scheme is really dull, I would go with something that "pops" a bit more

    - that logo looks pretty bad, I would consider getting a professional one done

    - nothing really grabs me when I first land on your website, you need some images & or calls to action in a color that stands out
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    • Profile picture of the author yesacpow
      The first thing that happened when I got to your blog is that the color really affected my eyes. Then that header at the top need to be redone by someone who is more proficient at graphic designing. Other than that your content is ok but I personally would go for a different blog layout so that when someone lands on the site they don't have too many options. Too many options may result in your visitor getting lost or clicking the back button.

      SO you need to determine exactly what you want your visitors to do.

      1. Sign up for your email list or
      2. Just to read your blog post?
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  • Profile picture of the author momtraders
    Content looks good, but the logo and colors need to be updated, the colors make verything kind of blend together and dont give me anywhere to focus my attention.
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    • Profile picture of the author gordonlds
      Originally Posted by momtraders View Post

      Content looks good, but the logo and colors need to be updated, the colors make verything kind of blend together and dont give me anywhere to focus my attention.
      Hmm I like the colors but everybody else thinks there dull @!%^ Maybe I am dull! No seriously thanks for your input, I am going to look through my wardrobe as well and throw out my grey suits (all 10 of them)
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  • Profile picture of the author valuecreator
    I would really really put my picture up there in the header.

    also, why not replace that search field (useless) in the upper right corner with big promess, to hook them in?
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    • Profile picture of the author gordonlds
      Originally Posted by valuecreator View Post

      I would really really put my picture up there in the header.

      also, why not replace that search field (useless) in the upper right corner with big promess, to hook them in?
      Thanks for giving me food for thought it's appreciated.

      One of the things that I really stand by is that if you ask for advice from more experienced people and they give it to you, then it's a good idea to act on it otherwise what's the point in asking. I have had a few suggestions of things that I can change, and I have already acted on them, but the reason I chose the Fresh News theme from WooThemes and choose the default color was I saw the this theme and color scheme on the website of a successful Internet Marketer, I thought why re-invent the wheel...
      There are definitely different schools of thought, but if I can get the basics of the website ok then I will stick with that for good. A logo that brands my pages and content does make sense to me and I will get that done. As far as getting my picture up there I will think about that one lol



      Of course at the end of the day we are all responsible to make our own decisions
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter ONeill
    Originally Posted by gordonlds View Post

    Hey Guys

    This is the first thread I have started and I am looking for a critique of my website at Gordon Smith's Blog | The Art and Science of Marketing I am almost at the stage of going after traffic to build a list. I wouldn't mind doing seo work for free organic traffic but I am reluctant to spend money on solo ads if my sales funnel is not up to scratch.
    Any comments greatly appreciated

    Hi Gordon,

    I have checked out your site and I think there are a few areas you can improve to help with your conversion funnel...

    Rather than writing a detailed post here I think you might benefit hugely from going through all the reviews in this link The Ultimate Guide to Increasing Conversion Rates On Blogs

    (I am in no away connected with this site.)

    I just think these conversion strategies are going to help you out a lot more than most of the one line responses you are getting in the thread.

    Hope this helps
    Cheers Peter
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    • Profile picture of the author gordonlds
      Originally Posted by Peter ONeill View Post

      Hi Gordon,

      I have checked out your site and I think there are a few areas you can improve to help with your conversion funnel...

      Rather than writing a detailed post here I think you might benefit hugely from going through all the reviews in this link The Ultimate Guide to Increasing Conversion Rates On Blogs

      (I am in no away connected with this site.)

      I just think these conversion strategies are going to help you out a lot more than most of the one line responses you are getting in the thread.

      Hope this helps
      Cheers Peter
      Hey Peter,

      Thanks for the heads up this looks really interesting.
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  • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
    Somehow there seems to be a serious disconnect between the design and content of this site and the design and content of the sites of "your" products.

    I'd be careful of your claim on those sites that the price at the checkout might be higher than the price on the page because you've raised the price. Not sure what the FTC would make of that.
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    • Profile picture of the author gordonlds
      Originally Posted by rosetrees View Post

      Somehow there seems to be a serious disconnect between the design and content of this site and the design and content of the sites of "your" products.

      I'd be careful of your claim on those sites that the price at the checkout might be higher than the price on the page because you've raised the price. Not sure what the FTC would make of that.
      Thank you for your input, the price will be the same at checkout.
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  • Profile picture of the author genei
    Hey Gordon,
    site looks much better and works better from a navigation standpoint. It's hard for me to advise you regarding your header as it looks fine to me. I would suggest you lean toward those with more experience in this matter. One other suggestion; the image of your book in the text of your blog on the first page still links just to a picture would suggest if you have a squeeze page you might want to have the picture link to that. If you don't have a squeeze page you might want to make one. The only problem with that might be if someone clicks to the book and clicks off to a squeeze page they may not click back to your page. Suggestions would be make the book picture linkable back to the main page of your blog, or, if they click on the book it could open a pop-up or something that would not lead them away from your main page.

    Hope that makes sense. Glad to be of help.
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    Gene Ilten
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