hyphen0 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I've had this business since 2003 and redesign the site every three years or so. I've always been dissatisfied with my average bounce rate for the home page (58% over the last three months) and am convinced that I'm losing out on potential sales due to lost interest. I know that bounce rate does not depend on page design alone, but can anyone see any immediate turn-offs on my site that make you want to leave right away? http://www.pacificvideorepair.com Thanks for your time! Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Given plenty of information about your service and pricing is available on the homepage, I wouldn't worry too much about bounce rate from there. Do you track conversions? That's what you should be focussing on. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1381564 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyphen0 Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 My conversion rate is very high in comparison to a 2.2% rate for traditional shopping sites; I just can't get past the fact that it could be better if I didn't have so many visitors thinking "agh, no thanks!" within the first 5 seconds. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1381642 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maq Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 (edited) Your navigation bar is messed up (chromium 18.01): Edited September 28, 2012 by Maq Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1381651 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahngiel Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 (edited) My conversion rate is very high in comparison to a 2.2% rate for traditional shopping sites; I just can't get past the fact that it could be better if I didn't have so many visitors thinking "agh, no thanks!" within the first 5 seconds. No offense, but I wonder how many of them are really coming in for a nostalgic laugh. When I seen the topic of this thread in THIS forum, i knew I had to click it just to see why somebody would build a site / have a business for video tape repair. I mean, the last tape produced was like, what... 10 years ago? But I viewed your site, was able to read all the information pertinent to what you do, said "okay, neat" and moved on. I think what I just did could likely account for what you're experiencing. Edited September 28, 2012 by Mahngiel Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1381669 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyphen0 Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 (edited) Your navigation bar is messed up (chromium 18.01): Thank you very much for this; it tests properly on every system I have access to, will have to try and tweak some code. Edited September 29, 2012 by hyphen0 Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1381692 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyphen0 Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 No offense, but I wonder how many of them are really coming in for a nostalgic laugh. When I seen the topic of this thread in THIS forum, i knew I had to click it just to see why somebody would build a site / have a business for video tape repair. I mean, the last tape produced was like, what... 10 years ago? But I viewed your site, was able to read all the information pertinent to what you do, said "okay, neat" and moved on. I think what I just did could likely account for what you're experiencing. No offense taken, my response is that my family and employees are glad that your thought process isn't quite right But you do raise an interesting point, and since no one seems to find anything really wrong with the site from a design point of view (so far), maybe my quality of traffic simply is poorer than I had assumed, causing a higher bounce rate than I'm content with. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1381693 Share on other sites More sharing options...
trq Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Would you mind letting me know which browser you used? Maq's post clearly says: "chromium 18.01" Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1381695 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyphen0 Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 [/font][/color] Maq's post clearly says: "chromium 18.01" Damn, I tried to sneak edit that out before anyone noticed... Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1381696 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkuar Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Site looks absolutely horrid. Looks like it was made in 1996. It's 2012 now, get with the program, use css3 and resort to a javascript non-fall back features while staying slim with html 5. Edited October 1, 2012 by Monkuar Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382013 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahngiel Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Site looks absolutely horrid. Looks like it was made in 1996. It's 2012 now, get with the program, use css3 and resort to a javascript non-fall back features while staying slim with html 5. Do you enjoy running around like an asshole spewing vomit from every orifice? There's nothing wrong with his site, and it doesn't merit such a jackass reply as this. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382018 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikachu2000 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Let's try to keep in mind the fact that how someone perceives a website's appearance is subjective opinion and as such, doesn't warrant a vitriolic personal attack. HOWEVER, from the sticky topic in this forum, listing the guidelines for posting here is this: "it's great", "wow", "nice job" or even "it's rubbish" with nothing to back it up is NOT a critique, but most probably a quest to increase one's post count. As these type of posts offer no help to the site owner and no help to those reading, they will more than likely be removed. If you like a site, say why. If you dont like it, say why. And I don't see any reasons listed to back up the negative comments that were made. Edited October 1, 2012 by Pikachu2000 Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382019 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkuar Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Do you enjoy running around like an asshole spewing vomit from every orifice? There's nothing wrong with his site, and it doesn't merit such a jackass reply as this. Do you enjoy looking at sites in the 21st century that look like they were made in 1996? No I certainly don't. I am offering 100% truthful opinions. If I were to say "That site looks like shit!" and just post that.. then yes that would be a jackass reply. I think you need to read the context of my post a little bit more carefully before trying to act like a mini-mod. Like I said, the guy made this topic and asked for help, I pretty much told him that I think the site looks like it was made in 1996. I ONCE never "made a "jackass"" reply to him or nothing. My comments to him should help motivate him to improve the look of his site. The overall blue is to much, the shadows on the main boxes are way to much. The contact forms here: http://www.pacificvi...der.shtml Look like they have no style at all. Same for the submit and reply buttons. http://www.pacificvi...m/aboutus.shtml The width of the margins here are way to small, it shouldn't be that close together. It looks like they're is bunch of text and paragraphs when theres really not that much (Doesn't make the reader seem happy to be reading) http://www.pacificvi...rServices.shtml The headers here stand out, but it's way to crowded and hard to read. They should be in boxes and should include a border for easier reading... I mean do you want me to go on and on? The OP Doesn't have to listen to 1 word I have to say, but you're the one that is spamming this by offering no help to the OP but trying to pick a fight with me. Have a good day. Edit: The logo looks so plain and dull it's almost embarrassing to have it loaded on my browser. If you really value your company you would pay to get a nice/decent logo done to show how much you value your company. Visiting a site with an extremely dull logo makes me feel you value your company at the 0 range. Which in the end, makes the end-user stay far away. If money is tight, learn photoshop and buy the software off craigslist if you want to go the legal route and make one. If it's not, find a friend who is good @ photoshop and tell him to spice one up for you... If you got money, offer someone 5-40$ for one they will do it.. Edited October 1, 2012 by Monkuar Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382032 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinM1 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I mean do you want me to go on and on? Yes. That is the entire point of the critique subforum. The OP Doesn't have to listen to 1 word I have to say, but you're the one that is spamming this by offering no help to the OP but trying to pick a fight with me. Have a good day. A drive-bye, "This looks like it came from 1996. Get with the program, man" is not helpful. It's fine to give blunt, even scathing criticism, but it needs to be done with two things: 1. You need to point out what you find to be troublesome specifically, which you finally did in your second reply. 2. You need to offer suggestions for improvement. Saying "Learn PS or pay someone" doesn't count, IMO. For one, learning a program != learning design. And, in most cases, the people posting here don't want to hire someone else. In short, be helpful, or don't post. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382087 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkuar Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 (edited) Yes. That is the entire point of the critique subforum. A drive-bye, "This looks like it came from 1996. Get with the program, man" is not helpful. It's fine to give blunt, even scathing criticism, but it needs to be done with two things: 1. You need to point out what you find to be troublesome specifically, which you finally did in your second reply. 2. You need to offer suggestions for improvement. Saying "Learn PS or pay someone" doesn't count, IMO. For one, learning a program != learning design. And, in most cases, the people posting here don't want to hire someone else. In short, be helpful, or don't post. Did you not even read my post? I just gave offered him plenty of help, if you want to back up a site that looks like it was made in 1996 in a website critique forum, I don't know why I bother posting here... What do you want me to tell people? Oh your site looks fantastic!! Keep it up!!!! ??? You want me to go create him a logo in photoshop? No thanks.. I wasn't being rude at all, saying a website was built in 1996 is not even border-line a insult, it's just an opinion my goodness Edited October 2, 2012 by Monkuar Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382174 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinM1 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 You should try re-reading what we have told you. You always immediately jump into hyper-defensive mode in regards to any criticism. Take a breath, and try to understand what we're telling you. To recap: Your first post in this thread was useless, plain and simple. Your second post was much better, but could still be improved upon, IMO. Some of the critiques were vague (what do you mean by the form 'lacking style'? or the blue was 'too much'?) and there was a lack of specific suggestions for improvement. Your second post is the bare minimum of what people should write in this forum as at least it's an attempt to be constructive. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382207 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyphen0 Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 For the record I ignored Monkuar's first post as a troll attempt, but did take action on some of his suggestions in the second post- so I appreciate KevinM1 for calling him out Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382345 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Little Guy Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 1. Your home page has way too much information on it, keep it simple. 2. The color choices are Yellow/Blue don't match too well, I would recommend using http://kuler.adobe.com or something similar 3. Bigger is better. Bigger text bigger images. 4. Simple. Make the home page very simple yet still get the point across. Don't throw lots of information in someones face. 5. Use css3 for some gradients (http://www.colorzilla.com/gradient-editor/) and drop shadows. 6. Use fun attractive fonts for headers, I use a font on my site called Bebas which always looks nice (http://ryannaddy.com/media/fonts/bebas.ttf) One thing I like to do is go to http://www.templatemonster.com/ and find 3+ layouts that I like and build a nice layout combining the 3+ layouts into one layout with lots of my own ideas. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382363 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyphen0 Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 1. Your home page has way too much information on it, keep it simple. 2. The color choices are Yellow/Blue don't match too well, I would recommend using http://kuler.adobe.com or something similar 3. Bigger is better. Bigger text bigger images. 4. Simple. Make the home page very simple yet still get the point across. Don't throw lots of information in someones face. 5. Use css3 for some gradients (http://www.colorzill...radient-editor/) and drop shadows. 6. Use fun attractive fonts for headers, I use a font on my site called Bebas which always looks nice (http://ryannaddy.com...fonts/bebas.ttf) One thing I like to do is go to http://www.templatemonster.com/ and find 3+ layouts that I like and build a nice layout combining the 3+ layouts into one layout with lots of my own ideas. Excellent advice; I fully admit that I am not a designer and will try and incorporate your ideas and suggestions slowly but surely. Most of the text on the landing page exists for SEO content (the huge block especially). I don't expect most visitors to pay attention to it, but is it possible that it is a turn-off, even if they don't bother to read it? Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382370 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Little Guy Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 is it possible that it is a turn-off, even if they don't bother to read it? Yes! Its like watching a TV Show or movie with a long drawn out scene, at some point you just might want to fast forward through it because it is too long, and boring. If you make your page the same as that scene, people will want to pass over it. I really like this guide, it is really helpful in making attractive sites and how to use your explains ways to use your white space. http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-design/web-2-0-design-style-guide/ Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382496 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyphen0 Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Yes! Its like watching a TV Show or movie with a long drawn out scene, at some point you just might want to fast forward through it because it is too long, and boring. If you make your page the same as that scene, people will want to pass over it. I really like this guide, it is really helpful in making attractive sites and how to use your explains ways to use your white space. http://www.webdesign...gn-style-guide/ Great information here, thanks so much for your feedback and advice! Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/268875-video-tape-repair-service-site/#findComment-1382702 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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