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capttodd
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Advice or ideas for a new site design? - 10/3/2004 23:00:09
Ok, well, one year to the final design, but I think I've got it down. Actually, took one year to get everything together before I could sit down and finalize this thing.
So, check out http://www.littleshopofhers.com and give me some advice or tips or critique. I'm up for anything. Learned this all on my own so keep in mind it's a little simple like myself.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
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capttodd
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RE: Advice or ideas for a new site design? - 10/4/2004 8:30:31
Could you look at that front page again? There must have been something wrong with it when you looked last night. There is a jpg picture that's supposed to be on it. I just checked and it came up for me, but it was slower than usual.
Thanks,
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abbeyvet
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From: Kilkenny Ireland
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RE: Advice or ideas for a new site design? - 10/4/2004 8:47:08
I did not see the image the first time either - and I have a cable connection that is quite fast!
I just clicked on Enter Store when nothing else appeared after a second or two - which is about as long as people will wait. I would guess that the problem is twofold - one the image is waaaay to large at over 100KB, its going to be a slow load. And also it is served via the stylesheet - which means that the sytlesheet must also load before it will.
I agree with Karen - image or not that page serves no real purpose and I would lose it. If that is your home page search engines have nothing to index there, whereas the main page has lots of text. It really adds nothing to a very nice site.
I also think that you should have more about your products on the home page, including links and images directly to featured ones etc to entice people into the store. The sort of stuff you have there, about limited quantities, special orders etc seems more suited to a customer information page - the main page needs to be a selling page.
Another thing is that personally I do not like justified text on the screen - it is remarkably hard to read. Text needs to be broken up, with short paragraphs, some word highlighted and so on so that the page is scannable.
Also my instinct on arriving at the main page - where it is not immediately obvious what the site is about, was to click on the words Apparal -Gifts - Home Accents at the top, expecting them to take me to the goodies! The actual links to the products are teensy-weensy, like you are trying to hide them!
Instant gratification, that's what web surfers are after - they take about 3 secods to decide if you are likely to have what they want and will NOT stop to read text if they see nothing that indicates they are in the right place.
At my first quick visit to the site my impression was that it probably sold hats but it was not clear how I got to them. It was only on reading Karen's that I realised I needed to go back.
It looks just lovely though!
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Katherine
:: InKK Design :: InKK Domains
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d a v e
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RE: Advice or ideas for a new site design? - 10/4/2004 8:47:14
the image is there but the splash page is pointless - go straight to the next page in (the one you get to after the splash page) nice looking site otherwise
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David Prescott
Gekko web design
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capttodd
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RE: Advice or ideas for a new site design? - 10/4/2004 14:03:28
Thanks all. Already dumped the first page. Will work on enlarging the link bar font for easier use.
What about a flash for the opening? I'd planned on doing one, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. Have a rough draft done that flashes pictures of my brick & mortar store outside first, then through the different departments to give web users an idea of what we are like. Is that just a waste too, or too flashy or what do you think?
Thanks again for all the input!! I REALLY appreciate hearing from pros!!
Todd Ray
The Little Shop of Hers
Osage Beach, MO
t.ray@littleshopofhers.com
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d a v e
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RE: Advice or ideas for a new site design? - 10/4/2004 14:14:10
imho a waste of time - just delays getting to the shopping. (i like flash but when it's suited for its purpose
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David Prescott
Gekko web design
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dpf
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From: India-napolis
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RE: Advice or ideas for a new site design? - 10/4/2004 15:05:53
quote:
imho a waste of time - just delays getting to the shopping at least 3 problems with flash entry pages.
1.as dave pointed out, delays user getting into ur site (esp if they are on dialup) and esp after they have seen it once.
2. if its full page, lack of html content is a handicap to SEO.
3. for the small number of users without flash, its problematic.
on the other hand, your idea to use flash to show off your building could be used inside your site..."go to this page to view our place etc."
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Dan
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capttodd
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RE: Advice or ideas for a new site design? - 10/4/2004 23:12:46
Again, thanks for the input. That's a great idea about putting the flash on an inside page.
Changes done so far thanks to you guys:
- Dumped index for home page.
- Enlarged right hand link bar.
Will be doing soon:
- Adding a flash as a link to see our store.
- Moving some text off main page to informational page.
THANKS ALL!! Keep it up and I'll end up taking all you on. ROFL!! Yeah, like I've got time for that!! I've got over 10000 sku's in my store. So much to add, so little time!!
Todd R Ray
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Printable Version 
It belies the cuteness waiting inside. Just a blank white screen with "Enter Store" in it? Why not make the page that shows up when you click that link be your main page? The fewer clicks the better. Your visitors will make their opinon on the first glance at your site. If all they see is a blank page with a link to "enter store" I don't think their first impression would be all that good. They'd think that the site is under construction and probably go somewhere else....furthermore, you'll do better in the search engines with a home page that has content on it.
