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Post by stonemon on Feb 19, 2021 14:55:33 GMT -5
I am looking for input on a new website I am building. I have created the basic format and would like to get some advice/critique of the basic feel. I would appreciate any input, good, bad or ugly. There is much left to do on this and I know nothing about seo or other ways to make it visible out on the web. Any masters out there, please throw advice my way.
A little background. A little over a year ago Etsy took down all of my Trent Agate pieces saying they were toxic and did not meet their safety guidelines. They let all the other vendors continue to sell because they did not list the arsenic content of their stones. I made a choice then to create a stand alone site to sell my Trent. Then the fires and life hit and I have been doing other things... So, if you would be so kind... tell me what you see!
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 19, 2021 15:09:06 GMT -5
I like the info on the frontpage. But, I think you should find a way to get the shop easier. Your button top right is not immediately obvious. (It should be a drop down menu not a full page menu- that's just another way to lose someone.) Also, I'm used to seeing navigation on the left. Not to say you have to put it on the left. It just seems more the norm. Where you have the blue box about custom work would be a good place for a prominent link to the shop.
I love the size of your thumbnails and your pictures are great. Once you click on the item, though, you can't enlarge the images. You can from the thumbnail, but no larger.
I like the cart that pops up on the sidebar.
That's all that immediately comes to mind. In general, I like it.
Good luck! And congrats for ditching etsy.
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Post by stonemon on Feb 19, 2021 15:16:22 GMT -5
Thanks Tela,
I will see what option the site builder gives me. The page links at the bottom work well but I agree, there should be a easier way to get there...
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Post by parfive on Feb 19, 2021 17:41:42 GMT -5
Nice job on the website, Bill, and an A+ on spelling. : )
The featured pic at the top of the home page looks rather dull compared to the items listed in the Store. Background, exposure, I don’t know, but the colors just don’t pop the same.
On the Store page, any reason why the green Thanks button is a clickable link? On my ancient browser, it sends me over to the Gallery page.
Anyway, good luck and I hope you sell a ton o’ Trent if you got it.
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Post by stonemon on Feb 19, 2021 18:04:37 GMT -5
Hey Rich,
the lead picture is queered by the site builder. As far as I can tell there is no way to clear it up. I will post that one in the gallery where it can be fully appreciated.
Those green boxes were also a creation of the site builder. The one on the front page cooperated and I was able to get it to access the contact page which makes sense as I was referencing custom work. The one in the store has a mind of its own and sends me to the gallery also. (Rose and Valerie)
Thanks for the input. I do not have a ton of Trent but I have a decent stash. I need to get cutting as I am quite low on finished pieces...
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 19, 2021 18:41:19 GMT -5
Hey Bill, Great looking website. I would echo the things Tela and Rich brought up. One thing that came to mind is on your Gallery page you state "Some available in the shop, some long gone!" For me personally, I would like to see a watermark of "Available" or "Gone" on the photos - or a description under the pic. If you go with that, you could link the "Available" to the item in the store. I know it may seem redundant...but I wouldn't want to look through the Gallery and see something of interest, then go to the store searching for it again only to find out it's gone. I'd rather know right away. (That's just me personally.  ) The other thing I like to see on websites such as yours is an "About Me" page. Maybe some blurb about your dad and granddad and then something about you and how you're carrying on the torch. It really makes it personal and the customer then knows they're dealing with a "person" versus dealing with a "website"... Everything loads fast, so that's nice as well!  |
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Post by Mel on Feb 19, 2021 20:04:48 GMT -5
I'm with Tela, just move your SHOP button to a more prominent spot. I really like how clean and uncluttered it is and beautiful rocks don't hurt either. Also, everything jasoninsd said; I LOVE reading bios about people. I love humanizing the billionaire behind the shop |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 19, 2021 20:52:08 GMT -5
I like it. I didn't have a problem seeing the "shop" link, but that may just be me.
Are you "live" yet? I tried the "add to cart" button on one of the stones in the shop and it didn't work for me. 
The only other suggestion I would have is to put "copyright 2021" in the footer so it shows up on each page.
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Post by stonemon on Feb 19, 2021 23:03:48 GMT -5
Jason, Thanks for the feedback. I think that is a great idea to mark the stones in the gallery as to availability. I am not so sure about the bio page.  I kinda keep to myself! I will think about it though. Hoping it's about the rocks...lol
Mel, Billionaire?? Spelled Bill yon error. Bio?? AArgh! lol
Robin, The site should allow you to put things in the cart. We have not had a problem with that.
I got the copyright thing done.
Just a note, we are finding we have to refresh each page when we view the site after publishing an upgrade. I got the menu pages separated at the top.
Thank to all of you for the ideas. I am truly a novice....
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 19, 2021 23:47:43 GMT -5
Jason, Thanks for the feedback. I think that is a great idea to mark the stones in the gallery as to availability. I am not so sure about the bio page. I kinda keep to myself! I will think about it though. Hoping it's about the rocks...lol
Mel, Billionaire?? Spelled Bill yon error. Bio?? AArgh! lol
Robin, The site should allow you to put things in the cart. We have not had a problem with that.
I got the copyright thing done.
Just a note, we are finding we have to refresh each page when we view the site after publishing an upgrade. I got the menu pages separated at the top.
Thank to all of you for the ideas. I am truly a novice....
I'll try it again tomorrow.
Your computer is using the cached version in your browser - that's why you have to refresh when you make a change to be able to see it.
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Post by Mel on Feb 20, 2021 17:57:39 GMT -5
Jason, Thanks for the feedback. I think that is a great idea to mark the stones in the gallery as to availability. I am not so sure about the bio page. I kinda keep to myself! I will think about it though. Hoping it's about the rocks...lol Mel, Billionaire?? Spelled Bill yon error. Bio?? AArgh! lol Well surely everyone who deals in rocks must be flush with cash, right? |
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Post by drocknut on Feb 20, 2021 18:53:55 GMT -5
Checked out your site. It looks nice.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Feb 20, 2021 19:43:49 GMT -5
I think that the overall layout and navigation of the site is nice.
Perhaps one or two of the pictures could use a little more light, as they play down the beauty of the stone.
As a consumer I would be perfectly happy browsing the site.
These days though, most folks don't own a computer. They just use a phone for everything.
So keep that in mind going forward, that a long vertical layout which can show off your products, or nagivation / choices that can be made by using swipes or taps might go over better with the average consumer.
Nice job. Most folk don't know how difficult it is to build a website. These days however, sites like Squarespace make it less of a frustrating experience.
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,989
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Post by Tommy on Feb 20, 2021 20:30:52 GMT -5
I like it a lot Bill - it's clean and concise and not littered with a bunch of distractions. I don't mind the faded main banner - this seems to be a thing with the content management websites that I've seen. With most of these there is also the option to purchase main banners with more bells and whistles like rotations and carousels etc. I'm not saying you need that though, I like it just the way it is.
I'm with the others that I got a little hung up on the "some are long gone!" statement because I saw the gallery first before discovering the store and that statement got me a bit confused and wondering what was for sale and what wasn't. A simple adjustment for the gallery might be along the lines of "check the store - some of these might be available for purchase!"
Again though, we're just splitting hairs because it does look and feel very good.
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Post by stonemon on Feb 21, 2021 20:57:01 GMT -5
Mel, I am afraid I have more rocks than cash. That's pretty common around here isn't it?
Thanks Diane!
Bill, I am a technophobe. I do not own a smart phone. I do not understand these swipes and taps! I may get some help with these things. Good points and thanks for the input.
Tommy, I am going to get the gallery labeled when I get a bit of time. I took your advice from the pm and grabbed the other domain. Thank you for your thoughts!
I wll keep working on it and post some new pieces soon.
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)
I kinda keep to myself! I will think about it though. Hoping it's about the rocks...lol
