...in reviewing my website at www.isegue.com.

i want honest opinions on how to make it better in every way possible, especially the content.

-- Thanks
-- TheBigNY

We just launched our new site iSegue.com ( www.isegue.com ) and we have not gotten much sales as of yet. granted it just launched last week and we are still marketing, but I wanted to know if the site itself sold? Does it make you want to buy what's being sold, does it draw you in to look around, is it easy to get around and the like? I will welcome your harshest review.

www.isegue.com

thanks


<Mod edit to comply with Site Review Rule #1 - Syren>

First of all, I like the site. It is clearly and logically laid out and the grey/white/red colour scheme gives it a nice corporate edge.

The pages are a nice managable size and although some of them lack content they have a good style about them. I quite like the 'contact me when launched' feature although I cannot advocate having a site up with incomplete pages.

The only major thing that I would change is to add a portfolio section. I think you will have a tough time persuading potential clients to part with their hard earned cash without showing them real examples of what you can do - if the sites you produce are as good as your own then you should be shouting about them.

Personally, I would rather a client contacted me than specify what they want using an online form. Does anyone use the order form? Human contact is your opportunity to really get a grip on a project, and possibly even sell them extra services.

Other than that i think the site is a great advert for your talents.

If you get a chance to have a look at my latest site I would like to hear your comments - it has dropped down to about page 4 or 5 on this forum now but it is there. Title of post is www.seaflex.co.uk

Good luck

I think the site is good. The graphics are distinctive, rather than dime-a-dozen trendiness. The flowchart "Great Media Design In Five Easy Steps" is certainly a good touch. However you can elaborate by making each vague button looking bullet point into a real button. This would elaborate on how you are unique and what you do differently.

And it is this focus on customer centered differentiation which sells. Otherwise you cast yourself adrift in the sea of "creativity."

...What are the those factors which make a site "great." You've chosen this word -- it raises a lot of ideas and expectations -- then you've not gone anywhere with the idea.

A more generic piece of text is hard to find. Not only could it apply to any media company, it could apply to most service businesses. What's so great about that? To many, this boilerplate will not seem like a "media solution," it seems a lot more like part of the problem -- failing to develop a unique "selling" proposition.

Very nice site, I just have one comment
Could you put links to sites you have done for examples?

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DCrux had a good idea. Make the 5 step chart do something. When I first got there, I expected them to.

Other than that, it was a good site. Easy to navigate.

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...for your insightful comments and suggestions.

Now to answer some of them and to hopefully gain a few more helpful suggestions I will offer the following. First, iSegue.com is a new company and therefore doesn't have a portfolio to show. I would love to have one but since we don't we have to go on nonetheless. I am trying to conjure up some jobs and use our "weakness," i.e. we're new and have no portfolio, as a strength by assuring people that we have a deeper vested interest in doing a good job for them because it would add to our credibility and company history. So if you guys need some work done..drop us a line. If you know how we conjure up some work, also drop us a line.

Second, we believe that given our target market presenting a website where they can point and click their way to a great media design solution. Also our target market will appreciate the pfront pricing nature of our offerings. There is however a custom quote form whereby customers can request a work that is beyond the scope of the packages.

Third, I like the idea of having the five steps actually do someting and will look into that ASAP. The only concerns is that our target market will generally be connecting with slow modem ala AOL and the like, therefore whatever we do we must take that into consideration, but that is nevertheless a great idea.

Fourth, the content is not as specific as it should be and that is currently being worked on. I thank DCrux for that observation and welcome anymore content related suggestions.

Lastly, as for www.seaflex.co.uk, I like the website. It is clean and straightforward. The few suggestions I have are the following: the overall site design doesn't draw me in and make me want to see more. Also the two column layout on the frontpage is not to be used unless your website is based on content and is using the magazine design approach. Also the pictures on the frontpage should link to the section as well as the titles. The organce seeflex image should link back to the homepage. I hope that helps.

Once again, I welcome anymore suggestions, opinions and the like on www.isegue.com.

Thanks

I think you HAVE to show something. Even if you have to make up a few fictitious company names and create logos for them. Or find a couple companies to create logos free of charge in exchange for advertising or something. I know that stinks but I don't know of anyone who would pay what I'm sure you're worth without seeing any evidence of your work (Other than your own logo, which is great).

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Leisa
Wholly Wholesale - Wholesale Auctions - http://whollywholesale.com
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I think the site looks great ... very clean and easy to navigate. My only complaint is that 3 of the 5 links on the menu bar lead to "Coming Soon" pages. I feel that this is a huge turn-off to potential clients. As mentioned before, I'd also like to see some samples of your work.

I do agree with everyone here. Samples are a given. Since some of your services offer design without option, (i.e. web design silver package), you could create a couple templates as samples. Make one to show an example of what the offer will get the client. Is it bland white pages with a solid color header and their logo, text links, etc.? Show an example of what they can expect to get for each price break. It is good practice and will give you a foundation in which to build from.

The one thing I did notice was the copy. There are several areas where you have incomplete or run-on sentences; commas where there shouldn't be etc. And some of it reads a lot like fluff. It really doesn’t need to be there to get the point across. (i.e. the process pages.) I would suggest connecting with a copywriter and have them edit your copy for a more crisp impression. If money is an issue since you are just starting, you can usually cut a deal with service providers by offering exclusive first dib rights on all copywriter work you bring in for site or print design. It is another service you can offer, and you can start building your network with complimentary service providers.

And as “brasconess” mentioned, coming soon pages are a big no-no. (I should probably check my site, before saying that.) OK, I can say that. :o)

If you’re not ready, then don’t post it. You are setting the example that you only half finished your own site. What are you going to do with my site? Post it with only half the content, are you going to eventually add my logo to the header? First impressions are everything. Don’t start your business with a bad one (or only half of a good one.)

Nice design by the way.

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Scott Brinkerhoff - Art of Zen Studios
Web Design I Design Monk
© 2000-forever - All rights reserved by me - SO THERE!!

What is done is well done technically and aesthetically. We all have "one-shot" to capture potential clients when they view our page. You might consider increasing the size and elaborating on the logo at the top with a catch phrase or images that focus on the product/services/company. The welcome sentence doesn't really stand out, and you might want to consider an "About" page to describe the company. Images and pictures at the bottom are really well done. I would like to see more of them, or less - they're a bit betwixt and between. You might consider shortening the text and enlarging the pictures/images - or featuring the text and reducing the size of the pictures/images. Just some ideas. Bill

To add to all the above comments..
I noticed that your "logo design" and "graphic design" have almost identical text.. the only difference being the words "logo" and "graphics" ... I think you need to not repeat yourself... the customer is sure to notice and wonder at your own creativity...
nowhere do you tell your customer where you are located... you only give them the opportunity to contact you by form and yet you ask that they send you credit card info... most potential clients will be turned off by this.. how will they know that you are real? you need to put your physical location, phone number and email address.
Although you did list your prices, you did not indicate what you require as a down payment... and how/when the balance is to be paid.... if you are going to list your prices, you need to indicate all the specifics.

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Mary Ann
Affordable Websites Designed - www.m-goret.com

You have a wonderful website. It reminds me of Adobe's website especially the menu. Kinda similar but yours has more. Starting a website design business is not as easy especially if there is no portfolio to back it up. I myself have started the business and to be honest with you. It's not as easy. There's competition out there and clients would definitely want to see your accomplishments. Nevertheless keep it up and be ready, spread out the word that you are there and are ready to provide services. As what others have said here...your portfolio is definite requirement to get clients.

Sincerely,
Jon

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Overall, the site is great. I like the use of color and layout, and I especially love the way you "guide" the user through the purchase process.

I would however, go through your text very carefully. I did notice a few typos. I also agree with many of the opinions posted here. You must have some type of portfolio. As a visitor to your site, that is the FIRST place I would look. I would suggest some of the following:

1. Do some "mock" logos. At least this will give the user an idea of your abilities and style.
2. Do you know anyone who needs a website designed? Maybe do a freebie for a non-profit organization. Or discount your prices ridiculously low and contact someone who has a page that desperately needs a redesign. (I am sure that you can find someone who would love this).
3. If all else fails, do a "mock" website or two. Most people want to see what you have done, and will not feel comfortable contacting you without at least some idea of what you can do.

Anyway, hope this helps!

kj

I like the site but I also expected the 5 step banner to go somewhere. You need examples of other websites you have designed. You can't just tell people "you are are first customer". I like that you quote a price for your services. Most don't.
You could offer to build sites for non-profit otganizations for free for something to show. That is what I did at first.
http://artmatrixwebdesign.com

You have designed a very clean feel for a design house. Welldone.

I suggest that you dig deep into your sample designs and place them in the relevant sections as examples.

Sometimes you have to do with designs you have been experimenting with to show what you can do. OR do sample site designs and try to categorise them. You already do have the services you offer so you won't have difficulty making examples for each.

I would also suggest that you work faster in generating content for all sections blank before pontential clients seize visiting your site. You have built the excitement, now you are sure to maintain it that way for your business to grow.

On a lighter shade, you will do well when you start marketing your site. Just don't do it now before all those things are sorted.

Enjoy.

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"the artist will simply create"...Unknown

I also love your design–a nice blend of bold and subtle, light and professional.

A few comments: I notice that in between pages I see a full screen of red. I don't know where that comes from but I found it a little distracting.

Like everyone, I wanted to see a portfolio. By the way, it's usually ok to show sites that you or your designers may have done for other companies (as long as you say–here are some sites that our designers have created.)

I was also a little leery of your low pricing. I was wondering if you use stock templates to keep your prices so low. Having been on both side of creating sites and hiring design companies, I find a median price of a "Platinum+" type of site to be between $4,000 and $6,000 and they realistically take 2-3 months to develop. I do see that you are building in some profit with the hosting, but I'm wondering if what you're proposing is a realistic and sustainable business model. If so, power to ya!

That is exactly why I never put pricing on my site except for hosting. Never, never, never...

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Scott Brinkerhoff - Art of Zen Studios
Web Design I Design Monk
© 2000-forever - All rights reserved by me - SO THERE!!

The single thing that bothers me is a lack of a portfolio. If you are in the business charging hundreds of dollars for your work, the lack of exp and the display your work is something I have a real problem with.

Have you designed anything? You should have something to show if your going to charge for your services. Number 1 item on your list of services, I quote: "Professionally designed Website". If there is a "pro" in the mix, where is the pro's work? This is shaky at best.

I took a look at all sections including your "help" and others. I got "comming soon" more than once. When you come, you need to bring a portfolio with you.

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Well, this has been a most interesting experience. Thank you to WebProWorld for posting our site, www.isegue.com, on the front page of your website, because ever since then our traffic has been up and we are now getting orders. The portfolio cometh!

Thank you to everyone who gave constructive criticism. Most of your suggestions will be executed right away, while others will have to wait a while. The only bad thing is that we actually got some attacking emails with some real nasty stuff. Not cool people! Not cool! Let’s keep it clean.

Other than that, this was a great experience and I am glad that I actually posted something on the board. I have known about this site for sometime but did not bother visiting until I had launched my company. I will continue to post elsewhere on this site and hope to get some more great suggestions and comments.