www.cutters-ak.com

D_Cutter · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2004, 10:03 PM

Please review my site.

www.cutters-ak.com

Thank You.

D_Cutter · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2004, 04:42 PM

I forgot to mention I am a custom fishing rod builder not a web designer. I can really use any input you might have.

info202 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2004, 06:32 PM

nice site...loads quickly & navigates well...
I have a few comments:

1. your index page is too long.... tighten up some of the info and get rid of the "stuff" on the bottom... I never understood the idea of a webring for a business site.

2. your header should not read the way it is... sound too much like a personal site, rather than a business site, which I am assuming this is supposed to be.

3. I checked your keywords.... again, I don't understand the use of "words" only.... I would never think to look for a site such as yours using the following keywords: "cutter's, custom, rod, fishing, fly, AK, build, spinning, casting, boat, surf, gatti, sage, rod, gloomis, scott, st. croix, "... I
I prefer using keyword phrases (as that is the way I search for products or services)...would you use the the word "surf" (as an example) to look for a site like yours? And remember, you MUST use your keywords and/or keyword phrases in the body of your text.

4. I would seriously consider using alt tags for your photos...(a good way to get in more keywords - and explains to your visitor what each photo is)

By the way, I just love your mailbox on the contact us page as a way to link to your email... great idea!

5. you must use proper sentence structure... some of your sentences on the index page are only fragments... rather than have incomplete sentences, you can separate them with a colon and have better sentence structure.

6. also, check your spelling... "their" was mispelled as "thier"... (can't remember what page it was on - I'm sure it was only a typo, but you must scrutinize and spell check your site.

Great job for a fishing rod builder....

Oh! I love our logo....

jomariet · #4 (**permalink**) 08-25-2004, 03:02 PM

In general I thought the site was very well done.

You've fallen into a few of the traps that home built sites have - the ones that restrict sales.

1. Change the header photo for each page. Don't make me guess if I've actually clicked the wrong button. People notice a prominent photo before the text and text images.

3. Use photos of your rods in use by fishermen for the header photos and photos of you building the rods.

4. The folksy writing style is fine but leave off the family page. Its just unprofessional.

5. Get better photos. You'll do much better with professional photos. Hire someone - the ROI will be worth it.

6. You've tried for unique title tags, now rewrite them to focus on your important search terms - what people really search for. You can find more info on the SEO boards here at wpw.

7. Leave off "Welcome. My name is Denis Cutter
Thanks for taking time to visit my site."

8. Focus on the purpose of each page and then tighten up the text using search terms specific to that page.

9. Include an email link - contact forms turn off busy professionals who can afford your rods.

Good luck

JM

http://www.crucibledesigns.com
http://www.akalt.net

D_Cutter · #5 (**permalink**) 08-26-2004, 06:37 PM

Thank you very much for all your input. I have started making several of the changes the two of you have mentioned. It will take some time for me to get to them. and I will have more questions I'm sure. But Thank you very much for taking time to help me with my web site.