Hi,

I've just been trying to come up with some changes on the layout of my website. The product buttons are just something I quickly made; they'll probably change. The reason I want something different, is because I feel like my current version might have too much text and too little click-pictures; customers should see instantly what I have to offer, right? I just don't know if the new version is better, something says it isn't. :(

Please provide me with constructive feedback, preferably about the design, as the HTML and the CSS is validated ;)

Current: www.typicaldutchstuff.com
Test: www.typicaldutchstuff.com/index1.shtml

__________________
For all your typical Dutch products
info@typicaldutchstuff.com

Our website was featured in the UK Sunday Times of October 10th

wen_laat,

Gosh, I don't see a real problem with either. You are right about the text. The main thing is to make the text readable.

Break the paragraphs into just a few lines. Highlight important words to draw peoples attention to the topic of the paragraph. Things like that...

Also, one thing did bother me for some reason. You have a form at the top of each product page... I'm trying to think how that would be received.

I think if I was browsing your site it might be a turn off; I'm not sure.

Maybe have the products first then the form... OR just have a link to one form page for people to get info ("For more information click here" at the bottom of the product page)... And then have a drop down menu for people to easily pick what they want info about... people are lazy... make it easy for them.

Otherwise, it's loads fast. It's easy to navigate. It's not a bad layout. I like the color scheme...

Looks Good!

__________________
Matt Levenhagen - Affiliate Marketing & PPC Training | Niche Marketing Resources, Tips and Advice | Niche Marketing Memberships

wen_laat,

I like the second one, but really are very appealing and load fast for me (in Australia). For what it is worth, I recently learned a painful lesson, regarding the amount of text.

A few weeks ago, I decided to add more descriptive text to the index pages of my footwear sites. I thought that the copy was beautifully done. Well, to make a long story short -- it was a miserable failure. Conversion rates dropped through the floor.

Everything went back to normal when I returned to the very simple copy! Of course, it probably has more to do with my writting ability, but something to think about!

__________________
www.ozlook.com
www.ozlook.co.uk
www.healingfibres.com

The thing we all need to understand is the habits of our visitors...

They skim until they find what they are looking for... generally a home page isn't going to be what they are looking for. It should simply usher them into the site and lead them to the page they are looking for.

That's why everything should be short and to the point. Highlighting with bold face or something like that will help them do their skimming and get to the info they need.

Once they find the product or whatever then they might go more in depth, but even then they won't read a lot of fluff...

I've even been considering that on my own site. I tried to treat the home page as a letter, but I'm afraid that probably 99% of the people just click the link that suits them or go straight to the Site Map.

IMO, I believe a pure product site should have no more than three levels each getting more detailed.

Level 1 is the home page. Short and sweet. Answers what you can do for them and leads them there...

Level 2 might be a category of products. Again short and sweet... maybe a little more detail...

Level 3 are the product pages which summarizes first and then leads them to more info if they are interested.

That's just how I would approach it. I know how impatient I am when I'm searching for something...

__________________
Matt Levenhagen - Affiliate Marketing & PPC Training | Niche Marketing Resources, Tips and Advice | Niche Marketing Memberships

wen_laat,

I like the second one, too. Are you going to make the images of the product categories into links? I would do that. The visitor sees something that really sets their mouth watering, and all they have to do is click on the image.

Just one other thought came to mind. You say:

We ship worldwide! (Bulk or large orders, which contain food products, to the US are NOT accepted.)


It sounds a little harsh to my ear. Maybe something like:

"Sorry, we cannot accept orders containing food products to be shipped to the US."

Even if you can, but you choose not to, why tell the customer that? And, its a little confusing: do you ship some food to the US, as long as it is not a bulk or large order? or no food, only coffee makers, etc? Maybe a little wordsmithing would be a good idea.

Great site, tho. I'll take one of everything!

Kathleen

__________________
Getting It Write, Inc.
The Small Business Marketing Pro
Real Estate Marketing Assistance: Real Estate Websites - Brands - Logos
http://www.buildrealestateresults.com

Thanks all of you!

MktgPro: I'm going to delete that section on shipping, but am having a little trouble with the coding, because when I delete the text, the whole right side of my layout comes to the left. I've already posted this in the Site Design forum, so hopefully I get it fixed soon.

Also, the images will be clickable soon, but since it's just a concept, I haven't taken the time to do so. ;)

Thanks again!

__________________
For all your typical Dutch products
info@typicaldutchstuff.com

Our website was featured in the UK Sunday Times of October 10th

Hi wen_laat,

Nice site. But I must say that I like it when a site opens with a short welcome message that tells visitors what the site they've just landed in is all about (like the one that opens your 'old' version).

Mostly, though, I visited your site because I have a Dutch friend who lives here in New York and loves all things Dutch; I think she'll like your site and your services. I've sent her a link so she can visit your website.

Good luck! Looks good!
- Paul

__________________
Insite Website Design and Development