Okay, I'm ready for the kills. I just "refreshed" this design for a few years back. Killed off some Javascript menus and layed out the site a little cleaner.

We're moving toward proper code, but not quite there yet. I'd like thoughts, ideas for improvement. Overall general comments.

We're finding decent success, but most of the changes have only been made within the last couple of weeks, so of course, the engines haven't quite caught up with the site yet.

http://www.ruggedlaptops.us

I was checking out the unit with the military on it. I pulled up the .pdf file. IT OPENNED IN THE SAME WINDOW. That is a big deal, b/c I was done looking at the pdf file, and I said, "hmmm how much, let me CLOSE THIS DOCUMENT and look at the website again for the price." I closed the browser, and if I didn't remember how I got to your site you would have just lost a potential customer.

Open PDF documents in a new window.

Keith

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www.corporateface.com
Custom Website Design
No Templates

Thanks. I'll hunt through and find that. I normally have all pdf files open in a new window. Must have missed that on one. Do you remember which product? Most are aimed for military and industrial use.

Site function okay? Load okay? Navigate easy enough?

Set a task, a specific user looking for a specific model. ...After a few such task analysis, you'll have your answer.

I found the site unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. That's a pity because I was fairly impressed with the Panasonic ads running on TV.

The Promark site is aimed at a user who doesn't really need this site. No attempt to guide a user type to the right product, the user is presented with makes and models that mean something to a ruggedized laptop salesman, a limited market. Unless the user knew the exact make and model, they would be clicking at random.

Studies show you'll lose most of your users by the third and forth incorrect click. People don't like making mistakes. What's the difference between rugged and semi-rugged ...you don't say. The site merely presents two product lines with names most people have never heard of.

In contrast check out the Toughbook Site. The site attempts to help the user through the laptop selection process, as "rugged" doesn't mean the same thing to everyone.

An application chart would present the user with a tool for decision making. Sorting the nav by Use Profile, not vendor, would give the user something better than random chance to achieve their goal. Lab techs know their specialty -- not the latest developments in the computer field. Field techs know their field -- not whether they could save money by buying a semi-rugged laptop rather than fully ruggedized. And nobody is going to download and wade through 6, 8 or 22 PDFs to figure out the subtleties of your product line.

This site is the company talking to itself, about its own product line. If the user is not fully versed in the ruggedized product line, you've presented them with nowhere to start the navigation process. By presenting industry-centric data, the site sends the message that the customer segments, needs and motivations of the site visitor are pure mystery. Would a user call, or look elsewhere? I'm thinking the user will leave. With Panasonic dropping a million or two on ads, they'll know where to go.

I can see some valid points in your analysis. While we do layout the site into 4 categories, rugged, durable / semi-rugged, portable workstations, and rugged handhelds.

First, the visitors we are targeting right now actually know what they are looking for. Rugged laptops is a large market, but many people actually know what they are seeking. However, I do agree that there should be a "guide" to picking the right solution, but it's been a process to get them to this point.

In regards to us vs. panasonic, they do 500 million in rugged products, us as a smaller integrator run about 1-2 million in sales.

I've recommended added both the "guide" as you've discussed, and a configurable shopping cart, that will let them build a solution to their needs.

Right now we're converting 2-4 leads a day off the site out of 50-80 visitors, for substantially more conversion than they've seen in the past. So we're seeing 2-6% visitor conversion to contact. Something we're working on improving.

I completely agree that we should move this towards a more interactive site, helping the visitor pick the right product.

They've only offered so much investment to move the site even to this point.

I'll present the thoughts and your feedback appreciated. Our leads and conversion are coming on only $10 a day adword budget, so we feel it's not too much to get the business we are generating.

I'd love to offer the feature set you discuss, and then a configurable cart and I think we'd seen an even better conversion. We'll see if I can convince them, maybe the outside "review" will help spark their understanding of the limitations of the site.

Thanks again.

I noticed several inappropriate apostrophes in words like PCs and Handhelds on the home page.

It's confusing that "rugged handhelds" is on two different lines yet links to the same place. It makes it look like two separate entities.

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Best Regards,
Becky Gessler
http://www.wethegeeks.com

Okay gents, I've done a rework of the "layout" and would like some views on the new look and feel.

This is a full CSS design, with no tables, with a focus on the new "solutions" and "information" categories.

Please note that this page, and the "government" page are the only pages with the new content.

New Layout
http://www.ruggedlaptops.us/introduc...computers.html

Current Layout
http://www.ruggedlaptops.us

I'd like any feedback on look, feel layout, and concept, do you think it's an improvement or no? Blast away if you dare.