Time On Site and Conversions

stampfer · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 10:26 PM

Earlier this year I had my webhost overhaul the look of my site.
I have an SEO firm helping me build traffic, which is coming along fine.
My ongoing concern is how long people stay on the site and what is a rather low on-site conversion rate.
Any comments/suggestions on the look/feel/user friendliness/etc. would be highly appreciated.
Mike

Here is the link: Discount Spas and Hot Tubs - Spas N Stuff

davebarnes · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 10:59 PM

Your description tag has 212 characters and Google displays 150. You may want to edit.

Spas and stuff is your website, but your favicon is HOT TUBS. Should be the same.

May we see some DATA about "time on site"?

stampfer · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 11:58 PM

Thanks for the notations.
Regarding stats, one that I get nervous about is the %age that leave in 30 seconds or less, which hovers around 50%. On the other hand, I get about 2 visits/visitor, which is better than the old version of the site, which was about 1.2 visits/visitor.
Yet oddly, I had more people purchase online with the old site, and more call in their orders now. Not a big problem, but I was hoping to achieve the opposite.

davebarnes · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampfer

Regarding stats, one that I get nervous about is the %age that leave in 30 seconds or less, which hovers around 50%.

I just took a look at some of my clients (all B2B, all high-tech) and their "visit length under 1 minute" is 75% of the visits. And, these are for nerdy websites that you would not visit "just for fun or curiosity".

Paul B · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 10:32 AM

It's a nice use of Joomla.

However, I'm a little surprised that your SEO company didn't suggest more keyworded text. The ratio of text to code on the page is very low. Also page title and <h1> tag should match - in fact there is no <h1> tag.

Maybe humans and search engines could do with more content??

stampfer · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 02:05 PM

Thanks Paul, the Keyword text is still a to-do...very soon.
Maybe my Time on Site numbers are decent?? I appreciate the comments.

Perhaps some thoughts on the confusion or clarity the site presents?

FYI, I really debated sticking with Joomla on the redo. I'm not 100% convinced it was the right move, but I'll live with if for now.

ditto · #7 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 04:46 AM

The page is too busy there's nowhere for the eye to settle, instead
you're pulled in numerous directions. That's probably the reason you're
getting the bounce rate you are and the reason more prospects
are phoning rather than trying to find what they want.

hth,

mtheory · #8 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 06:47 AM

Even at discount prices, spas are a luxury item and shoul be presented as such.

Try a more elegant and sophisticated aproach.

Rather than target the customer who has saved up months or years to get a spa and will be shopping around agressively just to get the best price, target the consumer with the disposable income readily available for better conversions.

stampfer · #9 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 10:07 AM

I appreciate the comments. They are definitely good food for thought. Fresh eyes are a big help.
Thanks to all who have/will add comments.
Mike

janeth · #10 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 02:06 PM

Phone number in the header is good.

It seems like there should be a better way to break the site up. I like the images but at the same time it make the site look cluttered and confusing.

I love the way you have the shopping cart laid out. It is easy to find the products, nice big pictures and the click of a button and I am on my may to make a purchase.

I wonder if there is a way to work your logo into the header a little better.

stampfer · #11 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 10:26 AM

Hi Janeth,
I see a small trend about "confusing." Going to have to take a serious look at the new layout.

It's funny though, pushing the logo out a bit was a conscious decision in an effort to catch the users eye and try to drive home the site name.

janeth · #12 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampfer

Hi Janeth,
I see a small trend about "confusing." Going to have to take a serious look at the new layout.

It's funny though, pushing the logo out a bit was a conscious decision in an effort to catch the users eye and try to drive home the site name.

It takes a long time and a lot of testing to get a design that is able to convert the traffic like you want.

I just changed a design on one of my sites and we went from making $200.00 a day to $50.00 a day.

I am about to change it back.

It's all trial an error but I am thinking that cleaning it up and moving the logo will help with conversion.

Is the site making anything for you at this time?

stampfer · #13 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 11:55 AM

Yes, I do make a living off of it. Have a look at my customer pictures page. That is a tiny percentage of people who actually do buy. It is a challenge to get folks to send pictures, but it is a big help to convince future customers that the site is a good and "safe" place to shop.

janeth · #14 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampfer

Yes, I do make a living off of it. Have a look at my customer pictures page. That is a tiny percentage of people who actually do buy. It is a challenge to get folks to send pictures, but it is a big help to convince future customers that the site is a good and "safe" place to shop.

It looks like the current site is doing well.