Hello,

I would very much like to receive a site review for http://www.acustomwindowtreatment.com/ I should tell you though that I have no formal web design training (as will become obvious)- I am simply someone who one day was making shades in a factory to the next making a site to sell that shade. Because I showed an interest the owners had some weird faith in me that I could build a successful site. Last April we added a shopping cart and to date have grossed a little over 170,000.00. Certainly now where's near what it could do. But when I look at blindsgalore.com or justblinds.com I am clearly not in their league and they gross in excess of 5 million a year. What can you tell me that will help me perhaps not reach their level but a higher level than I am at now. The owners of the company I work for have had faith in me since 1999 and through 12 site redesigns I can't seem to close the sale. The prices are great and the products are real good quality so the only thing that leaves is the site design. So I am here begging for your advice for them as much as for myself.

Thanks in advance,
Shawn L. Bushway

PS I'll be happy to review anyone's site for whatever it is worth - but you might be better off having someone who has succeeded in what they do.

If this is a first attempt, their faith seems justified. It looks good. You may want to check into the Metatag wing of Betty Ford, and cut back a bit on the unecessary. Others will comment further on code, but you can find out about adding doctype here.

Moving to a next step you may want to start with user testing. Most especially since the site is producing some level of sales. Observing where users have difficulties and "bail out" of the order process may instantly recover lost sales.

Developing more of a customer focus may mean supplementing your Measuring Tips page with diagrams, like this one. Other ways to boost response is move the site from a detached element to an integrated part of a marketing campaign (online and offline elements working together). Add to this joint ventures with likely home improvement sites and a little imaginative improvement will get past copying to competing.

Don't just ask for random input from people who will never buy, test prospects. Seek out what might make sense and have these likely buyers evaluate. This is the best way to keep the good parts and change what -- if anything -- is holding the design back.