Hi!

I have looked at some of your sites and I'm very impressed. Trouble is I wouldn't know how to do a good site if it jumped out and bit me [but I'm trying hard]. I would welcome some sort of critical analysis of my site [and code] I use Actinic for ecommerce and have not learned how to change its layout but, priorities..:S I would like to know what is bad, and what is plain awful. If you take the trouble to let me know, I will take on board any good advice. Just don't tell me to give up the day job....

<Mod edit to comply with Site Review Rule #1 - Masterpeace>

Work on the introduction page so it continues the same theme as when you enter the shop.

Sudden changes in the look and feel of a site can put potential buyers off and push them elsewhere.

Keep on developing ;)

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Street Racers UK - Car Modifying Online
Tickle Site UK - A FUN place to be!!

Sit some users down and watch them go through your site, from searching to ordering.

That said, I think you'll find the front page is irrelevant. You don't explain a single reason to shop with your company. This has nothing to do with web technology, or skills in applying it. "Longest *successfully* trading..." That means little to the user, what made you sucessful: best quality at low price, etc, might.

Icons without captions are not the best way to organize the offerings. Put the top sellers on the front page. Add a tagline. Add a meaningful business proposition to keep customers from surfing on.

There are a lot of things the competition isn't doing. Study their sites, and don't limit yourself what you currently know about web technology. Get what you know about business into the site design. You'll find technical details which don't drive sales crowding out any other consideration. Including the one where there are tens of thousands of competitors who aren't limiting their web development to code gimmicks like scrolling text.

Scrolling text is generally thought to be a distraction. Flashing, annoying gimmicks were thought to be neat code, not good use centered design. Don't relive the last ten years of web development discoveries about user behavior. I don't think this requires hiring someone, just being aware of your own shopping and browsing preferences online.

Thank you both for your quick views. I think your telling me what I really knew and since posting that up I have been reviewing alot of commentary on website building. I will be working on version 2 from today but, I'm going to put a bit more thought into the design element and see what I can come up with.

Thanks for your comments... keep them coming.. :)

Hi - I have made some dramatic changes to the site based on the above critiscms [advice] and would be pleased if you would go back and look at it and see if I have addressed all, or most of the issues you raised.

Thanks

Both links seem to go to the same site. The Ink People - injet cartridges, right?

Check out sites a little like this. Pop in your best seller for each category where they seem to have a generic picture. Take a table from one site, and put it with a storywhich has a chance of getting you free publicity.

The issue was study the competition, emulate and improve upon what you find.

DCrux ... not sure I can emulate the monks but, I have some ideas that might realise the same end result... will come back in a week.... hopefully I might have something that fits your bill. I am listening to you and N30 hence the massive changes already made.... and I really need to succeed if only to justify the time/money spent on this exercise to my wife... :( so, I appreciate all input and put it to good use.

:)