Critique my website - Please!
I've just designed and built my 3rd site here, selling Christian books. What you see is half a day's work, but I'd be grateful for any comments about usability before I get too far with stocking the site. Is the presentation and structure OK? what can I improve? Help!
http://christianbookstore.siterubix.com/
Recent Comments
57
It is wonderful!! You really made a professional looking site. Would you consider letting the book descriptions run a little longer to coincide with the end of the book pics before putting the "read" more?
If I do then people won't know to click to buy. Not every book has a long description. Thanks for the compliment.
I forgot to ask, what is your theme? I really like the layout and would like to try similar on my site.
I designed the theme this afternoon. If you PM me your email address and tell me your site name, or at least what you want on the header, I'll change it and send it over as a zip file, which you upload under "Themes", "Install", "Upload" and choose file (from your computer where you've stored the file I send.*
*Limited to one person per thread ;-)
Its interesting to look over a site and then see what other people think of it. I realised that had some fleeting impressions that didnt register enough to make a comment but in reading the other comments I realised that "I was thinking that too!"
I agree with masirois about the sharing buttons, I think too many. A bit overwhelming.
I agree with Lee too, I like to get a good over view of a site when I turn up.
Also a quick question about pictures for your books, where do you get them from? I was a bit worried about copyright ( I do book reviews too ) Are they your own book reviews?
The trouble is, which ones do I get rid of without scuppering my chances of getting maximum exposure. I work with social media and people have definite prejudices; some will not use FB, just Google+, others the reverse. I think they have to stay, only because I can't choose which should go.
The pictures come from Amazon. go to their individual sales page and right click on the main image, then "save as". The reviews are also Amazon's from the same source.
I was captured by the Domain Name and wondered how Jaaxy would like that, but what I would have liked was ChristianBooksDiscounted--available at go daddy. Otherwise I thought it was your usual fine job.
Thanks. The domain name is a long tail keyword gleaned from digging on the WP keyword tool. I'm experimenting with siterubix at the moment, although my other three sites are all crimsonleaf something or other. Thanks again.
Hi Paul,
Here’s my initial impression:
• You’re giving the impression you’re the discounter, and it’s actually Amazon who’s the discounter. It would seem more powerful if you gave the impression you were a resource site instead of a discount site, and the benefit is the time saved in looking for books in particular subject areas. Give me a reason to buy from you instead of going directly to Amazon.
• I have to do a lot of scrolling to see your selection at the Welcome Page. Perhaps a more consolidated format may be in order.
• In your About Us page, you state “I built this site to try…” Be more definitive here! You’re not “trying,” you’re doing it. Again, what’s your unique selling proposition? I don’t believe offering a discount is that unique, especially, and again, since I can go directly to Amazon for the same price.
Just my impressions, take them for what they’re worth to you.
I hope you have great success with this site!
Best regards,
Lee
Hi Lee. I've tried to be as clear as I can about who's doing the discounting. On the OP I've stated that "We have access to all of the overstocks, end of print and otherwise discounted Christian books available from their incredible stock list.".
I've also said this on my About Us page: "I built this site to try to give an opportunity for people to buy Christian and related books at affordable prices from a great source. Amazon are renowned for their superior levels of customer service and virtually unbeatable prices. I’ve managed to identify Christian literature which is either out of print, overstocked or knocked down in price for reasons known only to Amazon themselves. They can be found by clicking on the Category Link on the right hand side of the website under “Discount Books”.
Maybe I should be clearer on the front page. I'll look at that. I'll also get rid of the "try" word.
The front page format incorporates a picture of the cover, smaller than Amazon's own but big enough to be viewed comfortably. The pictures were an afterthought when I realised that book covers sell books. I have shortened all of the text though, so users have to click to view to buy.
Thanks for your comments, and I'll do a bit of a rethink with all of the ideas you guys have given me.
Paul...my point, which I probably didn't make that clearly, is what is YOUR unique selling proposition? Most people know what is Amazon's. What is going to drive people to your site and then cause them to buy from you and not go directly to Amazon?
I just went to Amazon and searched for "christian books" and got 725,665 results. Do you have a unique niche within christian book sales?
Please understand, I'm not trying to discourage you here, but perhaps help you strength your approach.
Lee
Hi Paul,
I think the site looks great in terms of aesthetics and layout, as well as descriptive content! The structure looks good and easy to navigate.
I guess my one critique would be the number of social media links (for someone like me, it's a little overwhelming, but that could just be me). I don't know what many of them are, so just wondering if you see traffic in those in your other sites. If so - great (!!!), and keep them!!
Just keep in mind that can be a little overwhelming to the visitor to your site if they're not aware once they get past FB, G+ and Twitter.
I certainly hope the best for your success, and hope this was helpful "food for thought".
Best,
Marcel
Thanks for replying. I wrestled with the number of icons myself, but they are FB, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, Pinterest, StumbleUpon, Reddit, Diggit and LinkedIn. I left another three behind and couldn't really see how I could legitimately lose more without cutting my own legs of for aesthetic reasons. I take your point though.
Hi Paul, First I like the subject, discounted Christian Books. More of us need to read good biblically based books. Just my opinion.
It seems to me you need a stand out header, but maybe it's just me but I like a little flare when I come to a site, but yet I know that is not what makes the sales or keeps people on the site.
I like the social buttons a lot, is this a plugin you are using? I would love to use it for it is clean and crisp. Will you share that with us?
The site's my design so I could add some flash but discounted the idea in favour of a clean, simple look. The plugin is Simple Share Buttons Adder. Kyle recommends Sociable but it conflicted on one of my other sites so I swapped. You can see sociable in action here: http://crimsonleaf.org.uk/
So is the homepage a blog roll? If it is, I would find a way to keep what your site is about up top.
I liked the about me section. What I would suggest as well maybe to think about is what you offer to your visitors. Everyone has their favorite ministers to watch and listen to. And I know that there are A LOT of them out there. I know I would like to have an option to find discount books by my favorite people right there on the website. I wouldn't want to go to discount books and then have to find them.
For example, have links to Joel Osteen, Joyce Mayer, T.D. Jakes, etc. that goes to the discount books that then people can buy. Something like that.
Joel Osteen! Wash your mouth out right away!
Yeah, great idea and I'll do it when I finish with the discount categories. Thanks. The first post is a sticky, so will always be at the top of the home page.
Ok cool. You know it just makes it that much easier for your visitor to find what they want. And the less amount of steps they have to take the better and easier it is to use.
See more comments
I really like the site Paul. It's not crowded with information, which makes it easy to read and follow. I like the lay-out and the background as well. I think they suit the site's theme to perfection. Very good.
Thanks Fernando.