Revamped site - no sales. Why?

[gercam]

I got my site revamped about 6 weeks ago and sales have fallen through floor. I think it is easy to navigate etc and am at a loss as to why? Can anyone help?
www.bagnificent.co.uk Thanks

 

[directmarketingadvice]

You have google analytics on your site, so do a before and after comparison of the stats.

That should give you a better picture than just "sales have fallen through the floor" - e.g. the number of visitors, the number of visitors per source, bounce rate, average time on site, average number of pages visited, %ge of people adding products to the cart, main exit pages etc.

Without knowing what numbers have changed, it's impossible to say.

(especially without seeing the old site)

For all we know, your site is dependent on organic rankings and you may have lost those when you changed your site.

Hope this helps,

Steve

 

[Kev Jaques]

Looks ok from an initial quick look, still some conversion things which could go in
You have no Google links
Get your bags/products on Googlebase

 

[oldeagleeye]

Nice site but you could be suffering from the huge influx of counterfeits.

You might want to get the message across that quality aside knowing that you have bought a fake ain't the same as owning the real thing.

 

[iboxsecurity]

Running a magento site now was it on this before? If not chances are your link structures have completely changed and so any organic traffic will likely have dropped through the floor. Check your analytics for the past 3 months see what has changed.

 

[gercam]

Was not magento site before - but did redirect links.
Hits are down a little but sales not coming from them

 

[Kev Jaques]

Did you send out an email to your existing clients of the changes being made?
Don't alienate them, let them know of the benefits of the new changes.

 

[iboxsecurity]

ok if the links were all redirected was this done via htaccess using 301 redirects?

Also have you tried and tested doing a checkout yourself? From start to end?

 

[Connexions]

Iwould make a google webmaster account http://www.google.com/webmasters/tools and submit your sitemap, also if you can submit to google base which someone mentioned.

 

[oldeagleeye]

Gercam. Haven't you already posed this question on another thread.

I repeat what I said there you are trying to market a luxury product typically about £80 quid it seems and you do not only offer free delivery but want to charge £8.95. That is way over the top when people and yes even the reasonably well off are worried about jobs and watching the pennies. What's more I think a lot of people would think would resent paying £8.95 when next day delivery even on a heavy computer is only £4,95.

The bottom line is then that you have a least 3 barriers to hitting that final buy button. In today's market you can't afford a single one.

 

[patientlady]

Hi Gercam
I googled designer handbags and your site did not appear. Also did you have Sage pay on your previous site?
Nice site, easy use, quick loading I like it...

 

[copywritingjohn]

Depends how far along your customers are getting before they leave, and analytics can tell you that.

Also you could make the 'add to basket' button a bit clearer
it says 'add to bag' which is a bit confusing cos you're selling bags, and it looks a bit hidden and like part of the design. I bet you'd get more clicks with a bolder button, or just another colour so it stands out.

Depends if your customers are getting that far or not

 

[oldeagleeye]

Just had to check Alexa re another site and checked yours OP.

Alexa is showing a fairly large increase in traffic over the last 3 months. It seems that you are getting the traffic. As far a metatags driving visitors to the site they seem to kmnow precisely what they are after. These are the ratings from the most effective down to the least.

• www.bagnificent.co.uk
• kesslord fuschia purse
• kesslord fuscia purse
• gucci handbags
• chloe designer handbags
• designer handbags uk
• handbags for you
• designer handbags
• fendi keyring
• gucci handbags uk

That kesslord fuschia purse is searched more that 4 times as much as 'designer handbgs. You might want to add all those listed to you main meta tahgs. It doesn't solve the problem of those barriers however.

 

[Kev Jaques]

Gercam, are you working with your designer and coder on improving these issues?
I think a review between the 3 of you would help to flesh out some more issues.

 

[patientlady]

Gercam. Haven't you already posed this question on another thread.

I What's more I think a lot of people would think would resent paying £8.95 when next day delivery even on a heavy computer is only £4,95.

Sorry meant to mention this, I agree with the above. Would it not be better to add £8.95 and offer FREE delivery within UK or whatever.

 

[gercam]

Thanks for all your advice. I have been in constant contact with designer and tweaking here and there. Was hoping that a fresh pair of eyes might see something that we couldn't.

Google base is being done this week.

Other site only had paypal - thought giving other payment option was good idea.

Redirects were done with 301 redirects.

Will try giving free delivery and also changing "add to bag"

Thanks for all your advice/help.

 

[patientlady]

Other site only had paypal - thought giving other payment option was good idea.

Just a though Gercam but I do not do too much shopping on the net, but had never heard of Sage pal. Ok maybe everyone else has, but if not perhaps it might be putting people off, wondering if the site is kosher!

 

[gercam]

Just a though Gercam but I do not do too much shopping on the net, but had never heard of Sage pal. Ok maybe everyone else has, but if not perhaps it might be putting people off, wondering if the site is kosher!

Sage pay is the old protx. Am going to have visa, switch etc box at top and reiterate secure payment

 

[iboxsecurity]

I think the add to bag just doesnt stand out enough - it took me a couple of seconds (too long) to find where I had to click to get the item into the basket!

 

[Jason L]

I think the add to bag just doesnt stand out enough - it took me a couple of seconds (too long) to find where I had to click to get the item into the basket!

Very much agree with this. I see why you've done it like that and it looks quite nice from a design perspective - but you need to sell some bags so I'd stick to a more traditional Add to Basket graphic! Also, your secondary thumbnail images aren't working when I click on them - and I would guess that the vast majority of customers will be clicking here. Agree with your decision to increase visibility on the card logos too - at the moment, they are barely visible on the left hand side of the page, and the fade on them will not inspire confidence - it just looks a bit strange. Lastly, don't forget that August and September are very quiet months for a lot of retailers. A lot of people are on holiday during this time, then it's kids back to school etc. It may not pick up significantly until Oct/Nov. Other than that, I think it's a nice professional looking site

 

[gercam]

Very much agree with this. I see why you've done it like that and it looks quite nice from a design perspective - but you need to sell some bags so I'd stick to a more traditional Add to Basket graphic! Also, your secondary thumbnail images aren't working when I click on them - and I would guess that the vast majority of customers will be clicking here. Agree with your decision to increase visibility on the card logos too - at the moment, they are barely visible on the left hand side of the page, and the fade on them will not inspire confidence - it just looks a bit strange. Lastly, don't forget that August and September are very quiet months for a lot of retailers. A lot of people are on holiday during this time, then it's kids back to school etc. It may not pick up significantly until Oct/Nov. Other than that, I think it's a nice professional looking site

Thanks for positive thoughts about site. Just one thing - about thumbnails. They work when I click on them - which bag did you click on?

 

If you have not had the redesign done under the supervision of an SEO you have probably made a big mistake.

Many many people think there old site needs a facelift and just pick what they consider to be a nice modern design without giving a thought to how it may impact there rankings on the engines.

A nice design will not get you sales for most products.

The right products at the right price allied to a high position on the engines will.

Simples.( I hate that bleeding cat )

Earl

 

[Kev Jaques]

As sirearl said...
Prior analysis is key with any existing site, although we can't see what the old site was like (other than wayback machine) but there are numerous conversion tricks I can see which could be implemented and some of the issues already noted.
The OP has done well though to get the advice so far

 

[funkychef]

I tried the additional images on quite a few bags, and although they initially show, the all dissappear when you click on one of them.

The last couple of months have been quiet for sales. We get as many hits, bet the sales ratio has dropped. I'm hoping it'll right itself soon. Maybe it just is a quiet patch for us all. Maybe you're looking to solve a problem on your site that isn't really there? I'd personally be inclined to wait a few more weeks, and then re-assess the situation.

 

[Jason L]

Thanks for positive thoughts about site. Just one thing - about thumbnails. They work when I click on them - which bag did you click on?

All of the bags I've tried, e.g. http://www.bagnificent.co.uk/kathar...-katharine-hamnett-black-leather-box-bag.html
When I click on them, no image appears just a red cross with a product description. I'm using Internet Explorer 8 if that helps

 

I'd personally be inclined to wait a few more weeks, and then re-assess the situation.

a few more weeks can be expensive best to get someone to check the site out now .

And find out if its a lack of rankings that is affecting sales as this can be fixed.

Playing one's lyre whilst Rome burns is not an option.

Earl

 

[papverpoppies]

I can get them to work (not clicked on every image) but the 10 or so I have - worked.

Poppy

 

[gercam]

If you have not had the redesign done under the supervision of an SEO you have probably made a big mistake.

Earl

I have an SEO expert helping me with site so hopefully not made big mistake

 

[gercam]

1. Your site from What I remember was VERY visually impactive on the front page. The new site seems to have lost that edge
2. You are only selling bags.. Try selling to women. The dream, the feeling, the value
3. The add to bag idea is fine, but it blends in far too much. This needs to be a lot more obvious, and it needs to be in the right place on the page... like right below the produc description. Perhaps a swishy graphic of a bag, in a brighter standing out colour would help. Same principle for checkout and veiew my bag
4. On one of my screens the text is fairly un-readable - the text for the product could do with not being on such a heavy graphic. The graphical nature is good, but dont let it get in the way of the message
5. Magento allows you to search on atributes. Why not have a "choose my bag" section.. i.e. like on the figleaves site, where you can choose style, colour, size..
6. The sagepay / Paypal argument will only be solved if you know what your abandoned cart rate was before you swapped. The same applies for SEO. You havent said if you are getting a comparitive lack of visitors, or a lack of conversion
7. P&P be up front about it. A shock in the checkout is a garuntee of an abandoned cart
8. Upsell. offer cleaning products, second bag discounts, the belt, the purse, the shoes
9. Have the SEO done properly But remember the formula: turnover = visitors x conversion x average order value
10. The left menu is very long and homogenious, and could do with clearer sections. this would encourage users to fine more of the site in 1 visit

Question: have your visitor numbers dropped?
Question: has your AOV dropped?#
Question: Has your turnover per visitor dropped?

Thanks for all your suggestions. Am going to change add to bag and will change checkout etc too

Will try and change LHS and make it shorter although struggling as to what looks best

Numbers have dropped slightly but not too much. It is the conversion rate that has fallen dramatically

I thought visuals were still impactive - maybe have a look again.

 

[gercam]

As sirearl said...
Prior analysis is key with any existing site, although we can't see what the old site was like (other than wayback machine) but there are numerous conversion tricks I can see which could be implemented and some of the issues already noted.
The OP has done well though to get the advice so far

Any chance you can tell me tricks?

 

[fisicx]

Numbers have dropped slightly but not too much. It is the conversion rate that has fallen dramatically

In which case put the old site back up again. There is obviously something about the new site that your visitors don't like so go back to the one that works.

 

I have an SEO expert helping me with site so hopefully not made big mistake

In that case one assumes none of your rankings have dropped.?

Earl

 

[gercam]

In that case one assumes none of your rankings have dropped.?

Earl

They have dropped slightly but have chosen different keywords

 

[James.Dunford]

Want to know the one thing i think is stopping sales? Finding the buy button!

I looked on the page, and couldn't see it within about 3 seconds of looking, it isn't where i thought it would be, nothing happens when you hover over it, and it just blends in with the rest of the description...

 

[MrsPWN]

I thought exactly the same thing, actually thought it may have been forgotten.

 

They have dropped slightly but have chosen different keywords

are and do you know that these new keywords produce traffic and sales.?

Earl

 

[quikshop]

The first question when viewing your website is "Are these fakes?".

This one in particular, http://www.bagnificent.co.uk/gucci/pre-owned-cream-gucci-shoulder-bag.html, you can find this model bag on nearly every website selling fakes Gucci at a fraction of the price... all with their 'original dustbag' included.

Gucci, Louis Vuitton and I would imagine most if not all of the other brands you sell do not allow independent retailers to sell their new designer gear - the is nothing obvious on your website that states that your merchandise is guaranteed authentic used designer gear? The issue of trust in my opinion is the single biggest issue you have.

Want to know the one thing i think is stopping sales? Finding the buy button!

At every step in your shop there are unnecessary barriers to allowing a sale.

If I have to stop and search for the Buy button I'm guessing a lot of your potential genuine customers are as well. Just a change of colour, perhaps make it a red ticket to get noticed straight away rather than white with black outline.

When I did find it I was taken to a convoluted shopping basket page where you have to 'Request a Quote' for a shipping price? Surely as a UK business you could default to a UK shipping price and offer a means of selecting a different country?

Even the first checkout stage, what offer a choice between 'Checkout as Guest' or Register? Its just another hurdle for a potential customer to leap over, why ask the question at all? Have a one or two page checkout process and create an account for your customer behind the scenes instead of making the guest or registration process yet another barrier.

If you are selling authentic pre-owned designer handbags then you have to shout that out from your home page and make a big play of it, that's a great niche within the market that you should be making a big thing of.

 

[Sunburn]

My tuppence worth...

There is no BUY NOW button on your featured items!!
On the product pages the "add to bag" is invisible, took far too long to find where it was.
There is no visual cue other than a cursor change to state that what the EU is hovering over is a link / product / image or background.

Additionally, Im wondering why PRE-OWNED handbags are higher up in the navigation list? As a potential customer this maybe suggests that your products are likely to suffer from faults or be 2nds rather then Originals, New and perfect quality.

Ultimately the purpose of any e-commerce site is to get the user to buy your products as quickly and easily as you can without distractions to this end, id get rid of all the navigation ****e at the top of the page.

you want people to see a product, easily add to basket and checkout nothing more nothing less.

You may also want to consider this...
Lazy Registration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBT2niL2jKM

Put all of the information gubbins at the foot of the page, for those Users who want to learn more.

Also,

As a customer I need confidence in buying from you. BIG & CLEAR contact information is a must, Free Delivery, and Payment Methods are a given nowadays and should be secondary to user actions such as BUY now, ADD to cart, VIEW basket CHECK out

On your product description pages remove the brownish background from the information, it serves no purpose other than to make it hard to the end user to read and perform the action you desire from them.

Geoff

 

[WebSquare]

add to bag isnt too aparent..

 

[Evan]

Assuming your site is still being found as much as before, I wonder are visitors not being converted to sales because the "Add to Bag" button is not entirely obvious. I did have to look for it for a few seconds because it doesn't quite look like a button. It's probably not the whole reason, but I think the "Add to Bag" button should be more obvious.