Views on our site - someone must have an opinion!

[annethedonn]

Hi

I've posted a couple of polls regarding our site & its services but no one seems to want to help me.

I would really appreciate some feedback or constructive criticism - as much as possible. If you would like to help please either post a reply, or email me.

I am offering a 30% discount to all new customers at the moment and a free training to subscription if you spend £200 during April & May.

Some questions:

1) How the site is laid out/ease of use
2) What do you think of the services?
3) How competitive are we?
4) How likely would you be to use the services and if not what are your reasons?
5) What do you think of the training courses from our affiliate site?
6) What would make you purchase a training subscription?
7) What would make you use our other services?
8) How do you think a virtual assistant could benefit your business?
9) What do you think of our Partnershop web hosting services?

I look forward to receiving your opinions and don't worry, I'm not offended easily!

thanks in advance

Anne

 

[RockLinks]

What website are we talking about?

 

[annethedonn]

Hi, as per my signature www.freelanceofficeservices.co.uk

There are links to the training site & Lycos web hosting site from this page also.

thanks

 

[kyber]

I gave up trying to read the site because the animated (flash) vertical advert down the LHS was so distracting. Most I can ignore but this one was poor, flickery and fast starting with text upside down.

Well, ok, I did try to read a bit. You start off telling me who you are and giving me a bit of a QA session. It is usually better to promote your offerings up front (IMHO) and provide links for back up information/history etc.

When I did click on services, I found it all a bit small and busy and the proposition did not leap out at me.

Take a look at http://www.quickformations.com (Ozzy of this parish) for an example of a busy but rather more effective approach.

Colour scheme did not work for me either. Contrast not strong enough.

Also, Paypay features a little too heavily. There is a discussion elsewhere on the forum about whether PayPal alone creates the right impression.

Regards,

Stuart

 

Hi

I have had a quick look - hope this helps...

I would make the logo at the top stand out a bit more, the headline copy stands out mostly and I found you don't know what to look at first. The choices 'who are we', etc is lost on the light background - I'd make this bolder or change the colours a little.

Also lots of white space at the top, maybe move the picture up in line with the menu choices or add a headline / intro copy.

I agree with stuart about the paypal logo, can you move this to the bottom of the page.

Good luck with the business

Emma

 

[annethedonn]

hi thanks for your views. I'm a little bemused by some of it. The picture is in line with the menu options and on my browser the colours do stand out - perhaps not on all. I'm not quite sure what you mean by headline copy/intro copy?

I can move the logo no problem and perhaps just take out the line relating to this but I thought it would be of use at the time. I understood Paypal to be quite a good service although we rarely use it, it's just there if people need it. I do think it's about time I changed that flash as I guess it would be annoying to some people.

Perhaps the services page is rather busy, as I've had this said to me before and I thought that when he designed it! I'm limited to what I can alter as it was designed for me and I'm not too au fait myself with MX and don't want to ruin the site if I try to redesign it.

I took a look at the quick formations site but to be honest, I don't really like that format so I guess it's a case of 'each to their own' and we'll never all agree on everything!

I really appreciate the info and would welcome any more so that I can have more of a general concensus.

I would like to know what you all think of the services & prices though if you can take time to read them.

thanks again!

 

[RockLinks]

I think the top logo thing lets the site down abit, it needs to be slightly bigger and maybe go accross the width of the page. Also looking at the menu hurt my eyes because i couldn't see what each link said. But i like the rest of it, nice job!

 

[annethedonn]

Thanks Rocklinks, appreciate that. What are you all viewing this site in? I'm using internet explorer and it's bright enough - I'm just wondering why no one else can see it. I might just change the colours to black on the menu for ease of use and make the logo bigger.

thanks!

 

It could just be my computer but when I look at the home page, there is a chunk of white space and the image does not line up with menu options.

You are absolutely right - everyone will have an opinion, make the changes you see fit and when you are happy with it, go with that. It's what you think that matters most.

It really does look good though!

Emma

 

[RockLinks]

Let us know when you've made the changes so we can tell you what we think

 

[annethedonn]

thanks again!

 

[kyber]

Well Anne, on the basis that you are not offended easily, here is some more food for thought for you to take or leave as you see fit. You may well disagree with my views which is fine.

I have taken another look and considered the services and frankly still find myself confused about your offer. (I could not pass the "elevator test" if I was asked to pitch your company i.e. explain to an executive in 30 secs what you offer.)

For example, one of the higest items is "advertising" you seem to be offering me the opportunity to promote your site by including a link to my site when I have spent £1000 and perhaps to provide additional copy (a review) to you.

Following a few other items which do not seem related, then we have an advert for domain names.

When Woolworths first sold paint, it placed the cans on the shelf in alphabetical order based on the colour name rather than in colour groups. I think that you need to group your services into clearer categories. Certainly split those that are custom priced from those for which you already have established rates.

The rates seem high compared to overseas based services so the value add needs to be more clear for the premium prices. I am surprised by the variations in rates. Some things per day or half day, others per hour. Similar tasks (to me in terms of intellectual effort) charged at different rates seems inflexible and complicated. (It might be better to say "per day" rather than "diem". )

Regarding colours, check against graphical design guidelines for what works best for people. I think you will find that the combination your have chosen is not ideal. Also note that your browser may not be representative of the majority of your customer screens. Every computer monitor (even the same make/model) shows colours differently and if you look at a selection of monitors you would find the range incredible. There is something odd about your layouts as well (not fluid I think - when I increased the text size in Firefox, the text was moved below the flash advert). (The text in your graphics logo is pretty ropey as well to my eyes.)

I appreciate you do not like the site I refered you to. I selected it because I felt that it was similarly dense but much more clear. It has also won a number of awards for its design.

The "private area" link on the menu seems odd to me. Perhaps "Customer login" would be better.

I would expect the "Contact us" link on themenu to give me a number of options about how to contact you including offering a traditional contact form. (Increasingly sites use forms in preference to posting email addresses to reduce spam harvesting of same. Personally, I do like to have the option though.)

Using the word "unfortunately" in your note (at teh bottom of the services page) is not great marketing. Sell the benefits whilst being clear on how it works without drawing attention to negative elements.

Having worked my way around the site, my primary impression is that there is no clear identity to the company. "Who are we" (unusually, this is the home page of the site) meanders from who set it up, through using individuals, consultants and small businesses and eventually gets to something about Skillspride.

Summary of my key points,

• Simplify your offering and present it more clearly
• Group similar services together
• Define the company more clearly
• Improve the visual identity, graphics and layout
• Get rid of the flash advert because it is going to annoy and drive away at least a few potential customers

On your points:
1) How the site is laid out/ease of use
Not great.

2) What do you think of the services?
Confused but potentially good.

3) How competitive are we?
Not greatly. Poor differentiation.

4) How likely would you be to use the services and if not what are your reasons?
Unlikely. For reasons expressed throughout my comments.

5) What do you think of the training courses from our affiliate site?
Did not bother to look. Doubt many customers that have search for office services will either.

6) What would make you purchase a training subscription?
Nothing would make me. Compelling offer, better quality service, timely addressing of legislative imperitives.

7) What would make you use our other services?
More competitive offerings from a more unified (virtual) company would certainly move you up the list.

8[]) How do you think a virtual assistant could benefit your business?
Where small businesses I am involved with have benefited is in releasing the specialist skills of the people involved in the business to do their trade whilst someone better suited to admin tasks ensures that those tasks are done well.

9) What do you think of our Partnershop web hosting services?
Did not look. As for training link.

With regard to your earlier response:

Perhaps the services page is rather busy, as I've had this said to me before and I thought that when he designed it! I'm limited to what I can alter as it was designed for me and I'm not too au fait myself with MX and don't want to ruin the site if I try to redesign it.

Frankly there is not a lot of design involved. It should not take an experienced Dreamweaver MX user more than a morning to handle update the layout for you if kept basic. Your site is mostly static (I can not look at the "private areas" of course) so not to challenging. At present, the layout is inconsistent (as I switch between pages, the layout jumps.)

I hope that helps a little.

Stuart

 

[annethedonn]

Well, you certainly don't mince your words, I'll give you that! I'll take your comments on board.

thanks for your frankness!

 

[Ozzy]

Stuart's like that

 

[AcornDomains.co.uk]

Some great reviews.

What is the purpose of the paypal button?

 

[annethedonn]

The paypal button is there if you want to set up an account to enable you to receive & pay your invoices on line.

OK folks I've made some changes to the site.

Changed font colour on links.
Changed text on home page
Changed flash to static on home page
Moved Paypal on home page

Let me know what you think - ie if this is an improvement.

 

[RockLinks]

Hi Anne,

The site dont seem to be working

 

[kyber]

worked for me.... the start of a lot of changes I guess, nice to see you kick off though.

Stuart

 

[annethedonn]

Thanks. I've just changed providers so have been playing around with it all day! It seems to be up & running ok now. Just need to sort my emails out now!

Let me know what you think of the changes I've made on the home & services pages.... Thanks to all of you - you've really helped - I just hope it makes a difference.

 

[RockLinks]

The Menu looks alot better. Still think its needs a better logo at the top though. But god job indeed!

 

[annethedonn]

I can't change the logo as the designer has made the file read only so I can't alter it! Unless anyone knows how to alter a .jpg file.

 

[kyber]

I can change a JPG file but this would not be a great idea as the primary problem is the font looks a bit rough and no amount of tinkering with the picture will improve that. It needs to be regenerated from scratch. Not sure how tied in to the font you are (if it is part of your Visual Identify then a lot) but if you are easy on this, it will be easy for one of the web designers to knock up a new version quickly as a direct replacement of the existing Jpeg file.

(Note, picking up a point someone else made elsewhere on the forum, web designer is better bet than graphics designer as the former will make sure a graphic is designed for efficient use on a web site.)

Stuart

 

[annethedonn]

Thanks Stuart

Well I do use a font for all my letters & on my logo/business cards. Perhaps I could use the bold version as there are 3 variations - it's Eras light at the moment.

What do you think? If someone can sort this for me I'll be eternally grateful! I might even offer a free 'service'! Virtually of course!

I also have another problem with my form on 'services' page, in that it says 'invalid form field' when you press 'send' - I've entered the code correctly as far as I can see - any ideas?

www.freelanceofficeservices.co.uk/services.html

 

[kyber]

Anne,

I have had a play with the graphic but I am NOT a graphic/web designer (strictly L plate on Adobe Photoshop). I do not have your font but I have had a go to see if it can be any sharper. Here is my attempt:

I tried the form and got the error and have taken a look at it. Nothing leapt out at me as wrong. Here is the code, perhaps someone else will spot the problem:

<form enctype="multipart/form-data" method="post" action="/cgi-bin/mailer">

<table width="498" border="0">
<tr>
<td width="150">Your name:</td>
<td width="338"><input type="text" name="NAME" maxlength="35" size="37" value=""></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Your email:</td>
<td><input type="text" name="FROM" maxlength="35" size="37" value=""></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Your enquiry:</td>
<td><textarea name="COMMENTS" cols="29" rows="4"></textarea></td>

</tr>
<tr>
<td>Send a file:</td>
<td><input type="file" name="UPLOAD" size="23"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><input type="submit" value="Send"><input type="reset" value="Erase"></td>
</tr>
</table>
<input type="hidden" name="TO" value="[email protected]">
<input type="hidden" name="SUBJECT" value="General Enquiry">
<input type="hidden" name="GOTOURL" value="http://freelanceofficeservices.co.uk">
</form>

The cgi mailer programs do vary and use slightly different field names. Are you sure you are using the correct ones for your mailer?

It might be worth trying a basic version of the form and removing fields to try to see what it does not like. If you remove all the table stuff, your code is as follows:

<form enctype="multipart/form-data" method="post" action="/cgi-bin/mailer">
<input type="text" name="NAME" maxlength="35" size="37" value="">
<input type="text" name="FROM" maxlength="35" size="37" value="">
<textarea name="COMMENTS" cols="29" rows="4"></textarea>
<input type="file" name="UPLOAD" size="23">
<input type="submit" value="Send">
<input type="reset" value="Erase">
<input type="hidden" name="TO" value="[email protected]">
<input type="hidden" name="SUBJECT" value="General Enquiry">
<input type="hidden" name="GOTOURL" value="http://freelanceofficeservices.co.uk">
</form>

I can not test this for you as I do not have access to the same mailer.

Stuart

 

[c2webdesign]

If the form error shows an invalid field, it would be because a required field has either been missed, or the name of the field is different to the one required - or that the form is looking for a set variable for a field e.g. an email address must contain the @ sign.

Anne - if you are still having issues drop me an email contact(at)c2webdesign.co.uk and I'll take a proper look for you (for free of course) and try and to activate it correctly.

Dean
C2 Web Design
http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

Web Design | Online Marketing | Search Engine Optimisation

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