Hmmm, OK, website analysis... *looks at what she's written* This is rather a harsh critique, but please don't be annoyed - I design websites for fun and enjoy looking at the problems!
First impressions:
Looks like it was done in FrontPage, however, looking at the source says this isn't the case. The purpose of the site, i.e. selling books, is confused for me because you say it's a 'selling university' - which has no meaning to me at all. A place selling books, to me, is a bookshop. Doesn't look that professional, not a long running business or at least not one up-to-date on ecommerce, so not sure I'd trust them with my card details.
Home:
*blinks* A different page to the index? No, bad, ick. A 'home' page should return to the main page, splash pages are evil and pointless in 99.9% of the cases. The menu at the side refers to what, precisely? Ah, book pages. OK, I'll cover that later. But the menu bar doesn't exactly explain what it's for which is confusing! Also, ditch the animated gifs on the 'Or choose below' - animated gifs look tacky and unprofessional, especially little flashing things to add emphasis. Below is below, don't treat customers as stupid when it's obvious.
The language is odd and overly formal, it's also bold which looks odd, and the picture seems to just be stuck there and have no real relevance to the text, especially as it's so prominant. The email registration page style & font sizes are different again which looks out of place. Too much of a jolt for me. I'd have left already myself if I weren't reviewing this site!
About Us:
Erm, don't want to read about your founder. I want to read about the business. Where are you based? How long have you been trading? What's your ethos? Put your founder in by all means, but it's about 'us' - Selling Books - not 'About Mr. Hartley'. Shipping & returns policies are actually very important, and your terms & conditions don't seem nearly stringent enough for a UK business. Copyright? The google ads also look unprofessional - and may show rival sellers, taking business from you.
Contact Us:
Ah, the contact details. And in a different size font again. This could go in About Us, really. The side bar seems to move in size on different pages which looks odd.
Please stop asking if I want to recieve your email newsletter. I'd have signed up by now if I did!
Checkout/Basket:
No menu, and checkout's missing the header image which looks weird.
Book pages:
Firefox doesn't like the 1st paragraph, it's hidden behind the blue menu. The paypal also puts me off a bit - it's the cheap way to do it and doesn't inspire a professional look. But, I trust paypal, so that would give me some incentive to buy - they'll give me the money back if you don't give me the goods I believe!
Otherwise, pretty much a standard online shop.
Oh, and flashing animated gifs at the bottom again.
Conclusion:
To me this says, new e-retailer, can't afford a proper designer, and the design varies across pages (and browsers!). If I really wanted the book, I might buy, but I'm better off going to Amazon as I know I can trust them. Doesn't want to give away much information about themselves and the business.
Simplicity is good, and you've got a nice simple idea & vaguely consistent design, but it could do with sharpening up & looking like it's a professional site.
I hope this isn't too harsh.....
~Clare.
p.s. The internet selling books appear to have nothing to do with internet selling?
