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12 Replies Last post: Aug 4, 2009 4:39 PM by puzzleman

HELP! Honest opinions needed please!

Jul 31, 2009 9:21 AM

Click to view John_6x6's profile Mogul John_6x6 37 posts since
Jul 20, 2008
Please give me your FIRST IMPRESSION of this website home page at http://www.pro-autocare.com. The owner of the site an myself would like to know your thoughts.

Questions:

1. What does this business site look like to you at first glance?
2. Would you feel comfortable going to this business?
3. First impression is what?

Thank you so much in advance!!!

John
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Click to view creativeiads's profile Mogul creativeiads 44 posts since
Jul 25, 2009
1. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Jul 31, 2009 10:38 AM
John,
First impression is I see too much claims on the website. More than self claims people like to see testimonials.
Provide a link for testimonials if you have.

Mike Varavooru,
creativeiads.com
Click to view drivetraffic's profile Mogul drivetraffic 28 posts since
Jul 22, 2009
2. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Jul 31, 2009 1:10 PM
First, I agree with creativeiads about the testimonials. You need to incorporate the testimonials into the home page. Testimonials going down the right side of the page would serve you better than the list of special reports. I would switch the "What Customers Say" Button to "Testimonials". The color combination used isn't very attractive, but I like the idea of the savings bonds. I would probably use some type of discount off the service instead that has the same cost to you.

The amount of text on each page is overwhelming, so much so that creativeiads overlooked the link to the testimonials. You need more white space. Most customers aren't going to read all that information whether it's good content or not. The address, phone number, and store hours should be located at the top of the page. A lot of customers go to your website to find out where you are and what your hours are (they're very small at the bottom).

The dinner and a movie box should say "WIN Dinner and a Movie!" or "Enter to Win Dinner and a Movie!" If you don't click on it you wouldn't even know what it was there for.

CJP
J.P. Marketing, LLC
http://www.drivetrafficforless.com

Click to view creativeiads's profile Mogul creativeiads 44 posts since
Jul 25, 2009
3. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Jul 31, 2009 1:40 PM
in response to: drivetraffic
Thanks drivetraffic. There is too much going on the home page and I overlooked the testimonials. You can reduce some content and add some links to the right.

Mike Varavooru,
creativeiads.com
Click to view DomainDiva's profile Founders DomainDiva 1,763 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
4. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Jul 31, 2009 1:47 PM
This site is like someone who has to keep reminding themselves what it is they do, how they do it and why they do it. That alone would make me shy away as a customer if given a choice. The site is like a puppy, jumping and playing. There is way too much going on here. I know you want to give information but the idea is to get people in the door. If you have freebies, get people in and talk to them about it. The problem with putting all the 'stuff' on the website is that your people then do not know if their customers have all the information, your people ASSUME that they do. That's when trouble starts.

It is also boxy and the color combination and fonts are difficult. Its visually very distracting and disturbing. I had to force myself to stay and read it.

You need to find a web designer and a copywriter that tell you NO a lot. (Don't feel bad....my people tell me NO all the time as well).
Click to view Iwrite's profile Mogul Iwrite 1,133 posts since
Dec 29, 2007
5. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Jul 31, 2009 3:35 PM
1. At first glance I don't want to read this much about a car repair place. Way too copy heavy. And not a message that speaks to me. I want a great mechanic that I can trust. This doesn't drive me to believe this.

2. Not really. I feel like something must be wrong or off that he has to make this claim.

3. It does not evoke trust.

I want to know that this is a "car guy." Someone that has the expertise and honesty who I can bring my car to and get it repaired correctly the first time without having to take out a loan.

Sorry but this where I am at.

derek
Click to view John_6x6's profile Mogul John_6x6 37 posts since
Jul 20, 2008
6. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Jul 31, 2009 2:18 PM
in response to: DomainDiva
Thank you so much everyone. Your time, opinions and observations are greatly appreciated! You have all given very helpul answers and I marked them accordingly.
However, I do invite more to participate if you choose.

The reason this question was prompted was due to a debate between the site owner and myself. The site owner had it designed for him (not by me) and there was a question about how someone perceives the site upon first glance.

Thanks again,
John
Click to view DomainDiva's profile Founders DomainDiva 1,763 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
7. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Jul 31, 2009 2:48 PM
in response to: John_6x6
Fire the designer.
Click to view Iwrite's profile Mogul Iwrite 1,133 posts since
Dec 29, 2007
8. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Jul 31, 2009 2:55 PM
in response to: John_6x6
I tried to answer this but I am having problems with posting. Hopefully, it will show up. If not, I will repost tomorrow.

derek
Click to view John_6x6's profile Mogul John_6x6 37 posts since
Jul 20, 2008
9. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Aug 3, 2009 8:46 AM
in response to: Iwrite
Derek,

I did get your post, thank you. Thank you all for your replies. I'll pass this on to the owner.
John
Click to view FoundMoney's profile Professional FoundMoney 1 posts since
Aug 3, 2009
10. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Aug 3, 2009 10:22 AM
I think you've done a fine job overall, with just a few tweaks to suggest.

Testimonials up front easy to see/find

Break up content with link - too busy @ first glance

But great content just spread it out!

Good luck

Wish you were in my area!

www.myadv
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Click to view textpros's profile Authority textpros 9 posts since
Aug 3, 2009
11. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Aug 4, 2009 2:01 PM

by all means optimize that image at the top of the home page. The basics to any marketing should be this,
present problems in your industry, essentially your giving the solution and why I should trust your co. before
you even state the problems in your industry, hence you are no aliging your self with the customers concerns.

I'm not looking at it from a design point of view, more from a message. I don't agree with some of the other people
saying there is to much content. They may not read it all but they will read it enough to either be sold or informed.

Content will help with organic search rankings, change or add it often, it turns the spiders into junkies.

You would be better off if you make much of your info downloadable as reports this way you can capture their info
and build a data base.

Did you know you can send coupons via SMS text? If that sounds interesting to you, either email of call me (Tony)

tg@21stcenturymarketingandtrainingsolutions.com
321-663-4640
Click to view puzzleman's profile Mogul puzzleman 297 posts since
Oct 11, 2007
12. Re: HELP! Honest opinions needed please! Aug 4, 2009 4:39 PM
My opinion is that there is too much.
I would not read everything on the page. My suggestion is to shorten up the copy. Make it simple to read and understand.

As with the above, a redesign is needed. Get a pro.

Jim