Looking for feedback on site

[Gap30]

Can you give me some feed back on my site www.keepsakecaboose.com?

 

The site has been out there for about 7 months. Just looked at some of the site tracking numbers for January getting about 41,240 hits.

358 unique visitors what concerns me is 43% are from 0-30 s, and 20 are 30sec –2min.

Are these just suffers? Last months sales were to 6 customers.

 

Just ran a website grader by Hubspot. My ranking was 34 out of 100. My top competitor got 64 out of 100. Goggle ranking is 0, only 1 paged cached. Alexia ranking was in top 68%. There was no listing in following directories: Dmoz, Yahoo directory, and Zoominfo.

 

I know that we are a niche market seller of secondary market collectibles for Hallmark Christmas ornaments. From a marketing standpoint have tried and set prices bellow 2 major competitors. For the month of February offered free shipping and free gift with any purchase to drive some sales and traffic.

 

Wondering would a welcome page with site map be better than current page? This would load quicker than present.

 

The site has been crashed a couple of times while trying to add a contrib. so I taje things slow. Also have to listen to wife complain about site down. To be fair I did a change and violated cardinal rule back every thing up.

 

Thanks any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Greg

[♥GLWalker]

Im not go very far with this, but the first thing I noticed was : http://keepsakecaboose.com/osCommerce/catalog/

Your site is 2 directories down, your not to likely to get fully crawled like that. Why dont you first move the site into your root directory?

[jonquil]

Hi Greg,

 

First, you're using PNG files for images. Good luck with all the earlier browser versions out there that can't handle them. jpg pictures are the way to go :)

 

What's up with the 3 Crayola Bunny Easter Eggspresses?

• You have an errant < in your page title. Check your header or header tags.
  
• Since you are not using German or Spanish, those languages can go.
  
• Decide if you need the Euro.
  
• Center the shop to 800 px wide :)
  
• 1,496 products. YIKES!
  

Hallmark Ornaments By Year->

1977 Hallmark Ornaments

1979 Hallmark Ornaments

1980 Hallmark Ornaments

1981 Hallmark Ornaments

1982 Hallmark Ornaments

1983 Hallmark Ornaments

1984 Hallmark Ornaments

1985 Hallmark Ornaments

...

 

Don't you get dizzy seeing all that stuff in the left-hand column?

I would remove the name Hallmark from your categories and products names. That one thing alone makes this site very hard to get through.

It reads Hallmark Ornaments at the top. I think visitors get the point!

 

From this:

2007 Hallmark Ornaments

Hallmark Ornaments By Year->

Hallmark Ornaments By Series->

Hallmark Keepsake Event Pieces

Minature Hallmark Ornaments->

Hallmark Merry Minatures->

Other Products

To this:

2007 Ornaments

Ornaments By Year->

Ornaments By Series->

Keepsake Event Pieces

Minature Ornaments->

Merry Minatures->

Other Products

The site is slow-loading and simply not very inviting to stay. I agree, this should be at the root, not 2 levels down.

 

Sorry the news isn't very encouraging from my end.

 

jon

[Gap30]

Im not go very far with this, but the first thing I noticed was : http://keepsakecaboose.com/osCommerce/catalog/

Your site is 2 directories down, your not to likely to get fully crawled like that. Why dont you first move the site into your root directory?

 

Thanks for the suggestion. If I understand I can move catalog to desk top and open than using a ftp move all the files to mydomain.com is this correct?

 

thanks greg

[Gap30]

Hi Greg,

 

First, you're using PNG files for images. Good luck with all the earlier browser versions out there that can't handle them. jpg pictures are the way to go :)

 

What's up with the 3 Crayola Bunny Easter Eggspresses?

• You have an errant < in your page title. Check your header or header tags.
  
• Since you are not using German or Spanish, those languages can go.
  
• Decide if you need the Euro.
  
• Center the shop to 800 px wide :)
  
• 1,496 products. YIKES!
  

Hallmark Ornaments By Year->

1977 Hallmark Ornaments

1979 Hallmark Ornaments

1980 Hallmark Ornaments

1981 Hallmark Ornaments

1982 Hallmark Ornaments

1983 Hallmark Ornaments

1984 Hallmark Ornaments

1985 Hallmark Ornaments

...

 

Don't you get dizzy seeing all that stuff in the left-hand column?

I would remove the name Hallmark from your categories and products names. That one thing alone makes this site very hard to get through.

It reads Hallmark Ornaments at the top. I think visitors get the point!

 

From this:

2007 Hallmark Ornaments

Hallmark Ornaments By Year->

Hallmark Ornaments By Series->

Hallmark Keepsake Event Pieces

Minature Hallmark Ornaments->

Hallmark Merry Minatures->

Other Products

To this:

2007 Ornaments

Ornaments By Year->

Ornaments By Series->

Keepsake Event Pieces

Minature Ornaments->

Merry Minatures->

Other Products

The site is slow-loading and simply not very inviting to stay. I agree, this should be at the root, not 2 levels down.

 

Sorry the news isn't very encouraging from my end.

 

jon

 

Thanks for evaluation:

1. Waiting on question about moving to root.

2. Concur about the hallmark in category listing try to get higher density for yahoo-not even listed there so back toorginal

3. Actualy have 2000 my wife says that we need to sell more taking over spare room.

4. Don't need other lanquages or euro's all sales in usd

5. what is current width?

6.Important!~! I need to find errant < page title header or header tags- not showing

7.Missed png extension instead of jpg- look at lot of work yuk

8 eggpress missed thanks.

 

Thanks again for evaluation.

Greg

[♥GLWalker]

Thanks for the suggestion. If I understand I can move catalog to desk top and open than using a ftp move all the files to mydomain.com is this correct?

 

thanks greg

Yes that is, then you have to change the location in your two configure files. admin/includes/configure.php and catalog/includes/configure.php

Right near the top of those files you will see where it needs changing.

[♥geoffreywalton]

Fixed width, searched the contributions

 

http://addons.oscommerce.com/info/2710

 

Slow site?

 

Optimise,

 

To find information on speeding up the database retrieval, search the forums for

 

A Store Speed Optimisation In Progress

 

Some other links are: Optimize categories box, tep_get_category_tree optimization

 

And additionally for the front-end: Optimize tep_get_tax_rate() method

 

Contributions 2093 & 2575 may also be of interest.

[Gap30]

Hi Greg,

 

First, you're using PNG files for images. Good luck with all the earlier browser versions out there that can't handle them. jpg pictures are the way to go :)

 

What's up with the 3 Crayola Bunny Easter Eggspresses?

• You have an errant < in your page title. Check your header or header tags.
  
• Since you are not using German or Spanish, those languages can go.
  
• Decide if you need the Euro.
  
• Center the shop to 800 px wide :)
  
• 1,496 products. YIKES!
  

Hallmark Ornaments By Year->

1977 Hallmark Ornaments

1979 Hallmark Ornaments

1980 Hallmark Ornaments

1981 Hallmark Ornaments

1982 Hallmark Ornaments

1983 Hallmark Ornaments

1984 Hallmark Ornaments

1985 Hallmark Ornaments

...

 

Don't you get dizzy seeing all that stuff in the left-hand column?

I would remove the name Hallmark from your categories and products names. That one thing alone makes this site very hard to get through.

It reads Hallmark Ornaments at the top. I think visitors get the point!

 

From this:

2007 Hallmark Ornaments

Hallmark Ornaments By Year->

Hallmark Ornaments By Series->

Hallmark Keepsake Event Pieces

Minature Hallmark Ornaments->

Hallmark Merry Minatures->

Other Products

To this:

2007 Ornaments

Ornaments By Year->

Ornaments By Series->

Keepsake Event Pieces

Minature Ornaments->

Merry Minatures->

Other Products

The site is slow-loading and simply not very inviting to stay. I agree, this should be at the root, not 2 levels down.

 

Sorry the news isn't very encouraging from my end.

 

jon

[Gap30]

Jon on the laguages are you refering to just boxs? Since english will be the only language what can be deleted or changed to increase run speed?

 

Thanks again greg

[Gap30]

Yes that is, then you have to change the location in your two configure files. admin/includes/configure.php and catalog/includes/configure.php

Right near the top of those files you will see where it needs changing.

 

I'm a little slow today on catalog/includes/configure.php what would I change?

what would the changes be 1,2,3,4 ?

// Define the webserver and path parameters

// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)

// * DIR_WS_* = Webserver directories (virtual/URL)

define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://keepsakecaboose.com');

define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://st124.startlogic.com');

define('ENABLE_SSL', false); // secure webserver for checkout procedure?

define('HTTP_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'keepsakecaboose.com');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'keepsakecaboose.startlogic.com');

1 define('HTTP_COOKIE_PATH', '/osCommerce/catalog/');

2 define('HTTPS_COOKIE_PATH', '/osCommerce/catalog/');

3 define('DIR_WS_HTTP_CATALOG', '/osCommerce/catalog/');

4 define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/osCommerce/catalog/');

 

also admi/includes/configure.php

what is required here?

 

// Define the webserver and path parameters

// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)

// * DIR_WS_* = Webserver directories (virtual/URL)

define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://keepsakecaboose.com');

define('HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER', 'http://keepsakecaboose.com');

define('HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER', 'https://st124.startlogic.com');

define('ENABLE_SSL_CATALOG', false); // secure webserver for catalog module

define('DIR_FS_DOCUMENT_ROOT', '/home/users/web/b159/sl.keepsakecaboose/public_html/osCommerce/catalog/'); // where the pages are located on the server

define('DIR_WS_ADMIN', '/osCommerce/catalog/admin/'); // absolute path required

define('DIR_FS_ADMIN', '/home/users/web/b159/sl.keepsakecaboose/public_html/osCommerce/catalog/admin/'); // absolute pate required

define('DIR_WS_CATALOG', '/osCommerce/catalog/'); // absolute path required

define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/home/users/web/b159/sl.keepsakecaboose/public_html/osCommerce/catalog/'); // absolute path required

define('DIR_WS_IMAGES', 'images/');

 

Don't want to dump web site. Would like to get seamless

would the change be for dir_fs_document_root be?

 

('DIR_FS_DOCUMENT_ROOT', '/home/users/web/b159/sl.keepsakecaboose/public_html/'); // where the pages are located on the server

 

Thanks for the help

greg

[jonquil]

Greg,

 

I'm going to ask you firmly to stop and think before asking any more questions and entertaining which directions you're willing to be pulled!! You will only get REALLY frustrated! There are many things you need to do before you move your site.

 

At this juncture, forget about your ranking and the search engines.

1. Take care of your product names and category names.
   
2. Work with all your product images and get them right. IMHO, if you're smart, you'll name your images for the model #. It will be easier to find them within a directory list on the server.
   
3. Read through the osc documentation to remove unused languages and currency (Euro).
   
4. Be sure all old product images are deleted from the server.
   
5. When you're ready, load your site up to the root and change your configure.php files
   

You have much work ahead of you but if you map out a plan (and stick to it) with the end result of lean, mean and making $$, you'll fare much better.

 

jon

 

Edit: Changed product # to model #

[♥GLWalker]

I would go with Jon on this, make all your changes first, and then concentrate on moving the site. I will post what you need to change later. When your working on getting into the ranks, nothing is going to happen overnight, so take your time and get it right without it wearing on you.

[Gap30]

Greg,

 

I'm going to ask you firmly to stop and think before asking any more questions and entertaining which directions you're willing to be pulled!! You will only get REALLY frustrated! There are many things you need to do before you move your site.

 

At this juncture, forget about your ranking and the search engines.

1. Take care of your product names and category names.
   
2. Work with all your product images and get them right. IMHO, if you're smart, you'll name your images for the model #. It will be easier to find them within a directory list on the server.
   
3. Read through the osc documentation to remove unused languages and currency (Euro).
   
4. Be sure all old product images are deleted from the server.
   
5. When you're ready, load your site up to the root and change your configure.php files
   

You have much work ahead of you but if you map out a plan (and stick to it) with the end result of lean, mean and making $$, you'll fare much better.

 

jon

 

Edit: Changed product # to model #

 

Thanks jon getting ready to go to supper.

1. already made these changes

2. What is IMHO? On the names for jpg we use 2007santashelper versus qxc2127 it is easier to find but is longer name slowing things down?

3. will read through but not today

4. :blush: I got the bright idea to have have a catalog and catalog1 files and so any modification to catalog 1 files so didn't crash the main site>this has got to be really slowing it down. asyou comented there are a lot of images.

Thanks for the response will go get something to eat and think about plan

greg

[jonquil]

Greg, If you're running 2 versions of the store on your server, no wonder things are slow. Keeping a backup of the site on the server is not advised. Your backup should be local, as in on your hard drive.

 

So dump the second one toot sweet!

 

Your naming convention is fine for 'you' but what if you asked someone else to work the site in a pinch? How do they know 2007santashelper belongs to a very searchable qxc2127?? I'm encouraging you to think ahead. And yes, IMHO, your file names are ridiculously long :)

 

IMHO is In My Humble Opinion and I always offer my opinion most humbly :)

 

Enjoy supper.

 

jon

[Zews]

Loading times are killing me, switch to .jpg

[fabcards]

About moving to root i spoke to my hosting company and they created a directory index so now when i type in www.mydomain@ie users are brought straight to my catalog

Might be an easier solution to changing PHP files

[Obewanz]

First thing is the load time; took 20 seconds for the very first thing to appear - which was the whole stock osc site, with exception of your header and product images and a non standard footer.

 

Second thing was the load time; took 22 seconds to view the first selection from artist Nina Aube...

 

Third thing was load time; took 18 seconds to view the page after selecting "ornaments by series" from the categories menu.

 

Fourth thing; might I suggest making your infoboxes a bit wider - like maybe 175 instead of the standard 125... It will give you more room for your category names so that they don't wrap onto a new line so quickly.

 

The above items pretty much ended for me even though it is obvious that you have spent a great deal of time on the product catalog itself. The site response time just isn't getting it, and the presentation doesn't give me any reason to put up with the terrible response times. (I'm on a hi-speed broadband connection - so it's not on my end :( )

 

PS: You really should consider moving it down to at least www.keepsakecaboose.com/catalog/ for reasons other than search engines. The easy way would be to FTP your site down to your local machine, copy everything to a new directory without the oscommerce subdirectory and change the 9 config lines in both config.php files to reflect, then upload back to the root and after everything is working, delete the oscommerce directory and everything in it. (Isn't this covered somewhere in the documentation?)