JRWrestling.com

[jrwrestling]

I have altered the layout, tried new things and found the basic osC layout to sell the best. If you see anything I should look into, let me know. I'm pretty sure my session IDs, cookies, and everything are acting properly.

 

TIA,

 

http://www.jrwrestling.com/catalog

[mikes]

Well, it looks like a completely standard install with the exception of a logo and buttons so I'll stick to those.

 

The logo is too wide. It causes a scrollbar in 800x600

 

Also, since the right and left columns are so wide, the center area text is quite squished in 800x600.

 

The 'more info' buttons on the 'Our Current Best Buys' box are ugly red and white buttons while on the product listings page the 'more info' buttons are the nice blue pill shaped buttons. I'd change the former for consistency and aesthetics.

 

The text on the blue buttons does look jagged though, like it was resized. Maybe it is just the font but it really jumped out at me.

 

On your main page you have a line at the buttom that reads:

 

"You are on a secure SSL Server, Ordering is Safe!"

 

Although correct, it could easily be misinterpreted by novice users to mean that this page should be secure and not seeing a SSL icon (lock or key), they may think your SSL isn't really working. Not a problem. Just wanted to bring it to your attention as something to consider.

 

You say that you've decided that the standard osc layout works best. All I can say is it looks like every other osc site and isn't aesthetically pleasing. Plus, the info boxes make it too busy.

[jrwrestling]

Im sure it does look exactly the same as other osC sites, but how many run wrestling stores? none, it needs to be simple for wrestling fans, just the way it is.

[Guest]

I wouldnt say nobody using OSC runs a wrestling store. Hard to prove that. Simplicity dosn't always mean boring. And from what I can see it isnt neccesarily the top logo that is causing scroll bars in 800x600, it is the width of the infoboxes. Although the top logo should be brought down a bit, the width of the infoboxes is crunching your info. I mean its even giving me a scrollbar on 1024x768 on a category page, so see what you can do with that.

[♥kymation]

Your logo is so busy that I have to hunt for the name of the site. Part of the problem is the low contrast grey-on-grey color scheme in the logo. In fact, everything above the fold is dull and boring. Only the products at the bottom have any color. This is when looking at your site in 1024 x 768; it's worse at 800 x 600.

 

One of your products has a note that states that a certain color is available in only a few sizes, yet your site allows me to order it in an unavailable size. If you are counting on the customers actually reading the product page: don't. They don't read, they don't pay attention to instructions; and they blame you when you can't deliver. Trust me on this one.

 

Why do you need to know gender and date of birth to order? Will most of your customers have a company name? Or a fax machine? What's a suburb? The more complicated you make the order process, the number of customers who bother to complete the process will drop rapidly. Get rid of everything that is not absolutely essential in the order process. I proved this some time ago on a friend's site -- he had a 6-page process to order his products. When we cut it to 3 pages (and removed half of the ordering requirements in the process), his sales doubled overnight.

 

Since you are in the USA, it's Zip Code, not Post Code, and it goes below the state.

 

For some financial products and services we may also ask for your address Social Security number and information about your assets.

To buy a pair of shoes? Really? Wherever you copied this from, it doesn't seem appropriate to your business. Some punctuation would be nice as well. Customers do read these things; it's how we judge your business. It would be a good idea to have somebody proofread your site. Try to get someone who has not worked on the site with you.

 

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 28 October, 2003.

Why should I care?

 

Friday 21 November, 2003

Should be Friday, November 21, 2003. Change the second date format in english.php to

define('DATE_FORMAT_LONG', '%A, %B %d, %Y'); // this is used for strftime()

 

40118 requests since Wednesday 27 August, 2003

I equate counters with amateur/home and hobby sites; a real business doesn't need them and shouldn't have them.

 

The basic osCommerce site, which is what you have here, is way too busy. I've probably missed some things here, and I know what to look for. Try to get rid of some of your boxes, or at least cut the size down. Remember, customers don't read, or at least not very much. The more that you give them to look at, the less they will actually see.

 

Sorry that this has been so negative. You have a great start here, and the products look good. Nice big, clear product images. Now just make the rest of the store look as good.

 

Regards

Jim

[jrwrestling]

How many sales are you doing daily?