[Hamilton Taylor]

Hi all,

Blimey, this forum's huge! I only just got down this far, and probably posted elsewhere stuff which should be here...
Any road up, if anyone can spare the time to take a look at my site, from an aesthetic or seo p.o.v., and be as critical as you like, I need the input. I am one of few retailers of glass rods and equipment for beadmaking in the uk, and I should be able to rank fairly easily. OTOH, the existing sites have history, which I don't, and currently I'm getting few hits, and fewer orders.
How long do I need to wait in order to know my seo is/isn't working? Can I get Google to email me when it crawls my site?(just kidding...)

Also, if anyone has advice about high bang-for-buck advertising techniques, I'd love to hear them. I need, need to make sales, and I'm skint as a very skint thing...

Thanks for your help,

Sean
www.off-mandrel.com

[sally]

Hi Sean

As a keen arts and crafts person I love your site, the images are great bur taking ages to download for me (I have the slowest connection on earth), especially the images on the beads and lampwork page.

I know nothing about your industry but as a web browser these are my comments:

Home

Love the header, I can feel the heat and the colours are so inviting.

The intro message is great, love the comment about the kettle, it actually makes me want to come and visit you.

Not sure about the glass fish image, on the beads and lampwork page you have a beautiful image of a heart in wood shaving, that is much more 'crafty' in my opinion.

Glass

I am a bit daft when it comes to navigating sites so it would have been nice to be told to 'click to see your range' rather than wondering if that is what I should do ..... I know I am so lazy. Once I have clicked through I am then told to click the image to see more info - much better, it is a direct instruction and stops me from hesitating and having to think.

Tools

My eyesight isn't what it used to be and some images are clear but small, would be better if there was a larger image on the order page.

The book by Cindy gives no indication to me that it is a book until I click through to order. I think that needs more information on the page.

The safety glasses, are there industry standards? I just don't feel there is enough information about something so important and I feel I shall have to google to find out more about them before I buy and that could easily direct me to a competitor.

I am just clicking through to see more info about your burners and again am going to the "pay us money page" and my cart is quite full now - that is really putting me off. You seem to be assuming all of your customers are going to know all about these products and simply want to buy them ..... I think you need more information about the products and not just leap to the assumption I want to buy them.

Classes

What are glass beads? Do you mean the things that I make necklaces with? There are no images of what I will be taught to produce and as a beginner looking for a new hobby I have no idea what you are offering to teach me.

You say lunch and drinks are included, do I need to email you my dietry requirements?

The home page was talking directly to me, I wanted to come and see you for a cuppa but this page has lost that personal conversation feel, you don't sound as friendly anymore.

Other links

I assume as a new site you know 4 of the links aren't working - events, articles, tutorials and blog.

Contact us

Great information, builds trust and I love the inclusion of a map, I have no worries about contacting you or where to come to throw bricks through the window if my order doesn't arrive.


Where is your delivery page? How do I know how things will be delivered and the cost of delivery, people usually look for this separately. What if I have returns? what is everything is broken when it arrives? Where are my discounts for bulk purchases?

All in all what a fabulous site, well done but I really would address the issue of lack of product information.

I wish you well with your site.

[Dotwhack]

I love the glass fish image

How have you chosed these keywords?
glass beadmaking, bead making, lampwork, beadmaking tools, Nortel torches, lampwork beads, effetre, moretti, creation is messy, CiM, coe 104

[Hamilton Taylor]

@Sally,

Thanks for taking the time to look through the site, you make some very good points. This is the first site I've built from scratch, so the curve has been pretty steep, and I've obviously been so close I can't see the wood for the trees....

I stopped to breathe when the vital stuff was done, but you're right, I do kind of assume people know what they are looking for when they hit the site, and I shouldn't.

Thanks again for the help.

@Dotwhack,

Thanks. I take Sally's point about the image, but it's there as an example of recent work, rather than an exmaple of what I sell. Maybe it shouldn't be.
Keywords come from search terms people use for other sites, matched to my product range. I think the market generally knows what it is looking for, or is searching generically, eg. "beadmaking classes", "bead making classes", "glass beadmaking", etc. Of course, I'm a beginner at this, and I don't expect to have got it right yet. I think I need more content on the homepage, along with user-friendly changes as Sally suggests. Comments?

Thanks all,

Sean

[Dotwhack]

Sean - glad you've looked into keywords for your site - you wouldn't believe how many people simply 'guess' what words to use.
If you want any help on keywords, I offer keyword research reports for £45 - I've done a few for people on here including Sally, Fuzzy & Ray.
If you're interested in having one done, let me know. If not, I'm more than happy to offer help on anything online marketing related.

[sally]

I know exactly how you feel Sean, mine is my first site and constantly evolving as I get more feedback and the learning curve is immense but you have made a fabulous start and I hope you see my comments as constructive and not critical.

[Fuzzy]

Hi Sean, just Fuzzy's thoughts: (I haven't read other reviews, so apologies if it's duplicated)

• Love the home page, the friendly copy gives me confidence instantly.
• Glass,Tool & Eq, Beadwork & Lamps, pics are amazing, loaded quickly and some stunning, beautiful colours.
• For your classes page, would be good for some photos of the classes in action, and maybe some customer comments on those classes ?

Events, articles, tutorials, blog are not working for me.

Way to go!! Love Fuzzy

[Hamilton Taylor]

Thanks Fuzzy - pretty much lines up with everyone else. Stuff that didn't work won't work 'cos there's nothing on the other end yet. So, that's OK.

Cheers,

Sean