Constructive Critisism Request :)

Naturally_Amy · #1 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 10:31 AM

Hi All,

I really would like some critiquing on my site. www.naturalhaircareguide.com

I get about 6,800 visitors a month but I have a 42% bounce rate. I was thinking maybe something is ascetically wrong or the lay out is funny or something. I guess I am looking for ideas for making the site more "sticky."

I would appreciate any and all constructive criticisms that you are willing to give.

Thanks in advance,

Amy

BumbleBeeWare · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 11:18 AM

I looked at the site and it looks fine, easy to navigate and low ad frequency.

I do have a question.

What is a bounce rate?

I have only been doing website for about 10 years now so I am not up on all the lingo. Could you elaborate on what that means so when I encounter it again I will know what people are talking about? Its new to me.

Naturally_Amy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 12:37 PM

Hi BumbleBeeWare,

I wouldn't know either if my husband hadn't put google analytic script on the page.

Bounce rate is the percentage of people who leave your page as soon as the get there. Like the web browser opens they see the site and then leave. 75% of my traffic is from search engines so I guess they aren't finding what they are looking for. . .

Amy

lisa · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 01:24 PM

Hi Amy

To be honest, I can't think of many negative things to say about your site. Your navigation is clean and the site seems pretty easy to follow. Maybe people are overwhelmed by the amount of information all upfront? I see you have a search link on your nav bar. Ever thought about putting the actual box on your page? That's what I was looking for at first but then I saw the link later.

One thing I did to improve my bounce rate is check the keywords I get found the most for and try to make sure the links to that information is closest to the top.

Fearn · #5 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

Maybe people are overwhelmed by the amount of information all upfront?

I'd agree with this. Your site is loaded with content to point where it becomes painful. On your left hand side bar, try making each one of those headers into its own page. So it says "Natural Hair Care" then when I click on it, it has links to the Overview, etc, etc. Or you could make each one a drop down screen, although I think this looks tacky.

I like the colours. The simple layout really let me read long bits of text. The pictures on the header were a nice touch. The blog is another nice touch. Your content is also very nice.

EDIT: Oops. You already have a forum.

Naturally_Amy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 02:09 PM

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for taking a look. Those are some really good ideas. I have Google analytics so I can see exactly what people are searching for and when they are bouncing.

I hadn't thought about the search but that makes sense. If I acknolge the fact that they might not have found what they are looking for they may be more willing to keep looking.

Thanks for the tips. If you think of anything else and have time to write let me know.

Amy

Naturally_Amy · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 02:18 PM

Hi Fern,

Just saw your post. It is funny that you and Lisa made the same point. I had made the left nave a lot simpler with links to the various topics but I thought people were leaving because they thought the site only had five links. But I can see how the long nave bar could make the site look over whelming.

When I was started the site in October last year I was using a lot of the SBI principals. I think I got off track. So I was trying to get back on track but I think I may have gone over board. . .

Thanks to both of you,

Amy

Jazzy · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 07:12 PM

Hi Amy!

I am an African American woman with a natural hairstyle, so I guess I'm your target market. I also considered doing my SBI site on this topic.

For me the nav bar was fine because it was sectioned. The only thing I see lacking on your site is that I would like to see actual pictures of the hairstyles. For instance, on your page about two strand twists, I'd like to see a picture of two strand twists. Step by step photos would be awesome for your visitors!

I think you have some great content, though.

Good luck!

Naturally_Amy · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 05:32 PM

Hi Jazzy,

Thanks for the suggestions! Pictures is one area that I know the site is lacking in. I am trying to think of ways to get more. I purchase the ones that are there. I made a deal with my husband that I wouldn't have my face all over the net. Otherwise I would use myself as an example.

But thanks for the input. I am happy to know that my "target audience" likes it

.

Jazzy · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 05:40 PM

Maybe you could get your visitors to share their photos, kind of like Content 2.0, I guess? Lisa would know more about it. I'm not to that stage yet.

Carletta

Naturally_Amy · #11 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 07:02 PM

That is a really good idea. I will have to look into it. I have a doc about content 2.0 just haven't sat down and read it . . .

Thanks I'll have to ask about it in the forum

Amy

alpha7 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 08:52 AM

Nice site. I'm a guy and I stuck around a little to see what was on there. I like the site, but I can see where it gets scary to browsing surfers. I have a hunch that your click throughs are coming from people looking for NATURAL hair products because of the site name. You may be able to become an affiliate to some natural product companies. Just a thought. I know nothing about affiliate programs.

My wife hasn't put any chemicals in our daughters hair.... yet, so I'm gonna send her to your site.

It's funny, two of the biggest discussions in our house is natural hair and home schooling. I had no idea Jazzy was home schooling. We will be using both sites for info.

Both sites are great BTW.

Naturally_Amy · #13 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:21 PM

Alpha7 thanks for taking a look and for the comments. I think you are right. I get a lot of hits from places where you wouldn't naturally think "women with ethnic hair" I am pretty sure a lot of people are looking for natural hair care products. I am going to have to look into how I can incorporate that into my site.

I realize that in some ways the site could be a little ambiguous. It is about "black/ethnic/African-American" chemical free hair care. But not really about "natural/organic/green/eco-friendly" hair care. But I get a good bit of traffic from the latter. So I guess the wise thing would be to cater to my visitors, even though they weren't really who I had in mind when I made the site.

I do think I can do that with out detracting from the main theme.

Thanks again for the insights!

Amy

P.S. I am glad that the site might be helpful to your family.

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