It's time for a review.

Mark · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 01:34 PM

Hello everyone,

I guess it's time for a review.

I am still making minor changes and adding content but I need some constructive criticism from experienced website builders and designers.

Please keep in mind this is my first try at building a site.

Be honest. I can take it.

This is an e-Bay consignment site that I thought of as I was selling on ebay when I had quality items to sell. So I thought that if I can get people to bring me things to sell, well then maybe I can make a few bucks. ( I plan on advertising locally )

Please go through as though you have something you want to sell and let me know if you'd fill out the contact form or look elsewhere.

Also, I am going to have people sign a contract and was wondering if I should post that somewheres maybe in pdf format so people can at least have a look at it... - is this a good idea?

Thanks,

Mark

http://www.ebaysellerforyou.com

NewMama · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 02:09 PM

Great site, Mark! Great idea, too. I actually thought of doing the same thing except my bright idea was to pass out flyers. I like the website much better!

I think your site looks very professional and I love the pictures.

A couple things that came to my mind:

1. A typo on one of the first paragraphs that starts with:"Feel free to look around this site. And when your (should be you're) ready to ..."

2. On the home page in the first couple paragraphs, I'd bold some of the words to make them stand out more and draw in the visitors eye. For example, I will help you turn your things into money...

There's a lot of text right now so it's nice to bold the important stuff to help the reader summarzie the information quickly.

3. Also on the home page, I would summarize how you can help someone sell their items. For example, I will help you determine a good price, take pictures, communicate with buyers, etc.

4. The My Fees and My Policies pages have a long spiral notebook image that you have to scroll through before getting to the content.

I think it's a great site!

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 02:20 PM

Hi Mark,

First of all, good, clean and simple design.

I am not a fan of guestbooks. This concept is somewhat dated and when you don't have many comments it makes your site look vacant. So unless the comments people add to your book add value and build credibility (comments from people you've sold products for, etc.), I would think twice about leaving that up.

Add a picture to your About Me page. Credibility is a real big factor for your niche and adding pictures just helps build that trust factor a little more.

Also, did you know ebay has an affiliate program through CJ.com? I noticed you link to ebay at the top of your page. Might as well earn commissions if people happen to buy something. If you're not a member of CJ.com you can join for free and then you join the ebay program from there.

Hope that helps!

Mark · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 03:46 PM

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for the review.

I fixed the typo

Making some text bold to draw attention to specifics was a great idea.

And I did add a small section to summarize what I can do for people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewMama

4. The My Fees and My Policies pages have a long spiral notebook image that you have to scroll through before getting to the content.

Can you please explain this? It should look like the policies and fees are printed on a notepad.

I used two divs. The left one has the spiral image.

To Lisa,

About the guest book. I agree. It's dead at the moment as I have no traffic or customers but I was originally thinking that my customers could sign it after I have sold for them. But, even if I get a few customers a month they may not sign it. I will think about that.

A picture?!

Of me?!

That just might scare people away...

Good idea though...

CJ.com? I didn't know about this. I will look into it.

Thanks for taking the time to review my site, I appreciate it.

Mark

Mark · #5 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

Also, did you know ebay has an affiliate program through CJ.com? I noticed you link to ebay at the top of your page. Might as well earn commissions if people happen to buy something. If you're not a member of CJ.com you can join for free and then you join the ebay program from there.

Lisa,

I looked into this and had a hard time finding info but finally came up with this: http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008...-junction.html

I guess Commission Junction and e-Bay split.

E-Bay now has their own program called e-Bay partner network and it looks very promising.

Thanks for suggesting this. It's very interesting and exciting!

Mark

lisa · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 06:06 PM

Oh wow, I didn't know this. Looks like they dropped them 4 months ago. Thanks for the info, I'll have to read up on this.

Mark · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2008, 04:50 PM

Hi,

I just joined eBay Partner Network (thanks to Lisa's suggestion

) and added the scripts and now all the pages on the site load really slow.

Can someone please have a look and let me know if it's just my slow dsl or if it's normal for having several scripts on your site to make loading of the pages slow down?

Thanks,

Mark

lisa · #8 (**permalink**) 08-06-2008, 06:07 PM

Some scripts can slow a page down but I just went to your site and had no problems. I'm on a cable modem.

James · #9 (**permalink**) 08-06-2008, 07:09 PM

Mark,

You've done a great job. Congratulations.

Download speed isn't bad for me either but it does take a couple of seconds.

One thing you could do is to take the material below the gavel and put those three sections (not including the conclusion) and put them into separate pages. You could write a short one paragraph on each one with a link for further details.

That way you could add some graphics with each one also which would help readability. Not bad as is, but I think that might help.

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