Top 3 Features on my site?

ed7up · #1 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009, 02:43 PM

Hello,

Tracking user movements with Google Analytics can only give me so much infomation, but I'd be really interested in what people find are the top 3 features on my site in their view?

I only launched it in late-June and traffic has been building pretty steadily. I'd love some general feedback too (don't worry - the templates will swap as soon as the SBI iDesign Contest results are available!) to help me get an idea where I need to develop and perhaps re-model.

With a list of peoples favourites, I can change the architecture of the site slightly perhaps to get more people to the top stuff quicker. If you're interested, could you possibly start at the Homepage here: http://www.how-to-build-a-website.co.uk/

Many thanks in advance

sequencehosting · #2 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed7up

Hello,

Tracking user movements with Google Analytics can only give me so much infomation, but I'd be really interested in what people find are the top 3 features on my site in their view?

I only launched it in late-June and traffic has been building pretty steadily. I'd love some general feedback too (don't worry - the templates will swap as soon as the SBI iDesign Contest results are available!) to help me get an idea where I need to develop and perhaps re-model.

With a list of peoples favourites, I can change the architecture of the site slightly perhaps to get more people to the top stuff quicker. If you're interested, could you possibly start at the Homepage here: http://www.how-to-build-a-website.co.uk/

Many thanks in advance

From A publishers point of view I like how you have blended your adsense with the content.

From a visitors point of view

1) I would have to say your huge choice on the left navigation. There is no shortage of topics which is great.

2) Your blog. It's always great to have a blog and its nice to see your making good use of it.

3) Your newsletter.

My big suggesion would be to add the newsletter subscribe button to your homepage since your increasing your chances of getting a subscriber greatly. Infact as we speak im just about to add my newsletter form to my homepage

Keep it up!

ed7up · #3 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 11:44 AM

I think the NavBar is a bit of a mess myself! I can't wait till the new SBI templates are rolled out! I'll also be able to add newsletter sign-up in the third column as well as promotional stuff.

The Blog itself is simply regurgitating the latest articles from the site - but it helps draw traffic via RSS directories etc. which is great for links and traffic!

Keep the comments coming!

sgtmac66 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed7up

Hello,

Tracking user movements with Google Analytics can only give me so much infomation, but I'd be really interested in what people find are the top 3 features on my site in their view?

I only launched it in late-June and traffic has been building pretty steadily. I'd love some general feedback too (don't worry - the templates will swap as soon as the SBI iDesign Contest results are available!) to help me get an idea where I need to develop and perhaps re-model.

With a list of peoples favourites, I can change the architecture of the site slightly perhaps to get more people to the top stuff quicker. If you're interested, could you possibly start at the Homepage here: http://www.how-to-build-a-website.co.uk/

Many thanks in advance

Number 1, you need to center the whole page, or add a right column....
2. Not sure you need to repeat the title in your sub-title...How about something like How to get the click!, How to get customers?
3. I'm not a big fan of putting adsense or other types of ads, right at the top of a page. This puts me off right away, thinking the owner is more interested in making money off the links than their content. (Take a hint form Lisa on her site...and also color your adsense links same color as your navigation...
4. I would move your Google Search button to a more visible space. perhaps the upper right as Lisa has suggested on numerous occasions.
5. Try putting your basic links in a horizontal menu below your header...About Me, Contact, Home etc.
6. Put your privacy policy and disclaimer links under your Copyright notice.
7. There are some more things you can do, but will let others weigh in.
8. Like the concept but needs some tweaking.

redstone · #5 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 08:34 PM

I like your content your a really good writer.
Just keep on building.
Good luck

ed7up · #6 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtmac66

Number 1, you need to center the whole page, or add a right column....
2. Not sure you need to repeat the title in your sub-title...How about something like How to get the click!, How to get customers?
3. I'm not a big fan of putting adsense or other types of ads, right at the top of a page. This puts me off right away, thinking the owner is more interested in making money off the links than their content. (Take a hint form Lisa on her site...and also color your adsense links same color as your navigation...
4. I would move your Google Search button to a more visible space. perhaps the upper right as Lisa has suggested on numerous occasions.
5. Try putting your basic links in a horizontal menu below your header...About Me, Contact, Home etc.
6. Put your privacy policy and disclaimer links under your Copyright notice.
7. There are some more things you can do, but will let others weigh in.
8. Like the concept but needs some tweaking.

Thanks for the comments

The formatting problems will be cut out completely with the new SBI templates - just a matter of time.

With regards to the Adsense units, where they are now attracts high click through rates which apart from yielding fantastic income means that a proportion of visitors are finding something they want almost immediately. I may try testing them on and off - but again wait for the new templates to come in and then have something more permenant to tweak.

ithinkican · #7 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 01:21 PM

I'm not at all trying to be rude, but all the white hurts my eyes. Readers might find it hard to focus. Good luck!

weblover50 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 01:38 PM

clean site with good content..

BreLove · #9 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 05:47 PM

Good points by SgtMac but, overall, I really like the site as well.

ed7up · #10 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithinkican

I'm not at all trying to be rude, but all the white hurts my eyes. Readers might find it hard to focus. Good luck!

That's really interesting - a coloured template will definitely be on the cards then **BUT** for ease of merging images with content, white does seem better.

I had a look at some of the pages whilst squinting my eyes and I can see your point; perhaps more graphics would help but that may hamper load time? I don't know.. but some experimentation maybe?

sequencehosting · #11 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed7up

That's really interesting - a coloured template will definitely be on the cards then **BUT** for ease of merging images with content, white does seem better.

I had a look at some of the pages whilst squinting my eyes and I can see your point; perhaps more graphics would help but that may hamper load time? I don't know.. but some experimentation maybe?

The number one best thing you could do is center your website. This will fill the page a bit and make your site look nicer on every screen resolution.

After that you could experiement with other colours etc.

WB Sponsors