look at my site? need constructive criticism

kerosene · 05-11-2005, 03:31 PM

A few people mentioned a while back that they would like to see my site for art when I get it up. Well, this isn't the same kind of art as before, but it is jewelry. It is still in the works, but I thought I could get a few folks to take a look and tell me what they think is working and what could be fixed. Also, if anyone else has any knowledge of jewelry making or this business, I could use any tips. I am particularly interested in learning about metalsmithing, so I can veer more toward fine jewelry.

**this is not an advertisement or spam...please have mercy, UT

**

The website has not been promoted in any way, so please don't view this as an ad. I just need some feedback on the aesthetics and functionality of the website.

www.sugarbeaddesigns.com

Thanks!

jaguar · 05-11-2005, 03:56 PM

break up the interface a bit with borders, the side bar, left bar, next/prev section and item info all kind of blur together, doesn't help navigation.
Reviews should be on the product page. Are individual item pages even needed? There's only one photo on each, section listing is really enough, there's only a sentence about each.
If there are no rings it shouldn't tell me there are a variety in stock.
Native Breeze needs a category icon.
Maybe make the icons icons that are representative of the section rather than item photos, the difference isn't clear.
Reduce the header size, it's wasting far too much screen space.
Get rid of the ugly-as-sin line between the product listings on the sidebar and the new products link.
Search button needs to be a touch wider.
That bottom ad clashes something horrible.

Don't take it the wrong way, it's not bad but you could do better so I'm being honest. If you need help with any of this drop me a pm =)

kerosene · 05-11-2005, 04:06 PM

jaguar, you can't offend me

I asked for the beating and you obliged.

Anyway, I used Zen Cart to put this together and ended up taking away *all* of the borders and shit (couldn't find that ugly-as-sin one you were talking about) I just couldn't stand to look at them. The banner at the bottom is going away.

It doesn't have anywhere near enough product out there, yet, so that would be why some categories are empty. I suppose I should post here again, once I am actually finished.

Do you feel that the pictures on the home page are too large?

jaguar · 05-11-2005, 04:14 PM

Pulling apart the template systems of those packages is always a bitch.
The title image is a bit large, ya. Because it's there the whole time on my laptop moniter I'm losing nearly 1/3. If you're up with PHP I advice removing that top frame so the sidebar div goes top to bottom, cutting up that image and setting it to the text bit only shows on the front page. You could also then change over the sidebar one into one with the text but much smaller on non-front pages.
Product images are fine but you could invest in a cheap product-photography setup (the an infinate-white background/lighting box)(can almost certainly use your existing camera) and make them look a touch more professional.
If you put the core content of the sidebar in a seperate div, put a bacground with a slight border, could have nice rounded corners and made the background a touch lighter it would just help work out what navigational elements apply to what. Same thing with the category/next/prev bar thing.
Have you considered which CC processer you're going to use? are you sure an eBay shop wouldn't be easier?

kerosene · 05-11-2005, 04:37 PM

Ebay shop was a good idea once, until I looked and saw that jewelry can't be sold very easily and it is a lot easier to give people my web addy than an Ebay store one. Ebay is for people looking for bargains, period. I hope not to be selling bargains. I don't want to rip people off, either, but I think a lot of artists sell themselves short on Ebay. Also, I have already done the Ebay thing and despite some of the nice streamline things, like paypal, it is a bitch to set up those listings all the time and constantly monitor them, etc. The zencart stuff is pretty nice, because it is all done for you. Besides, I have to pay monthly for the store and to get any kind of good exposure on Ebay, I have to pay extra for each listing (like featured items which cost around 20.00 per listing). At that rate, I may as well open up a shop in town and give the shit away. For some things Ebay is great (stuff you have sitting around you want to get rid of) for others, it is not a good venue. Jewelry is one of those.

I can take credit cards through paypal. Zencart has a module that links the user directly to the paypal transaction, I just don't think I have it set up quite right, yet. If the paypal thing becomes a hassle, I might get a merchant account. I will want to have one anyway, when I do art shows and festivals locally.

I like your ideas, like the one about changing the title banner on the other pages. I suppose I could make it smaller on all the pages. I also use a laptop, but I am lucky to have a large screen, so thanks for reminding me that I can't design it for 1600 X 1200 dpi.

I changed a lot of things by going in and replacing colors in the css. I also replaced all the images and took away all the horrible lines everywhere. The rounded corners sound cool. I am going for a sort of organic look, here.

I keep trying to come up with a good look for the photos...some are scanned in with photoshopped backgrounds, some are shot with my digital camera outside (the lighting will only work well outside or I have to sit there and edit the colors in each one until it looks somewhat "natural). I thought the outside pictures were pretty good, but if the traditional white would look better, I might try that. Is there a way I can make one of those box thingies? I like the idea and it sounds like a cool concept, but don't have any money to invest, right now...(hence the reason I am using zancart).

warch · 05-11-2005, 04:57 PM

Ok. I dont know nuthin about no tech stuff, but...Here's what I notice as a shopper.

Make your prices less complex. No $34.99 or $35.00 pick a pricing strategy and go for it. Consider devising ranges- for example earrings at standardized price points- $18, 24, 28, 32, 36, 42, etc. even if you can cost it out retail at $22.38, pop it into $24. If you ever get into wholesale this standardization will help buyers. You may also get a better feel for what price lines work best. You also might allow your customers to sort by price point as well as category of ornament.

You also have "lines" or "collections" Which is great, but it gets a bit lost. when I click on earrings, I see the 3 lines but think they are individual earring styles, then the larger new features below. Either show all the options, or more clearly feature, name, indicate that this is a "collection" with the unifying theme right away. It should also link directly with any related bracelets, necklaces also in that collection. Does that make sense?

I also had to dig to the large image to find materials, could that be more available? Is there a way to sort by stone? Just curious.

What a cool thing! Congrats to you! Smart to link to your paintings, too.

wolf · 05-12-2005, 01:29 AM

Nice stuff. I can't wait to see bigger pictures of your wire wrapping. I do some bead-stringing as well, but tend to go for more complex pieces rather than what you do.

Good luck with it.

I need to get myself in gear and seek some commercial venues for my work as well.

Gwennie! · 05-12-2005, 02:36 AM

The web site has a good overall look. But, I had the same reaction as jaguar. The page content runs together and needs some borders. If you can edit the CSS you might be able to adjust borders that way.

I don't think the Nav Bar should have any product pictures. That adds to the confusion.

The home page seems a bit heavy. Even over DSL there was noticible page load delay. Smaller pix on the home page is probably a good idea.

Break a leg, gal.

limey · 05-12-2005, 03:44 AM

Light type reversed out of a dark background is nearly illegible - if you really want to do it , make sure it is a large, clear typeface (even for people without poor eyesight).
Take out the product categories where you have no product for now, but put on the front page "Coming soon .... bracelets, rings and more!" or whatever.
Otherwise I like it.
Oh, and I agree with simplify the pricing structure and allow a sort by price feature ....

kerosene · 05-12-2005, 10:24 AM

Thanks folks for all the feedback! I will definitely be working on this to get the look right. I appreciate you all taking the time to look at it.

05-11-2005, 03:31 PM	#1
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	look at my site? need constructive criticism A few people mentioned a while back that they would like to see my site for art when I get it up. Well, this isn't the same kind of art as before, but it is jewelry. It is still in the works, but I thought I could get a few folks to take a look and tell me what they think is working and what could be fixed. Also, if anyone else has any knowledge of jewelry making or this business, I could use any tips. I am particularly interested in learning about metalsmithing, so I can veer more toward fine jewelry. this is not an advertisement or spam...please have mercy, UT The website has not been promoted in any way, so please don't view this as an ad. I just need some feedback on the aesthetics and functionality of the website. www.sugarbeaddesigns.com Thanks!

05-11-2005, 03:56 PM	#2
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	break up the interface a bit with borders, the side bar, left bar, next/prev section and item info all kind of blur together, doesn't help navigation. Reviews should be on the product page. Are individual item pages even needed? There's only one photo on each, section listing is really enough, there's only a sentence about each. If there are no rings it shouldn't tell me there are a variety in stock. Native Breeze needs a category icon. Maybe make the icons icons that are representative of the section rather than item photos, the difference isn't clear. Reduce the header size, it's wasting far too much screen space. Get rid of the ugly-as-sin line between the product listings on the sidebar and the new products link. Search button needs to be a touch wider. That bottom ad clashes something horrible. Don't take it the wrong way, it's not bad but you could do better so I'm being honest. If you need help with any of this drop me a pm =) __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

05-11-2005, 04:14 PM	#4
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	Pulling apart the template systems of those packages is always a bitch. The title image is a bit large, ya. Because it's there the whole time on my laptop moniter I'm losing nearly 1/3. If you're up with PHP I advice removing that top frame so the sidebar div goes top to bottom, cutting up that image and setting it to the text bit only shows on the front page. You could also then change over the sidebar one into one with the text but much smaller on non-front pages. Product images are fine but you could invest in a cheap product-photography setup (the an infinate-white background/lighting box)(can almost certainly use your existing camera) and make them look a touch more professional. If you put the core content of the sidebar in a seperate div, put a bacground with a slight border, could have nice rounded corners and made the background a touch lighter it would just help work out what navigational elements apply to what. Same thing with the category/next/prev bar thing. Have you considered which CC processer you're going to use? are you sure an eBay shop wouldn't be easier? __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

05-12-2005, 01:29 AM	#7
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Nice stuff. I can't wait to see bigger pictures of your wire wrapping. I do some bead-stringing as well, but tend to go for more complex pieces rather than what you do. Good luck with it. I need to get myself in gear and seek some commercial venues for my work as well. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

05-12-2005, 02:36 AM	#8
Gwennie! Not Female at Birth Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Anaheim Posts: 166	The web site has a good overall look. But, I had the same reaction as jaguar. The page content runs together and needs some borders. If you can edit the CSS you might be able to adjust borders that way. I don't think the Nav Bar should have any product pictures. That adds to the confusion. The home page seems a bit heavy. Even over DSL there was noticible page load delay. Smaller pix on the home page is probably a good idea. Break a leg, gal. __________________ Only The Crumbliest Flakiest Gwennie!

05-11-2005, 04:06 PM	#3
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	jaguar, you can't offend me I asked for the beating and you obliged. Anyway, I used Zen Cart to put this together and ended up taking away all of the borders and shit (couldn't find that ugly-as-sin one you were talking about) I just couldn't stand to look at them. The banner at the bottom is going away. It doesn't have anywhere near enough product out there, yet, so that would be why some categories are empty. I suppose I should post here again, once I am actually finished. Do you feel that the pictures on the home page are too large?

05-11-2005, 04:37 PM	#5
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	Ebay shop was a good idea once, until I looked and saw that jewelry can't be sold very easily and it is a lot easier to give people my web addy than an Ebay store one. Ebay is for people looking for bargains, period. I hope not to be selling bargains. I don't want to rip people off, either, but I think a lot of artists sell themselves short on Ebay. Also, I have already done the Ebay thing and despite some of the nice streamline things, like paypal, it is a bitch to set up those listings all the time and constantly monitor them, etc. The zencart stuff is pretty nice, because it is all done for you. Besides, I have to pay monthly for the store and to get any kind of good exposure on Ebay, I have to pay extra for each listing (like featured items which cost around 20.00 per listing). At that rate, I may as well open up a shop in town and give the shit away. For some things Ebay is great (stuff you have sitting around you want to get rid of) for others, it is not a good venue. Jewelry is one of those. I can take credit cards through paypal. Zencart has a module that links the user directly to the paypal transaction, I just don't think I have it set up quite right, yet. If the paypal thing becomes a hassle, I might get a merchant account. I will want to have one anyway, when I do art shows and festivals locally. I like your ideas, like the one about changing the title banner on the other pages. I suppose I could make it smaller on all the pages. I also use a laptop, but I am lucky to have a large screen, so thanks for reminding me that I can't design it for 1600 X 1200 dpi. I changed a lot of things by going in and replacing colors in the css. I also replaced all the images and took away all the horrible lines everywhere. The rounded corners sound cool. I am going for a sort of organic look, here. I keep trying to come up with a good look for the photos...some are scanned in with photoshopped backgrounds, some are shot with my digital camera outside (the lighting will only work well outside or I have to sit there and edit the colors in each one until it looks somewhat "natural). I thought the outside pictures were pretty good, but if the traditional white would look better, I might try that. Is there a way I can make one of those box thingies? I like the idea and it sounds like a cool concept, but don't have any money to invest, right now...(hence the reason I am using zancart).

05-11-2005, 04:57 PM	#6
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	Ok. I dont know nuthin about no tech stuff, but...Here's what I notice as a shopper. Make your prices less complex. No $34.99 or $35.00 pick a pricing strategy and go for it. Consider devising ranges- for example earrings at standardized price points- $18, 24, 28, 32, 36, 42, etc. even if you can cost it out retail at $22.38, pop it into $24. If you ever get into wholesale this standardization will help buyers. You may also get a better feel for what price lines work best. You also might allow your customers to sort by price point as well as category of ornament. You also have "lines" or "collections" Which is great, but it gets a bit lost. when I click on earrings, I see the 3 lines but think they are individual earring styles, then the larger new features below. Either show all the options, or more clearly feature, name, indicate that this is a "collection" with the unifying theme right away. It should also link directly with any related bracelets, necklaces also in that collection. Does that make sense? I also had to dig to the large image to find materials, could that be more available? Is there a way to sort by stone? Just curious. What a cool thing! Congrats to you! Smart to link to your paintings, too.

05-12-2005, 03:44 AM	#9
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	Light type reversed out of a dark background is nearly illegible - if you really want to do it , make sure it is a large, clear typeface (even for people without poor eyesight). Take out the product categories where you have no product for now, but put on the front page "Coming soon .... bracelets, rings and more!" or whatever. Otherwise I like it. Oh, and I agree with simplify the pricing structure and allow a sort by price feature .... __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of Last edited by limey; 05-12-2005 at 03:45 AM. Reason: To add further thoughts ....

05-12-2005, 10:24 AM	#10
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	Thanks folks for all the feedback! I will definitely be working on this to get the look right. I appreciate you all taking the time to look at it.

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