Does my site look like a dodgy ebook site?

[PressReleasePro]

HI, guys. I've spent 15 years working in the media and have started my own ebook helping small businesses and solopreneurs to get in front of the media and learn how it all works, basically so they're playing on as level a playing field as they can get without forking out zillions of dollars.

The reviews are great, but I'm a bit worried the site looks like one of those dodgy ebooks that are so poorly written and compiled... does it?

Do you believe what you read? If not, why not and if so, what is missing?
cheers,
Sam

[SJacob]

Hi Samantha,

The site looks good. And yes, Ebooks are profitable. But to add authenticity it's good if you add your name to it.

[The Internet Bloke]

No, I don't think that the site looks dodgy, but putting a contact address, ABN, etc, would enhance the credibility.

I also think it would help a lot if you identified yourself, or gave a good reason why you aren't doing so.
Cheers,
Eric G.

[Renee Barber]

Hi Sam

I think your site looks great; it's nice and clean.

I would recommend that you add a photo though and, as has been suggested, some specific details like your ABN, physical address (or PO box), phone number, etc.

I'd also include some tear sheets for your journalistic work and perhaps even an online CV.

I'm suggesting these things for one simple reason: The biggest thing you need to 'sell' before you can sell your e-books effectively is your credibility.

I hope this helps.

[Renee Barber]

Hi again Sam

Definitely, definitely include your name! I only glanced at it before, but the lack of a name (unless I'm missing it) would mean I wouldn't even consider purchasing the e-book.

Oh and watch the dark corners on the bottom 'curve' of the template. I think something is a bit off there. You can email me on renee@risingstardesigns.com.au if you don't know what I mean and I'll send a screen print.

Ciao!

[Jill]

Hi Sam,
Its a good effort but my 2c..
One of the basic rules of advertising:
Dont push you you you but what you can DO for THEM. Readers immediately want to know what's available from this site that they want. What can it/you do for them?
To be hit smack in the face with a huge BUY NOW button, puts me right off. AFTER Ive read about the product or service, THEN I will decide if I want to buy, dont push it in their faces.
Design-wise, too many typefaces, styles, weights and colours, try and make the text styles a little more complimentary in each section.
Id go for the more professional look over the hard sell, personally.
Maybe some samples of your work? Even if its some scattered newspaper clips with your name as the author? Testimonials are great, keep them.

So basically, put the BUY NOW button down low on the page, smaller would work also, and I'd replace your header image with newspaper cuttings possibly with website name, not the e-book name.

Give the book its own "space", as more than likely there will be more e-books

All the best, nice work.

[BookkeepiingPro]

Personally - I think it does look like a dodgy ebook site. No offense.

But the lack of contact details, no privacy policy and well the fact you are just selling an ebook and not other value added services makes me ask the question - is this credible or are you just happy to have my $25.

Without a credible privacy policy it screams SPAM.

I wouldn't touch it in its current form.

Having said that I like the design.

[Moiraa]

Hi there,
Site looks really good and I agree with others it does need some photos of maybe yourself or someone you would like to be your face and then if you could possibly get a couple of photos of the people who sent in testimonials I believe that helps and another brilliant trick is to get a video clip on their. If you do not want to make the video of yourself then show the contents of the book (at a distance so no one can copy it of course) and then talk about it. Also think obout adding it to clickbank to get affiliates to promote for you. My email address is moiraanthony@hotmail.com if you want to chat some more drop me a line and then I am promoting a site on which you could actually advertise your site and gain credibility with google for front page ranking very fast. The site I promote is actually a business directory onwhich companies or people can advertise for a small fee a year and proceeds go to sponsoring children in desparate need.

Look forward to hearing from you.
Moira

[Gerty Photography]

Hi Sam

I really like your idea - it provides an affordable way to get some much needed advice on an area that many soloists and small business owners like myself have no real idea about.

I would have to agree with most of the comments here. Having a whole website dedicated to one e-book does raise a little flag of suspicion for me. The internet is so full of "too good to be true" offers that I think many people are reluctant to purchase products that seem too cheap for the massive benefit they will supposedly receive. So I would suggest turning this site into your business' website, and making the e-book one of your product offerings. As Jill said, maybe there will be more to come and you can add them to your product list!

Something that appeals to me when buying online, or considering purchasing something of unknown quality, is a free sample/excerpt that allows me to see what I am buying before I commit my dollars. This might seem like a scary thing to do, as you're "giving away" some of your wisdom for free. However, it can really help to convince people that the advice in your book is worth paying for.

I would also suggest that you provide a more detailed outline of what is contained in the book. You mention two main areas - writing press releases and calling the media. Is that all your book contains? Can you share the top level of your table of contents to indicate the scope of the book? A quick Google search for "how to write a press release" returned 44,500,000 results - what is it about your book that makes it worth spending money on?

Finally, the lack of personal information really does convey an air of illegitimacy that I think will deter potential buyers. Even the contact email address is quite generic. The "About the Author" section doesn't actually tell me who the author is!

Overall I think your concept is great, and a few simple changes to the content to enhance your credibility will go a long way.

Cheers
Jess

jess@gertyphotography.com.au
www.gertyphotography.com.au

[Ahava_Dead_Sea]

yep... definately a good idea.

My feedback from looking at your website:

- you can't really tell what you're getting for $25... eg: how many pages? It could be 10 pages long for all we know.

- You should have some extra tabs or links... "about the author" (not one paragraph), "index from the book", "testimonials" (not 3 snippets)

- $25 is reasonable price for a hard cover book... but it sounds a bit exxy when it's something you just download and have to print yourself. Templates are handy... but what else can you offer the buyer?

- I agree with the previous comment... don't have "buy now" at the very top... sell your item - then ensure it's easy to find. Nothing worse then scrolling down and down and down... past testimonials and videos etc... and at the very very bottom is the "buy now" button. AArrrgghhh.

- why don't you put your name to it? That looks dodgy.... If you are a professional journalist with 15 years experience... why don't you admit to who you are? Sounds like you're hiding something.... and that reeks "dodgy".

- the look of the site is okay... very very basic. Not much information. Everything on one page. I think you could use your journalistic skills and sell your self/your book a lot better.

- as said before... in it's current promotion - I wouldn't be giving away $25 with no real idea what I'm getting - or who's written it.