Is my website inviting? Is it easy to use?

[directsupport]

I run a website for selling hosting and domains, I know it needs improvements but I have no where to get feedback except for here.

If you have some spare time and would like to look at my website and give me your comments or sugestions i'm more than open to advice and criticism.

The website is http://www.dshost.com.au/

If you want to test the cart / checkout system, you can generate dummy orders using "Mail in Cheque" or "EFT" put demo or test in your firstname or surname field when testing it out if you get into it that deep so i know to disregard those orders.

Thanks and I hope the website doesn't make anyone go blind.
- Chris

[Warren Cottis]

Hi Chris

I sat and looked for a minute and I couldn't get a clear message from you... our eyes move left to right and then back but you have so much weight on the right side and your text is so small on the left side that I couldn't get refocused on your small text ... where are your benefits that need to be jumping out at me in the less than 10 seconds that most visitors will stay on your site?

This is a great Forum and I haven't seen any criticism... just great objective comments and I hope you see mine that way.

[Tracey Anne]

I'm not a designer, or website expert by any means but I think it's not a bad looking site. I'm not terribly keen on the red font on the Homepage, but that's just me - I probably would have chosen to just use bold to highlight your special offers.

Please take my next comment in the (helpful) spirit in which it's intended...I am a freelance editor and proofreader. I only read the home page and a small section of the Hosting page, and even at a quick glance found in excess of a dozen typos and spelling errors.
I would love to proofread your site for you and would do it for a very reasonable rate

If you're interested, just send me a message through this board.

Tracey Anne
Proof Positive Qld
www.proofpositiveqld.com.au

[craiglongmuir.com]

hey

the site is pretty good, but id say needs a little tweeking.

as someone said earlier you only get a few seconds to make or break. when i looked at the home page i was 1st drawn to the 1800 phone number, then to the plans and pricing, finally ( yes i lost interest after this) to the "after a reliable australian hosting provider"

probably to much emphasis on the 1800 no. ? good to know there is phone support but not as the 1st thing i see.

the hard black prices on the right could be toned down a little - they draw attention but dont gel with the feel of the page.

the red offer could be condensed into a more attractive and short box "1 month free trail" as a button to click for more info.

overall the rest of the site is slick and gives that credibility you look for in a host.

[directsupport]

Thanks so far guys, i'm taking this all onboard, I welcome more also so if you want to comment and havn't already done so then please do so.

Thanks,
Chris

[Benedict]

Hi Chris

It's all about building trust. Trust that you can serve me better than anyone else.

Trust is built or eroded in the little details. Overall the template looks clean and inviting and it looks like you have plenty to offer but it is how the details and sell are executed that you are tripping yourself up.

Think carefully of who your ideal customers are (will be) and then design - on paper first - a process or Sales Flow that will appeal directly to them. Alter, move or remove anything that will get in the way of that flow.

This is a whole area in itself so don't panic. You can learn a lot yourself if you like or of course there are ppl who provide these services (like me I admit). I have a lot of articles on creating Sales Flow on my site and you may also look at Webdesign From Scratch and his book as that is a great little intro to design for usability, which is of course Sales.

:-)

[FionaFell]

Some quick suggestions about your layout:

1. Move the 1300 phone number to just under your logo, I need to know you have one but its not that importnat while I am still researching as a new visitor
2. "Direct Support" sounds like you provide support to the hosting industry, maybe that is just my 'insider bias'
3. Don't make people click to see why they should buy form you, move your 1-5 reasons page content oonto the home page in place of your phone number. Tell 'em up front why you are great
4. I see where you are kind of going with your plan names, Alpha VS Bravo and Gold VS Silver VS Bronze. Maybe get one complete set of names (Or drop some plans if you can't name them all in one theme)
   1. Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta Echo
   2. Tin, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum etc
5. Find a niche. Focus on a single type of customer, draft up a full page description of your ideal customer and make your website sell to that person.

I would love to see your site again after you make any changes.

[directsupport]

Originally Posted by FionaFell

[*]Find a niche. Focus on a single type of customer, draft up a full page description of your ideal customer and make your website sell to that person.

I own so many hosting domains, would it be wiser to use one of those?

Those domain names seem more key word targeted.

[FionaFell]

Perhaps you could use one of your other URLs; and point it to your current site.

"dshost" doesn't tell me what you do....one of your others might.