Putting prices on website

[MAli]

I'm a bit lost on this- My prices have been up for a while on my site. I'm second guessing this for some reason.

What have you all done? What seems to work better? The exact price or an estimate or nothing at all?

Thanks in advance,

M.

[DavidM]

Hi Mihad.

Previously did you leave your prices unpublished? If you are noticing a reduced number of leads and the ONLY thing that you've changed is promoting your prices, then pricing COULD be a factor (assuming competition was unchanged).

Are your prices reasonable vs the market? Do you have a compelling offering that differentiates you from other competitors? Are you attracting customers you want to attract? These are all factors which could be influencing your results.

To make an online assessment, you'd need to analyse your Google analytics to check visitors and bounce rates. You could even test: 1 month no prices, the next month with prices - and see if it has any impact.

Personally I'm a fan of showing prices, along with a compelling reason to buy that separates me from competitors.

Good luck,
David

[MAli]

Hi David,

No, I've always had them available for people to see. I'm redesigning the site so maybe that played a factor.

In any case that is a good idea to do one month on and one without. Might do with for August and then without for September. How great is Analytics? Wow, fantastic.

I think I have reasons that make my business stand out vs. others. I'm willing to go to the extra mile.

I added some statements on my About MAC ( the business) page regarding why people should use me vs someone else. I'll see how this goes and if it goes well I'll leave it there if not, I'll place it somewhere else and go from there.

I've also showed how the price is divided on the site, do you think that is a good idea or should I leave that perhaps to the invoice stage?

Thanks in advance.

[DavidM]

Hi Mihad,

I think you'd get some more indepth feedback about your site if you posted it in the 'review' section. But just quickly, You have 12 pages listed on your navigation. This is way too many. If I was looking for a reason to choose you and your prices, I wouldn't know where to look. Don't make it difficult for the user.

Your pricing seems to be a little complicated. You're offering 3 hours for each session, why not make that a standard price and then give the user the option of mixing and matching frames or packaging if they like.

Originally Posted by MAli

I think I have reasons that make my business stand out vs. others. I'm willing to go to the extra mile.

Saying that isn't a point of difference. Arguably all businesses are willing to go the extra mile. You need to demonstrate examples of superior service.

Be careful with the wording saying '3 hours of my time', comes across as a little haughty, like you're doing them a favour. Emphasise the free part. Pepper it with testimonials and add some sort of satisfaction guarantee. Don't be nervous about this. In all your times in dealing with clients have you got the job done in 3 hours? If yes, then you shouldn't have a worry about offering the guarantee.

Add a 'why choose me'-like paragraph above the pricing as people may not read the points listed in your FAQ.

You also need a bit of SEO. And the shopping cart on the side is a bit confusing. All in all, you've got the content and I don't doubt you're a good writer, you'd just benefit from showcasing your services more effectively.

Regards,

David

[MAli]

Hey David,

Thanks so much for reviewing it, I didn't expect it as i was just asking a question. Much appreciated.

I was about to make numerous changes especially to the copy and tabs. I was going to get rid of the guestbook, the blog, and have the poetry, press and reviews page all under the About Me tab.

So the tabs will be- Home, About MAC, Contact, FAQ, Forum, Services, Store, Testimonials and About ME.

I was going to have another tab called About MAC and have more information there. I've added ( not up yet) a similar "Why me" paragraph under the About MAC section-I don't want to make the service page feel busy.

What do you mean by "making it a standard price" and then mix and match? Wouldn't that confuse the customer more? All the poems I have written have been under 3 hours. I'm still waiting on some testimonials from previous clients and I will add a testimonial tab as well.

I didn't want to add the shopping cart to the home page as people have to view the packages first and thus if they decide to buy it will all be on one page. Where do you think I should put it?

I have no idea what SEO is...one step at a time...lol.

"All in all, you've got the content and I don't doubt you're a good writer, you'd just benefit from showcasing your services more effectively."

Thank you very much David.

Mihad (Me-had)

[Melinda B]

Originally Posted by MAli

What do you mean by "making it a standard price" and then mix and match? Wouldn't that confuse the customer more?

No, it's more likely to be clearer to them. Don't make your customer think - they should be able to look at your pricing page and go "Ok, so he charges $199 for a poem, and look! I get a one hour consult free! Oh, wait, I can get a frame and mug? How much is that? Hmmmm, no, I'll just get the basic poem this time"

You have a standard price - $199 = one poem of between 200 and 400 words, including a one hour consultation so we get it right. Poem delivered to their door, printed on quality parchment, rolled and tied with a gold ribbon ready for presentation to the recipient (for example).

Want even more? Check out our luxury packages!

I'd also have your packages running from cheapest to most expensive as that's the way people compare.

I found your buy now buttons confusing, there are only two buttons and a couple of different packages, this could be very much simplified. I also don't like the look of Paypal buttons on there - you're offering a personalised premium service and the paypal buttons look cheap.

If I were you (I'm not, I can't write poetry to save myself) I'd use Mals free ecommerce software which works with Paypal. http://www.mals-e.com/ It offers nice small buttons that you can put under each offer, or you can use your own buttons.

I wouldn't have 'three hours of my time' on your services page either. Customers don't care how long it takes you. I would have a section on the About page on 'Our Poetry' with talks about how long the poems are, how long each one takes, how you got started, what you do to create a personalised poem that fits the recipient perfectly. The About page is a soft sales page, it gives the reader an emotional connection to you.

As to your original question about including your prices or not, I would say definitely Yes. Again, it comes back to don't confuse the customer. I learnt this with my coaching. If there's no prices the customer will assume that you're really expensive and they can't afford you. They often won't contact you to ask, because they're risking rejection and embarrassment, having to tell you "No, I can't afford that".

Also, with the prices on the website, if they're in a mood to buy then they can buy right then. Before they think about it and decide they'd be better off spending the money on an engraved pewter mug for person. You'll catch the impulse shoppers when you've got pricing and buy now buttons on your site.

(man, that started as a short answer and turned into an essay!)

[MAli]

Hi Melinda,

Thank you so much for your answer. I'm working on the services page as you suggested and slimming things down- do you mind if I email you with a refined services page and you let me know what you think?

Should I have one button for each package do you think? I'm not sure how to make buttom look expensive, I can make my own and upload them, but unsure of how.

I will take a look at the mal site, thank you.

I thought the home page was the "emotional connection" page? On the rewritten content that is not up yet, the "connection" is on the home page and the About MAC page is where I go into a bit more detail about what makes me different than others that do the same thing, why I began the business, what they can expect from me etc.

I now understand your point about pricing, that is a good way of looking at it. I've never thought of it in that way.

Much appreciated, Melinda

Mihad (Me-had)

[Melinda B]

Originally Posted by MAli

Thank you so much for your answer. I'm working on the services page as you suggested and slimming things down- do you mind if I email you with a refined services page and you let me know what you think?

Absolutely! I'll send you a pm with my email address.

Should I have one button for each package do you think? I'm not sure how to make button look expensive, I can make my own and upload them, but unsure of how.

Yes, one button for each package.

Ok, bad wording on my part (I was typing quickly). I personally don't like the Paypal buttons because they're so big and bright - it's detracting from the calm and friendly tone of your site. Check out Mals E-Commerce, it's easy enough to create a button for each package and put it under the description of each.

I thought the home page was the "emotional connection" page?

It is the main emotional connector page yes.

and the About MAC page is where I go into a bit more detail about what makes me different than others that do the same thing, why I began the business, what they can expect from me etc.

It's still an emotional connection on the About page as well. This is the real you, the personality behind the beautiful words, the person they'll be speaking to.

I now understand your point about pricing, that is a good way of looking at it. I've never thought of it in that way.

Believe me, I've learnt it the hard way! LOL! I've been very fortunate to have several great teachers and mentors along the way to help me. :-)

[MAli]

Got it, thanks :-).

I will. I might send you that in the email as well.

Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, but look on the bright side you get to impart that wisdom on me :-D.