Hola!

Ever since the last iteration of our website, we noticed an increment in our bounce rate. Since we only sell our product online for now, we need to drive our visitors to our products page. We also want to promote the sport by leading them to videos and pictures. Since last time, I read 3 books on graphic and web design, so hopefully I will have made an improvement!

 

 

The current version is here:

http://www.ambitionsnowskates.com/

 

 

The new version is here:

http://09.ambitionsnowskates.com/

 

 

P.S. There's only the homepage, since the content will only slightly change on the other pages. I know the buttons aren't clickable, it's just a preview for now.

 

 

Any thought? We tried 4 different alternatives, and we have a hard time agreeing on the best "realignment", my friend (the company owner) and I. He still prefers the current version.

 

 

Merci beaucoup!

Quimp, da French boy

The new design a great improvement to usability with the navigation making a big difference here. One thing I noticed is the very top right menu is shifting to the far right when the browser window is resized. Over all a solid improvement, good work.

I remember liking this site the first time round. My advice, which is pretty much always the same when someone wants to sell something online, is focus on the content - what job does each piece do, where does it lead a visitor, how can you "pre-sell", what triggers can you put in place, why would someone buy from you? Are off-site efforts tying-in with each page.

For me the site isn't working anywhere to 'funnel' visitors or even trying to sell - it's just passively sitting there showing its wares. I love the look of either site but, if the goal here is to sell, then focus on that - leave graphics and layout changes until the end.

It's mid ski season here so I'm happy to see this site again.

I think the design is a massive improvement on usability.

 

The navigation is better, and the buttons on the front are better, in fact the whole design is tonnes sexier.

 

But wizely is absolutely right, that paragraph that is sat there on the front page of the new design, still doesn't sell your products!

 

I don't even know what you sell, or why I should buy from you. I'm a skiier, will I be interested in your shop? Should I be getting gear from you? Why not your competitor... those questions need to be answered largely before I click "Shop".

 

If that site is required to DRIVE visitors to the site, as you said, then drive them there with words. I think you have the design pretty much nailed, but until you get the copy right nothing is gonna happen.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/08/26...-your-business/

 

That might be worth a read.

 

Your homepage should be like... O HAI, WE SELL SNOWSKATES. YOU WANT TO BUY THEM, rather then "oh, hello there. What we do is sell snowskates; I don't suppose you'd be interested in viewing our store, would you?"

 

Yanno?

I think it's a solid improvement oin the previous version. COuple of things I'd advice you look at:

 

1) Navigation. - two navs confuses. Try just having one.

2) Calls to action - feel a bit orphaned and lonely. Try making them bigger and bolder. Perhaps using the red highlight used in the navigation hover? Liek it or not red works when used to draw attention online.

Very useful comments here! I'm glad the frame of content is considered an improvement. I don't agree about not having two navigations but I do agree that I shouldn't use absolute positioning for the top one. At first the extra links were far down the bottom but for accessibility and usability reasons, I preferred to have them above the fold, at the top of the source.

 

As for the copy, words taken! I'll read the article tonight. The current design has no copy about the company on the home page, hence the high bounce rate of about 33%. We have to fix this problem before the season kicks in. I'll give it another shot and send it to the copy clinic!

 

 

 

Thanks again everyone, your time is very much appreciated!

I looked at the old version three times before I realized I should probably click on "Products" to shop, so the addition of the prominently placed "Shop" tab is definitely an improvement. I also agree on the double navigation, and the top nav looks like it's a little too far to the right if it does stick around. I do like the new site much better than the old design, though, I think you're on the right track .

Update!

1. I added a product spotlight

2. I positioned the small menu so it fits better

3. I added a footer

 

Better? I'm starting to like how it's shaping up myself!

It looks really nice, I like it a lot.

I'm liking it much better, but I'd like it even more if the menu tabs were aligned with the top of the logo and the top menu was somewhere else...somehow those pieces just don't look like they fit...but I don't know how to suggest that you make them fit so I'll shut up now, LOL. The footer looks great .

Really great modification, product spotlight works really nicely!

Which one does everyone prefer between http://09.ambitionsnowskates.com and this preview : http://www.ambitionsnowskates.com/img/uplo...iteeeeeeeee.jpg ? I really need your help on this one.

I prefer the first link, it just seems to suit a lot better.

The first one is nicer in terms of borders and stuff, but I think I prefer it without the extra menu.

First one, I have a great blurred snowy-mountain image that (i've tested) looks fantastic as a background to replace your tiles, I'm going to complete the preview and I'll put it here if you want to see?

 

Also, you need some "Read More" links for your new stories.

I like the first one better.

That makes it 3/3 then! I'm glad. I finally settled on an agreement with the site 'owner', and to tell the truth I really didn't like the changes on his mock-up.

 

First one, I have a great blurred snowy-mountain image that (i've tested) looks fantastic as a background to replace your tiles, I'm going to complete the preview and I'll put it here if you want to see?

We're already working on a much better background, see http://09.ambitionsnowskates.com/?bg. That should help the site a lot; but feel free to show me what it would look like!

 

Also, you need some "Read More" links for your new stories.

The news titles are already links but it's not obvious enough. I'll have to fix this one.

 

I think I prefer it without the extra menu.

Since this has been suggested a lot, down the footer it'll go. I move the "About us" link to its own tab, so the upper menu is of lesser importance now.

 

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback. You're always there when I need help!

Quimp

Hey Quimp, here's what it looks like. Added the Read On... links and ofc the mountains bg.

 

www.russbishop.co.uk/projects/ambition/