Please critique, don't spare me

[jjsirhc55]

Hi,
Could I get some constructive criticism on www.fastpc.co.nz (http://www.fastpc.co.nz), I am setting up selling computer parts, site has already been launched but I know there are lots of things that could be improved.
Don't spare me, I've had enough biased opinions already, I may be only 15 but I'm sick of compliments, I know I don't deserve it- be hard on me, i dare you to make me cry! in fact if you do, I'll send you a free hard drive ;-)

[(jj)]

Just took a quick peek and the only 2 things that I noticed were:

1. The red prices are not too easy to read on the dark background

2. What currency are your prices quoted in? It's always a good idea to state what country currency the pricing reflects.

[tacimala]

I would try getting rid of any and all osCommerce clip art type images that you still have in use on the site. Being that you are using a black background and those were made for light backgrounds, the images seem choppy. The Welcome! image towards the top of the home page is a prime example. I think making your own images to fill that space would make the site look better in many ways. Same thing for the Quick Find image. There might be more on other pages as well. I would also spruce up your header image as well. If you are going to use just text for that, that's fine, but it takes up too much of the page for just being text.

Oh, I just noticed the Sign In button has some coloring issues on the edge as well. Just clean those little things up and it will look a lot better.

Good luck!

[shann123]

I'd be leary of buying something from a website with a black background. Looking at it makes me feel like "maybe these people aren't legit". Just a thought. ;-)

[jjsirhc55]

Thank you for your helpful comments.
(jj):
1. The red prices are not too easy to read on the dark background I have put it up a size and in bold.
2. What currency are your prices quoted in? It's always a good idea to state what country currency the pricing reflects. I am selling to New Zealand only, but will put a notice at the bottom of each page stating the currency.

tacimala:
I would try getting rid of any and all osCommerce clip art type images that you still have in use on the site. I've added this to my to do list, I'll get around to it eventually...
The Welcome! image towards the top of the home page is a prime example.The 'Welcome!' image you refer to is not an image, it is text.
I would also spruce up your header image as well. Completed
Good luck! Thanks, I need it!

shann123:
I'd be leary of buying something from a website with a black background. Looking at it makes me feel like "maybe these people aren't legit". Just a thought. ;-) Well, the site at present is targeted at the gaming and case modding market, black is a very common background for sites of this type. And I don't like white much anyway :)

Please keep 'em coming!

[tacimala]

When I was referring to the Welcome! image, I was referring to the image that is right aligned across from the text that says Welcome. The little clip art thing!

[Bloodeye]

I second the white or "light" background look, but if your going to go with a "dark" look, then think about a dark blue or purple color. The key word is "color". The thing with using a black background is the color of the text either looks too bright, or too dull if you tone the text down.

Your also gonna want to change your "product images". The white background of your products is killing the overall look of your site. I would change the product background to a matching background color or a lighter background color, with a small glow around the product. Something like this:

http://forum.powweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=454&stc=1
----------------

Speaking of images...you may want to think about a professional looking logo. Here's something I whipped up in Photoshop in about 15 minutes. I smoothed out the bottom flame, but left everything else rough. If your interested in it let me know, and we can work something out for a fair price. :)

http://forum.powweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=455&stc=1

[afamative]

Hello,

Inform your potential clients or visitors of the currency or target audience as early as you can on your site. Putting the information at the bootm of every page isn't the best. It would amount to wasting one's time if on deciding to buy one sees the currency information.

My opinion though.

[jjsirhc55]

As far as I am aware, there is only one currency here in New Zealand, and I am not selling to any other country so it would be an annoyance rather than a benefit to state which currency i am quoting in.
Thanks for your comments however, keep them coming!

[(jj)]

As far as I am aware, there is only one currency here in New Zealand, and I am not selling to any other country so it would be an annoyance rather than a benefit to state which currency i am quoting in.
Thanks for your comments however, keep them coming!

Then that should be stated clearly on your first page! Remember, it will not be only those who live in NZ that find your site, it will eventually be listed in search engines which have people from all over the world coming to your site.

[jjsirhc55]

yup, I've added it to my list of things to do, it's obviously not a high priority but I will get around to it eventually.
keep 'em coming!!! That hard drive's still up for grabs, 200gb SATA drive for anyone that can make me cry! :) Pick out minor things, nothing is too small to mention.

[boblob]

you have a lot of image not there xs for your products or any thing if u dont have a img just use one of the pixel_transparent.gifs and the problem goes away

[jjsirhc55]

thanks, I'll action that on all new products i add to site, I'll go back and check over the already entered ones and change them when I get the time.
keep 'em coming!

[Bloodeye]

The only thing I would add is that with a site like yours that is aimed at the gaming and modding market everything is about "eyecandy". Actually peeps will be looking for good deals first, and then how a product looks and how you present it second. If people are choosing between two sites that have a product for the same price, the site that looks more clean and stylish will make the sale 9/10 times. Hope all goes well. :cool:

[AmandaJane]

Red x's for images on some of the product pages

And you should really listen to those who tell you to make it clear about the prices are New Zealand Dollars and not US Dollars or any other country dollar, you would increase traffic and probablly sales if you get it right.
Anyone visiting your site now from anywhere in the world will see your price of $x.xx and assume that they are US $ and given the exchange rate will see your site as a rip off and immediatly leave.

I'd put that at higher priority if it were me, I presume you do want to make money.

[afamative]

Glad someone else mentioned it. Only time may teach the web business owner that buyers don't really have the time to waste and what you think is fantastic as the business owner may be worthless to the potential buyer.

The issue of informing visitors of currency used and/or accepted for me is more important than the site itself as whether people buy or not depends 100% on the ability to pay ands accept funds in New Zealand local currency.

I have bought a software from New Zealand before and knowing before hand that the $ sign refers to New Zealand dollar and not US helped a lot and even the equivalent rates were displayed next to each other.

Those who find it difficult to accept constructive criticisms in good faith end up doing the same mistakes over and over again.