Optimising my Homepage

[theitgirl]

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Hi guys,

After some pointers as regards the homepage of Designer Fashion, Designer Bags & Designer Shoes*-*The It Guide

I asked the members of my site for feedback and one said this:

The site itself isn't very naturally easy to navigate - when I go to the home page I'm not really sure what I should be doing, where I should be clicking... what do you want me to click on?

I think she's probably right, but as is ever the case I'm far to close to the site to take a step back and look at it in perspective.

Just wanted peoples thoughts and advice on how to improve the design/layout/navigation of the homepage, or the site as a whole?

Ta

Helen

[aotagain]

I've not looked before, but immediately looked under the Designer Baby Clothing heading.

So, my first question:
"What can I do on this site" - its not answered until this:
"Registered users can recommend....

but I don't want to be a registered user to be able to do something, so hmm, er.... ?
Big amount of 'registered user' push imo puts a lot of people off.
I just want to browse NOW - tell me how and tell me why your site is so great.

I suggest you put some bullets into this middle section - its the one section that hits you straight away, so tell visitors what they can do.

"If you are shopping for designer baby clothing then you can:
* buy from us now - link to product list ?
* browse - what sections ?
* get extra benefits by registering

I'd get rid of that big registration thing at the top and use it for a tagline:
"bringing you the very best in.....

If you haven't already done so, you MUST show it to as many friends as possible and especially people who have never seen it before. Those are the people who you want to do something.

A lot of feedback from webbies (including me) is bound to be tainted by SEO thoughts, design issues etc. etc. But its the users that matter.

[aotagain]

Just re-reading - hope I didn't put you off. I think the design of the site is really, really good and it feels right for what you are promoting - important not to have a template - me-too looking site.

Just 'give the gorilla the banana' in the middle of the page somewhere as they say ;-)

PS. It just occurred to me that it might be missing the cute, cuddly, coooo, ahhhhhhh element - can you photo someones' baby in something gorgeous and put that on there. Pics for something like this help to distinguish it.

[theitgirl]

No, thank you - I'm very grateful for your help.

I'm concentrating on the homepage of theitguide.co.uk first and then I think I'll apply the same principles to mydesignerbaby.co.uk.

Thanks again

Helen

[stu-art]

We are all different but here's what I would do as a start.

- Move and reduce the 'Welcome' message. Maybe lay a small welcome message over the top image.

- Underneath this, create a series of text/image sections based on what visitors are likely to want. Have a look at the 'Be Inspired' column on the Expedia homepage for a simple list of links to deeper content. I've found images work well with a short paragraph of text when herding visitors from the homepage. Well chosen images will also improve the look of your already nice looking page. If you get it right, you won't need so much (or any) welcome text at the top because visitors will see and understand what they can do on your site quickly.

- Trim the blog post snippets and remove the tiny pictures.

- I'd change link text to blue and use the red in your logo as the H1 & H2 colour.

Just my own suggestions of course :-)

[chic_nicola]

I think you could do with more images on the homepage - maybe links to 'hot products' or straight to your categories.