New Website - need some advice

[feltkitten]

Tweet

Hi,

I've just added an amazon astore to my website, along with some amazon adverts.

Since I'm new to all this I thought starting with a simple system, like Amazon's, would be a good idea.

If anyone gets the chance can they take a look at my site and give me some advice on the layout, etc... Feel free to pick it apart as much as you wish

http://www.midsomermurders.net

Thanks

Helen

[zinc]

Hi Helen,

Welcome to the forum

For starters I like the site it looks nice, layout is good. Great niche, great first site.

The only thing I would consider changing is the merchant, I wouldn't use amazon but that's just me, the commision is low. Maybe use play.com or blahDVD.

Just a suggestion.

Cheers

[savespy]

Welcome to the forum Helen. Like your approach to the site. Everything's clearly laid out, plenty of useful information for fans of the series, good domain name too so hopefully should do well for you. Might be good to add a links page so you can swap links with other Midsomer related sites which should help you climb up the Google rankings.

Zinc - as far as I know Amazon give a starting rate of 5% commission which equals Blah DVD and more than Play's usual 2%.

[shyguy0507]

Hi Helen,

Welcome to the forum

I love the layout and it's a nice first site. Me a fan of midsomer murders may become a regular visitor (it's something me and my family do when it's on - one of the few program we can all agree to watch ).

Anyway I like the way you've used amazon aStore on the site - it fits in nicely, my attempt went a bit pear shaped so i gave up with it.

You could promote a different merchant like play or blah but as I see it - you could prob make more from amazon, as it's on a sliding scale starting at 5%.

Good Luck

[feltkitten]

Hi,

Thanks for all the comments!

I shall build a links page, and try to get some links from other MM sites. I have a couple of other quick questions if you don't mind:

Firstly, I'm getting quite a few visits from people and several of them are going through the store and some are clicking on the adverts. But so far no one has bought anything, I realise it's early days - do you think this will improve with more traffic?

Secondly, any good ideas on how I can get people to use to forum - it looks a bit bare I don't think people like to join one that looks new!

Thanks again!

[Spartacus]

Great site. Hope it takes off. Loved the colours and the integration of the shop and forum.

[zinc]

Zinc - as far as I know Amazon give a starting rate of 5% commission which equals Blah DVD and more than Play's usual 2%.

I appologise then, I thought it was lower than that

[zinc]

Helen,

It sounds sad but its now time for you to create some 'Pretend' users and start dummy conversations with yourself, I have never found another way...

[DioBach]

Secondly, any good ideas on how I can get people to use to forum - it looks a bit bare I don't think people like to join one that looks new! Thanks again!

If you don't mind investing a bit (think of it as paying for content) then I heartily recommend using a service like www.inb0x.com - they'll post on your forum over a couple of months - it can make one hell of a difference to the starting up of a forum, and it saves you messing around making up lots of fake ids and that.

[feltkitten]

I may have to use a forum service as I'm quickly running out of valid email addresses to register with!

I shall try and create a few more in the mean time.

[Brett]

I appologise then, I thought it was lower than that

Yep - Play are usually cheapest but pay the meanest commission in the sector (I think) 2%.

Amazon have just changed their rates as they are going to pay monthly but the base rate is 5% + 2.5% if the order is placed in the 1st visit after the visitor clicks your link - very nice.

[Andyz]

Firstly, I'm getting quite a few visits from people and several of them are going through the store and some are clicking on the adverts. But so far no one has bought anything, I realise it's early days - do you think this will improve with more traffic?

Hi Helen!

One of the most important things in internet business is to build trust with your customers. Visitors buy in average on the 7th contact or later.
So capture their email adresses, when they come on your site. Create a "popover" - not a popup, but script based which is part of the page, with an op-in form, that is very effective.
Offer them a nice incentive to opt in your email list, and then you can mail them news or special offers or something. So they will likely come again and again to your site, and buy something!

If you want more details how to do that all feel free to message me, then we can chat about it. I can even give you a software for that popover technique.

For the forum, you can also work with that email list then, for example send an email out, where you ask them for their opinion, and invite them to let a post in the forum about that. You can even combine it with giving a freebie. Just think up some ideas.

To your massive success
Andy

[hrbs]

nice site - cleanly laid out and easy to follow. I would suggest posting to tv forums (not spamming) with links to your site in the sig and maybe starting some "controversial" threads on your site that others will be addicted to reading and contributing to. Favourite/worst episode/character etc.

Good luck!

Keith
HRBS
Small Business Specialists

[purple]

Hi Helen!

Create a "popover" - not a popup, but script based which is part of the page, with an op-in form, that is very effective.Andy

I just looked up popover in google got this

A popover is a light, hollow roll made from an egg batter similar to that used in making Yorkshire pudding. The name "popover" comes from the fact that the batter swells or "pops" over the top of the muffin tin while baking. They can also be baked in individual custard cups.

I dont think this is what I am looking for

[shyguy0507]

I just looked up popover in google got this

A popover is a light, hollow roll made from an egg batter similar to that used in making Yorkshire pudding. The name "popover" comes from the fact that the batter swells or "pops" over the top of the muffin tin while baking. They can also be baked in individual custard cups.

I dont think this is what I am looking for

is it a popunder we mean?