Hi! Please let me know what I could improve

[ka0osk]

http://www.midwesttent.com

I based this on OSCommerce free software with some mods, work in progress and all that. I am now working on modifying it to integrate to MS SBA to try and automate some stuff like UPS and Credit card etc. We sell to historical re-enactors and movie companies mostly. Let me know if you have any ideas! All input appreciated!

[JPnyc]

Sorry, nothing jumps out at me as being wrong. Perhaps some others here will have something more useful to offer.

[kevey]

I didn't know there were so many types of tents...

Anyway...one critique I have concerns your nav bar. The Tent Instructions link is always highlighted orange which I initially took to mean that that was the page I was currently on. OK, I've been up all night, but it happened I would prefer to see the link of the page you are currently on be highlighted...but everyone has their own taste, so not a show-stopper.

You could also lessen the weight of your pages by converting them to CSS and getting rid of the tables.

And finally, the MTBC Logo in the top left of your page links to your catalog. Most people associate the logo as linking to the opening home page, and may get lost. It is also "customary" that the logo on the home page is not defined as a link, as it normally links to the homepage, and serves no purpose in linking you to a page that you are already on.

That's all I have...nice site.

[ka0osk]

I didn't know there were so many types of tents...

Anyway...one critique I have concerns your nav bar. The Tent Instructions link is always highlighted orange which I initially took to mean that that was the page I was currently on. OK, I've been up all night, but it happened I would prefer to see the link of the page you are currently on be highlighted...but everyone has their own taste, so not a show-stopper.

You could also lessen the weight of your pages by converting them to CSS and getting rid of the tables.

And finally, the MTBC Logo in the top left of your page links to your catalog. Most people associate the logo as linking to the opening home page, and may get lost. It is also "customary" that the logo on the home page is not defined as a link, as it normally links to the homepage, and serves no purpose in linking you to a page that you are already on.

That's all I have...nice site.

Thats good input! I will move the instructions link. I had to make it orange because nobody could find it when it was blue, but it should be in a different area and maybe a more complementary color. I have to work on some image sizes and do more CSS too, its about 80% CSS now but the center section of the home page isnt. The home page and the catalog home are supposed to be the same... my bad. I think maybe something in an image of sorts and a logo change/image combo maybe? Needs some pizazz top dead center I think.

ka0osk

[JMaguire]

To MidwestTent,

Looks like you're on your way. Just a few things:

1) It's a mistake to place your contact information in the very middle of your home page. Contact info should be readily available, but the real estate in the middle of your home page is for product display. First romance them, then tell them how to contact you.

2) The home page list three items that are "sold out." So you're advertising inventory that you don't have. Instead, present items that you DO have.

3) The search tool that's in the bottom left side of the home page should be at the top middle –*above the fold – so people won't miss it.

4) For the title of your home page, you have "OS Commerce." Instead, you should title your home page with your business name, to help you get good search engine ranking. (At this point you're just advertising a software company.)

For marketing, you might look here:

http://www.ecommerce-guide.com//article.php/3558651

Good luck!

James Maguire

[ka0osk]

Thanks for all the imput!

I have most of the changes either done now, or on their way to getting implemented. I've also got an invisible link on the home page that goes to static versions of all the pages in hopes to get my google ratings up a bit on some back pages.

I need to keep my soldout items on the home page due to a HUGE number of people asking for items I am out of... working on a solution and better inventory control, but sales have been quite good and warehouse space is at a premium right now, so it may be a few months before everything is in stock all the time. Working mostly on oscommerce integration with my accounting software, which will allow me to put up a bunch more sites!!!!!

ka0osk
John midwesttent.com