Jumping on the bandwagon - views on my website?

[thetopcopy]

Sorry to copy the previous poster but I'd love some feedback on my website.

I suspect it has its problems as many people do jump straight off after visiting the homepage.

I've been copywriting and editing for many years but tend to generate business through contacts rather than the website. I'd like to change that!

Thanks!
Claire

The Topcopy.co.uk

[visualnerve]

It generally has a good feel to it but it took me a while to find the navigation, try to make it stand out a little and it'll work well.

[colmodwyer]

I suspect it has its problems as many people do jump straight off after visiting the homepage.

Hey Claire,

I think you should replace "suspect" with "know" because stats don't lie. If a lot of people are jumping off after the first page, then there is a problem. Obviously you need to take a look at your marketing, but assuming that's in check then here's what (In my opinion) might be wrong with your website...

Colour Formatting - As far as body copy is concerned, it's been proven more than once that black text on a white background will outpull any other colour combination.

Usability - As mentioned before, you need to make it easy for your prospect to navigate; more hassle for them will mean less sales for you.

Sales Copy - Where's your reason why copy, where's your WIIFM, where's your call to action? I can't see why anyone would read your "sales copy" and think - "Yeah, Claire's the copywriter for me!"

...In a nutshell - You have a nice looking website that isn't even slightly sales conducive - And that's why you're not converting.

I would recommend starting from scratch.

Now I think it's safe to say we come from two different copywriting schools, and your prospects might well be looking for "creativity" to some degree, but that doesn't mean you should throw your "Web Usability 101" and "Copywriting For Dummies" book out the window...

...Because what works, works.

Keep it simple, sell the benfits of your service and I'm sure you'll close more prospects.

Colm

[thetopcopy]

Many thanks for both your replies - all feedback is very welcome.

I agree that I definitely need to sort out the navigation buttons.

I really like the design of the site, and the colours - so I don't think I could bear to ditch it. However, as you say I have concentrated too hard on the design and need to take a good hard look at the copy throughout. I'll be doing so asap!

Thanks for taking the time to have a look, it is much appreciated.

Claire

[PointandStare]

The design is ok, but definitely not practical.
The colours do my eyes in!

[GTFC]

Hi Claire,

I think all the other replies pretty much say it! I just had a look and can see what they mean about the navigation. You could indeed miss it altogether. As to colour, well that's personal preference - but this is a bit loud if I'm honest! Mine is white on black, which I happen to love, but not everyone does. Having said that, only once have I been told it was a bit hard to read.

If you are going to start again, have a look at www.mrsite.com. I did my 17-page site for £23 and a few evening's hard slog!

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Gill

[colmodwyer]

Gill,

As far as a freelance copywriter/marketing consultant is concerned; colour really isn't down to their personal preference, it's down to what sells.

End of story.

If you've been told once that your website is hard to read, then I'm betting there will have been plenty more potential conversions that you will never see again, because they'll have took one look at your site, struggled to read the text and buggered off for good.

To know for sure you'll need to test yourself, but it's been done a million times by guys like Ogilvy, and time and again black text on a white background outsells all else.

Again, the objective here is to sell; not to look pretty.

Colm

[GTFC]

Originally Posted by colmodwyer

Gill,

As far as a freelance copywriter/marketing consultant is concerned; colour really isn't down to their personal preference, it's down to what sells.

End of story.

If you've been told once that your website is hard to read, then I'm betting there will have been plenty more potential conversions that you will never see again, because they'll have took one look at your site, struggled to read the text and buggered off for good.

To know for sure you'll need to test yourself, but it's been done a million times by guys like Ogilvy, and time and again black text on a white background outsells all else.

Again, the objective here is to sell; not to look pretty.

Colm

Any chance you could be a bit less agressive with your next post?? We're generally a pretty friendly bunch here . .

[colmodwyer]

Gill,

You've taken my comments personally and retorted emotionally; I was simply giving good, solid and what should be well-known adivce on sales copy and colour formatting.

Saying it's down to "personal preference" suggests it doesn't really matter, when in fact it does. And those who come onto this forum to learn, can save hundreds and thousands by realising so.

Again, for each individual situation the only way to be 100% sure is to test; but if you don't have the money and time then it's safe to assume black text on a white background will out pull yellow text on a green backround or whatever else the naive mind may perceive to be pretty looking...

...And like I said, it's been tested a billion times; so take it up with Claude Hopkins, John Caples, David Ogilvy and co if you're not happy that it contradicts your opinion on the matter.

Yes, they're all dead, but you get the point hopefully.

Colm

[Jog On]

I agree with Colm that the only way to know is to test.

The colour scheme – although it is very creative and I know you like it – could definitely be hurting your bottom line. It *might* not be but I think there is a strong chance that it is. But why not test and find out for sure.

You can use Google’s free conversion optimiser and analytic tools to find out exactly if it is or isn’t very quickly.

Can I also recommend having a look at this site here for some ideas on testing, elements to test, how to test and hundreds of real life examples.

I think your colour scheme is nice and the diagonal nav bar is clever – could you see yourself keeping the nav bar (with more defined text/buttons), the colour scheme for the header/borders and edges and a white main body with black text?

Another suggestion is to put more copy on your content pages, people will want to know what’s different about you and your services and you have the opportunity to display your work on your content pages.

Also search engines prefer pages with more 'relevant unique content' (copy).