Have a look at this>>>

[wheeler]

Hello everybody,

Here is my site theafricanartwheel , please take a look at it and share your opinion about my site....

[candypam]

Wheeler -
I'm assuming this is brand new? I noticed your about us page was titled "company". I would change that and get some info on there asap!
I would also get your phone number in your header.
Your specials page was also blank.

I like the idea you have your product pictures big, but since they are, I had a hard time seeing the name of your store. It's hidden in the left corner too little. It should pop, and it's hiding! I think some reds here and there would maybe make your header area come to life a little more! To me, everything seems too pushed up... cluttered in the first 23 inches of your website, making the name of your store very hard to define!
Hope this helps.

[cactus_donnat]

Hi and thanks for coming by the forum!

I'll talk a closer look at the site later, but wanted to give some intial feedback--

One thing I always like to ask when someone posts here is if there are any issues you are presently having-- this way when we make suggestions we can show how they may overcome them. Is it coversions, traffic, etc?

I like the product pictures in the header- it clearly communicates what you do. However, I think the design as a whole could really, really reflect what you do much better. Your site is about art and decor and a specific culture, however your site looks very template-y. I would consider a professional custom design. The African culture to me screams color!! Where is the color on your site?? I agree with Pam that your logo should be bigger.

Your item pages are not using best practices- Your product descriptions are good, however the price is hidden in orange on top of white it the upper left, while the add-to-cart button is on the lower left-- the eye looks at an ecommerce site in a very specific way, and if users do not see the price or the add-to-cart button, they may not realize they can purchase the item... Moleskines.com - Moleskine Notebooks, Planners, Journals and Sketchbooks is a good example to look at to see how a product info take can make a big difference.

Finally, it is also against best practices to require users to create an account to shop from your store. While this is a great feature to have for a site with a lot of repeat customers, gaining a customer is still the hardest and most expensive part of any insdustry-- don't scare them away the first time. Let them buy first and like it-- then create an account once you've earned their trust.

Hope this helps. You have some great products.

Donna

[wheeler]

Hi Pam and Cactus,

Thanks for your great advice, I have learnt a lot from you. Again thanks for your help....

[Charmlady]

I agree with what Pam & Donna says and adding in --

having the price no where near the order button does not tell me to order something. I would suggest making the text of the price of the item larger (maybe bolder) and very close to the order button, so its a no brainer what to do next (buy).

Also the body of the text on your item pages was VERY small are hard to read --- you can afford to make this a little larger and easier to read.

Also like Pam said, make your name of your company jump out, it sorta is quietly sitting there at the top and easily can be missed. Add your phone # at the top banner, and also an email link, this tells customers you WANT them to call you or email you.

Also forcing the customer to register (or log in) will make some (like me) jump ship and quick - I have enough user names and passwords to remember, I don't want another. If you want it there, make it an OPTION, not a must to check out.

Your payment logo at the bottom is black and white and hidden -- there are so many color logo's out there, I think you site could use a little color and make it larger -- again was very hard to read.

FYI -- I am using firefox and although it looked good, be sure to check it out in other browsers, to make sure its compatible in all browsers...

I would change the "company" button to say something like "About Us" then tell the user about your company, what do you do, who are you, what are your policies, ship rates, etc. don't leave it blank - makes you look like you forgot something....

Hope that helps