Website Review and Suggestions

**imported_SophMedia** · 10-22-2006, 06:41 PM

So we built this incentivized program a couple years ago, re-designed it around a year and a half ago, and have done 'okay' - making maybe $50 a month. We've got a decent base of users (roughly 1,000), but most just register and never look around the website much, leading me to ask what is wrong with it.

If you get a chance, open the following URL and tell me what your initial thoughts are:
http://www.free4ugifts.com

Does the website convey what it actually is?
Does the website look scamish? (Obviously something we're trying to avoid, but due to the nature of the program - this can be difficult).

I'm open ears to any input.

**MonkeyBiz** · 10-22-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SophMedia

So we built this incentivized program a couple years ago, re-designed it around a year and a half ago, and have done 'okay' - making maybe $50 a month. We've got a decent base of users (roughly 1,000), but most just register and never look around the website much, leading me to ask what is wrong with it.

If you get a chance, open the following URL and tell me what your initial thoughts are:
http://www.free4ugifts.com

Does the website convey what it actually is?
Does the website look scamish? (Obviously something we're trying to avoid, but due to the nature of the program - this can be difficult).

I'm open ears to any input.

There is a lot wrong with it

**imported_SophMedia** · 10-22-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwebuser

There is a lot wrong with it

Care to elaborate?

**NBF** · 10-23-2006, 05:37 PM

I am really not sure what the site is for... I need to know RIGHT when I get there why I should stay. And I need a really GOOD reason because my attention spam is like 2 seconds.

The same things I said here apply: http://www.earnersforum.com/showpost...84&postcount=3

The first thing to work on is telling me why I should spend my valuable internet time on your site.

HTH!

Laura

**imported_SophMedia** · 10-24-2006, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBF

I am really not sure what the site is for... I need to know RIGHT when I get there why I should stay. And I need a really GOOD reason because my attention spam is like 2 seconds.

The same things I said here apply: http://www.earnersforum.com/showpost...84&postcount=3

The first thing to work on is telling me why I should spend my valuable internet time on your site.

HTH!

Laura

I must admit, I do appreciate your feedback as it does raise my hopes a bit as to whether or not the site can be corrected.

None the less, just so you have a quick understanding of how the website works, basically users complete offers, earn points, and can then redeem ('spend') those points in our rewards center.

Does the flash video convey this at all?

**paladine** · 10-24-2006, 04:59 AM

The colours dont go for me.

Also I agree with NBF, you need to get the wording right on the site.. after looking at the site for couple of seconds all I see is FREE POINTS, and all about points, but what the heck must I do with points?

So rather show me "Free Shopping" it will make me interested and then you can tell me how I can get this free shopping

**NBF** · 10-24-2006, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SophMedia

None the less, just so you have a quick understanding of how the website works, basically users complete offers, earn points, and can then redeem ('spend') those points in our rewards center.

Well, I actually understood that from the start, but that's because I spend my day on the web and it didn't take me long to see what the site was about (as I am sure you know, you acquire that skill after a while online). BUT, I am not someone who would actually join a site like this. THAT person would have no clue... You need to make sure THAT person knows what the site is about.

That said, of COURSE the site can be fixed. A specific type of person is willing to take the time to complete offers in order to earn points to then turn into free stuff. You need to make sure your site caters to THEM. It needs to be painfully obvious to them how you are going to improve their life. If it can't be done instantly, you MUST have a headline that gets their attention enough that they want to learn more from you.

No, the flash movie doesn't cut it because you have literally 2 seconds to get a person to stay and the first image takes longer than that to change. It's incredibly easy to click that little X and move onto the next site - there are millions of sites competing for my attention every moment that I am on line. Web users have painfully short attention spans, unfortunately. Use those few moments of attention wisely.

Did you take a look at what I wrote in that other post about headlines? This definitely applies here. Do you find that your active members are the work at home moms type? Or are they college kids? Or are they elderly? Nail down WHO converts the best for you and write a headline for THEM. Put something right there where that flash movie is now that will make it so they can't refuse your offer to stay and learn more. Tell them what they are SO ready to hear. Tell them that you can fill whatever need it is that they have come searching to fill. Be obvious and be transparent.

I think that if you change that ONE thing, you should some improvement. If yes, great. If no, keep working on it. I would definitely start there though... Don't make too many changes at once because it will be impossible to track what exactly helped and how.

HTH!

Laura

**imported_SophMedia** · 10-24-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBF

Well, I actually understood that from the start, but that's because I spend my day on the web and it didn't take me long to see what the site was about (as I am sure you know, you acquire that skill after a while online). BUT, I am not someone who would actually join a site like this. THAT person would have no clue... You need to make sure THAT person knows what the site is about.

That said, of COURSE the site can be fixed. A specific type of person is willing to take the time to complete offers in order to earn points to then turn into free stuff. You need to make sure your site caters to THEM. It needs to be painfully obvious to them how you are going to improve their life. If it can't be done instantly, you MUST have a headline that gets their attention enough that they want to learn more from you.

No, the flash movie doesn't cut it because you have literally 2 seconds to get a person to stay and the first image takes longer than that to change. It's incredibly easy to click that little X and move onto the next site - there are millions of sites competing for my attention every moment that I am on line. Web users have painfully short attention spans, unfortunately. Use those few moments of attention wisely.

Did you take a look at what I wrote in that other post about headlines? This definitely applies here. Do you find that your active members are the work at home moms type? Or are they college kids? Or are they elderly? Nail down WHO converts the best for you and write a headline for THEM. Put something right there where that flash movie is now that will make it so they can't refuse your offer to stay and learn more. Tell them what they are SO ready to hear. Tell them that you can fill whatever need it is that they have come searching to fill. Be obvious and be transparent.

I think that if you change that ONE thing, you should some improvement. If yes, great. If no, keep working on it. I would definitely start there though... Don't make too many changes at once because it will be impossible to track what exactly helped and how.

HTH!

Laura

You and the previous poster are champions and your feedback is much appreciated. I'm going to make some updates this week and we'll see what happens.

Thanks

**NBF** · 10-24-2006, 02:40 PM

No problemo - we all learn by helping.

Just remember: There ARE people out there who are HAPPY to do this stuff. Write for THOSE people. Do NOT try and convince people like ME why I should spend my time doing this stuff because you will end up losing everyone by trying to do more than one thing at a time. Don't be afraid to get really specific.

Good luck! Make sure to come back and update your progress!

Laura

www.notebookforums.com