Website Review and Suggestions

**bmp99** · 11-02-2008, 03:16 AM

just did my first ecommerce site. used zen cart: hid kits
looking for comment on design, suggestions on how to improve streamlining products, i dont want all that info on the first page

**Sneakyheathen** · 11-02-2008, 08:02 AM

I always try to be nice to newbies, so to start out: congrats on creating your first ecommerce site! Some things you did well:

I like the "what is HID?" and "Why HID?" sections. However, you're organization of information isn't optimized. "What is HID?" should actually be above all of that other information, so people get the answer they want the most first. Also, because the people looking for quality HID kits will generally already know what those are, you should consider moving all of that information to an "about" page.

I also like how you have a "featured products" section, but they're not really being featured if they're "below the fold" in the sidebar, huh? Perhaps replace all that "about" information with your top products? It will attract more attention.

Now I want to talk about design. It's actually too "rounded" in my opinion to be a serious ecommerce website. Perhaps working a little more on the structure? As well, the colors in the header could be used to define certain areas (green for top products and blue for links and dark blue for general products or something) instead of just grey everywhere. It feels somewhat bland. I would also suggest fixing up the organization of the model types in the top right corner. It just looks like a list of numbers right now...

So overall, it's all about structure and composition. One final note: a site map is not really the best way to get around a website (in my opinon). I would suggest listing the products by model or vehicle in the sidebar.

**creydesign** · 11-02-2008, 04:38 PM

Right away, I can tell what the site is about, which is a good thing, and something that a lot of websites fail out. The navigation is pretty straight forward, so nothing is really confusing. The content is solid, the structure is good, but the design is a little lacking.

I agree that there are too many elements with rounded corners. Maybe eliminate a couple of the rounded elements. I'd also suggest a little more color. The site is about lighting, so you may want to think about so more eye catching colors on the site.

**bmp99** · 11-02-2008, 10:27 PM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your input, might have been just what I needed to get the juices flowing.

I would like to had top products on my homepage, and I have been thinking of how to do that, instead of all the information. The problem seems to be..all my products are the same, 1 light bulb really doesn't look much different then the other.

The only thing I can think of for the homepage is to reiterate the categories on the side, by having 3 images; lights by car, lights by bulb, lights by color. In the end its the same product, your just choosing it differently. Any ideas?

Im working on making the side boxes stand out a little more, these zencart sideboxes are hell to work with in my opinion. Still working on that.

What you guys pointed out with the roundness is interesting, i never really thought about that too much. So much to think about here... hmm I will keep at it

Thanks again for the input

**JohnDiamond** · 11-02-2008, 10:37 PM

Well now that you are talking about it, I have to admit that there are two things that I really liked about your website. The first one is your logo (GOOD JOB!)... the second one is the image that shows the difference between Standard Halogen and HID. If you have the ability to create more of those images, it would be great if the user could compare the "output" that they can expect from each light. If that's too much work, then maybe just for the main categories, then the user could click on them to see the different models.

I hope this helps?

**Directory** · 11-03-2008, 01:59 PM

well done nice on the logo site design is very good as well keep up the good work