Website Review and Suggestions

**Dirt Hammer** · 08:18 AM

I am into dirt bikes and love motocross in general. So I stated a site in 11/2009 called http://www.dirthammers.com that is geared around dirt bikes. I'm using Host Gator and must design/build the site myself using a web design program they offer. I have struggled a bit with design and lay out but mostly with understanding the computer world. I would like for the site to produce some income. I have made 2 sales and 10.00 bucks since 11/2009

. So my next big leap is with data feeds for product catalogs for a store front. I'm using a free service at this time. I'm using Commission Junction for my affiliate program and struggling with there product catalogs. I have reached a point where I'm getting way in over my head with computer coding etc. Anyways please review. Thanks.

**Knight13** · 02-19-2010, 08:39 AM

Looks really good, i do not see anything wrong, and everything has a nice look to it and the navigation and colors are also good. good job.

**SpecHosting** · 02-19-2010, 01:14 PM

This site looks great, what shopping cart are you using? Also, do you have a business line, both of these things may help you increase sales!

**Dirt Hammer** · 02-19-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecHosting

This site looks great, what shopping cart are you using? Also, do you have a business line, both of these things may help you increase sales!

No business line. No shopping cart it's all affiliated links through popshops. Thanks for the reply.

**vasam** · 02-20-2010, 06:35 AM

You have great idea about website. I like bikes as well

BUT your site layout looks too simple and incomplete. Its good for website wireframe and general blocks layout.
I'd suggest you to review site once again and update it with some colors and elements.

**Dirt Hammer** · 02-22-2010, 07:51 AM

Thanks for the feed back.

**taja609** · 02-22-2010, 10:23 AM

The website looks pretty fine with one exception. Maybe you should try some paler colors as the effect is pretty exhausting at a first glance. Good job overall!

**delvec** · 02-22-2010, 12:13 PM

It looks OK- just looks a little boring.
Presentation-wise.....Looks like someone who really doesnt know about or even like bikes is behind it.

Add a logo, incorporate the bikes a bit more. Its DIRT bikes not clean bikes. Make it dirty!

**ariya** · 02-22-2010, 01:36 PM

1. make the links stand out.
2. Create a catchy custom logo.

Right now the picture on front page takes all the attention away from more important links and other content.

**ives0014** · 02-22-2010, 02:46 PM

Site looks great! It's simple and straightforward.

My suggestions:

Perhaps adding a top-navigation bar would add an extra element to the site. You could make the side-navigation bar display only links relevant to the page you're currently viewing.

Otherwise, very cool site.

**Dirt Hammer** · 02-22-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taja609

The website looks pretty fine with one exception. Maybe you should try some paler colors as the effect is pretty exhausting at a first glance. Good job overall!

Thanks for the feed back. I'm sorry but I not real sure what you mean by trying some "paler colors".

**Dirt Hammer** · 02-22-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delvec

It looks OK- just looks a little boring.
Presentation-wise.....Looks like someone who really doesnt know about or even like bikes is behind it.

Add a logo, incorporate the bikes a bit more. Its DIRT bikes not clean bikes. Make it dirty!

Thanks for the feed back. I agree it's boring in style but it's the only template that I can find within my site builder program that works well with my content. I'm also struggling with logo design. I'll slow but steady. thanks.

**Dirt Hammer** · 02-22-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariya

1. make the links stand out.
2. Create a catchy custom logo.

Right now the picture on front page takes all the attention away from more important links and other content.

Thanks for the feed back. Should I make the links font larger? I'm struggling with logo design becuase I don't know how.

**Dirt Hammer** · 02-22-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ives0014

Site looks great! It's simple and straightforward.

My suggestions:

Perhaps adding a top-navigation bar would add an extra element to the site. You could make the side-navigation bar display only links relevant to the page you're currently viewing.

Otherwise, very cool site.

Thanks for the feed back. I like your idea but I'm not sure how to make it happen. I feel I have reached my end with what I know how to do with web site design.

**Shadrach** · 02-22-2010, 05:29 PM

Nice job on the design. It's very clean.

It's obvious your goal isn't to sell from the site. As it stands, you are going to make your money by educating your customer further up the sales funnel. But to improve your business, I would either go all in with a real e-commerce store or remove any resemblance of an e-commerce store from the site. The site really feels like you're trying to balance between a site built to inform and a site built to sell.

For a site built to inform.. If it's going to work you have to establish yourself as a dirt bike authority by providing lots of high quality free information. Hit them with the sales promotion later. Once they know you know what you're talking about, they will be much more likely to jump on the products of your affiliates at your recommendation.

For a site built to sell.. You still have to inform the customer and become the dirtbike authority but the navigation of the site is built to suit those looking to buy rather than those looking for info.

The way it is now you really don't have a strong front in either area. It's almost impossible to operate a business that way. My preference would be to build the informative site and set yourself up as a dirt bike guru. Build a ravenous following of dirt bike enthusiasts and make a little coin as you refer them to your favorite products. Then later you can start a seperate website to sell from and start directing all your traffic there instead of to affiliates.

Just my .02. Good luck.

Josh

**stevenlw** · 02-22-2010, 05:36 PM

This site is great. What I really want to see is a much bigger treatment of the website name -- that's the only thing that is missing: a logo or identity that is as awesome as the bikes you are featuring on the website. Very cool site!

**Dirt Hammer** · 02-23-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadrach

Nice job on the design. It's very clean.

It's obvious your goal isn't to sell from the site. As it stands, you are going to make your money by educating your customer further up the sales funnel. But to improve your business, I would either go all in with a real e-commerce store or remove any resemblance of an e-commerce store from the site. The site really feels like you're trying to balance between a site built to inform and a site built to sell.

For a site built to inform.. If it's going to work you have to establish yourself as a dirt bike authority by providing lots of high quality free information. Hit them with the sales promotion later. Once they know you know what you're talking about, they will be much more likely to jump on the products of your affiliates at your recommendation.

For a site built to sell.. You still have to inform the customer and become the dirtbike authority but the navigation of the site is built to suit those looking to buy rather than those looking for info.

The way it is now you really don't have a strong front in either area. It's almost impossible to operate a business that way. My preference would be to build the informative site and set yourself up as a dirt bike guru. Build a ravenous following of dirt bike enthusiasts and make a little coin as you refer them to your favorite products. Then later you can start a seperate website to sell from and start directing all your traffic there instead of to affiliates.

Just my .02. Good luck.

Josh

Thanks for the input. I understand and agree with what your saying. Gives me a direction. Thanks.

**Pristuno** · 02-23-2010, 11:34 AM

I think the Idea is not communicated well. Load time is little bit more. Colour and concept is good.

**kcmartz** · 02-23-2010, 04:53 PM

One thing I have always been told is to not put in a visible hit counter, as your host should have an option to view stats of your website privately. I believe that it looks less professional with the hit counter, as I have heard...
But that is just me!

**Dirt Hammer** · 02-24-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcmartz

One thing I have always been told is to not put in a visible hit counter, as your host should have an option to view stats of your website privately. I believe that it looks less professional with the hit counter, as I have heard...
But that is just me!

After thinking about it I think you might be right. I removed it. Yes I can check hits through my host log in. That's one thing I can do was remove the hit counter. Thanks.