Practical eCommerce

erichar11 · **Date:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:23 pm **Subject:**

Hi Tom,

It looks really good. Like the colors and the layout. I have a couple of suggestions though:

1. I would move the search to the top of the page. I originally looked at the site an never scrolled down far enough to even notice that you have search capability on the site.

2. Regarding the opening white-space area, I would make the two ads there now horizontal vs. vertical, thereby bring the page up a bit. However, if you plan to add more content there, then it might not be necessary

3. There might be a little bit to much stuff on the home page. If you start to fill up all those adds on the right, I think it might become overwhelming. Keep it simple. For each of your top nav catagories, when a user clicks on one of those, then you can create a lefthand nav that is suitable for that catagory as well as display the appropriate adds in the righthand. Just don't try and tell everything about the site in one page. Just a thought.

4. I noticed your building your site in full screen mode, rather than 800x600. Just out of curiosity, how did you come to this conclusion? I ask, because I've been thinking about doing the same thing. I'll probably wait until after my site launches to change it, as I want to see what type of screens people are viewing the site with prior to making a decision.

5. Regarding you purchasing multiple domains, are each of the your catagories going to point to different domains? If so, from a SEO perspective I'm not sure this is the best method. It depends on your marketing strategy but having to market multiple domains rather than one, seems like a lot more work. Not to mention, PR love may not be as easy to pass (I'm no SEO Expert here) as if there were only one domain with links to the appropriate catagories. (Not to mention the Miva implications of this as well. You probably have to setup multiple Miva stores for each domain I would think)

All in all it looks good, so when do think you will have something clickable so we can drill down into the site further.

Eric

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:02 pm **Subject:**

erichar11 · **Date:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:40 pm **Subject:**

Tom,

Regarding:

Quote: Screen Resolution
"Basically, I am of the opinion that the cyber world is moving forward, not backward - and most people have, or will soon have, higher resolution graphic cards and/or monitors. In fact, with the release of Windows Vista (not to mention most Macs using widescreen monitors), I believe that the days of 800x600 are not only numbered, but are on their deathbed."

I believe this is correct. The problem I have is that you have to look at the screen resolutions of the people who are viewing your site in order to make this determination. If your users are somewhat technical users (in the case of practical ecommerce) then it would make sense to go with a higher resolution) However, if it's everyday users who do not have the larger screens, then this could be a problem. As mentioned in the post you cited with Practical Ecommerce blogger Michelle, she found this out the hard way. This is also why I think I'm going to stick with the 800x600 in the short term until I can get better statics (google DELETED is your friend here) on what people are viewing my site with. Then make a decision. It really comes down to what resolution your customers are viewing the site with.

Quote: Regarding your purchase of multiple domains
"This element is still being worked on (including designing logos for each of the specialty stores). But my plan is for each site to have it's own SEO and the ability to function independently of the main stie - as well as being tight companion/compliment with the primary Musician's Marketplace site. There will definitely be cross-promotion between the sites - not to mention the expanded possibilities for affiliate marketing"

Ok, so I understand your marketing strategy but out of curiosity, why can't you do all of this within the site itself? Why create separate domains and multiple the cost of SEO and marketing. You can still market each catagory uniquely and have affiliates for each catagory page? What I'm getting at is what is the true benefit of having multiple domains? Don't you have to also create multiple Miva stores for each of those domains? Haven't done this before so not sure.

How this conversation helps. It helps me.

Eric

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:55 pm **Subject:**

Euan · **Date:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:32 am **Subject:**

Tom,

Sorry I've not responded quicker.

I like the site a lot. I like the header a lot, I think it works well and the content looks good. I'm not sure about the text links down the right hand side - I just think the headings need to stand out a bit more.

My main point was on screen resolution. Yes I agree a lot are getting bigger resolutions but then again a lot are not!

I think a more details review will be possible once the links are clickable, etc so we can provide a more depth review taking into account the other pages.

Euan

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:45 am **Subject:**

Euan · **Date:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:10 pm **Subject:**

Sorry, meant left hand side menu Embarassed

I don't know if possible, but beside Guitar, Drums, etc it might be nice to have a little image. I think it would help break up the menu and give greater definition to the sub-categories.

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:30 pm **Subject:**

Euan · **Date:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:54 am **Subject:**

Yeah I can understand the reasoning.

I am looking forward to seeing it all together. Interested to see how well the banners work down the right hand side size wise, etc.

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:15 am **Subject:**

Euan · **Date:** Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:05 pm **Subject:**

A great improvement. I think the mailing list and search box work well and breaks it down from just one advert after another.

Good to see content in the centre although it still looks a bit funny with the big white space lol.

Front page looks excellent and will be good to see 'behind the scenes'.

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:24 pm **Subject:**

Heh ... Not to worry about "the big white space." It will be filled with content, for sure.

THANK YOU for the positive feedback !!

I juse looked at the "thread views" for this thread . . . How come there aren't over 2000 posts ?? Wink

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:54 pm **Subject:**

In doing a little "test marketing" of my site, there was some discussion and/or concern with the company logo we have been using ... in that it may too closely resemble an established company's logo.

The established company's logo that people wee comparing mine to is --> http://www.interstatemusic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10021&storeId=10051

This prompted me to bid out for some new logo designs. The process is still in progress, but I thought I would solicit some WIP opinions on some of the submissions I have received this far . . .

The first one on the page is the current logo ... the subsequent designs are the submissions I have received from various designers thus far.

CLICK HERE --> http://www.musicians-marketplace.com/newlogo.jpg

Thoughts? ... Comments? ... Suggestions?

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:51 pm **Subject:**

Anyone ??? . . . Anyone ???

Sad

erichar11 · **Date:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:50 pm **Subject:**

Hi Tom, of all the logos you presented I like you original one the best. However, I would remove the circle and add some coloring and shadows to make the logo pop more. Don't just have a black logo but have a two toned logo that matches your site.

I like simplicity on logo design, but others may not.

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