Call to action and design

Has a designer done the mocks for you or have you done them?

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Instead of just messing with colours on 1 design, why not to do some market research into what people want/expect/like.

Then looking at the results, look at the various call to actions and styling cues and build up a picture of what works and converts.

eg, I've just googled IT Support London, and below are the first 10 organic results, which If I was in the market, these are the ones I'd look at, (plus possibly adword adverts!)

So, not knowing anything about these companies, I'm short of time, so steered by first impressions. Would I hang around each site to find out more yes/no

www.wavex.co.uk - no
www.ouritdept.co.uk - no
www.theinternetgroup.com - no - but did like 3 buttons at bottom, audit, healthcheck etc
www.sphereitconsulting.co.uk - yes
www.itlab.co.uk - timed out on me twice
www.prosyn.net - yes
www.octaviais.co.uk - yes
www.xaracomputers.co.uk - yes, but cheesy voice over annoyed me
www.doherty.co.uk - 50/50 - but stayed on page to look at the quick quote link.
www.lucidica.com - no

So from that fag packet analysis, I didn't warm to the top 3 results, and only 4 out of the 10 initially impressed me, although the voice over lady would have made me click away on xaracomputers.

Now do that poll with a hundred people, and you might get some good ideas of what does and doesn't work.

Just mixing the pot

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cheers Steve
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Thanks Steve.

Already done. I know all of those companies, and check results up to page 5 on a regular basis, and see what they and evryone else does.

I have taken everybody's advice, talked to at least 30 people. I am going to take the best bit's of everyone's advice. There are a lot of people who disagree with each other, often it's a perception thing, or going with the majority vote. Most often I am going with majority vote rather than my own. Although I like to go with my gut instinct from time to time, as it's often right.

Thanks once again, to all those who provided constructive feedback.

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Going through the same pain myself I know I'll end up with a copy of Yell

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cheers Steve
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Most of the suggestions you and few others have made are valid, like the cost calculator etc. But there are some things that like design which is about people's perception and individual taste. If I take everyone's view I'll go crazy

You're never going to get a website that is 100% perfect that everyone likes. With the changes (not major changes) that I have made since the feedbacks, I think (hope) I am on the right track.

Good luck, it can be pain, hopefully worth it in the end.

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I would agree with Steve about those sites he listed.

You would go crazy trying to please everyone's personal design taste but what I try to tell customers is that only the target market should be considered here, not everyone giving their 2 cents. Those 30 people should be your customers or potential customers (if possible) and not just anyone. However and I guess it's only natural, a customer will still want to go with something that ultimately, they like. Only time will tell if it works for you.

However when producing a website for review, i'd also suggest giving an overview in your own words, of your business, what you offer, what makes you different, and what you want to achieve with the website, and who your target market is ie (ie socio economics, demographics, style, trends, etc) only then can anyone truly know if your website is on track to reach out to that target market.

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The site concept, layout design is mine (so good or bad I am responsible). I have a colleague working on putting it all together as I never have enough time.

Those people are customers and potential customers. I ask people not to hold back and they don't need to consider my feelings. However, a large part of it comes from me working in IT Support companies for a fair amount of time. There is not many companies I have not heard of, although the names won't be familiar to people outside IT support.

The reality of b2b IT support is that, most companies find it hard to make an interseting site, I suppose we are as guilty as the next company. However, I am trying to make it interesting with quality content that people find useful and want to book mark for future reference. Most IT support sites are pure brochure sites and the sites are not interactive or even a source of information. This is why there is a lot of links and content on the new site. However, when people land they won't see the whole site immediately. It will look simple - I think so.

Also, most of Steve's and your points are valid. Where I thought, I could implement, I have taken yours and Steve's comments on board. Where I thought, it would not be the right move, e.g. server health check, then I have decided not to implement. Businesses are very sinsitive about getting their servers checked online.

However, I will make the cost calculator spurn out figures rather than email people. Same as Steve, I also found that frustrating on sites. I have also implemeneted a number of your suggestions, including the comment on logo and some parts of your colour comment.

I have chatted with you on forums a number of times, to thsi day, I don't know your name.

Ryan

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It's true that it's hard to make the unique design. A lot of the top 10 IT Support companies that are mentioned are very - generic. A little too corporate for me. I know there are many templates available and to me - even if they're not templates, they're just too ...


IT is a fast moving business and as much as it's always on the to do list - there are just so many other things that take priority.