Website Do's and Don'ts - Your "Home Page"... Make it Easy for Your Online Clients!

HAMILTON, N.J. - Oct. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- As part of my daily routine I go to as many as 100 websites a day to look at their design, easy of use, and content.  I usually play customer, to see how many "Clicks it takes" to find where I want to be.  I check for visual appeal and lack of clutter.  For the example today, I blacked out any identifying marks on the site. After reading this, try this on your own site:

1. Look for any specials you have on your mid size.  Then look for a red one, with a spoiler, navigation and alloy wheels.  How much is it? How many "Clicks" to get the answers.

2. Next try to schedule a service appointment.  Is it intuitive?  How hard is it?  Did you schedule an appointment or just sign up for a phone call?

Top Screenshot:
(Click on picture to see full size)

This is very visually appealing, nice video, as you can just see the tops of the "Speed" buttons below the fold of the page, this renders them useless though, unless you scroll down.  There is a moving Social media bar in the way, a great way for someone to get distracted and leave your site.  They may decide to go to Facebook, read about Aunt Tillie's trip to Jamaica, and decide they need a trip instead. (Sorry)

Header
Remember, most of us learned to read left to right, top to bottom.  That makes the left top of your site a "hot spot."  I would flip the phone numbers for the logo. Also, the header kind of takes up a lot of real estate - maybe make it a little thinner.  The search inventory bar right below it is a great touch! Cudos!

Mid-Stream

The video is a great touch to slow the consumer down, however, again I would flip with the specials rotator.  Great job with the rotator, only three specials!  Seriously!  People don't stare at them waiting for the eighth special slide to pop up to see the one that appeals to them.  Put extra specials on you specials tab!  Well done!

Oops! I almost missed it! The drop down menu.  Being a baby boomer my eyes aren't too good.  This could be a little bigger, perhaps with bolder type. The individual drop-downs were nice but were redundant and way too many choices.

The car selector at the bottom was great, however when I clicked on Hybrid Accords, I was taken to all the Accord inventory, not just hybrids.  (Remember the Clicks!)

Middle ScreenShot

There are those buttons I was talking about!  But in the middle of the front page, out of initial sight.  I would desperately try to move these up about 20 pixels to show above the fold.  Also, if your manager hates to give out trade quotes, I would change that button to an inventory button or two ( one "new", and one "used"). The rest of the buttons (Service, Call Us, New Inventory, etc.) could be used on that pesky social media bar, and plant the social media links down here at the bottom.  I hate to have you pay for a Search Engine Click, just to have you have the person go off you site to Twitter or worse g+.  The reviews on the site were dated.  If you are a "Certified Dealer Rater" member ( I think its $95/month) the have this great plug-in that will list your best reviews on the page.

The Bottom Screenshot

Standard bottom, just a couple of things.  Pure cars is a great idea except it opened in the same window as the website, blocking it out. It really should have its own window.  The blog button takes me right back to the home page, if your not using it, lose it!  Finally, the powered by " Japolnik".  The website industries answer to putting the dealer sticker on the back of the car. Have them take it off.  You pay them for the site, you don't have to advertise for them.

The Outcome

Not a bad looking and working page and a lot better than most.  Very impressed by the lack of "pop" overs and unders.  I am an advocate of "Chat" programs, but again would put it on the bottom bar.

Now look at your home page again.  Try to find your car.  Neat stuff.

Original story at : http://www.bdcdoneright.com/2013/10/website-dos-and-donts-your-home-page.html