Evaluation of website

Building a website can be challenging. You have learned one valuable lesson
already -- keep experimenting until you find a formula that works.

Internet visitors do not have patience. In general, they decide whether a
page is worthy of their time in 3 - 5 seconds. If it doesn't catch them
quickly, they click on to the next page. If I was visiting your site as a
casual observer, I would have looked at your title, scrolled down, saw the
picture, and clicked on. I actually think parts of your first site are more
compelling. Here are general recommendations that you need to apply to your
site:

1. Highlight how you help the player/visitor, in short, called out
sentences. My recommendations for key phrases:

  * Transition to new grips!
  * Approved for play by the ITF and USTA.
  * For serious recreational, college and pro players.
  * Patented design.
  * Guaranteed
  * ONLY $9.95 plus s/h

With each of these, provide a brief 2-3 sentence summary and provide a link
to a more detailed explanation of how you address the point. You can see an
example of how I do this on the World Wide Tennis Ladder home page
(http://www.sportsladders.com/tennis). You will see "Join the fun!", "It's
FREE!", "Play when you want!", etc.

An example of the short copy may be: The Wonder Wedge helps you learn new
grips for more powerful forehands, backhands, and serves. Whether you want
to learn how to hit a Forehand Western, Forehand Semi-Western, or Topspin
Serve, our patented product can help by teaching you how to hold your
racquet consistently after changing grips. (Include links to each of the
grip types in the text).

Other things you can focus on: Why was it approved for play by the ITF or
USTA? Why were you awarded a patent? Are any well-known players using it
or experimenting with it? What are your qualifications?

2. Move your navigation elements and pictures to the top ("above the fold").
You want these things to appear in the first screenful. Remember how I said
that people click in 3-5 seconds? You would rather them click on your links
instead of hitting the back button. Also, include these elements on every
page. Make it easy to click from your "Semi-Western" forehand page to your
Order page!!

3. Move heavy text on to separate pages. Some people may want to learn more
about you but you need to try to sell them on your product first. It is
good to have detailed information available to those that want it; however,
most visitors will not want to see it.

4. Create an index.htm (or equivalent) default page. I tried to go back to
"http://www.tennisgeometrics.com" and was greeted with a server error.
Adding an index.htm page makes it easier for people to return to your site.
All they need to do is remember your domain name.

Hope this helps. Please note that when I write a normal website review, it
is generally 5 - 10 pages. This is a very condensed version for this
newsletter that highlights the most critical points. Good luck!!

--Jeff Wenger
President, World Wide Sports Ladders, Inc.
World Wide Tennis Ladder
http://www.sportsladders.com/tennis



Received on Fri May 26 2000 - 07:19:17 CDT