Comments on: Watchband.biz website critique

By: Hi Michael

Hi Michael — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:33:47 +0000

I SUGGEST – DO NOT USE MICHAEL KARES FOR E-COMMERCE.

my expericnce – i have no axe to grind:

I had a watch band that was faulty from his website. – value to me$350

He wouldnt answer my emails.
result – banned me from the server.

he wouldn’t answer my web enquiries.
result -banned me from server

no contact was received. i had to fax several times and search him down to get any closure. IMHO you are throwing your money away.

enjoy x

By: David Airey

David Airey — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:41:36 +0000

Michael, many thanks for requesting the review in the first place. I hope it’s of use.

Sean, I agree about the white on black.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:28:08 +0000

The left navigation actually makes me dizzy looking at it. White text on black background is a big no-no in any sort of design. IF you MUST use white on black, make the white text bold since the black actually “sucks” away the white text.

By: Michael Kares

Michael Kares — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:24:54 +0000

The design and SEO has been made the site owner, not a professional, and on top of a JS heavy content management system. I am well aware of the lack of “elegance, exclusivity and simplicity” (agreed, Asgeir). So you all, why not send me a quote for a new design. After all, I would be happy to freshen up the site.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:02:37 +0000

Asgeir, I agree. More emphasis could be placed on trust-building.

Jamie, thanks for your feedback. Valid points. I didn’t have time to go into more detail so your input is welcome.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:11:40 +0000

The first paragraph of text the hyperlinks are invisible until you roll over them. Now I presume they have done this because they aren’t really meant to be clicked on, more a SEO aspect than functional and design one. On the subject of SEO the URL’s are not search engine friendly. The site would almost benefit from friendly URL’s.
Eg http://www.watchband.biz/watchbands-rubber-synthetic
rather than…
http://www.watchband.biz/pi-509976714.htm?categoryId=26

By: Asgeir Hoem

Asgeir Hoem — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:01:37 +0000

Yeah, the overall look and feel of the site is heavy indeed. The logo in Impact(?) is not doing anything to help this, either.

The target audience has not been addressed at all, and my guess is that the designer couldn’t care less. People buying a 202 dollar watch band of alligator skin are people who are more conscious about aesthetics than others, and this could – should – be taken advantage of when designing a site like this. Elegance, exclusivity and simplicity.

To build trust, the Visa, Mastercard and FedEx logos could be more visible. Considering the footer navigation, you’re right. The sizing page, for instance, should be shown earlier.

David,
I enjoyed your logo posts. Stuff like that seems to be pretty rare, so keep up.

- A