Therapy Guide

THL · 18th April 2008, 04:45 PM

Hello!

I have just got a new website working for our business. We are a health food shop and therapy centre and the site combines both aspects (although the refurb of our therapy centre isn't quite finished on time so I've held off putting too much on the new site about that just yet!!)

I'd be really grateful for any feedback on the site in general and on the online store in particular - we're hoping that this will generate some income to cover the setup costs!!!

The site is www.vitsnpieces.com

I'd be really interested in what people think of the site and what they think I could do better - I've built most of it myself (with a few bits from the web!) but this is only the second time I've done a website and the first one (for a charity I was involved with) wasn't awfully successful. I'm also really interested in any feedback from experienced websiters out there on how best to get a good google listing etc!

Many thanks

Mark

Bannick · 18th April 2008, 07:43 PM

I think the online shop part works well and looks good but I'm not so keen on the homepage, I always prefer a more defined sitemap but that's just personal opinion.

The only thing really wrong though, and which is almost guaranteed to put people off (except online shoppers), is that it doesn't mention where you are based on the homepage (in fact even on the map/directions you don't mention which town you are in, the only place on the whole site is the contact page).

If someone is looking to physically shop or visit the therapy centre, they tend to click the back button to the search engine if it's not immediately obvious where you are. Also if someone is searching online for a type of business they wish to visit, they often type the name of the town they are looking in as part of the keyword (eg: Healthfood Shoreham) and having the town name on the homepage should help increase the effectiveness of your site on search engines.

THL · 18th April 2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bannick

it doesn't mention where you are based on the homepage (in fact even on the map/directions you don't mention which town you are in

Doh!

Good spot - thanks! I'll fix that right away. As you say, that IS slightly important. I knew it would be worth posting something here and you've just proved why!

Thanks very much for the feedback.

THL · 19th April 2008, 05:48 PM

In case anyone has been trying to see my site, it seems that my web host has gone completely off the air sometime yesterday evening. Apparently it also stops them answering their phone too...

nisha1H · 19th April 2008, 11:28 PM

Hello Mark,

Pity the site is down. If you are not tied to a contract with the people hosting your website, maybe get Health hosts to do it. I've never had any trouble with them and they are always easy to reach either by phone or email and i alwasy get a quick response.

Best of luck

Nisha

xx

kinawakening · 26th April 2008, 12:47 PM

site down - shame

THL · 28th April 2008, 07:32 PM

We are tied to them unfortunately - it's a bit of a nightmare - the site went down 9 days ago and hasn't come back! I've managed to rebuild most of it on our old www.thlshop.co.uk domain but it's hardly ideal!

Suffice to say that my payment for hosting is now in dispute with my card issuer!

I'll post again when it's back!

Bannick · 28th April 2008, 07:38 PM

9 days! that's an awful service. Good job you still had the other domain as a backup.

THL · 28th April 2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bannick

that's an awful service

Personally I'm not sure I'd describe it as service at all!!!

Bannick · 28th April 2008, 11:25 PM

You're right, it isn't!

As far as I'm aware, my site has been down for about 30 minutes ever, and the only reason I knew was because my web hosting company emailed me to inform me/apologise for technical difficulties!

THL · 30th April 2008, 05:28 PM

It's finally back!!!

The site is at www.vitsnpieces.com - sorry to anyone who has been trying to access it!!