Website Reviews, sometimes we are asked to review other sites, with a view to redesign / update it, here is an example response showing that we are quick to complement work when we see a good website and sometimes its not cost-effective to redesign a website if it works well already.
[Website Owner] As I told you I have moved companies, they happen to just have commissioned a website design company to build a new website for them. They have got it partly built, without spending a lot of time, I wondered if you could have a quick look at it and give some very brief feedback. Don’t waste a lot of time, I know you are busy and you will be trying to clear everything up.
[Professional Advisor] Just had a look at the site – it looks good. The only thing I can say is that it’s not clear from the site and when you’re navigating through where you’re based – perhaps adding the address at the top right would help? Clear contact number, links to offers and places to put in your details to get a quote. At the top right of the pages though, it says ‘Instant quote’ – when you click on it, you’re taken to a page to get a quote – if that’s the case, why doesn’t it say something with a bit more ‘marketing pull’ like ‘Save Money today’ ? The images aren’t fantastic, but I think the site does what it needs to do and you don’t want to get carried away and clutter it with images – will probably just confuse people. What are your thoughts on it
[Website Owner] I think it is a bit boring and dull, I think people would click off the website in seconds. Reference the detail about address and get a quote, that can be sorted out. I just think it is bland.
[Professional Advisor] I don’t know about bland and boring – it looks functional and professional enough and I am sure would work well for people looking for your services. Admit it’s not the most exciting website in the world, but it’s about generating leads – you need to also take into account who your target audience is – which you’ll know better than anyone. What to do is have a look across all competitor sites and draw up a “lessons learned” document – in terms of what works well, what doesn’t and key areas for improvement. I’d advise against taking on a huge project of redesigning the whole website and it looks good / works good and seems to be well optimised already – it won’t prove cost-effective when you could spend your time doing other things. It will work well, and it’s not confusing. You can’t ask for much more from this kind of website from the budget you have spent on it. Now if I was you I would start filling out the news section with information about your recent projects. Good luck with your website.