Critique My Site (Feb 2007): BigPlush.com

Ina · Joined: 02 Aug 2001 Posts: 452 Location: Massachusetts, USA

Today's Critique My Site is BigPlush.com
http://www.BigPlush.com

The AuctionBytes Critique My Site feature asks readers to visit an ecommerce website and make suggestions on how the merchant can increase sales. Readers can submit their own websites, too, by emailing the editor.

Here's what the owner of BigPlush.com had to say:

"The major thing I would like to know from you and your readers, are what they sincerely LIKE... and what they sincerely HATE about the BigPlush.com site, and also more specifically... What are the three most important things we can do to improve the site? What's the single one thing about the site that we should ditch yesterday? What do they think of the video-preview and multiple photo concept we use?"

Details are found in the February 18, 2007 issue of AuctionBytes-Update:
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abu/y207/m02/abu0185/s05
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Ina Steiner, AuctionBytes.com

DizziPinz · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 52

Hi. Wow. What a variety of plush animals you have!
You might consider having the photos & videos done with a different background. If it would be too difficult to transport these huge hugables perhaps a photographer's backdrop would be useful. They are available in a variety of sizes and scenes.

Also - I noticed that you have eBay spelled as EBay. Having just added an eBay logo to my new site I noticed they were VERY specific about the permissable spelling of eBay.

Best of luck with you new site!

DizziPinz
www.dizzipinz.com

gerwise · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

One problem I have with the site is that it is so cluttered. I would suggest adding links to other pages on the site to cut down on the clutter.
Gerry

reed · Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 412

Sorry but your homepage made my head spin. In my opinion, you need to keep it short and simple.

DizziPinz · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 52

I have to agree with the previous 2 posts about the cluttered site. There is so much going on that one can't focus on any one thing. You can't view the photo of a teddy bear without getting distracted by a gorilla or a zebra.
If you simply your home page then your viewers will certainly know how to zero in on the products they want to see.
And if in addition to changing the photo backgrounds you also put some space between them then each one will be easier to view.
Perhaps you might consider one sample photo of say, a teddy bear. And then your buyers can click on the teddy bear to see other teddy bears. And the same for your other creatures.
I'm certainly not an expert by any means but when I'm shopping online I like being able to navigate to the products I'm looking for and not be overwhelmed by too many others.

papertrail · Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Indiana

I agree with the other posts. You need to simplify that main page. Cut the clutter and get rid of the moving - changing pictures. They are very distracting and frankly annoying. They take away any feel of professionalism for your website.

You might have felt that the changing pictures were an attention grabber and they do grab my attention but in a negative way. People who have a focusing problem can't focus in quickly enough for the pictures to be effective.

I wish you luck with your sales. I think you have some fun things.

Bev Owens
The Paper Trail
Specializing in Ephemera and Advertising
http://www.bevspaper.com

Paper Trail Book Cafe
Books, Comic Books, and Back Issue Magazines
http://www.tias.com/stores/ptbc

ecommerceguy · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Carlsbad, CA

I would have to agree in some part with the previous posts about the clutter. The rule of thumb is that you have under 3 seconds to attract a potential buyer and get them to commit to shopping on your store. Give the buyer a call-to-action right away. Show them where you want them to go.

Here are a few things that I noticed in addition to the clutter:

1) Your Google Page Rank is only 1/10. This means that Google does not find your page that important and shoppers using search engines are not likely to find you. You should try some things to improve this. Here is an article from internet.com that you may find helpful: http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/solutions/technology/article.php/3648366.

2) Your store navigation starts to low on the page. You want to make it very easy for a shopper to find your categories and navigate through them from each page on the store.

3) You are on the right track by putting featured products on the homepage but they are too low and there are just a bit too many. Once again you can apply the "3 second rule" here.

We all have improvements that we can make to our sites almost every day. The good news is that you have nice products that people want. With just a few improvements, you should easily see an increase in your website sales.

Good Luck,

Ty Nunez
http://www.nexternal.com - eCommerce for serious online sellers

Consignment Pal · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 18 Location: Texas

Dear Big Plush,

"How clean is the car?" is my question. While the car clearly demonstrates the large size, is the critter's fur dusty after the photo shoot?

Other options:
1. Put a thin pillow under the critter on the car so that it shows
2. Put the animal in the driver's seat of a convertible
3. Have a pretty woman or hunky guy in formal attire dancing with the animal
4. Sit or lay the big guy in a reclining Lazy Boy chair, chaise lounge, or beach towel
5. Sit or lay the animal on a beautiful bed or in a baby crib
6. Have a child stand next to the animal either hugging it or with arms around it

Having variety above instead of using just cars may help potential buyers visualize placement in their home or with their loved one.

The above options demonstate size while keeping the animal clean.

Since these cuddly critters may end up on beds, many moms want to know they are clean.

Good luck,
_________________
Linda
Consignment Pal Resale Directory
http://consignmentpal.com

mrLenin · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

Hi! Not sure if my oppinion is important for you. But I like your site. Home page is simple enough. And the bgcolor is fresh and active. Good job!
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papertrail · Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Indiana

Just a note to let you know that I revisted your website. It looks so much better! Great job!

Bev Owens
The Paper Trail
http://www.bevspaper.com

Paper Trail Book Cafe
http://www.papertrailbookcafe.com

DizziPinz · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 52

Hi!
WOW! What a difference. Your home page makes me want to enter and see what it's all about. Great changes you've made!
By the way - I ordered one of your big gorillas and it was a huge hit! (Pun intended)
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Make it a Magical Day!

DizziPinz
Collectible Disney Trading Pins
www.dizzipinz.com