Online store review/advice please

[dbjbob]

Hi everyone. It has been quite a while since I have been here. I did finally choose a shopping cart and got it set up and going for our florist. It has gotten some sales but I know that I need to drive more quality traffic to it. I am averaging about 10 unique visits per day and have a 42% bounce rate and do ok in the organic local searches but not nearly as well as my closest competitor. I might be #1 or # 3 but then she will be 1,2, 4, and 6. If you guys could review my site I would greatly appreciate any and all advice. My site is: http://www.dbjflowers.com

Thanks

Bob

[angienewton]

Love the header, so pretty!

The first thing I noticed is that the site should be optimized for a main KW phrase.

You'll have to do some keyword research on that but I did some real quick and couldn't find anything in Wordtracker (the free one) for Virginia florist but of course Wordtracker went down in the middle of my search so there could be something for VA florist. You don't need your website name in our site title so you could remove that or move it to the end after the locations you have there.

On my screen your site doesn't look quite right. The content at the bottom goes over the stuff in the sidebar.

Maybe it's the Facebook badge? You could remove that and then just put all your social media profile buttons at the top of the site, maybe in the header.

There is a lot of white space on the right of the site too.

Just some things I noticed.

If you would like Lynn to do a full review on the site, she does offer that in her private mastermind group. Would love to have you join us!

[pamb10]

Hi everyone. It has been quite a while since I have been here. I did finally choose a shopping cart and got it set up and going for our florist. It has gotten some sales but I know that I need to drive more quality traffic to it. I am averaging about 10 unique visits per day and have a 42% bounce rate and do ok in the organic local searches but not nearly as well as my closest competitor. I might be #1 or # 3 but then she will be 1,2, 4, and 6. If you guys could review my site I would greatly appreciate any and all advice. My site is: http://www.dbjflowers.com

Thanks

Bob

Hi Bob,

Noticed your location on your site. My son just came home from the Boy Scout camp over there. Must be in your backyard!

Your site is very nice. In my browser, the text in the footer is too wide and overlaps with the new products listed. I think the font size used in the products and menu could be reduced to match the font size used in the categories list.

HOpe this helps.
Pam

[dbjbob]

Thanks Angie
It is always a work on progress.

I think that I have fixed the white space on the right side.
I also took the name out of the title.

I have tried doing some key word research with google keyword tool but I guess there isn't enough search traffic for flowers in Powhatan to show up. I am #one when I search for flowers powhatan va but the rest of the organic listings are my competition.
I also have to find some way to rank in the searches for Richmond. (send flowers richmond va, order flowers richmond va, etc.) I am actually located in Powhatan county but deliver to all over Richmond. I can't even get on the page for Ricmond. It is killing me.

[dbjbob]

Hi Pam,
Thanks for taking a look at the site. I think I have fixed the issues you mentioned.

Was your son at camp Hildebrandt in Goochland? If so he was almost literally across the river from me.

[Just Kate]

Hi Bob, I'm new to this forum, but I just wanted to give you some feedback too, I hope it helps you a bit.

I notice you have a BC website, which is great, I have one too.

1. Your meta tag on your home page is lacking. I think you currently have this:
"Send Flowers - Powhaton Florists - Send Flowers online"

Which is great, but could be better for search engines. This "meta tag" is easily fixed within the home page set up PAGE on BC backend, I'd be adding things that people will seach (ie. Keywords).

Ideally you want buy flowers online (your areas)
maybe even things like "quick, fast, cheap" whatever the keywords people are using to find you, that's what you want in your meta tag.

2. Your description font on your product pages are not big enough. In fact, I'd loose the script font altogether. That's just me.

3. I'd work a bit harder on the description, I'd get more photos, BC are great for showcasing products where vendors are willing put effort into the the descriptions, so take advantage of that. Many ecommerce sites simply can't do what BC can, so it will get you more conversions if your products are properly explained and photographed. Many people hold back from buying online because they simply don't get "sold" by the lack of info. Don't go crazy, but I'd be doing at least 3 times the text you have in those product descriptions.

Also keep in mind your first line (i think it's 160 letters??? just google it to be sure) should be in Heading1 FONT - as the search engines look for this. Keywords, releavnt keywords - make the sentence work.

3. The "about Me" page is all over the place. You'd be surprised how many people check the "About me" Page b4 buying, heaps. You want good photos, you want relevant and interesting text, and links to other relevant pages (in and out of your site) and you want a call to action somewhere there - ideally to buy!!!

4. I'd lose the "site map" tab on nav bar - no one does this.

5. You simply must have a "Shipping/delivery" tab on the nav menu bar, many buyers turn away when they cannot clearly define your delivery costs and procedure.

6. What makes you different? Promote that on the homepage. EG. You might do same day deliveries - then promote this somewhere on your home page - make people want to order with you NOW.

7. Selling flowers, no "Pin it" feature? - this would be good for your business. BC now have great "Pin It" share bars, search in their "help" section, and get it onto your page, it will help long term. If you dont' have a Pinterest Board, I think you should get one. There are so many flower lovers on Pinterst, I'm sure it will bring you sales. You can work on this traffic driving strategy when you are ready.

There are so many things to consider with new sites, it take such a long time, I've barely touched the surface for things you could do. Just keep updating, copy what your competitors are doing, and try and do it better.

Remember, websites are purely VISUAL. So it must look:

a) Trustworthy
b) Professional
c) Reliable

in order for anyone to even consider buying from you. AND then it has to look PRETTY - because you are selling pretty things!!!

You'll get there!

Kate

[dbjbob]

Hi Bob, I'm new to this forum, but I just wanted to give you some feedback too, I hope it helps you a bit.

I notice you have a BC website, which is great, I have one too.

1. Your meta tag on your home page is lacking. I think you currently have this:
"Send Flowers - Powhaton Florists - Send Flowers online"

Which is great, but could be better for search engines. This "meta tag" is easily fixed within the home page set up PAGE on BC backend, I'd be adding things that people will seach (ie. Keywords).

Ideally you want buy flowers online (your areas)
maybe even things like "quick, fast, cheap" whatever the keywords people are using to find you, that's what you want in your meta tag.

2. Your description font on your product pages are not big enough. In fact, I'd loose the script font altogether. That's just me.

3. I'd work a bit harder on the description, I'd get more photos, BC are great for showcasing products where vendors are willing put effort into the the descriptions, so take advantage of that. Many ecommerce sites simply can't do what BC can, so it will get you more conversions if your products are properly explained and photographed. Many people hold back from buying online because they simply don't get "sold" by the lack of info. Don't go crazy, but I'd be doing at least 3 times the text you have in those product descriptions.

Also keep in mind your first line (i think it's 160 letters??? just google it to be sure) should be in Heading1 FONT - as the search engines look for this. Keywords, releavnt keywords - make the sentence work.

3. The "about Me" page is all over the place. You'd be surprised how many people check the "About me" Page b4 buying, heaps. You want good photos, you want relevant and interesting text, and links to other relevant pages (in and out of your site) and you want a call to action somewhere there - ideally to buy!!!

4. I'd lose the "site map" tab on nav bar - no one does this.

5. You simply must have a "Shipping/delivery" tab on the nav menu bar, many buyers turn away when they cannot clearly define your delivery costs and procedure.

6. What makes you different? Promote that on the homepage. EG. You might do same day deliveries - then promote this somewhere on your home page - make people want to order with you NOW.

7. Selling flowers, no "Pin it" feature? - this would be good for your business. BC now have great "Pin It" share bars, search in their "help" section, and get it onto your page, it will help long term. If you dont' have a Pinterest Board, I think you should get one. There are so many flower lovers on Pinterst, I'm sure it will bring you sales. You can work on this traffic driving strategy when you are ready.

There are so many things to consider with new sites, it take such a long time, I've barely touched the surface for things you could do. Just keep updating, copy what your competitors are doing, and try and do it better.

Remember, websites are purely VISUAL. So it must look:

a) Trustworthy
b) Professional
c) Reliable

in order for anyone to even consider buying from you. AND then it has to look PRETTY - because you are selling pretty things!!!

You'll get there!

Kate

Thanks Kate,
I agree BC is the best. I really appreciate all of the advice. To tell the truth it has been overwhelming. I try to get started on one thing and realize there are a million other things that need doing so I wind up jumping from thing to thing.
I know that you eat an elephant one bite at a time but I swear I am choking on all of the little bites.

Your list is a big help to get me focused.

[angienewton]

WOW Kate, amazing feedback. Thanks for sharing.

Bob, you'll get to the top for Richmond, don't worry about that. Just keep working at it. And then once you start interacting on social media (like Pinterest, Twitter and FB, etc.) you will stand out a lot from the rest.

[Just Kate]

Hey, I hear you!!! I am the queen of jumping - haha

but yeah, best to write down what you want to do, in what order, and absolutely stick to it. Trust me, when you get to the end of the list, you will have to go back to the beginning and start over again (haha) as everything changes so much online, so it's just so frustrating, we have limited : Time, money and energy - and it is overwhelming, but keep it up - you've got a great business, a great site, you just need to refine that marketing edge, and really, that is a huge thing to define. But you gotta start somewhere right!!!

I hear you...

[Just Kate]

Yeah Angie is right, I forgot to mention the value of social media for search engines! ie. Traffic.
But I think the "go to the top of the search results" is really YouTube atm. (remember, it doesn't have to be video of you, perhaps the flowers in your suburbs...)???

Silly me!!

:/