Reviewing Your Competitions Website
Okay, so yesterday we went over how to find out who exactly your PAID competition was so the next step is reviewing their site and listing off pro’s and con’s as to when development for your own comes into play.
Here is the first one:
Review Your Competition
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Now, I’m only reviewing the ‘top fold’ (that is what you first see when you come to the website). First off the images grab your attention a little TOO big (for my taste). That’s not the biggest problem with the site however. There is no CALL-TO-ACTION on their main page.
A call-to-action tells views to “Buy Here” or a “Click Here” or even a “Purchase Here“. Customers need their hands held as much as possible BUT not being talked down to. It’s not hard but yet so many companies fail to do this.
Apparently they are having a Spring Sale but it’s not even highlighted that well. People want to see “SALE” that’s where retail stores excel in. The contact information is barely legible on the top right corner. The menu bar is basically non-existent. Speaking of which the text under the main navigation – you can’t read it – why even have it there.
Ok – that was the con’s (if you haven’t noticed) now allow me to go into what I think they got going for themselves. Their logo is the top left which is the first thing people see. That is great for branding purposes. Now, while the “Mcafee Secure” image is small it is a GREAT thing that shows possible customers that when they do shop online they will be protected.
On to example two:
Checking Out The Competition
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Wow, what a big difference. A lot more cleaner and crisp layout. Call to action buttons (left menu bar) are fantastic. I know you can’t tell but the large item of the chess pieces and board are actually a featured content meaning there are several images that scroll through. I’m a fan of these for information and e-zine sites but not sure about a shopping one really. Nonetheless they used the top fold really good making sure that the featured content scroller did not overlap.
While they do have a cleaner look I wonder if the white space could’ve been used better. I have to scroll down the site to see anything about the security of purchasing online from them. People need to be aware that when they buy from you online they are doing so with peace of mind.
My question to you all – which one would you buy from website #1 or #2 – why?
