Hmm I know I posted this. Looking for some feedback

[MinUph]

I've been reworking my web site and would love some honest feedback from the trenches.

Old site,
http://www.minichillosupholstery.com

New test site,
http://www.minichillosupholstery.com/test

The crap on the top will go away when paid for.

Thanks

[chrisberry12]

To be honest, I like the old better because you show more photos

[SteveA]

The new site seems welcoming to me.  It displays to someone that the owner is an experienced pro.  I like that you are not afraid to educate the customer -
Also like that address + phone number is right there when the page opens -
The only negative was (and it may be my connection) the photos on the left buffered constantly however did open -
SA

[sofadoc]

I'm getting that buffering too. But that's probably because it's a demo version.

Both the new and old site are equally informative. The new one seems a little clearer to navigate.

I Googled "Upholstery shop near Tampa Florida". The former Bob's Custom Upholstery didn't come up until page 4 of the search results.

I'm not sure whether or not the average customer ever makes it to page 4 when doing a blind search.

But for the ones who already know where to look, I think they will enjoy your site.

I like the page where you explain the upholstery process in detail. Customers love to believe that they have knowledge about a product or service.

[kodydog]

Loaded right up for me but Steve is right. If it takes more than 3 seconds to load on a less powerful computer the customer will move on. I spent a lot of time creating a slide show for my site but the wife nixed it for this very reason.

Your name is on every page but what about phone number and linkable e-mail. I hate searching for that stuff on some sites.

How about an About Us Page. A customer who is still "just thinking" about using you may be swayed by your experience. Explain why your the guy they need to use. Key words in the Content is what the search engines are looking for. This will put you toward the top of the search. Its a catch 22. You don't want the reader to lose interest with too many words.

More pictures to show off your work. There will come a day when most people will be viewing your site on smart phones so make your pictures big and make them clickable. Spread your page out do not cram the info together.

When I built my page I went to other high profile site to see how they set up their pages. Like Coca-Cola. Or http://www.pier1.com/dept/furniture,default,sc.html#nav=top, their furniture sucks but their web site looks good.

[brmax]

Paul I like the new one, from my new wanderings around this craft and all of you guys and gals I can just speak from that point so please no staples.
I think the pics on the left are required and great, The random 2 or 3 pics in a row cycling in there related service could be cool and I am saying that to add more visual to your experience. The old site had many pics and its unbeatable to me with pictures. I see your company name in left header italics and to the right the white standard, I like the white but above the quality statement and a step up in font size. The italics signature I somehow would use it in the cycling on a slight angle as your sig.
And again thanks for what ya do here, im out here before the escorts come. besides im cooking chili

[MinUph]

Well guys and gals it is published. The new site replaced the old. I added some pics and a few other things. I think it is good and hopefully it will continue to generate business for me. Like it if you would maybe we can get an Upholstery site to go viral as they say. LOL right.
  Thanks for the comments they were welcomed.

[Mojo]

I am a little late to the party. I did check out your new web site a few days ago from the link on your facebook page.

I would setup a separate page titled " Contact Us ". Almost all business websites have them. I listed our contact info like you did on a page similar to yours and customers passed over it and complained about not finding the contact info. So I added a separate contact us page. That took care of these problems.

I am in a different position then most of you as we are an internet based company that serves the entire USA. For the first couple years I never even listed our mailing address. I have since added all our contact info. I added alot of info on our website for 2 reasons. 1.) To provide traffic to the website by bus owners looking for information 2.) to free me up from constant phone calls by people looking for information.

We have reached a critical juncture with our business because growth has ended up maxing out our production. I cannot afford to be on the phone all day answering questions so we cram as much info on the website as possible. In other words we allow our website to answer questions versus me constantly taking phone calls. It is different for most of you because you all have so much walk up business while we have none. Customers never show up here unless they call to pick up an order which is very rare.

One other suggestion I may make here is contact Bobbin through a PM and see if she would read over your website and offer suggestions in regards to wording. Bobbin has an amazing command of the english language and is awesome with wording things. I on the other hand suck in this department. There is nothing worse then having poor grammatical content on your website as it sets off questions in customers minds.

I think you have a great base to grow from and add to. Keep track of the data logs and if there is alot of traffic then keep your site updated and fresh as often as possible. This draws people back time and again looking to see new added content. I am not talking about creating a new look but adding tidbits over time ( pictures, press releases, educational tid bits such as care and cleaning tips, etc. )

Looks good Paul. I am always available to you if you want to bounce any marketing ideas off me.

Chris