Seeking advice on Billiards website redesign

[Qstix]

Hi All,

For those that don't know, my name is Preston and I'm the owner of www.Qstix.com We sell all the typical billiards items such as Pool Cues and Pool Cue Cases and many other items.

Anyways, I feel that the site is a little outdated and am going to hire a programmer to do a re-design. Here is where I need advice, what do you guys/gals look for in a billiards e-store?

A couple ideas I have already is to have our contact information more prevalent, as well as making the initial images of the cues bigger.

All constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!

 

[Houstoer]

Don't make the front page so graphic heavy it takes too long to load. I close sights that don't open quickly and go on to another site.

 

[Philthepockets]

Here is one thing I find frustrating and I see it a lot on cue sites. They catgorize their cues by their name of their series, this means I have to click through all the different "series" of cues to find a design I like as I have no idea what the "series" refers too.
examples
http://www.fury-cues.com/thecues.html
http://www.cuetec.com/
http://www.mcdermottcue.com/all_pool_cue_brands.php

This is easier to navigate

http://www.josscues.com/html/cues/current-menu.html

Larger high quality photos would be nice too.

 

[jason]

Don't hire a "programmer" to redesign your site. Hire a designer who knows programming. You have a technically functioning site as is. You need/want a site redesign.

 

[corvette1340]

pm sent. My company has exactly what you need.

 

[corvette1340]

Don't hire a "programmer" to redesign your site. Hire a designer who knows programming. You have a technically functioning site as is. You need/want a site redesign.

hire a firm that design's websites with a purpose. What I mean by that is you want someone that knows the in and outs of SEO and internet/inbound marketing. What good is a nice looking site if nobody can find it when searching for you products?

 

[Qstix]

Don't make the front page so graphic heavy it takes too long to load. I close sights that don't open quickly and go on to another site.

Good idea, I dont think ours is that graphic intense now, but I'll reduce it even more.

Here is one thing I find frustrating and I see it a lot on cue sites. They catgorize their cues by their name of their series, this means I have to click through all the different "series" of cues to find a design I like as I have no idea what the "series" refers too.
examples
http://www.fury-cues.com/thecues.html
http://www.cuetec.com/
http://www.mcdermottcue.com/all_pool_cue_brands.php

This is easier to navigate

http://www.josscues.com/html/cues/current-menu.html

Larger high quality photos would be nice

Love your feedback, examples are very helpful.

Don't hire a "programmer" to redesign your site. Hire a designer who knows programming. You have a technically functioning site as is. You need/want a site redesign.

Don't know why I put programmer, I meant designer. Thanks for the tip though.

pm sent. My company has exactly what you need.

I kind of already have a guy, but I'll PM you and maybe we can work something out. You've got a nice site and seem to know what your talking about!

 

[Qstix]

Forgot to mention: Anyone who comments is welcome to a 5.00 off 50.00 or 10.00 off 100 coupon. Pm me once you've commented if you want it...

 

[abie10]

it looks like you are using zencart...which is pretty good software. I would just look into getting yourself a new theme/skin (or whatever zencart calls them) rather than get a whole new site.

A brand new site will require inputting all your data again. A new template for zencart would keep all the existing data and just change the look of the site.

Much more cost effective and much easier as well.

edit: actually it might be oscommerce i think. same advice applies

 

[Qstix]

it looks like you are using zencart...which is pretty good software. I would just look into getting yourself a new theme/skin (or whatever zencart calls them) rather than get a whole new site.

A brand new site will require inputting all your data again. A new template for zencart would keep all the existing data and just change the look of the site.

Much more cost effective and much easier as well.

edit: actually it might be oscommerce i think. same advice applies

Abie, great advice there. I'm paying someone to change the design, not a whole new site. Definitley don't want to input all the data again!

Anyone have any advice as to how they like cue pictures when they go to an E-store? Do you like a small picture then click on it to enlarge? Do you those customer loyalty programs? What color schemes do you like?

 

[Qstix]

Anything else? Really hoping for some design/color/layout inputs.