Trying to be hard, but not easy !

[Lemon]

I've just had my site ripped to shreads basically ! I did ask for some advice though so opened myself up for it I suppose. I am normally good at taking critism and seeing things from a business point of view and not personally. I suppose it's because I have spent soooooooo many hours, blood sweat and tears that it's dissapointing to hear. Just a moan really ladies, will feel better in a few hours !

[Bunny]

*hugs* Robyn, I love your site, but remember don't take the criticism you have received from others too personally

[Tanya]

""cutey""b ""cutey""b

[MerrilyMe]

Oops :(

What are the main criticisms that have come up? Which ones bite the hardest? Which bits of advice make you nod thoughtfully? Which do you reject and why? Are any of the bits you agree with ones you can implement quickly and see if you get a result?

*trying to add some positive spin*

Sorry if i've said anything bad - have i?

[Chell]

I bet I know where you've had the criticism, I'm too scared to post there!

[Tanya]

I bet I know where you've had the criticism, I'm too scared to post there!

I bet I know too

[Lemon]

Well for goodness sake's say it !! It can't be any worse than what others have said !! I do have to take this on board and turn it around.

[Tanya]

the people who have cristised your site, have you had a look at theirs to see how they have done things. Are they successful with what they have done?

[sal1]

I think your sites brill Lemon!!! ""cutey""b

[Lemon]

They are in different fields (ie not children's clothing) As to how successful they are are, I don't really know tbh.

[Tanya]

Well for goodness sake's say it !! It can't be any worse than what others have said !! I do have to take this on board and turn it around.

keep your knickers on woman :hysterica

I came across a site a few weeks ago but after reading a few threads decided if I posted on there they would definitely rip my site to shreds

UK Business Forums

[Lemon]

keep your knickers on woman :hysterica

I came across a site a few weeks ago but after reading a few threads decided if I posted on there they would definitely rip my site to shreds

UK Business Forums

Sorry TJ :blusingan

[Tanya]

I think your site is quite user friendly, I've used it and bought things and as I received a really good service from you I would buy again

one thing I would like to say is the what's new infobox in the left hand column, it would be nice to have the heading clickable so you can see a whole page of the new products

(**runs and ducks for cover**)

[Tanya]

Sorry TJ :blusingan

don't be silly, what are you sorry for, I know how frustrating it can be to get things right and when you've worked so hard and you think you've got it right someone comes along and shoots you down, it's very hard to know what the customer wants as they are all different. This is why I am having a hard job trying to fathom everything out.

[Chell]

I don't think your prices aren't always competitive if I am totally honest. I posted your 20% offer on MSE as you know. Someone came back and posted that your jeans were dearer than Asda were selling the same ones. Alot of childrens PJs etc are so cheap elsewhere that its hard for you to be competitive.

[Tanya]

I don't think your prices are always competitive if I am totally honest. I posted your 20% offer on MSE as you know. Someone came back and posted that your jeans were dearer than Asda were selling the same ones. Alot of childrens PJs etc are so cheap elsewhere that its hard for you to be competitive.

you're not talking Ebay for the pj's are you because I've looked on there and if you add postage on top they are more expensive.

There is no way on earth that Lemon or even me can compete with Asda etc. I don't have an Asda near me and my tesco's don't do clothes, the nearest one is 15 or so miles away so I would be happy to pay a little extra and let Lemon post them to me

where have you seen them cheaper??

[Lemon]

I don't think your prices are always competitive if I am totally honest. I posted your 20% offer on MSE as you know. Someone came back and posted that your jeans were dearer than Asda were selling the same ones. Alot of childrens PJs etc are so cheap elsewhere that its hard for you to be competitive.

This is a difficult area to get right. My own personal view, and one which I think of too as an online buyer, is that I may not get things as cheap as driving half an hour to a shop, paying parking fees and dragging the kids with me, if it means me spending £1 or £2 more then it is the convenience that I am paying for too. Also my items do include p&p. I have been keeping an eye on the PJ's on Ebay and some of mine are cheaper than you can buy on Ebay if you take into account the large amounts people are charging for P&P. But I do take your point, thank you.

I did get quite a few orders from that post, thanks Chell !!

[Lemon]

I think your site is quite user friendly, I've used it and bought things and as I received a really good service from you I would buy again

one thing I would like to say is the what's new infobox in the left hand column, it would be nice to have the heading clickable so you can see a whole page of the new products

(**runs and ducks for cover**)

I agree about the Whats New box TJ. I am limited at what control I have over my site and what I can do tbh. I can't change these sorts of things.

[Chell]

I know you can't compete with Asda, Home Bargains, eBay, etc but that why selling clothes must be really hard.

No Posh Bag sells Asda clothing so yes, you do need to compete with them in a way. Would it be better to look at slightly different stock, I know you have been Lemon as you mentioned it.

Other items you sell are very cheap though.

[Tanya]

I agree about the Whats New box TJ. I am limited at what control I have over my site and what I can do tbh. I can't change these sorts of things.

can you get into your files to change any of the code, if you can I might be able to help but will have to be later as I've got people coming to dinner in 2 hours and I'm supposed to be doing the housework

[Al1x]

I wouldn't take everything they say to heart to be honest - what I've found with various business sites is that if you have done something a bit different to how they would do it they don't like it ... I bet if you had a review from a different business site they would come up with totally different critisims.

I personally find your site easy to navigate round, your prices are reasonable, i love the fact you have free postage... yea your header may be on the big side and you have to scroll down the page quite far but you have to do that on a lot of sites.

When our baby arrives I'll deffenitly be looking at your site for clothes... also I'm going to mention it to my sister as she was looking for jogging bottoms for her little boy and you have some on your site :D

[Chell]

You know what someone said about your information box, someone on here suggested I look at Beadmerrily, see how those linnks are over the top of the page on there.

[Tess]

hugs Lemon. we're you're customers, the customer is always right. if we had a problem with your site we wouldn't shop there, right xx
sorry, not read all the pages in this thread.:unsure:

[feistygal]

First off Lemon, as I've said to you before your site is a LOT better than many I could mention that are out there.

I actually think you did the best thing you could have for your business by posting on UKBF. The posters on there (with one or two minor exceptions) are serious business men and women who really know what they're talking about.

Sillyjokes and Tin are two posters who replied to your thread that are both incredibly successful. As much as you can I would honestly follow their advice. I know it is hard to be criticised when you've worked hard but those two posters are the type to only say things they know can help you. They would not have wanted to hurt your feelings.

If you want serious business advice that really is the place to go. What you hear there you won't always like but it will be good solid advice that works.

I also wouldn't worry about being the cheapest either. As I said to you before on the phone, being cheap is only one customer base, there are many more customers out there that aren't looking for the cheapest.

Claire xx

[Lemon]

First off Lemon, as I've said to you before your site is a LOT better than many I could mention that are out there.

I actually think you did the best thing you could have for your business by posting on UKBF. The posters on there (with one or two minor exceptions) are serious business men and women who really know what they're talking about.

Sillyjokes and Tin are two posters who replied to your thread that are both incredibly successful. As much as you can I would honestly follow their advice. I know it is hard to be criticised when you've worked hard but those two posters are the type to only say things they know can help you. They would not have wanted to hurt your feelings.

If you want serious business advice that really is the place to go. What you hear there you won't always like but it will be good solid advice that works.

I also wouldn't worry about being the cheapest either. As I said to you before on the phone, being cheap is only one customer base, there are many more customers out there that aren't looking for the cheapest.

Claire xx

Thanks Claire, I know you are right, but sometimes it's a bit hard to hear ! I do want to make a success of it so need the advice, a bit hormonal today due to AF so I probably shouldn't have posted on there today of all days !

I will certainly take all the points on board and try to turn it around and make the best of the advice I have been given.

[helen.broadhead]

Hello,

Honestly its upsetting to hear it at first but I would just take this on board, No-one knows the answers and no-one is ever right, people can just have an opinion on what is right. I personally would right down each point everyone has made and take it one by one, looking into each point thoroughly.

It is upsetting as you put so much time and effort and to be told some or even alot of things arent right is hurtful. Try to just take it on board and think of it as a learning curve and to make your site better and more sucessful.

I have alot of comments posted about my hand painted products some were not very nice at all! but I just take it all on board and change what I want to and listen to what I want to! People told me to change my designs, change my site totally, change my products Ive been told all sorts. i listened to what I wanted to, and I am seeing a huge growth in my site not that I am fully happy with, but some people must be because they order!

It takes alot of time and work. Things will improve.

Hope this some help and not just me blabbing on as I tend to do :hysterica

Helen x

[Lemon]

Thanks Helen, means alot. Glad your site has picked up.

[jenig12]

Hi
Sorry.
i have recently set up a website and put myself up for criticism on a couple of business forums. I was critized all right and am still trying to work through the comments but if it improves business so be it. Its just trying to find the time to make the site perfect when all I want to do is make jewellery and not mess about on the computer-its a vicious circle
Jen

[runragged]

Just wanted to offer a couple of ((hugs)) as it's not easy to take critisism, however constructive xx

[Seren]

i think you were very brave in asking people what they think online.

It is very hard to make yourself understood online at times

""cutey""b

[Tinkabell]

I love your site and never have a problem finding my way around it, have to avoid your site as I always end up spending money lol.

I would prefer to pay any extra pound or two to you then have to trail to the shops and stand for ages in the queue.

You have to take what other business' say with a pinch of salt as we all have different opinions on what we think is correct way to run a business, or how a website should look. I have been on some sites that are established businesses' and they are awful to navigate around, so you cannot go just on the fact that this person is successful. I also think if a site is too fancy that I will be payng more as they have spent more in producing the site and I will be paying for that in the products I buy iykwim.

I know my website is not all that great compared to my main competitor but it does not stop me getting sales or my main competitor contacting me to ask me to increase my prices as he is losing business. Sorry, I am digresing (sp) from the subject but just pointing out that just because he has a flashy site does not mean he has a better product.

[smirnoff]

Lemon i consider myself to be someone who uses and loves your site. You know that i order from you, i wouldnt if your site was awful!

Loads of love and squishy hugs to you hunni....

[darwins]

there any many people in this world who have differant veiws. there are those who know what they are talking about, and those who think they do.

1. what have your prices got to do with your website?
2. the people who critisised, did they offer advice on how to fix the issueds that they had raised? i cant see any problems with your site, but if it was mine, and i had the same sort of responces i wouldnt care. the only people who i would pay attention too, would be Raven, Daffs and NH (sorry if i missed anyone)as they are the only people on this site that I know of, who know about websites, plus if one of them noticed a problem they would offer advice on how to solve it.

do not pay attention to people who think they know it all, but in reality know nothing!

sorry for the rant, and i wasnt aiming this at anyone on this site

[babybiz]

The trouble with asking people who are very successful for critisism is it's been a long time since they started out. They forget that it's taken them years to gain their knowledge and their reviews often demand the same level of excellence from you which is impossible. Instead of giving you stepping stones they lay it all out for you which is not helpful even if they mean to be. I've seen it time and time again, this is how we run our business which is how you should run yours but you just can't run a small sole trader business with a small turnover the same way as a multi national with a billion pound turnover. There are some ideas, recommendations and advice that will be good to help you improve then you go back and get more to take you to the next step. I'm sure it was well meant advice and to be truthful I haven't read it so this is a general comment but over the last 3 years of reading forums like that I see it time and time again like I said. There are things that i read now that I could take on board and implement and help to make my business stronger but there is no way I could have a year or two ago I didn't have the knowledge or the time or the ability. So I learnt without asking and by reading information I could use and each time I found I could do a bit more.

By all means take on board what they are saying they are intelligent people worth listening to I have no doubt but take it with a very large pinch of salt and as a guide on what you need to explore next. Don't try to fix everything right away, learning is your best tool I really believe so. I haven't had the means to ask others to do my work for me although I would have loved to I've had to learn bit by bit and I'm glad, I have a good understanding of things that otherwise I'd still be completely in the dark about. I can form my own opinions based on my experiences not what I'm told and that is worth it's weight in gold. Don't let it get you down hon, just remember they do mean well but they have just forgotten how hard starting out is and that you need to learn slowly and properly. Remember the stronger your foundation the stronger your business will be and you can't build that quickly or with makeshift solutions it takes time.

My god I just waffled something awful but I hope that helps a bit.

Tashxx

[funkyfish]

I think it happens to us all at some time as we all invest such a lot of time and emotional enegy into our businesses it becomes too personal to stand when we do get unexpected negative comments.

However, use the comments and turn the experience into a positive productive thing.

For what its worth - I like your site, but if I had to suggest one improvement I would suggest that you keep the Help category just for information about your service or policies, basically just offering the info that customers need to make a buying decision.

You have a few articles, a competition section, a gallery, Proud Moments, Resources, Link To Us which could be combined and/or tucked neatly under 1 or 2 headings.

This would make the Help section a little smaller maybe and then the left hand side would then be easier for the customer to absorb.

Interesting content is important definately, but I believe the public prefer information in small bite size pieces.

I hope you don't mind my comments....and for what its worth I think you did the right thing asking for other peoples views.

Good luck Lemon xx

[Chell]

Lemon, for your competition would it not be better to ask a question to get people to actually browse your site a bit to find the answer. I used to use Loquax alot to enter loads of comps. I think with the way your competition is you may be getting entrants with no interest in your site at all.

[Ravenfire]

Lemon dont take it personally, I have been posting on UKBF for ages and agree that they can be brutal but its meant in a well intentioned way!

[sadierhianne]

Hmm i wouldn't take it personally, i might go and ask them about mine - actually i think i already did.

I had someone mail me last week telling me that my banner was a bit pale - yep it is but it's how i wanted it, i know that there is room for improvement but i am as happy as i can be with it just now - i am learning still - i have had others tell me that it's a brilliant site - easy to navigate. There's stuff that i don't understand about my site and so really the downfall is my ignorance and not the presentation as far as i am concerned.

My mum sells fantastic stuff and there are problems with her site - i have told her, she is working on improvements - she wants to sell her stuff and i want her to too - i could have not said anything to her - she was a bit upset i think - but who am i to criticise someone's website? I think that the response that you got was designed to help you to see what might need altering so that you raise sales and not to upset you.

I don't judge anyone on a website, i have seen really nice ones and really bad ones - if i find what i want on a website i will buy it regardless.

I'd say that it is very different from a lot of websites on the net and sometimes that is what attracts people.

I will take a look at what they said when i get a mo.

TC

Anne xxx

[Lemon]

Thanks for ALL your support. I feel so much better today and am using some of the information to make changes this week. But then I keep remembering the saying "You can't please all of the people all of the time". There are some valid points that have been made and some that are not so valid. So it's a working progress !!!!

[smirnoff]

Lemon you are wonderful and i for one dont know how you do it!
Your site is fab and so are you!

[Tanya]

Thanks for ALL your support. I feel so much better today and am using some of the information to make changes this week. But then I keep remembering the saying "You can't please all of the people all of the time". There are some valid points that have been made and some that are not so valid. So it's a working progress !!!!

glad you're feeling more positive today. You're right you can't please all of the people all of the time.

[MerrilyMe]

yeah - and you know, at least you know they thought you were worth bothering with. it would have been worse if they'd ignored you like you weren't worth the time. And equally the fact that you've acknowledged their ideas and are putting your own spin on them is great. All power to your elbow!