Why I haven't been on the forums (for quite some time)

africanos23

africanos23

africanos23

Associate
Joined
1 Mar 2014
Posts
2,419
Hey everyone, happy christmas and new year.

Those that frequent the GPU subsection should have realised I haven't been around for quite a while.

Anyway I have started a new online business venture with 2 friends a Optician and a Finance Major in the retail eyewear sector.

This is not a pitch to sell things just to get peoples feedback on the second redesign of the site (we have been up for roughly 2 months) as I didn't like the first one.

I am using eyetracking and heatmaps on the site so I can see what people are doing.

If interested take a look a tell me your opinions.

The website : https://lenshour.com

Hopefully this is ok in the general section. If not and the mods don't allow the post I can delete it.

Cheers Nikolas
 
Jez said:
First thing that jumps at me is that the prices are all in Euros by default, we do not use euros....
Annoying and makes the site look amateur :)
Click to expand...
The GeoIP redirects to specific currencies causes very slow load times (something I am trying to get through ATM) because it has to go through another DNS.

Maccy said:
Aside from looking like a shameless business plug thread, I wouldn't buy from that site. It just doesn't look like a reputable store and I've seen similar designs in the past that look like con sites.
Click to expand...
To be honest it's not a business plug thread, I really need some feedback and OCUK is one of the forums I mostly visit.
Why doesn't it look reputable ? Any specific reason ?
It's a wordpress theme that I have modified (homepage is custom)
 
a) The biggest problem I see everyone mentioning is the currency switch. So I will add auto GeoIP switching (have done now). You guys are right it defaults back to EUR for some reason. (looking now)

b) Ray-Bans - We have a blog post on recognizing fake Ray-Bans vs counterfeits on our blog, don't know exactly what else to do about that. I guess that has to do with branding I suppose ?

c) Filters - I will need to check how to segment them

d) for the homepage image we will do a photoshoot its a free stock image for now

e) blurry images I will need to resize the thumbnails to be bigger and run regenerate thumbnails (what resolution are you guys that saw blurry photos running) ?

f) the photos were taken by a "professional" photographer so I will need to see with him
 
Last edited:
You guys are correct in terms of VAT it's country specific. I checked an OCUK order from a few months back and its 19% VAT (my countries) vs the 20% standard UK vat.

I will add a EU cookie law script now, forgot about that.

Note: It seems digital goods have this law for country specific taxes. I'm going to call my accountant to be sure how to handle this.
 
Last edited:
1) Fixed autocurrency switcher
2) Deleted all the currency switcher dropdowns on homepage, category pages and product pages (basically everywhere)
3) Put back everything to normal prices
4) Added a Sale page (discount eyewear) in top menu, added just a few products
5) Changed Shop menu link to - All Products
6) Made footer links different colour so they are easier identified
7) Deleted subscribe button pic and made it a simple link
8) Talked with accountant and set the relevant tax ( which is non taxable) ATM due to volume of sales.
9) Fixed the cart image at the bottom and added fontawesome icons with text

Going to see what I can do with the homepage so its less "spammy" and less "2000"
Going to get the photographer to take all the pics again with male or female models and a specific backround so there's consistency.
 
Last edited:
AHarvey said:
OK, first impression, the buttons on the home page are too far apart, that's a lot of empty space between them, and I am lazy as are most other people online.

Secondly, you're photos are terrible. I shoot products for a few online retailers as well as for Bridgestone Golf UK and if I handed over those shots I'd never get any repeat custom.

Depth of field is too small.
Too many photos of the product.
what color background do you want on them, I see anything from white to grey.
You need a couple of photos showing the entire product then, if you want more, a few close ups of the details.
reflections in the lenses are distracting, especially from the front

If you need advice etc, feel free to email me via trust.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, SEO is my best skill set not photography. I'm thinking on how to make the pics stand out. Something like what Asos or Zappos (as they are huge businesses) is doing is what I think will do the trick.
 
Last edited:
Random Guy said:
Crikey, you are a brave soul if you would venture into the world of GD for feedback on just about anything, let alone a website. But fair does, you know to take any feedback with a requisite dose of salt and that your feeling for your business and your "gut" is always the decider.

P.S. I don't think I am your target market but standardise your front page button and label sizes, consider different menu configurations, and now is the time to get some A-B testing going. Read "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries, which is ideally suited (imo) to a venture like yours. Good luck and all the best with it!
Click to expand...


I'm running eyetracking and heatmaps :D

paradigm said:
The white text and light blue icons on the homepage are awful. They'd look significantly better with some kind of backdrop rather than simply the background image.

Alternatively, ditch them completely, none of them are a call to action, which is what your landing page should be ALL about.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to see how to make call to actions (categories,on sale,recently added) but also providing a USP.
 
I've redesigned the homepage again. It goes better with the other pages of the site as it has the standard menu and footer.
Buttons USP etc

Forgot to mention I have pushed the free returns from 14 days to 30 days due to the slower free shipping method.

We've actually made a sale 4 nights ago (to someone in our country) through facebook ads. We have pay on delivery in Cyprus (which is something you guys don't see). Anyway the person ordered through the website on mobile so I guess I'm doing something right.

This is what was included in the box
4aq3omd.jpg

People that wear contact lenses or prescription glasses can you check for some problems we might have on the product pages ( in terms of entering your prescription ) and how we should change it to be easier/friendlier?
 
Last edited:
AndyT said:
As a website it actually looks alright to me, there are some harsh critics on here.

The main problem I see is that I would, never, ever, ever, ever buy a pair of glasses or sunglasses without trying them on first and asking at least one other person what they thought. I don't know anyone else who would either.

There is a reason that high street opticians are still in business in every town in the UK, when many other businesses have moved out/failed.
Click to expand...

The truth is that most people I have asked say exactly the same thing, but if they know what pair they want and can find it online cheaper, they don't mind saving some money.
 
AndrewNR said:
I think it's quite good...just remove the 9 differently-coloured buttons scattered all over it.

I think it needs more information about who you are, how long you've been established etc. It will "fill out" the white mid-section a bit more too.
"Here at Lens Hour we understand that value and quality are important to our customers. If you’re looking for designer sunglasses, eyewear and related accessories at an affordable price, you’re in the right place.

Read more at: https://lenshour.com/?v=79cba1185463"

Doesn't really cut it to me? Also "Read more at: https://lenshour.com/?v=79cba1185463" that doesn't display on the page but I can copy and paste it? :confused:
Click to expand...

That's just a little code trick I use to scare people . LOL just kidding, actually it helps getting a reference to the material and builds a few links and traffic when people post on forums ;)

The ?v=79cba1185463 string is specific to the country the user is based in so the currency switcher works.
 
Last edited:
Ok so

1) Fixed CSS issue with recently viewed by others plugin
2) Unstuck header menu
3) Change cookie law plugin
4) Spaced brands
5) Deleted Bitcoin payment method
 
Last edited:
AndrewNR said:
Why insist on having buttons get in he way of the picture? 9 to 3 was a good start but move them to the left or something.
Click to expand...

I was messing around with the homepage all morning, and adding products makes it look aweful. The next option I need to try is adding an image slider with call to action for each category.

So it should go something like

Slider Image 1> 1 General Category
Slider Image 2> 2 General Category
Slider Image 3> 3 General Category
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom