Some help needed!!

[firstforpets]

Just to let you all know I am shutting this website down and have started a new one - which sells pet beds as I feel much more inspired and qualified to sell the beds.

Thanks for all your help and comments.

[Bryony84]

Hi First for pets

I'm a web designer, I work for a marine website design company but many of the principles are the same. The first thing I'll say, is that your web designer really ought to be listening to your thoughts about the site. Some of our clients are uber-picky but unless what they want is either not possible, or not a good idea from a design/SEO point of view then we will do whatever they want. Seems like your designer is being a bit unreasonable, but then again I'm come across plenty that are.

One of the biggest problems with your site, in addition to what Hannikat has said is your SEO.

In non-designers terms, this is how the search engines will see your site, and how they will rank it in the search engine listings:

Your first problem is that the SEO is almost entirely directed at 'pet vitamins', which isn't the only thing you sell and I'm sure not a huge amount of people would be likely to type into google. They would be more or at least equally likely to use 'pet products' 'pet store' 'pet toys'. I guess your web address probably doesn't help with this. Believe it or not, every element of your site, from the address to the naming of files and images counts towards how well your site will perform with the search engines. You can have the flashiest website in the world, but if the SEO is bad, not many people will find it.


Looking at your keywords, there are far too many of them on there, SEO guidelines say around 12 keywords is the best amount for good SEO. There are also some structural elements missing that are important to SEO.

I don't mean to be harsh at all with any of this, but your products look pretty good and it would be a shame if not many people managed to find the site.

[firstforpets]

REPLY TO HANNIKAT - That information is absolutely priceless and I really honestly appreciate it. Many of the comments suggested I agree with, but the web designer does not. I am not a web expert like yourself so you have picked up on things I haven't i.e. the different fonts etc.

We paid no where near that money, but I am prepared to pay more next time for a better outcome.

I am going to pass these comments onto our web designer and see what he thinks.

Let me know what company you work for as I am about to start another project (in due dilligence process) and currently getting quotes for website.

Thanks again,

Jade

[blackcat]

they have a website animates.co.nz if you want a sneak preview. They do sell live pets, but they seem to have a remarkably responsible approach - ie no kittens under 14 weeks, vaccinated, neutering costs included in the price, also followup vaccinations, obedience training vouchers for puppies, etc etc, and also free vet treatment for a period after treatment. Also, as far as I could tell, animals are not housed there overnight, but taken elsewhere (I used to forget what time they opened on weekends and arrive early so had plenty of time to peer in their windows ...). The outlets are easy to spot as they are bright yellow and usually have a huge fibreglass cartoon dog on top!

[Feline Costumier]

If you could see your way to delivering to New Zealand from, say, March time that would be fabulous 

You won't need online deliveries there - there is a great chain store called Animates in NZ which provides all you ever wanted (and didn't know you needed) for any sort of pet you can imagine - I used to practically live there.  If you want any insights into living in NZ, get in touch, I was there for 2 years until Dec 2006

I lived there previously too, that's why I'm going back, I loved it! Did not have pets while there though so will definitely be checking out Animates 

[blackcat]

If you could see your way to delivering to New Zealand from, say, March time that would be fabulous 

You won't need online deliveries there - there is a great chain store called Animates in NZ which provides all you ever wanted (and didn't know you needed) for any sort of pet you can imagine - I used to practically live there.  If you want any insights into living in NZ, get in touch, I was there for 2 years until Dec 2006

In reply to your original request, Firstforpets, I have bought veterinary supplies from VetUK, Various odds and sods from ZooPlus (including a kennel that was too small for my dog), and generally through MySupermarket.com I get food supplies, generally from Waitrose, which, oddly enough works out cheapest. Otherwise I use the local shops (I don't have a car).

[Millys Mum]

I dont find the site too bad but the actual web address makes me think along the lines of possibly dodgy human meds sites!

[Hannikat]

Ok I've tried to give you as much feedback as possible (probably been over critical, I always am  ). I've tried to look at it in the same way I would a website brief if you were the approach the webdesign company I work for

Branding
 - It's a little confusing having the two logos.....traditionally its one- normally top left but by the looks of it our main logo is the other one!
 - If you top right logo it your 'branding' then I have to say I don't see great correlation between the two you logo is using a very rich colour palette which doesn't follow through in the harsh reds and blues and yellows

Navigation
 - As a user I'd be expecting the titles (and possibly even the images) of items to take me to the right location
 - Traditionally the logo should link back to the homepage - its not a rule but expected
 - On the homepage offers only the price is clickable - very confusing - same for the best sellers etc
 - Add to basket is at the bottom of EVERY Page
 - buttons saying index appear a lot but I'm not sure what they are - I think they mean top
 - It mentions not forgetting my free products but I can't see them?

Layout and Design
 - Uses a variety of different fonts and colours these should really be standardised throughout
 - The animals on white background imagery is really lovely but the top ones don't really seem 'anchored' in any way is that makes sense?

Small Things
 - When I hover over the view basket is causes my page to jump up and down
 - Unless your planning on updating your corporate pages regularly I wouldn't advise having last updated messages - if left for longer than a couple of months it can give the impression that your company is not 'active'
 - It may be part of the agreement you have with your designer but is the 'published by' bit at the bottom of the page a must from them? whenever I see them it just doesn't give me the impression of a professional outfit, which in e-commerce is a big thing as there's a high level of assessment customer side when deciding on a purchase

Nice to haves
 - Some of your products appear to be the same but in different sizes - in and ideal world this would be one product with a drop down option


I hope some of this advice has been helpful in some way. As I've said at the beginning the things I've mentioned and picked up on are this I'd recommend if you were to approach the website company I work for. Again some of the things I've mentioned could be down to the budget the marketing company are working to. Typically we would charge a company between £4,000- £6,000 for a basic e-commerce site so if they are working on a much lower budget than that I think they've achieved a lot. 

If you need anything else let me know, and I hope I've helped without causes offence as it is meant with the best intentions  - some nice products BTW.

[firstforpets]

No thats fantastic thank you, as I actually agree with most of what you are saying lol, it is just that our web designer refuses to change things - so this is really great honestly.

I also agree with you about the product selection but that is something I need to work on. Really thank you though, we need objective opinions

xx

[Feline Costumier]

So I've a bit of time on my hands at work at the moment so am having a nosey, will list what doesn't appeal to me but that's just my opinion.

When you hover over the donation banner it changes from white on blue to a smaller font which is red on blue, makes my eyes go funny!

Maybe one logo only on the top banner as you have your actual logo (I assume) on the far right and then another one on the left. Maybe just the one?

The product listing would perhaps be better broken down into separate pages rather than abig long list for each animal type but this is just my own personaly preference, others may like it as it is.

I'm sure this is a practicality thing and also you are still building your business but for me, at the moment, the varierty of products from a one stop shop point of view isn't great but I do love the paw bed!

Hope this helps and I don't mean to be hyper critical 

[firstforpets]

New Zealand Lol, will try my best!!

To be truthful I am having SO MUCH TROUBLE with my website designer  (we really dont see eye to eye) and would really like some opinions on it - without making it seem like I am trying to push people there!!!

I would definately appreciate some honest advice because I do not think it is very good and if I have some neutral opinions I can go back to my website designer with those opinions.

Anyway, feel free to have a look - www.pet-vitamins.co.uk

Thanks,
Jade

[Feline Costumier]

Hi, this is all great thanks!!

I had the opinion that people would not buy food online but clearly I was wrong about that. Very interesting about delivery too.

Some companies give some of their profits away to charity, which is what I am going to do with the Retired Greyhound Trust (to start with at least). My intentions are pure, as I have a great respect for that charity but i am worried that people will think of it as a sales gimmick.

Also is price main factor online or is it more about quality (or a combination??)

Thanks again!

Combination for me, I want quality products at a reasonable price with good service. No point being the cheapest if it takes weeks to arrive and you aren't kept informed of any delays etc.

I think having the charity aspect is good but you might want to think about changing the charity every so often. I am an animal lover all round and may feel I want some of the money I've spent to go towards charities that interest me. So people passionate about rabbits, cats, reptiles, birds etc etc might like to see one of their charities getting a look in.

If you could see your way to delivering to New Zealand from, say, March time that would be fabulous 

[firstforpets]

Hi, this is all great thanks!!

I had the opinion that people would not buy food online but clearly I was wrong about that. Very interesting about delivery too.

Some companies give some of their profits away to charity, which is what I am going to do with the Retired Greyhound Trust (to start with at least). My intentions are pure, as I have a great respect for that charity but i am worried that people will think of it as a sales gimmick.

Also is price main factor online or is it more about quality (or a combination??)

Thanks again!

[Tiggy's Mum]

I buy everything online but only from companies that have free delivery if you spend over a certain amount. I would never pay for delivery.

Same here, the delivery price is the clincher for me.  I order everything online apart from cat litter - food, toys, flea treatments, supplements, cat trees, beds etc are all purchased online. 

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I buy food, litter, accessories and medication/supplements online.  I mainly buy from zooplus and vetuk.  I favour online shops that sell a variety of things so that I can order litter, food etc in one go and dont' have several deliveries coming (would be a problem for me).  I buy online because it's convenient and cheaper.  Food and litter are much cheaper from zooplus than from a local shop and obviously carrying litter home can be a problem due to the weight.  I buy stuff like feliway, toothpaste etc from vetuk because they are cheaper than buying from vet or local shop.  Another reason I buy online is because there are some foods that I can only get online - zooplus sell a lot of good quality food at a good price and they sell brands not generally available in shops (eg bozita, animonda)

[Mark]

I buy everything online but only from companies that have free delivery if you spend over a certain amount. I would never pay for delivery.

[bunglycat]

I use ebay for beds ( buy off one particular person on there , but she isn''t a business i dont think ? ). Buy from her as good quality and delivered .
Some meds online from vetuk or vetmedic , cat scratchers i buy at cat shows so i can see what they are like .
Food mainly from supermarket with my shopping , dry food -pet shop or pah -but look online if any offers.
Bowls are pot and bought rom anywhere i can find nice ones.
Online - Russell hardy , R& L pet products.

[Feline Costumier]

I get litter, cat trees, food, collars, toys all online. Mostly because I don't have a car and buying heavier items is just not going to happen if I have to lug it home. I usually have it delivered to work and get a lift home from someone with my goodies.

Sites I use Zooplus, VetUK and kittycollars. My local pet shop is quite good and spotted the litter I use n there today so will probably buy from there and again get a lift home as it's only over the road from work.

I would like it if I could choose a day and time, even evening deliveries as working full time including every second Saturday so getting deliveries at home is a pain.

[Den]

I bought a hutch but mostly get get dog beds, dog collars, dog tags, dog food, cat toys (from purrs  ), hay (and lots of it), rabbit treats, toys, flea/worming products and pet first aid items like bandages etc.

I buy often from berriewood wholesale, the hay experts, vet medic, hyperdrug, collars and tags.

Think it's safe to say that I buy most dog/rabbit items online and cat items instore. This is mainly because the cat items are available whereas the doggie/rabbit ones aren't 

I don't buy bowls, dog toys, dog treats, cat food/treats or cat litter online.

[clarenmax]

I'll be honest, I tend to do most of shopping in stores, unless I can't find what I need, then I will buy online.

I've bought scratching posts etc online, and will almost certainly starting getting Max's meds from Vet UK once we've ascertained exactly what he will need to continue taking.

In terms of food, litter etc, again Max's prescription food I get from the vets, but may soon get a prescription for this.

[Dawn F]

I buy pretty much anything and everything - I have too much time on my hands at work and shopping (and purrs) makes the day go quicker!! 

[Leanne]

I buy medication, Drinkwell filters, toys, beds, cat tress all online. I usually use VetUK for the medication things and Zooplus for the bigger things and the Purrs shop for toys.

I prefer to buy online as its cheaper and easier.

I don't buy cat litter and food online though, the litter comes from our local pet shop as they order it in especally for me, and the food goes on our normal food shop.

[Maddiesmum]

I buy medication, toys, food and have bought cat trees and beds.  I usually shop at VetUK or Zooplus.  I shop online as it is more convenient.  Hope this helps

[JackSpratt]

I have bought: breakaway collars, pet beds, plaque off, flea and worming treatments (vet sites), toys and I think once, food.

For buying these items I have used Ebay, VetUK and Bestpetpharmacy.

With food, I couldn't afford to buy in bulk off the internet and have food in the house, so it's easier to buy food when I do our shopping.

That's about it!

Good luck with your business, Jade.

[firstforpets]

Good Morning All!!

I hope you dont mind but I am doing a little research for my new business (dont worry I PROMISE I am not going to sell you anything! lol) and I was wondering if you all could answer the following questions if you have a spare moment? 

1. What pet products do you buy online?
2. What websites/companies do you really admire & buy from often?
3. Why do you choose to buy/not buy online?

It would be excellent to get the feedback of such avid animal lovers.

Thanks again,
Jade