eCommerce site design -- feedback

[Brian Farkas]

Hi all,
I recently launched this site for a client, and would like to get feedback on what everyone thinks... What do you like/dislike about the site from an aesthetic, usability, reliability, and general "does this make me want to buy" standpoint?

http://www.cetaceacorp.com/

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

[bazzle83]

Aesthetic: This is a nice looking site, obviously the blue enforces your clients focus on scuba diving gear, so nice choice of colours. The logo is nice, especially the different configurations shown on the page. Perhaps you should make the logo bigger in the header.

Usability: Easy to navigate menu but the two sets of buttons in the header is a bit weird and might confuse some ppl.

reliability: The header is overly complex and took ages to load first time.


If I was looking for some scuba gear, and it was available on this site, i'd happily make some purchases.

[JPnyc]

Yeah whatever that image(s) is below the main header, it never loaded. Just appears for a sec or 2, but the load bar shows loading over and over again.

[JPnyc]

Ok it works as I assume it should in fireschlocks and Opera, but it's totally bollixed in IE

[Brian Farkas]

JPnyc - what version of IE are you using? and what connection speed? Thanks!

[JPnyc]

IE6 fully updated, 5mb connection

[Brian Farkas]

Interesting... thanks for the heads-up... It's working on all my machines but I'll try to duplicate it... It's basically a javascript-controlled scrolling image depicting "in-use" shots of their products... maybe there are some issues with it I was unaware of.

[undressedmonster]

I would move or get rid of the scrolling image in the center of the page and move up your large buttons that define all the product lines. My reaction within 5 seconds of visiting your site is "What does this company do? Ok, SCUBA gear, but what does that have to do with firefighters...?"

I would also move the paragraph describing the company up to the top of the middle section, and give it a heading.

[Brian Farkas]

Thanks for your response --
the client wanted the scrolling image as he felt it showed what the company does... as such your feedback is very interesting. The company actually makes products along a variety of product lines (scuba is their core), but they also manufacture pet accessories, fire/rescue products, etc -- one of the main challenges was trying to come up with a page that unified the many seemingly unrelated product lines for which Cetacea manufacturers accessories. If you have any suggestions as to how to better visually communicate this, I would love to hear them.

Thanks,

Brian

[JPnyc]

If You post the javascript, i bet I can tell you why it's doing that.

[Brian Farkas]

Hi JPnyc - JavaScript code is below (sorry for the late response, just saw this followup)


var cp=0;
var speed=50; // vary this to suit, larger value - slower speed

window.onload=function() {
scrollIt();
}
function scrollIt() {

document.getElementById('splashImageHome').style.b ackgroundPosition=cp+'px 0';

cp--; //change this to p-- for right to left direction

setTimeout('scrollIt()',speed);
}