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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:34:56 PM EDT
Ok guys, I'm looking to hear your opinions. We are getting ready to put together and launch a new website and we're just in the planning stages right now. Your suggestions could influence some of the features and ways that we put the site together.
We want it to be easy to navigate with lots of pictures, easy to find the products that you're looking for and make the shopping cart and checkout as quick and as simple as possible. Now, give me some suggestions on the little things that you like when your shopping online. What do you like to see (or definitely don't like to see) on an online store that keeps you coming back (other than great prices and a huge selection of stuff, which we'll have both  )?I'm all ears guys, so let's hear em.... Michael |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:36:41 PM EDT
[#1]
Shipping rates
and LOTS of pics pics make want to buy... |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:39:57 PM EDT
[#2]
REAL time inventory.
Some vendors (we know who specifically) have GREAT websites with tons of pics and a large product line, but whenever you place an order, for anything, you invariably get an email stating the product is on BACKORDER. Pure Horseshit. And reasonable shipping rates for small items. Don't send me a $.30 washer, or a $5.00 tool and tell me it costs $10.00 to ship. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:40:51 PM EDT
[#3]
Yeah, we'll have the shipping setup for exact rates that you can check yourself. I think that is another must have. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:41:44 PM EDT
[#4]
I think this is a perfect example:
Hey, have you seen this site yet? www.iwalton.com Tell me what you think. They have some good stuff, like a REALLY nice Swiss watch and a few knives that are pretty cool. Check it out. ar-15shooter
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:42:41 PM EDT
[#5]
clear and simple webpage
no pop ups a good site search engine |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:42:45 PM EDT
[#6]
Die spam asshole. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:45:13 PM EDT
[#7]
Visit www.newegg.com
Their site is outstanding. They also ship very quickly, which makes for return customers. Most times that I have ordered from them, they ship same or next day. Good luck. Buck |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:46:11 PM EDT
[#8]
accpet credit cards and paypal. Sometimes i like to use paypal because it is SO damn easy.
and +1 on pictures...invest in a GOOD digital camera, and take GOOD pictures that show detail of the product....therefor not only will you be a vendor of the product, you will also be a resource for people researching a product to buy....Remember, if your pictures of a product are the BEST, it is YOUR site that will be linked to when someone asks a question about a particular product... observe: (so and SO) posts: Does anyone know if xyz has the abc or the def? (ARin) posts: xyz has the abc, as shown here on TTS's website (link to TTS) |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:46:43 PM EDT
[#9]
If you want to see a really well done commercial website, go peruse Midway's.
That's the best site I've been too. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:47:38 PM EDT
[#10]
I like live help where I can click a button and talk to a person. I just ordered this for my website. I also like sites that take credit cards. Also one that is secured by an SSL. I hate yahoo carts and paypal only carts. It is good to also accept paypal, but not as your only source. It makes you look amateur. Just my opinion. Hope I don't offend anyone who only uses paypal. I know not everyone can justify the costs of a real merchant account, but if you can then definitely do so.
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:48:09 PM EDT
[#11]
Bingo! +1 www.newegg.com |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:48:42 PM EDT
[#12]
Put it this way, I have been look for a Dissipator upper, and I find the suppliers websites say one thing, their catalogs say another, and the companies say a third thing in postings in the Industry forums. ARRGGG!
Keep the website up to date with your products. If I can't find it, I will assume you don't carry it and will look elsewhere. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:48:50 PM EDT
[#13]
Free shipping. Or at the very least, reasonable shipping. I hate going online and finding a $2 part and the site wants $11 shipping.
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:51:00 PM EDT
[#14]
pics
shipping rate calculator without having to enter a shit load of info electronic check payment real time inventory an actual phone number where someone answers and mailing address that's prominently displayed and not fucking buried |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:52:54 PM EDT
[#15]
+2 Just built my Dad a new machine with a Athlon64 3000+ (Smoking Fast), aluminium case, 420W Thermatake power supply, and 512 MB of RAM for under $450. I ordered it and TWO days later it was at my door.  |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:53:52 PM EDT
[#16]
... hookers & blow
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:55:18 PM EDT
[#17]
Right now we only accept Paypal for online orders, but that will all change when the new site comes up. You'll be able to pay with Visa, MC, AmEX, Discover or print out your invoice and mail a check or money order. Of course you'll also be able to use paypal. Everything will be through secured transactions. I don't know about the live help thing because we won't be able to have someone on the net constantly and I don't know that it would be used so much that we could justify the cost. The pictures I completely agree with and we'll have a bunch. I'm big into taking nice pictures so that you can see before you buy. We're also looking into having online inventory integrated with the backend in real time, so that will be covered. Shipping rates will be actual so I can't help the costs there. I hate popups as much as everybody else... definitely will have a search engine Keep em coming...there's a huge list going to my website guy...if he doesn't see this first 
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Posted: 1/7/2005 3:58:14 PM EDT
[#18]
Nice, clear, concise catagories. Good descriptions, including dimensions, materials and applications, with pics. Lots of different views of pics.
Adding items to a basket and not having to try to discover some way to get back to the online catalog to continue shopping... LIVE stock quantities... or at least 'in stock' and 'out of stock', with the out of stock and a date of availability if possible. A way to contact the store either via email or phone... that will be answered quickly. Oh, and NO FUCKING MUSIC THAT PLAYS ANYWHERE ON THE SITE!!! That freakin annoys the shit out of me. Put stupid music on your site, I'll leave before I ever get past the home page. (the only site that actually pulled this off is the Shiloh site... playing the theme from Quigley Down Under... not some cheap ass MIDI of it) |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:01:04 PM EDT
[#19]
I'm just trying to help the guy out. I mean he has nice Swiss watches. 
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:02:45 PM EDT
[#20]
Just mirror Midway's site and you'll do fine as long as you have the lowest prices around.
It doesn't matter how great a site you have if your prices are high forget it. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:04:05 PM EDT
[#21]
The sites I enjoy shopping on the most have two important capabilities not yet mentioned.
One, a "compare" feature that shows two or more items side by side, with specs. Two, a wish list. Not just a shopping cart. Good fortune in your new venture. DanM |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:04:19 PM EDT
[#22]
...and firetrucks and explosives. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:06:57 PM EDT
[#23]
Most online store are honest. BUT twice I cancelled orders before they were shipped, the online merchant decides to ship anyways just so your creditcard is billed and they hope you change your mind when the item ends up at your front door. But anyways It is very conveinent. I can shop in the comfort of my own gun safe.
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:07:22 PM EDT
[#24]
Don't worry about the pricing, we'll have great prices and some other things to go with it. Just one more thing... If you guys could list specific features instead of entire sites that would help me out with my list. If you do want to suggest a site if you could list some of the best things that you like about it to go with it then that would be great! Thanks... Michael |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:09:23 PM EDT
[#25]
+1 One of their best features is that the search returns a summary of the features of the product so you can compare without opening a bunch of windows. And they have numerous of their own shots of the product AND the accessories it ships with in addition to the stock photo from the manufacturer. And avoid Flash or other extraneous multimedia. You want customers to be able to move through the site quickly. Newegg, for example, has a lite product page. The extra pics are thumbnailed on the side so they're there if you want them, but they don't slow the loading of the page if all you want are tech specs. Also, links to the manufacturer's product page and/or reviews are very useful. Customer feedback (posting it) not so much so - it may not be worth the time to sift through them. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:19:00 PM EDT
[#26]
Search feature
LOTS and LOTS of pictures Clear Price (I know, but some places do not have them )Clear and apparent catagories |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 4:34:47 PM EDT
[#27]
Midway's site has everything... Great search engine (unlike Brownells) Great categories and the ability to narrow by price or manufacturer Allow customers to leave product reviews Real time inventory Shows number of items that have been returned There's probably more that I have forgotten. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 6:33:13 PM EDT
[#28]
Anything else you guys can think of? I've got some other stuff planned that I'm sure you guys are going to like, but I want to make sure that I don't leave something out that could be an important addition...
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Posted: 1/7/2005 6:34:38 PM EDT
[#29]
I don't want to have to fill out my name, CC info, etc... to get a shipped price.
Real time inventory is GREAT! |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 6:40:17 PM EDT
[#30]
I'm taking notes too...
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Posted: 1/7/2005 6:44:22 PM EDT
[#31]
Hey, have your own idea Pete! 
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Posted: 1/7/2005 7:17:36 PM EDT
[#32]
Make the paths to find products extremely clear. If a product is listed more than one layer away from the home page, make sure there is a logical path - Midway has this approach. Ballistic Products has a good example of a poor site design - they sell products that you cannot find except by accidentally finding the right link away from the main page. Brownell's site is poor, but it's a hell of lot better than it was about a year ago when it was basically unuseable - the improved site is still a bad example to copy.
Don't screw your customers on shipping - I ordered a $10 item today, available at only one seller in the world, that had a $7 minimum shipping cost - for a 0.1 pound (shipped weight) part about 1 inch long and 1 inch in diameter. I ended up ordering some other stuff I can use, but didn't really want just to get some value out of the shipping. Find the thread from Lippman Enterprises just last week for additional notes. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 7:25:53 PM EDT
[#33]
I like to be able to log in and not have to enter my shipping info every order (which never changes). But I do want to enter my CC info everytime in case I use the wifes credit card.
Danny |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 7:27:04 PM EDT
[#34]
+1 & then some... |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 7:31:35 PM EDT
[#35]
Well..
1) When you add to "shopping cart", and continue shopping, it takes you back to the same approximate area where you selected the last item. (some sites don't do that and i have to drill back down) 2) I hate having to create an account to buy something. If the sites prices and selection aren't to great/are average and they want me to make an account, i'll forgo the purchase. 3) I always like a large, clear pictures of what the item is.. (like porn, ya know ) but I like if that picture(s) are loadable on demand (a link on the description page), so the initial page about said item does not lag on an image.4) I hate sites that are flashy but have poor function.. but I'm sure thats most people.. i'm there to buy stuff, not ooh and ahh an art gallery. Other than that.. all sites are about the same to me. More 5) On a few sites, I can't find the "checkout" button anyplace except on the page to view the selected items. 6) a small amount of sites use pictures at the link to the product detail. That confuses me.. I figure it out, but I'm "paused" for a bit. 7) use a "babe of the day" pic to take you to the contact info page...
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Posted: 1/7/2005 7:36:50 PM EDT
[#36]
Cheap shipping.
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Posted: 1/7/2005 7:40:37 PM EDT
[#37]
I don't like online stores. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 7:45:59 PM EDT
[#38]
Two more examples of poorly layed out web sites -
- Rock river Arms. I don't like the contrast and letter sizes of their menus along the left hand side of the page, and - EA Brown's site; I guess they are trying to get their money's worth by trying to cram as much stuff as possible on one page. The lettering is too small and there is too much clutter. Another is Fulton Armories site. |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 8:05:13 PM EDT
[#39]
Hey Ponyboy...
here's a few off the top of my head.... 1. when I view my shoppping cart, I want the shipping to be displayed automatically, based on the zip code I entered. No need for me to have to figure that out at time of checkout. 2. if something is backordered, I want to know right away, and not be billed until it is shipped, or let me have the option of not ordering it... 3. Confirmation emails, with details of what I purchased, estimated delivery dates, and how much was charged to my card, etc. 4. Option to keep credit card and bank info OFF of your server, to where I have to enter it each time I order. 5. Give a "count" of how many you sold of each item, to show its popularity, and also how many you have left in stock. I also like to see something like the top 5 things others have bought that bought this same item... gives ideas for future gifts... 6. Advanced wish list-- allow others to see my wish list, if I let them, but also have a private area for myself, and allow me to categorize it as I want. Also allow me to view details of the items within the wish list. 7. useful information-- give "extra" details on product descriptions. 8. Allow people to review an item, providing comments on how it performed, etc. 9. Product request page become the next CTD and have a storefront...! |
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Posted: 1/7/2005 8:31:10 PM EDT
[#40]
Don't forget the CLICK HERE FOR AR15.COM 50% DISCOUNT button. Most places forget to add that one.
 CHRIS |
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:22:30 AM EDT
[#41]
Hey Ponyboy...
here's a few off the top of my head.... 1. when I view my shoppping cart, I want the shipping to be displayed automatically, based on the zip code I entered. No need for me to have to figure that out at time of checkout. I'm thinking of having a simple feature where you enter your zip and it will figure the shipping on your order on the fly with no need to go through the checkout or enter any other information, since nothing else is really needed just to figure shipping 2. if something is backordered, I want to know right away, and not be billed until it is shipped, or let me have the option of not ordering it... Roger that, we don't bill until shipping anyway and I don't know if we'll offer backorders but I'm working on something to identify it as out of stock since there are several ways to do so. 3. Confirmation emails, with details of what I purchased, estimated delivery dates, and how much was charged to my card, etc. We want to have an invoice automatically emailed as soon as the order is confirmed which will have all of the above info 4. Option to keep credit card and bank info OFF of your server, to where I have to enter it each time I order. We will NOT store any credit card or other payment info. I'd like to give the customer the option of "creating an account" which will store name and shipping info if they would like, but this will not be mandatory and you could skip all of that if you would like 5. Give a "count" of how many you sold of each item, to show its popularity, and also how many you have left in stock. I also like to see something like the top 5 things others have bought that bought this same item... gives ideas for future gifts... This is something that we haven't thought of 6. Advanced wish list-- allow others to see my wish list, if I let them, but also have a private area for myself, and allow me to categorize it as I want. Also allow me to view details of the items within the wish list. This is another option that we hadn't thought of before this thread that we'll look into 7. useful information-- give "extra" details on product descriptions. I'm big on pictures, descriptions and details, so this stuff is a given 8. Allow people to review an item, providing comments on how it performed, etc. This is something that I've seen on a couple of sites that I had forgotten about and think that it is a good idea. Definitely something that we'll look into 9. Product request page Another good one become the next CTD and have a storefront...! I don't know that we'll be doing anything like this anytime soon. Anyone have anything else? I need to keep my web guy busy! Michael |
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:24:34 AM EDT
[#42]
Don't forget international orders.
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:26:22 AM EDT
[#43]
Yeah!
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:29:33 AM EDT
[#44]
 Me too.
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:29:35 AM EDT
[#45]
Good photos of the product.
LOTS of details. Measurements, weights, stock/SKU numbers. Being able to get a accurate (or a close estimate) of shipping BEFORE having to get to the next to the last step of completing the sale. NO Flash or other "eye candy" horseshit and minimum popups. |
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:39:02 AM EDT
[#46]
Pics
Live Inventory Fair shipping rates Tracking Numbers |
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:46:31 AM EDT
[#47]
No java applets, scripts, etc. Have as much code run at the server... Use .NET if you can...
I see you already have a developer... Need another developer? or know of anyone/business needing a developer? I'm currently unemployed and looking for work in the DFW area... -E. |
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:50:14 AM EDT
[#48]
No machine gun fire or cutesy music when picking on a link to another region of the web site.
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:51:06 AM EDT
[#49]
[cough]Discussion forums[/cough]
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Posted: 1/8/2005 6:56:59 AM EDT
[#50]
Discounts based on purchases...
CTD used to do this many years ago-- when you buy something, the total price is added to your overall "total sales" that you've ever purchased. Somehow they calculate a discount based on your total you've paid throughout a year, 5 years, or lifetime, etc... not sure how they came up with it, but I saved money for a while there, until they kept losing me in the system (convenient) then finally dumped that system... |
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