Could use some feedback on my new project (LSAT prep)

[keltorsori]

I'm a long time Anand'r and I'm working on a new project that could use some feedback on (or might actually be useful to some of you). I've worked for a few years as an LSAT prep instructor and think it's crazy how expensive this stuff is (and unfair to those that can't afford it, but that's another topic). So, I'm starting a website aimed at giving out good LSAT preparation material for free or damn close to it.

I'm starting out by putting up one question every day from a different LSAT and explaining how to approach it. I'm finishing/editing the first of my overall study guides that'll be posted soon.

Anyway, I could use some feedback, not only on the concept, but the site itself. So, without further ado, I present, LSAT Ace

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Hell, maybe one of you is thinking about law school and this would actually help (or could tell me if this might actually be helpful), who knows.

 

[xanis]

I really like the concept of your website. I think the design is okay but it could use a little work. Maybe change from that irritating default WP font? Otherwise it's looking good.

 

[Crono]

I would take the advertising down by just a notch, or at least substitute the University of Pheonix ad for a contextual text ad. Also, the WP CMS doesn't really lend itself to the educational nature of your site. I would use a minimalist CMS (WP is fairly minimalist, but it's more blog/news oriented) with a left side menu (there a couple of Joomla themes that I think would be perfect), so it would be easier to navigate to past questions as well as the other resources on your site (you could additionally keep a top menu bar for categories). I personally wouldn't advertise my own store on the front page, but rather offer a "LSAT Resource Comparison" page with a price and feature listing and honest reviews. People are more likely to buy your stuff if it's presented alongside other options, and in a an honest and non-intrusive way. The banner is also a little too big; 100-150px would be better. The banner picture itself might be better if it were of an actual LSAT results paper (if possible; I'm assuming you used a stock image for the current one) with a 180 score, thus fitting in with the name of the site. I agree with Xanis about the font.

Integrating a forum system (like vB or phpBB) with the main site's CMS would be a cool feature (though not absolutely necessary), where users could post comments in the forums/front page and submit questions or tips (tip of the week maybe?) all using the same login system. It wouldn't be hard to do this, since there aleready "bridge" tools for integrating popular CMS' and forums/BB systems.

Sorry if I got carried away with suggestions. The idea and the base structure you have right now are good, though, and I think with just a little bit of work (and expansion over time, of course) your site could be really good and helpful to a lot of people.

EDIT: Also, when you get the guides up on the site, it would be awesome if you could release them as free-to-distribute PDFs (and/or PowerPoint slideshows). It's possible to easily insert advertising banners (minimal amount, please, preferably at end or at chapter endings) using a tool (I think it is from Yahoo, have to check) that was recently released, if you need the revenue to pay for the site. If you do video podcasts, releasing them on iTunes and giving out CDs at/near colleges (there are more than a few in NYC where I am) would give you a larger audience.

 

[Corporate Thug]

cool site. I remember paying $1100 for my LSAT prep but it produced real results so I cant complain. I would be very interested in seeing on your guides.

 

[keltorsori]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I see there is no love for the Georgia typeface here at Anandtech, I'll be playing around with some other faces.
As far as Cronos's suggestions:
1. The banner is definitely being replaced, I just haven't had a chance to shoot anything for it yet (and will be much smaller)
2. There already is a forum (check the forum link), I integrated the easily integratable bbpress (single sign-on for site and forum)
3. I'm definitely doing podcast type presentations. I'm working on the first one right now and I will say it's awesome. They'll be free w/out advertising. I figure if I'm going to charge for anything I might charge a few bucks for the guides (it takes me about 30 hours to do a single test)

Thanks everyone soooo much for the suggestions so far, it's giving me a lot to think about and I'll definitely be making some changes. I will probably be sticking with the basic layout/idea for the site as it is, since the blog part lends itself to the tip/Q&A-a-day idea and allows me a better format to put up important news (like changes in the test format that are coming).

 

[Safeway]

I paid $1050 for my LSAT prep class, and it also produced real results. I don't like how large-scale your site is. The banners and navbar are huge! The topics are huge!

 

[keltorsori]

Originally posted by: Safeway
I paid $1050 for my LSAT prep class, and it also produced real results. I don't like how large-scale your site is. The banners and navbar are huge! The topics are huge!

The banners are huge, and will be shrinking down as soon as I have time to shoot new stuff to go in them (probably this weekend). Likewise, I see what you're saying about the topics, I'll start playing around with the style sheet some and see what I can do.

Thanks for the feedback, it's definitely appreciated.