Website critique, thoughts and just plain exposure

[Cuda1447]

***UPDATE***

I want to thank everyone for their comments/support in this forum. Many of you ordered some loot and I sincerely hope you enjoyed what you received. I have emailed you surveys, if you wish to fill them out that would be greatly appreciated.

We are running a TV Giveaway until April 15th and I wanted to let everyone here on ATOT have the opportunity to win. For those of you that have purchased from our site I automatically entered your purchases into the contest giveaway, for the rest of you here are the details x-posted from our Facebook page.

TV Giveaway!! Win a 39" Toshiba 1080P HDTV!! Here's how it works: Between now and April 15th you can accumulate points. Each point is worth an entry into the drawing for the HDTV. Earn points in 3 ways:

1. Like our Facebook page = 1 point @ www.facebook.com/luckyloot.net
2. Share this post = 1 point (Find the post on our Facebook page and share it)
3. Make a loot purchase on www.luckyloot.net = 5 points

The drawing will be held on April 15th and the winner will be notified via email or their Facebook page. Good Luck!

***/end update***




I know we hate things like this from outsiders. I'm not an outsider though. After 10+ years I've earned the right to self advertise! Aside from my signature this will be the only time I do this.


I've been working on a project for awhile now. Finally got to the point where I'm comfortable launching. I'm hoping to get a little exposure so if you guys want to check it out, share it with friends/facebook/whoever. Or if you just want to give me thoughts/critiques/praise. Any and all of it is welcome.

Website: www.luckyloot.net

(note: the .com was already taken and the dude wouldn't respond to my purchase inquires, so .net it is!)


Again, all thoughts are welcome!


**EDIT**

Alright, I've decided I'm going to create a coupon code for you guys if any of you want to give it a try. Coupon code is 'cuda' and can be entered at checkout. It'll give you $5 off (basically free shipping) and is good until the end of the night.

I hope you guys enjoy. I'd much rather my first customers be people that can/will give me good/honest feedback, so after you order/receive loot please give me any candid feedback you have.

Thanks!

 

[vjyper]

You might want to get rid of MyCompany.com in the footer...

 

[Cuda1447]

You might want to get rid of MyCompany.com in the footer...

Oh jesus, I'm an idiot. I double checked everything and missed that!! Thanks.

 

[bradley]

Every business needs a catch-phrase, so how about, "Loot Me" when placing an order. lol Good luck with the new endeavor.

 

[Cuda1447]

Every business needs a catch-phrase, so how about, "Loot Me" when placing an order. lol Good luck with the new endeavor.

Heh, I kinda like it. I've thought that I needed something there, but couldn't really figure out exactly what to say. I will give that some thoughts. Thanks!

 

[KeithTalent]

So is this like the BOC from Woot?

KT

 

[lxskllr]

So is this like the BOC from Woot?

KT

Exactly! The best part of Woot all the time. I like the idea, and the site looks decent so far. I'm gonna poke around a little more though.

 

[KeithTalent]

Exactly! The best part of Woot all the time. I like the idea, and the site looks decent so far. I'm gonna poke around a little more though.

Very interesting idea. Site is nice and clean too.

KT

 

[Hankysmoo]

In the FAQ, you mention you can order up to 3 items at once but on the purchase screen, you can adjust the quantity past 3. Is that right?

 

[lxskllr]

Site is nice and clean too.

KT

Yup. Wasn't much more to poke through :^D

I like that it's simple. No bullshit, just details. The coloring and logo aren't my favorite, but I'm not an art guy. I couldn't give quality change suggestions. The only advice I have is to be careful not to imitate Woot as far as design goes. You want to keep your identity unique, and not look like a cheap cash-in.

 

[Meractik]

I have a great idea.... YGPM!

 

[Cuda1447]

In the FAQ, you mention you can order up to 3 items at once but on the purchase screen, you can adjust the quantity past 3. Is that right?

That is correct. To be honest, I'm having a little trouble on the backend limiting the cart. I didn't want that to hold up my launching of the site though and in the event that someone wants to order more than 3 items right now, well I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

 

[Cuda1447]

Yup. Wasn't much more to poke through :^D

I like that it's simple. No bullshit, just details. The coloring and logo aren't my favorite, but I'm not an art guy. I couldn't give quality change suggestions. The only advice I have is to be careful not to imitate Woot as far as design goes. You want to keep your identity unique, and not look like a cheap cash-in.

I appreciate the thoughts. To be honest, woot inspired me. I want to expand upon the idea and take it to new levels though. There are similarities, but also many differences. The site design wasn't really inspired by woot as much as deal of the day sites, which are simple and clean. I thought my site fit that criteria.

 

[Cuda1447]

Very interesting idea. Site is nice and clean too.

KT

Thanks Keith, much appreciated. Clean was the idea.

 

[ponyo]

I like it.

 

[Cuda1447]

I like it.

Thanks, order something

 

[Andrew111]

What shopping cart software do you use? I've been playing around with shopping carts like zenCart but most of them provide way too many features...the one you use looks like what I'm looking for though. Looks like you're with Authorize.net too....what credit card processing/merchant services vendor do you use? I haven't had any complaints with Flagship Merchant Services...good customer service, easy to get a hold of, and best rates I've seen for credit card processing (all major credit cards) and low monthly fees/minimums.

Also, looks good but like someone else kinda mentioned...might want to think of a catchy slogan so people remember it and refer friends.

This link might be useful for you: http://credit-card-processing-review.toptenreviews.com/ Can calculate savings on the left hand side based on estimated revenue.

 

[Cuda1447]

What shopping cart software do you use? I've been playing around with shopping carts like zenCart but most of them provide way too many features...the one you use looks like what I'm looking for though. Looks like you're with Authorize.net too....what credit card processing/merchant services vendor do you use? I haven't had any complaints with Flagship Merchant Services...good customer service, easy to get a hold of, and best rates I've seen for credit card processing (all major credit cards) and low monthly fees/minimums.

Also, looks good but like someone else kinda mentioned...might want to think of a catchy slogan so people remember it and refer friends.

This link might be useful for you: http://credit-card-processing-review.toptenreviews.com/ Can calculate savings on the left hand side based on estimated revenue.

I use Woocommerce for the shopping cart. I also use Flagship Merchant Services. Seems to work well so far.

 

[_Rick_]

Needs gift cards!

Also, optionally, loot tags. That way you can lock down some meta-information on what you might get. You could even charge an extra dollar for each tag selected.
While this complicates things, you could probably hide it in the UI someplace not too intruding.

Offer gift wrapping

Something really funky: Add QR tags that link to sound/video files on your site, so when a recipient opens a box, then can use their phone to play the accompanying loot sound effect.
I should probably patent that latter idea

 

[Cuda1447]

Needs gift cards!

Also, optionally, loot tags. That way you can lock down some meta-information on what you might get. You could even charge an extra dollar for each tag selected.
While this complicates things, you could probably hide it in the UI someplace not too intruding.

Offer gift wrapping

Something really funky: Add QR tags that link to sound/video files on your site, so when a recipient opens a box, then can use their phone to play the accompanying loot sound effect.
I should probably patent that latter idea

Haha, these are some interesting ideas. I do intend to do gift wrapping, themed type gifts and other similar ideas in the future.

I'm a little confused about the loot tags idea. Care to explain that further?

 

[edro]

"A boat's a boat but the mystery box could be anything... it could even be a boat!"

 

[Cuda1447]

"A boat's a boat but the mystery box could be anything... it could even be a boat!"

That's brilliant! Did you just make that up or is that from something? It sounds very familiar for some reason.

 

[edro]

Here's a suggestion:
Don't charge $25+$5 shipping.
Charge $30, free shipping... or since $30 looks high, charge $25, free shipping.

I personally love sites like DX.com who roll the shipping in.

Also, you're going to need some fake testimonials on there to drum up more business.
"I was expecting some socks, but I got a 55" Plasma instead! Thanks LuckyLoot!"

 

[edro]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CuK18CZOG4

 

[Cuda1447]

Here's a suggestion:
Don't charge $25+$5 shipping.
Charge $30, free shipping... or since $30 looks high, charge $25, free shipping.

I personally love sites like DX.com who roll the shipping in.

Also, you're going to need some fake testimonials on there to drum up more business.
"I was expecting some socks, but I got a 55" Plasma instead! Thanks LuckyLoot!"

I didn't really want to put up fake testimonials... Im hoping I'll get enough early business to get started and a few testimonials up there.

The shipping charge is something I've struggled with. I thought about charging just $30. We will see how this goes and I may switch it up if need be. Thanks for suggestions.