Question

Topic: Website Critique

Is A Vintage/retro Site Too Old For New Techies?

Posted by web765 on 9/27/2012 at 4:59 PM ET 25 Points
I have a site where people can post announcements - special occasions, new website/business, rants/raves, things for sale/rent, graduations, etc. for free. The site several months ago was too plain and simple, so I revamped it to make it look like a vintage newspaper.
But, I am not getting much response - perhaps the younger generation doesnt appreciate the good ole stuff! I need your constructive criticism. Thx in advance.
The site is https://www.rapidtell.com
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by web765 on 9/27/2012 at 5:01 PM Author
    Thx in advance.
  • Posted by mgoodman on 9/27/2012 at 6:13 PM Moderator
    The problem with the site is not that it's too vintage. It's that a new visitor can't tell what it's all about.

    How would I know if I'm at a site that is going to provide any benefit for me? Am I even in the right place?

    And how are people supposed to find the site? Where/how are you advertising and promoting the site?

    You may need to go back to square one and figure out who your target audience is and what unique and important benefit you provide for them. Then communicate THAT right at the top of your homepage (or landing pages). The "vintage look" is a side issue ... unrelated to the real problem.
  • Posted by web765 on 9/27/2012 at 7:51 PM Author
    Although you have provided some good advice/reponses before, I will have to disagree w/ you on this one!

    ". . . a new visitor can't tell what it's all about." It clearly states on top, and pretty much everywhere else what the site is all about. Perhaps you didnt go to the site itself - as it has the words, "announcements, new business anouncements, special occasion announcements . . . , Post free announcements, etc!
    Although, I am on the first page on Google and Yahoo with three different keywords - I still feel that the design aspect might be the problem!
    But, thx for your response mgoodman.





  • Posted by mgoodman on 9/27/2012 at 8:10 PM Accepted
    No problem, web765. You are always free to disagree with me. (I've been wrong before.)

    I did look at the website, though, and I just looked again. The words at the very top of the page (that you cite as "clearly" stating what the site is about) are very small/not very prominent and don't tell WHO this site is for. What city/state/country? Old/young? Male/female? Psychographics? And what's the benefit?

    Despite your disagreement, I stand by my original comments ... for whatever that is worth. Let's see what others have to say.

    Question: When you say the site is not getting much response, what are you looking at? If you're on the first page on Google and Yahoo with three different keywords, does that translate into hits from those sources? Is your problem getting the right people to the site, or is it that they bounce too quickly? Or can't figure out why they should engage? (What's the bounce rate?) And what are you looking at that suggests you might have a problem with "younger generation" folks? How "younger?" How do you know this?
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 9/27/2012 at 9:33 PM Member
    My 2cents - it doesn't quickly answer the question "Why should I care?" Why would I want to use this service instead of posting on Facebook or Craigslist?
  • Posted by Harry Hallman on 9/28/2012 at 10:48 AM Member
    I agree with mGoodman. I have no idea of how I would use this site when I first go there. In fact, it isn't very clear even when you read the boxes of texts. What is the Obama Wins Again headline? And why is it on this site.

    I also agree that you need to redesign and make it very, very clear what benefit I derive from your site. Plus you have all these posts but none are clickable. just some clicks for emails. I get what you are trying to do, but it just doesn't work. Maybe you should go back to a simple look again.
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