Custom Toolbars for your Site!

**Sparkie** · Oct 10, 2003 09:23

I'd like to hear your comments on a new service that my husband and I are offering - custom toolbars for your website, just like the kind that Yahoo, eBay and Google offer.

I'm really not looking for too many comments on the design, but rather the content. Specifically, I'm interested in knowing:

Does what I wrote make you interested in learning more about a custom toolbar, or purchasing one?
Have I left out anything that you'd like to see added? (things which would then pursuade you to perhaps buy a custom toolbar)
Is the Features/Comparison page compelling enough? Or would you like to see more comparisons?
Anything else design or content-wise that I've overlooked?

www.yourtoolbar.com

Thank you for your comments and help. They are much appreciated!

Sherice

**SJH** · Oct 10, 2003 09:32

Fancy giving us the URL?

-Sam

**Sparkie** · Oct 10, 2003 09:47

Duh. How'd I miss that

**platinum** · Oct 10, 2003 09:58

Cool service!

My points though..

Heaps of text on the front page! I know you want to get everything accross, but it is a bit of an information overload. I'd try to shorten it down heaps, down to about 1 or 2 paragraphs of lean, mean marketing text

The design itself works quite well (although, it is a tad bland for my tastes, maybe the header area could be spiced up with an image or two and even a real "logo"). the box on the right could do with a little padding too

**Soky** · Oct 10, 2003 10:03

Originally Posted by Sparkie

I'd like to hear your comments on a new service that my husband and I are offering - custom toolbars for your website, just like the kind that Yahoo, eBay and Google offer.

I'm really not looking for too many comments on the design, but rather the content.
Thank you for your comments and help. They are much appreciated!

Sherice

The bolded made me grin.

I thought I would let you know there is a JS syntax error reported... it reports line 35 but it could be anywhere. You can turn script debugging on and find it I'm sure.

Just thought I would let you.

**wild boar** · Oct 10, 2003 16:28

I agree.. way to much text.. I never did see a toolbar picture that you made, I saw ebays, yahoo and google.. why not place a picture of a toolbar that's called yourtoolbar as an example.

**Sparkie** · Oct 11, 2003 18:04

Thanks Soky for the heads up on the Javascript error. What browser is that in (does anyone else see it?) and on what page? I couldn't seem to find it.

And thanks for your insight too, Wild Boar. Good point you've made! I'll upload some today to give you examples of the work.

**ComposerRyan** · Oct 12, 2003 10:41

Hi Sherice,

First of all, I really like the idea that you have created here with the custom toolbars...it is very interesting and I hope it takes off for you!

It is a great site you have...good work on it! I do feel that the idea of your service should be more "easy-to-access" and straightforward. For instance, you could have a button to the right or left side that says "Take a Tour and find out everything about custom toolbars in 3 easy steps." The reason I say this is because many websites out there have an online tour that allows the visitor to learn about the service, website, or product in a simple step-by-step process.

Other than that, it looks great and I have no complaints! Keep up the great work and may you succeed with the services you provide,

Ryan

**jseles** · Oct 12, 2003 21:29

Very cool service!

Good :
- the features table
- what customers are saying
- images of your toolbar

Bad :
- too much text, not enough images (keep it as short as possible!)
- bad navigation : the menu could be improved (how do we return to the homepage and how are we supposed to know on what page we are?)

**Sparkie** · Oct 13, 2003 06:20

Thank you all very much for your insight and feedback. It is so refreshing to have some different opinions of the work and get suggestions and ideas on how to improve it.

Neat idea, Ryan on the tour thing. I will definitely put that in. I know that when I myself am short of time but wanting to read what a site has to say, I like the option of those "3-minute tours" that give me all the gist of it.

I get a lot of comments on the length of the text. I'll see what I can do to shorten it...

Any other comments or suggestions? You're welcome to let me know. I'll take each and every one of them into consideration.

Thanks!

**Eventus** · Oct 21, 2003 09:15

I do alot of toolbar development for our sites so I know about this stuff.

-------

Overall not a bad presentation but page (home page at least) has way too much information on it

- Seperate it into major areas on seperate pages.
- Increass your cell spacing so you have more "white space" and your text is off the page and table margins.

SAMPLES! - Include image samples of toolbars that you've developed as well as live downloads. Include some case studies if you have major clients.

I wouldn't include Ebay, Yahoo or Google if you were not personably responsible for the development of those bars...

Best of luck..

Jeff

Ps. here is the toolbar that I completed. It was developed in-house.
http://www.americlicks.com/toolbar

**billiousness** · Dec 8, 2003 20:29

Hey Sparkie,

I'm so sorry but the copy on the front page presents like a pushy direct marketing/sales letter. This is the same copy presentation style of all those e-book pushers, so I therefore didn't even bother reading it or going further into the site. I know that seems pretty harsh but I and I also suggest people in general are very much dullened to the effect of that style of marketing presentation. It's been used to death both offline and onlline by too many people.

For site design and copy suggestions if I were you I'd go look at succesful software and/or script developer's web sites and see how they provide information and persude buyers.

**Sloq** · Dec 8, 2003 20:52

Hello Sherice

The comparison page of you website is misleading, below is a list the features of our WYSIWYG Toolbar Designer software. The list corresponds with those features listed on your website. The Toolbar Wizard toolbar designer has many features not listed here.

Updating your site would be appreciated by all

<< edit - removed self promotional bits + link, contact the thread starter privately >>

**Sloq** · Dec 9, 2003 05:11

Your comparisons page is misleading regarding our Custom Toolbar software.

It would be appreciated if it was udated to reflect more accurately our custom toolbar designer software.

<< post above edited for a reason DO NOT RE-POST >>

**wild boar** · Dec 9, 2003 05:18

I thought this was a website review? If you want changes done on his website then I suggest you email him directly before you p off the sitepoint admins.

Originally Posted by Sloq

Your comparisons page is misleading regarding our Custom Toolbar software.

It would be appreciated if it was udated to reflect more accurately our custom toolbar designer software.

**Sloq** · Dec 9, 2003 05:29

I'm not posting hear to upset anyone, the features of our software were sent to the website prior to posting here. We do not mind competition at all, in fact we encourage it, all I am asking is that the software is represented accurately.

**wild boar** · Dec 9, 2003 05:36

I understand.. I wouldn't want someone putting inaccurate information about my software either.. but it's the fact that this thread is a site review.. all you have to do is email him and ask him nicely to change the stuff.. which I'm sure sparkie will do.. he probably just got all of the comparsions mixed up..

**Sloq** · Dec 9, 2003 05:49

Thank you for understanding, I will be contacting the website again.

**wild boar** · Dec 9, 2003 05:52

oh sorry, it's to early for me..

try pming sparky, go here -->
http://www.sitepointforums.com/priva...o=newpm&u=5478

or you can email him -->
http://www.sitepointforums.com/sendm...lmember&u=5478

**platinum** · Dec 9, 2003 06:32

Okay "Sloq", that's the 3rd time... is the point getting through okay? Don't post your spammy list of features + website links again. If you have something to discuss with sparkie, do so in private, this is a thread for a website review, not for you to complain and advertise your own product.

**jeskel** · Dec 9, 2003 09:34

Hi,
running IE6... the text isn't centered... is that normal?

**neothebrute** · Dec 10, 2003 11:10

idea is gr8. implementation is bad. u wanna get ur idea across but do it in a way that appeals the general webmaster. try to imagine that the webmaster who visits for the first time is not interested. then try to coax him with ur site's stuff.
Neo

**interactive** · Dec 10, 2003 12:06

I'm running IE6 and I keep getting JS errors on your site (on line 48).

As mentioned before there's a bit too much information all on one page. Maybe try dividing it up onto another page that's more 'detailed'?

I know you didn't want your design critiqued but in my opinion it has a big role here. It's a bit too bland and with the all the information on your site it feels as though the visitor is being overwelmed.

I like where you're heading with it, along with the whole custom toolbar concept and I wish you the best of luck.

**Winged Spider** · Dec 10, 2003 12:08

but it's the fact that this thread is a site review..

I don't know why you guys are being so harsh on this guy. He's giving a honest review of the website, and posting information to help Sparkie make his site better. Just because he happens to be the owner of a competing business shouldn't warrent the kind of flames he's been dealt.

Would a 3rd party receive the same reactions?

**platinum** · Dec 10, 2003 15:06

Originally Posted by Winged Spider

Would a 3rd party receive the same reactions?

You betcha.

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