This is the new design for our new business. I'm not looking for a usability critique and all that fun stuff, I got that covered.

I'm simply looking for opinions of overall design and feel. When you see this, do you FEEL good about it, does it hit you right? If not, would love to know that also.

Thanks!

Nice and clean with a welcoming feel. And it looks as if it will be easy to navigate as well. That's always a plus.

On a side note, obviously the BBB and Safe Shopping banners have proven beneficial to you. Care to share your experience regarding them?

Hi Ricky,

First, I'm a big fan.

Second, the only thing that hit me wrong was the lady with a smile, but crossed arms. Sent me a mixed message, not an inviting one.

Third, the site looks clean and has an otherwise nice feel. Nice color scheme.

Fourth, I'd love to swipe it from you (but I won't). You should do good with this.

Bingo. The point being there is something called "affective" or emotional usability -- desirability design.

For example, the arms folded stance, when you read what the design is communicating, the body language is communicating aloofness, hostility, stubbornness, and pomposity.

All the person smiling with folded arms does is make the visual more complicated, like writing copy at a tenth grade level. Whether you can comprehend the ten dollar words (body language) or not, the response will still go down.

I would, however, like to see some nice split run tests on exactly what this does to response.

With a couple dozen sites as examples, you'd have the makings of a thousand dollar course on direct response design principles as a spinoff product.

The ability to "read design," is called design rhetoric. It's not usability as most people understand that term, but is fundamental to understanding persuasive design technique. (The ten dollar word for it is Captology)

It's more like a copywriter understanding power words. Or that a headline set in larger type works better.

Understanding persuasive design technique is a whole 'nother level beyond understanding what the dropdowns of PhotoShop do.

Another thing, the black hair on black background, purely on aesthetics, doesn't work all that well. It's more like a "don't wear a green tie or shirt when you're doing green screen chromakey knockout" kind of thing.

The larger point of this is, when a picture is worth a thousand words, and the header is right there at the top of the page, you owe it to yourself to understand implications. Design matters. It's like if you don't really know what those first thousand words of your sales letter actually mean or what they'll do to readers.

John, I said I wasn't looking for a usability critique I guess you missed that part?

The point being is if you knew me, you know I test this stuff, that's why I just asked for "hey, do you like the "look"".

Also, I never said I can "read design" like you implied. I said I had it covered because I have different variations of this header. If you knew what I do, you'd know that I test and wouldn't have said that.

And that's why I didn't want usability critiques, they're pointless.

Just like when someone, like you've done, reads an article and feels compelled to share your "wisdom". Unfortunately this happens all the time in marketing also. What you've done reminds me of the "guru's" I sometimes rant about.

They try one technique or read a few articles, then go off telling the world how absolute the "thing" is they just did which is SO misleading. I only say that because some newbie might come on this board and actually take what you say seriously.

What they DO need to do is do what I did. HAVE different variations, colors, etc (which I'm not showing here, and if I wanted a deeper discussion on this, which from being on the board a few years I know nobody here is qualified to do) and test it. If we want to go into design and usability and how it affects response it's an entirely new thread.

I appreciate how sold out on your own ideas your are but this thread is about simple, it's just a "Hey I like it" or "No, don't really like it and here's why".

And this question is in all honesty, do you make a full time income online or consistently run tests to come to these conclusions?

And I only ask this because nobody here knows if you're qualified to be speaking on the subject. If you are making big moves and involved with a lot of clients and see a lot of test results and involved in these things, I think people would take what you say more seriously.

Plus nobody knows your real name, etc. That's why I ask, really to just protect the noob. So if you state how well your doing and what you do maybe we could all, including me, pay more attention when you speak and benefit more because we believe you.

I don't say that to be rude by any means, but to simply ask to help us all understand how you come to your conclusions so you have more credibility.

Thanks

Nice header.

Better?

Not to be flippant, but really, what value has a contextless post on whether I like it. My basis for liking it usually goes into some aspect of the design.

As I attempted to explain, "affective usability," isn't exactly what most people think of when using the word usability.

As for how I make my conclusions, I always try to link to articles. You'll notice the blue link text does go to an article about body language.

That is not what most people think of when using the word usability.

Again, nice header. Don't get your pantones in a twist. If you feel the article has some merit, try a pose where the arms aren't folded. Have I tested it? No. Would it be interesting to test? Well maybe.

As I said, I think you're on the way to a nice course on direct response design.

John, I went off on a rant, it really wasn't about you personally because I know you try to give really good advice. For some reason I've been on a tangent lately against fakesters. I guess I've been feelin a bit Ken Calhounish.

But one thing my graphic designer and I DID miss was the pose of the picture. That definately needs to be changed and I appreciate you bringing that to my attention. I'm going to get a new picture taken in the next few days. Something warm and friendly. Thanks for that!

Postsript: I think we've had a nice PM exchange and, as always, people can agree to disagree.

It's nice when people kiss and make up

Ricky-

I don't understand the silhouette?

BTW...A while ago, you had said you were testing one of your sales pages without the big header image...and promised to post results. Did I miss those?