I'm really loving Alex's skins. Thesis itself is pretty darn cool, but MD2 makes me feel waaaay better about my site.
That being said, I can never just leave well enough alone. I'd love to get some feedback and suggestions on how to make my blog more pleasing to the eye, and also more effective at engaging visitors and getting them to spread the word. Any ideas?
My site: www.bulletproofmusician.com
Thanks!
1
Md2 Site - The Bulletproof Musician
Started by Noa Kageyama, May 13 2012 11:38 PM
12 replies to this topic
#2
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Retired Staff
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Posted 13 May 2012 - 11:53 PM
I'm not even going to lie... that looks beautiful! I would have never guessed that your chosen background color would look good on MD2. You're pulling it off, though.
The ONLY thing I would change is the layout of your "7 More Reasons to Sign Up" page linked in your sidebar optin form. I would make that a landing page to cut out all of the distractions. And I would put an optin form after the 7 reasons. I have the shortest optin page in Wordpress history on one of my blogs. But as you can see, there isn't much else to do there but sign up.
Great job, man. I really like it.
The ONLY thing I would change is the layout of your "7 More Reasons to Sign Up" page linked in your sidebar optin form. I would make that a landing page to cut out all of the distractions. And I would put an optin form after the 7 reasons. I have the shortest optin page in Wordpress history on one of my blogs. But as you can see, there isn't much else to do there but sign up.
Great job, man. I really like it.
I no longer work for Kolakube! Alex is still my buddy and all is good in the hood. But I no longer provide support in these forums. Please don't private message me for help or contact me on Skype for help. Thanks. :)
#3
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Posted 14 May 2012 - 07:29 AM
Awesome, great suggestion. Never would have thought of it, as much sense as it makes now that you've mentioned it. I'll go make that change right now.
Thanks so much for taking the time to look at it, Sean.
Thanks so much for taking the time to look at it, Sean.
#4
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- LocationKentucky
Posted 14 May 2012 - 09:01 AM
Noa Kageyama, on 13 May 2012 - 11:38 PM, said:
I'm really loving Alex's skins. Thesis itself is pretty darn cool, but MD2 makes me feel waaaay better about my site.
That being said, I can never just leave well enough alone. I'd love to get some feedback and suggestions on how to make my blog more pleasing to the eye, and also more effective at engaging visitors and getting them to spread the word. Any ideas?
My site: www.bulletproofmusician.com
Thanks!
That being said, I can never just leave well enough alone. I'd love to get some feedback and suggestions on how to make my blog more pleasing to the eye, and also more effective at engaging visitors and getting them to spread the word. Any ideas?
My site: www.bulletproofmusician.com
Thanks!
Great job! Looks absolutely beautiful! You certainly nailed it my friend!
Again, great job!
All the best,
-Alex
#5
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- Customer
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- 64 posts
Junior Member
Posted 18 May 2012 - 03:37 AM
Looks really nice.
My only suggestion is the menu font could use a little tweak, it just jumped out at me as being off anyway. You never know what looks best, i'm guessing a sans serif.
Overall though really nice!
My only suggestion is the menu font could use a little tweak, it just jumped out at me as being off anyway. You never know what looks best, i'm guessing a sans serif.
Overall though really nice!
#6
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- Customer
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- 29 posts
Junior Member
Posted 23 May 2012 - 01:22 PM
Noa Kageyama, on 13 May 2012 - 11:38 PM, said:
I'm really loving Alex's skins. Thesis itself is pretty darn cool, but MD2 makes me feel waaaay better about my site.
That being said, I can never just leave well enough alone. I'd love to get some feedback and suggestions on how to make my blog more pleasing to the eye, and also more effective at engaging visitors and getting them to spread the word. Any ideas?
My site: www.bulletproofmusician.com
Thanks!
That being said, I can never just leave well enough alone. I'd love to get some feedback and suggestions on how to make my blog more pleasing to the eye, and also more effective at engaging visitors and getting them to spread the word. Any ideas?
My site: www.bulletproofmusician.com
Thanks!
I think that you've adapted MD2 to your site beautifully.
The design looks unique, clean and the colors co-ordinate well too.
The only improvement I'd suggest is modifying the graphic for the
edge of the envelope on your contact page:
http://www.bulletpro...an.com/contact/
Modify the image to remove the blue diagonal stripes and use a
color that co-ordinates better for your site.
Great site though.
Dedicated to mutual success,
Shaun
#7
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Posted 23 May 2012 - 01:31 PM
That was a great suggestion, Shaun. I'd have to agree.
I no longer work for Kolakube! Alex is still my buddy and all is good in the hood. But I no longer provide support in these forums. Please don't private message me for help or contact me on Skype for help. Thanks. :)
#8
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- Customer
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- 15 posts
Member
Posted 23 May 2012 - 01:31 PM
Thanks for the idea, Shaun. Never would have thought of modifying the graphic, but it makes good sense now that I take another look.
#9
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- Customer
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- 60 posts
Advanced Member
Posted 28 May 2012 - 02:46 PM
How did you get your menu bar to sit under the title, it looks ace
Great site btw
Great site btw
#10
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Retired Staff
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Retired Staff
- LocationAustin, Texas
Posted 28 May 2012 - 03:20 PM
That's just the normal menu, ichimoku1. MD2 comes with two menus and he's using both. The header menu only has one link in it and it's styled to be the red button. And the other menu is the main menu. It's really no different than the demo. http://demo.kolakube...keters-delight/
I no longer work for Kolakube! Alex is still my buddy and all is good in the hood. But I no longer provide support in these forums. Please don't private message me for help or contact me on Skype for help. Thanks. :)
#11
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- Customer
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- 15 posts
Member
Posted 28 May 2012 - 05:09 PM
Thanks for chiming in, Sean. I couldn't remember if that was standard or if I had tweaked something...
#12
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Junior Member
Posted 15 November 2012 - 12:58 AM
A really GREAT looking site Noa!
It's so refreshing and easy to enjoy.
I love site analysis so.... to offer my 2 cents and make a few observations about what could possibly make it even better I offer the following, respectfully.
1. The header graphic is ok (www.bulletproofmusician.com). It creates intrigue which kept me reading. But I think it is a 'little' dark over the black. Mainly though I think you should have an image of yourself (and your title to add authority) up at the top. The image at the bottom is professional enough, you could start with that perhaps? Something simple in a style to match the casual feel of the logo maybe?
2. Your list building may reduced be by having the optin at the bottom rather than more prominently at the top. Though this may be intentional as you are effectively pre-qualifying and getting subscribers who have had a look around and engaged (a tactic I support for a more responsive list. Maybe split test 2 pages to get a visitors vs optins then run a promo to both lists and see which stacks up?). I'm trying to get a fade in slider to work with my site so that when a prospect gets to the bottom of a page it fades in. Less aggressive than a pop up and nicely dynamic.
3. Have you thought about using a simple slider on the home page to rotate a few more classy images and content teasers? This would add another dynamic - and as long as you were able to apply the same discipline you have in the site design so far I'm sure you could really enhance the home page and initial impression for a prospect. You could also use one of the slides to act as a CTA for an optin. You may think this would make things too busy but a gentle slider well implemented can look super classy - and match your site ;-)
4. There is no easy way to return to the previous page or go on anywhere from the bottom of the on-line course sales page (http://www.bulletpro...ond-practicing/). Again this may be intentional - but as I was not ready to buy I wanted to continue looking elsewhere. I would add another button below the buy options for 'return to site'. I do not believe it will affect sales and will improve the use experience.
5. While on the sales page for the course I'd also make a bigger impact with your samples - use a big red button like your enrol now ones for the PSI profile sample and the Amazon hosted 'excerpt' and 'work sheet'. BTW profilers are a really powerful way to engage - everyone wants to 'rate' themselves or create a score of their ability or position. You should capitalise on the power of this as it's a strong curiosity draw by adding that you'll 'walk them through the 84 question etc etc'. The fact that you'll 'hold their hand' would I think help a lot. It only needs to be a quick guide or audio introduction. For the effort I think it would be well worth it. I'd also make the link a button - and change the wording to Sample PSI Result. This way people know the image is a result rather than a look under the hood at the profiler (which is the big attraction) but the sample only shows an impersonal one page output. The devil is in the detail here! 'Getting to know your profile will give (us) the insight into what is holding you back' (etc). I would love to here your thoughts/results on this - I love profilers as an engagement tool.
6. I would think about using images next to each course component headline.
7. Finally and its turned into more of an analysis than I wanted to (sorry!) - I would consider your pricing model. I think it would be better to offer the course with a perceived bonus and discount. The real value in the more expensive option is the support. The lifetime updates 'could' be offered as a free upgrade (but valued at $50). With good visual appeal for 'the offer' I don't think you'd affect sales, and you may get more because people who don't want to miss out on the obviously superior option don't drop out as readily while they think about the higher price. Choice is sometimes a terrible thing for us!
If it was me..... I'd offer the lifetime support as a OTO and charge an extra $50 for it, maybe more. Maybe you have a OTO? Once people have created that buying process/cycle and have their card out to pay - test show a second purchase/upgrade is easy, OTO's should always be considered IMO - they don't have to be hardcore in your face like a lot of IM'ers use.
Thats it!
For my part - may I ask, did you do the customisation yourself? I am looking to make some mods to my own site and if you used a coder perhaps you could put us in touch as I need a little help.
Anyway I hope the above helps. Great site, course looks wonderful and I love your niche! Do you have an affiliate program???!
Jay
It's so refreshing and easy to enjoy.
I love site analysis so.... to offer my 2 cents and make a few observations about what could possibly make it even better I offer the following, respectfully.
1. The header graphic is ok (www.bulletproofmusician.com). It creates intrigue which kept me reading. But I think it is a 'little' dark over the black. Mainly though I think you should have an image of yourself (and your title to add authority) up at the top. The image at the bottom is professional enough, you could start with that perhaps? Something simple in a style to match the casual feel of the logo maybe?
2. Your list building may reduced be by having the optin at the bottom rather than more prominently at the top. Though this may be intentional as you are effectively pre-qualifying and getting subscribers who have had a look around and engaged (a tactic I support for a more responsive list. Maybe split test 2 pages to get a visitors vs optins then run a promo to both lists and see which stacks up?). I'm trying to get a fade in slider to work with my site so that when a prospect gets to the bottom of a page it fades in. Less aggressive than a pop up and nicely dynamic.
3. Have you thought about using a simple slider on the home page to rotate a few more classy images and content teasers? This would add another dynamic - and as long as you were able to apply the same discipline you have in the site design so far I'm sure you could really enhance the home page and initial impression for a prospect. You could also use one of the slides to act as a CTA for an optin. You may think this would make things too busy but a gentle slider well implemented can look super classy - and match your site ;-)
4. There is no easy way to return to the previous page or go on anywhere from the bottom of the on-line course sales page (http://www.bulletpro...ond-practicing/). Again this may be intentional - but as I was not ready to buy I wanted to continue looking elsewhere. I would add another button below the buy options for 'return to site'. I do not believe it will affect sales and will improve the use experience.
5. While on the sales page for the course I'd also make a bigger impact with your samples - use a big red button like your enrol now ones for the PSI profile sample and the Amazon hosted 'excerpt' and 'work sheet'. BTW profilers are a really powerful way to engage - everyone wants to 'rate' themselves or create a score of their ability or position. You should capitalise on the power of this as it's a strong curiosity draw by adding that you'll 'walk them through the 84 question etc etc'. The fact that you'll 'hold their hand' would I think help a lot. It only needs to be a quick guide or audio introduction. For the effort I think it would be well worth it. I'd also make the link a button - and change the wording to Sample PSI Result. This way people know the image is a result rather than a look under the hood at the profiler (which is the big attraction) but the sample only shows an impersonal one page output. The devil is in the detail here! 'Getting to know your profile will give (us) the insight into what is holding you back' (etc). I would love to here your thoughts/results on this - I love profilers as an engagement tool.
6. I would think about using images next to each course component headline.
7. Finally and its turned into more of an analysis than I wanted to (sorry!) - I would consider your pricing model. I think it would be better to offer the course with a perceived bonus and discount. The real value in the more expensive option is the support. The lifetime updates 'could' be offered as a free upgrade (but valued at $50). With good visual appeal for 'the offer' I don't think you'd affect sales, and you may get more because people who don't want to miss out on the obviously superior option don't drop out as readily while they think about the higher price. Choice is sometimes a terrible thing for us!
If it was me..... I'd offer the lifetime support as a OTO and charge an extra $50 for it, maybe more. Maybe you have a OTO? Once people have created that buying process/cycle and have their card out to pay - test show a second purchase/upgrade is easy, OTO's should always be considered IMO - they don't have to be hardcore in your face like a lot of IM'ers use.
Thats it!
For my part - may I ask, did you do the customisation yourself? I am looking to make some mods to my own site and if you used a coder perhaps you could put us in touch as I need a little help.
Anyway I hope the above helps. Great site, course looks wonderful and I love your niche! Do you have an affiliate program???!
Jay
#13
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- Customer
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- 15 posts
Member
Posted 15 November 2012 - 09:09 AM
Wow, Jay, thank you for all the great ideas! I have a bit of revising ahead of me it seems...
To answer your question, I did the customization myself with a good bit of help from google, the thesis forum, and of course, the kolakube forum.
To answer your question, I did the customization myself with a good bit of help from google, the thesis forum, and of course, the kolakube forum.
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