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A.P.A.D.

A.P.A.D.

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I have had the website up and running now for a month or so, but am working to get it to the top of the google search for my area. Dwayne McPeeks (yes the one and only Dwayne who has helped many here at AG while he worked here) has been helping me with SEO and it is paying off with his knowledge and advice.

the site was built by a buddy using wordpress. here is a link to the site:

Absolute Perfection Auto Detailing - Goldsboro, NC

there are still some tweaking i would like to so such as making the "prices" page more user friendly and also create a "customer reviews" page.

let me know what u think! pros/cons
 
Thank you for the kind feedback Nicholas.
 
Looks awesome!

One grammatical note is "A full detail does not remove defects in the paint just as water ..." It should be such as not "just as."

Also don't know if this is possible, but something like a create your own plan would be new and innovative! For example, you can list out choices and a price and basically tell them to choose whatever they want to. Have a cool list like

Hand wash = 20
Clay bar = 35
Interior = 30
Wheels = 10
Wax = 25
Headlight restoration = 75
Etc, etc.

Make sure though that the things included in you package add up, for example your value package is 120 - 160. Whatever is included in that package, if you make that package from the list above should be between 120-160.

Basically allow them to pick and choose. You could call it a "Make-your-own-package" or something. Allowing for cheaper packages (aka just a handwash and interior) will help you increase your number of customers and keep you busy. Just a thought, good luck!
 
The front page rocks, very nice design. But when you click on a link for any of the services, you get a PDF that pops up very small. To read it you have to magnify it. I would suggest getting rid of the PDF pages altogether and just making more html pages pop up - this will greatly enhance the readability and consistency. Even though the design is a knockout, the inconsistency from html to undersized PDF makes the site appear more amateur and less professional. Good luck!

EDIT - I noticed that only the 'full detail' and 'paint correction' come up as undersized PDFs. The other links come up as fully sized PDFs. These are the 2 pages that really need to be readable and I would suggest that get re-sized just like the 'motorcycle detail' PDF gets re-sized (or replace all the PDF stuff with hrml). Also, you should put together a 'details coming soon' page for the boat detailing link, rather than just have no link for it. Or, just remove the boat link until you have a page together. It adds to the inconsistency.
 
Vegas Transplant said:
Definitely a home run. You guys knocked this one out of the ball park. :props:
Click to expand...

Thanks!

ihaveacamaro said:
Looks awesome!

One grammatical note is "A full detail does not remove defects in the paint just as water ..." It should be such as not "just as."

Also don't know if this is possible, but something like a create your own plan would be new and innovative! For example, you can list out choices and a price and basically tell them to choose whatever they want to. Have a cool list like

Hand wash = 20
Clay bar = 35
Interior = 30
Wheels = 10
Wax = 25
Headlight restoration = 75
Etc, etc.

Make sure though that the things included in you package add up, for example your value package is 120 - 160. Whatever is included in that package, if you make that package from the list above should be between 120-160.

Basically allow them to pick and choose. You could call it a "Make-your-own-package" or something. Allowing for cheaper packages (aka just a handwash and interior) will help you increase your number of customers and keep you busy. Just a thought, good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I fixed the typo on the HTML will have to go back and edit the brochure.

Not really interested in an alacarte menu at this time. people seem happy with the Full detail package 95% of the time. the other 5% just let me know if they want to exclude the paint sealant etc and then i quote them a price at that time.

i do need to add add-ons though such as engine detail and such.

lokerola said:
The front page rocks, very nice design. But when you click on a link for any of the services, you get a PDF that pops up very small. To read it you have to magnify it. I would suggest getting rid of the PDF pages altogether and just making more html pages pop up - this will greatly enhance the readability and consistency. Even though the design is a knockout, the inconsistency from html to undersized PDF makes the site appear more amateur and less professional. Good luck!

EDIT - I noticed that only the 'full detail' and 'paint correction' come up as undersized PDFs. The other links come up as fully sized PDFs. These are the 2 pages that really need to be readable and I would suggest that get re-sized just like the 'motorcycle detail' PDF gets re-sized (or replace all the PDF stuff with hrml). Also, you should put together a 'details coming soon' page for the boat detailing link, rather than just have no link for it. Or, just remove the boat link until you have a page together. It adds to the inconsistency.
Click to expand...

thanks for the feedback. i agree with u. i need to come up with something different than the pdf file. good eye!
 
1. I absolutely hate that when I click the links on the right side it opens a new browser page. It should open in the same window.

2. The .PDF of each of those pages should be web pages in my opinion. This would allow the user to navigate around your site. Each page could have you definitions and pricing on them for that section.


Overall you site is nice. I like the layout and style as well as the color combo. You might even want to work in testimonial into your portfolio pictures or a description of what was done.
 
+1 on the PDF's being actual pages. You can always just convert them to JPEG's and add them to a new page. Then link accordingly.
 
TroyScherer said:
2. The .PDF of each of those pages should be web pages in my opinion. This would allow the user to navigate around your site. Each page could have you definitions and pricing on them for that section.
Click to expand...

:iagree: Great colors too! Here are my suggestions.

  • Lose the pdf convert to jpg putting it between the header and footer to keep it consistent.
  • Lose the price page since you already have them on your package pages.
  • One more thing maybe move the buttons to the left side of the page unless you live in England or Japan. Maybe it's just me put I look for links from left to right :)
You might have something with putting them on the right but it kind of throws me off for a second. But in that time someone might have moved on from your page.

Great start:dblthumb2:
 
Hey,

This website looks really great! Informative yet not overflowing with text, user friendly and is visually appealing. Nice work!!

One comment though - When you click on "Paint Correction" on the left, the pdf states the price starts from 250$. However when you click on the "Prices" tab at the top, you list it as starting from 300$. Which is the correct one?
 
Jon I really like the site......but( there is always a but)

the only thing is the pictures changing on the home page....way to fast for me.

got a little disstracted when trying to read your text and the pics changing untill I scrolled down a little more.Just me I guess.

All and all great website!
 
Really liked the site...under paint correction the word "picky" didn't seem right to me. Picky sounds kind of like a put down...maybe just me...but I think just saying "for the auto enthusiast" instead of "for the picky auto enthusiast" comes across a little better...
 
Why can't you use the back button on your website? When you click it brings up a new page. This must be what the PDF thing is everyone is saying. I have never seen a website where you can't go back to the page you were just on.

Just for the record. I don't know anything about website design.
 
I really like the web site, very clean. I personally hate hitting the back arrow and really like the idea of opening a new tab. I normally have 5 pages loaded when I start the internet so another page doesn’t bother me. The PDF’s i guess are ok because your users will be able to save them to their computer or print them out. Also the portfolio looks great and it’s nice to see you put both trucks and cars in there.
 
TroyScherer said:
1. I absolutely hate that when I click the links on the right side it opens a new browser page. It should open in the same window.

2. The .PDF of each of those pages should be web pages in my opinion. This would allow the user to navigate around your site. Each page could have you definitions and pricing on them for that section.


Overall you site is nice. I like the layout and style as well as the color combo. You might even want to work in testimonial into your portfolio pictures or a description of what was done.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback...the pdf files seem to be an issue for everyone. i will probably make new pages with each brochure in a jpg format so folks can continue to navigate the site from the package they are viewing.

in the original post, i mentioned i will be adding a testimonials page (i called it a customer reviews page, i like testimonials more though:props:). great minds think alike.

wgilles said:
Very clean well done. I like the PDFs you created.
Click to expand...

Thanks! i like how they turned out as well.

Ray@Autogeek said:
+1 on the PDF's being actual pages. You can always just convert them to JPEG's and add them to a new page. Then link accordingly.
Click to expand...

that is what i will do! :props:

Attn2Detailz said:
:iagree: Great colors too! Here are my suggestions.

  • Lose the pdf convert to jpg putting it between the header and footer to keep it consistent. Will do!
  • Lose the price page since you already have them on your package pages. Good point!
  • One more thing maybe move the buttons to the left side of the page unless you live in England or Japan. Maybe it's just me put I look for links from left to right :) Interesting perspective here. im definitely in America but i was born in England, so that might be leaking in here.:xyxthumbs:
You might have something with putting them on the right but it kind of throws me off for a second. But in that time someone might have moved on from your page.

Great start:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

red black and grey are my favorite color combinations! thanks for the feedback.

Mc'lovin said:
Hey,

This website looks really great! Informative yet not overflowing with text, user friendly and is visually appealing. Nice work!!

One comment though - When you click on "Paint Correction" on the left, the pdf states the price starts from 250$. However when you click on the "Prices" tab at the top, you list it as starting from 300$. Which is the correct one?
Click to expand...

when i did the brochure, i was thinking minimum as in a Miata or such. It was easier to change text then change the brochure. good point and definitely something i need to have be the same on both for consistency reasons.

dad07 said:
Jon I really like the site......but( there is always a but)

the only thing is the pictures changing on the home page....way to fast for me. It is set to change every 3 seconds. Is this really too fast?! Do you think 5 seconds would be better?

got a little disstracted when trying to read your text and the pics changing untill I scrolled down a little more.Just me I guess.

All and all great website!
Click to expand...

thanks for the feedback!

DaveT435 said:
Really liked the site...under paint correction the word "picky" didn't seem right to me. Picky sounds kind of like a put down...maybe just me...but I think just saying "for the auto enthusiast" instead of "for the picky auto enthusiast" comes across a little better...
Click to expand...

interesting perspective there. i always considered myself picky about my vehicles. i didnt look at it as being picky as in whiny or a pain. thanks for sharing.

rustytruck said:
Why can't you use the back button on your website? When you click it brings up a new page. This must be what the PDF thing is everyone is saying. I have never seen a website where you can't go back to the page you were just on.

Just for the record. I don't know anything about website design.
Click to expand...

yes, that is the pdf files. it opens it in a new tab. thanks for looking!

Infiniti said:
I really like the web site, very clean. I personally hate hitting the back arrow and really like the idea of opening a new tab. I normally have 5 pages loaded when I start the internet so another page doesn’t bother me. The PDF’s i guess are ok because your users will be able to save them to their computer or print them out. Also the portfolio looks great and it’s nice to see you put both trucks and cars in there.
Click to expand...

i am the same way as well. i always have multiple tabs open, but i think survey says most folks dont like to have more tabs open.

i always enjoy taking pictures of my work and editing in the logo somewhere in them (sometimes in multiple places). i actually do more trucks than anything else. check out my facebook page i always post what i work on daily and lately it is trucks trucks trucks!



thank you everyone for taking time to comb through the site and give their honest opinions. i will be working on making the site easier to navigate by switching out the pdf files.

happy detailing folks! :buffing:
 
A.P.A.D. said:
interesting perspective there. i always considered myself picky about my vehicles. i didnt look at it as being picky as in whiny or a pain. thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

maybe instead of "picky" you could change it to "detail-oriented"? :xyxthumbs:
 
A.P.A.D. said:
Thanks for the feedback...the pdf files seem to be an issue for everyone. i will probably make new pages with each brochure in a jpg format so folks can continue to navigate the site from the package they are viewing.

in the original post, i mentioned i will be adding a testimonials page (i called it a customer reviews page, i like testimonials more though:props:). great minds think alike.
Click to expand...

I didn't notice the PDFs the first time I looked at the site. It doesn't bother me from a design perspective, it is almost as if it encourages people to print them out or save them to their computer.

The main reason, in my opinion, you will want to convert the PDF pages into full HTML documents is so that search bots with be able to index the text on the page. Simply converting them to a picture will not be beneficial for your search rankings. Standard HTML text is what all the google/yahoo/bing crawlers are going to pick up on.
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
I didn't notice the PDFs the first time I looked at the site. It doesn't bother me from a design perspective, it is almost as if it encourages people to print them out or save them to their computer.

The main reason, in my opinion, you will want to convert the PDF pages into full HTML documents is so that search bots with be able to index the text on the page. Simply converting them to a picture will not be beneficial for your search rankings. Standard HTML text is what all the google/yahoo/bing crawlers are going to pick up on.
Click to expand...

I just made some changes to the site. got rid of the PDF files and made them into jpg on the actual page. i like it a lot more now. flows a lot better! thanks guys! :props:

i would like to keep the look of the brochure. i understand what u are saying about the crawlers needing actual HTML to view the site.

would it be too much to have text under the brochures. maybe in black text so it wouldnt be so noticeable and look cluttered?

also changed the slider to change every 4 seconds instead of 3.

also added the testimonial page as well
 
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